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Black Milksnake

K

Kingetula

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I've never owned these snakes. Recently my curiosity about them has risen to the point I may buy a pair.
 
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On my 5 yr old female Kami you can just make out a little of the white banding left on her belly, otherwise she's completely black, as is my male Kenny. I guess it depends on what line you get (San Antonio stock is said to be the best). I love these snakes! Solid bodied, jet black, voracious eaters, with a great personality as adults. Here's a pic of my male Kenny with my girlfriends son.

kenny1.jpg
 
good to hear that. I got a pair of the San Antonio stock so I hope it arrives soon.

thanks
 
When I get back stateside I'm going to have to take a really close look at my male. I haven't noticed any juvenile colors on him for at least the past year. On my female you can still see just a little patterning. This is on animals that are now a little over 2 years old. Really cool snakes though, eating machines and very strong - almost a "stiff" feeling to them when they get wound up. Enjoy them!

Bill
 
San Antonio Stock

TheFragginDragon said:
On my 5 yr old female Kami you can just make out a little of the white banding left on her belly, otherwise she's completely black, as is my male Kenny. I guess it depends on what line you get (San Antonio stock is said to be the best). I love these snakes! Solid bodied, jet black, voracious eaters, with a great personality as adults. Here's a pic of my male Kenny with my girlfriends son.

kenny1.jpg
Click to expand...

You said "San Antonio stock". Does this mean that these nice looking ones originated from the San Antonio area, or were you referring to a breeder. And if it's a breeder, do you have a link to their site?

Thanks!
 
They were bred at, or are descendants of, the black milksnakes produced at the San Antonio Zoo, and they are generally known as the biggest and blackest of all the captive bred black milksnake stock.
 
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I am new to the forums, and just got an 08 black milk from Isis Reptiles the other day. I didn't know about the San Antonio line and wish I woulda asked before I bought mine. Oh well I guess. I got him on Tuesday. I tried to feed him a f/t pinky but he would have no part of it. I tried since I heard these guys usually eat like crazy. Hopefully he will get better in a few days of settling in. I am wondering what is best in term of getting him to grow to his full potential? I dont want to overfeed, but I do want him to get big. Any tips or thoughts of how this is done in a safe and healthy way? My girlfriend got her first snake (MBK) and I want to do the same with it if possible. I hear they can get to 5 feet plus? Average is 4, but how are people getting such large sizes I wonder?
 
My black milksnakes have probably the most aggressive feeding responses of all my snakes, they're absolutely voracious! Give it a few days to acclimate and it should come around. I've always stuck to one feeding every seven to ten days, and they have grown up quite healthy and large (both of mine are almost 6 ft long now). Just don't give in to the temptation to power feed as their health will suffer in the long run.
One of the first questions I would ask when it comes to these snakes is 'what are your temps?'. These snakes thrive with temps in the upper 60's into the 70's. If your temps are too high, it 'could' possibly interfere with their feeding response.
Oh, and you won't be disappointed with your non-San Antonio animals; mine aren't, but they are big shiny beauties nonetheless!
 
TheFragginDragon said:
My black milksnakes have probably the most aggressive feeding responses of all my snakes, they're absolutely voracious! Give it a few days to acclimate and it should come around. I've always stuck to one feeding every seven to ten days, and they have grown up quite healthy and large (both of mine are almost 6 ft long now). Just don't give in to the temptation to power feed as their health will suffer in the long run.
One of the first questions I would ask when it comes to these snakes is 'what are your temps?'. These snakes thrive with temps in the upper 60's into the 70's. If your temps are too high, it 'could' possibly interfere with their feeding response.
Oh, and you won't be disappointed with your non-San Antonio animals; mine aren't, but they are big shiny beauties nonetheless!
Click to expand...


Thanks for the input! I was planning to go about every 5-6 days on feeding, but that is only if I see the last meal has been released from the other end ;) I have a FWC that eats and then poops two days later and wants more food already. But yes I have researched and want to steer clear of power feeding. But still be able to get the best for size that is possible. Same with my girlfriends MBK. And yes as far as temps, I did read up on that and I put him in an area of my room where it will be cooler than for the others I have. I use a space heater to keep my room to around 75ish. But by the door of my room it stays a bit cooler so I think I will be good...well I hope to be good! I will keep an eye on it for sure! And thanks, I am definitely excited about this little guy!!! Even is he aint a San Antone, I will love him just the same! I have a young Leucistic Southern Pine and I am hoping to one day have a big ol jet black snake, and a big ol perfectly white snake! Will make cool pics for sure :D
 
Darn I thought I could go back and edit! But yes I hope you are right and that he acclimates ok and starts eating in a few days. Weird how they are like that. But I guess an over night trip via Fed-ex would make alot of people not want to eat for a few days after being tossed around in a box! Hope I didn't hijack this thread, I just didn't want to start another Black Milk thread when one was already going. I'll get more used to the way things go in here as I frequent the site more often now. Been a visitor for a loooong time and should joined up even longer ago!
 
black milk

I have a black milk that is approximately 50-51 inches. I can see a few remnant red scales close to the head and underbelly. When viewed at just the right angel, I can make out a faint grayscale banded pattern.
 
I am thinkin of buying another one of these but am wondering, the seller says its an 06 but its only 2.5 feet long. Does that seem small? I thought these guys got 5-6 feet long! Is their growth rate just really slow or something? I dont wanna get jipped here. Any insight would be great!
 
Well I bought it and he turned out to be 39 inches long. So not as bad as I thought and he ate for me his first day here. So all seems good thus far!
 
black milk

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. My black was hatched on Aug '04. I bought him in March '06 at a reptile breeder show in Pomona, CA. It still had a pattern, though seriously fading to black. To me, it seemed to grow fast for the next two years. I never had any problem feeding him, except for about one month out of the year when he was more interested in finding a female. Other than that, blacks are like pigs with no legs. Very tame, pleasant disposition, strong and heavy. I'd like to see mine grow to be six feet. So, I suspect if I feed him steadily, he should eventually reach that length.
 
Oh no worries it was more a general question aimed at anyone who wanted to answer...but I very much appreciate your thoughts there! And yeah I do agree they are major pigs when it comes to feeding!! I cant wait till they get to a good solid 5 feet or more!
 
I di get a pair last year (San Antonio Zoo stock)

Anyway they are fast growers, never refuse food, never have tried to bite me. They spend most their time under the mulch and can't say I see them much however today one was above the mulch chilling.

one is dark ish and the other is not, (is darking but not as fast)

Great snakes.
 
Mine stay underground too but I thinks its cause I keep them pretty stuffed once a week. Once they digest they are out cruisin a lot. When they get older I will probably slow down their meals a little and will get to see more of them. Mine are Florida zoo stock and mostly black apart from some faint areas under the throat. So glad to have found out about this species of milks!!! They are just amazing snakes and so easy to maintain!
 
Finally snapped some shots of my Black crew :)

First two pics are of Jet, my 06 male

And the second two are Ebony, my 06 female (in blue at time of photo)
 
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