Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

[JamieMc88]

Hey there folks, new to the site and new to snake owning, have a leopard gecko but always wanted a snake and decided at the weekend there to go for my first snake went for a milk snake, unsure of its proper breed but hes very pretty, few questions to ask and have some pics so here goes.

Hes really jumpy at the moment wen theres movement towards him or tht he will scatter and jump about, is this just settling in nerves hes this years hatchling so i understand theyre jumpy but mibe not as much as he does?

Also the tank hes in is 30x30x30 is this 2 big for the snake (kaa)lol! he started off just hiding behind the background but i brought it out a bit and hes more active around his viv.

heres the pics hes bwt 12 inches long at the mo and has lovely bright colourings, wat use think?

[Budsteam]

Due to the size of the pics I cant put the set up into perspective (my eyes are watering just looking!) Are measurements cms or inches?
I cant see any hides - are they out of shot. He sure looks like he's feeling a bit vulnerable and looking for cover. can you resize pics so peeps can see the complete layout?

[Budsteam]

BTW
Hi Jamie and welcome!
It's good here you learn lots without being made to feel like a dumbster

Is the viv a 30cm cube exo terra?

[zarozinia]

Ive found milksnakes to be a little more twitchy than some snakes, hopefully it will settle with regular handling. But for the first few days i would leave it to settle in.
The viv may be a bit on the large size for it initially, providing plenty of hides may help it to feel more secure.
Would be good to see resized piccies so we can get a better idea. I wil try to resize the for you
_________________
Cheers Angi
Proud to be a Geordie!
My Images - http://anginelson.deviantart.com/

[zarozinia]

oK heres resized photos - looks like a small exotera viv. I would cover the two sides with dark card or paper to help it feel more secure. Cant see any hides, I would definately supply a couple of small hides too.

Unfortunately glass vivs tend not to retain heat very well, so you may find that obtaining appropriate temperatures is difficult.
_________________
Cheers Angi
Proud to be a Geordie!
My Images - http://anginelson.deviantart.com/

[JamieMc88]

Sorry i should of been a bit more specific, b4 i had the pics up i had took a little inkling that he wasnt keen on the substrate and changed it to kitchen towel i also brought the background at more of an angle so he can freely go from side to side and isnt too tight agains the wall of the viv (which yeah is a 30x30x30cm exoterra cube) the sides were boarded up at the time of changin substrate which also seemed to help, he was fed last nyt 2 pinks, they werent in the tank 5 mins and were gone, hes been freely moving around and was in for a soak earlier, all in all he seems alot more calmer aswell, btw he was 3 hides the pics jus didnt show that, at the mo hes in a toilet tube as we speak lol, i know hes jus been fed and shouldnt handle him but am i ok to go in and change the water? if hes startled i understand he might regurgitate his food? he has a climbing branch aswell but might get some leaves for the side to make it more comfortable? lol this is the longest post i have ever written on a forum! many thanks for helping folks

[JohnC]

I think you are doing very well so far Jamie.
How are you heating the viv and are you getting good temperatures?
I think you can change the water without upseting him, do it discretely.
When you do handle him, don't be surprised if he pees on you this is a natural nervous reaction which most small milks will have.
All 5 of mine did it. They usually grow out of it as they get used to you.
Also be prepared for sudden changes when you handle him. He may be still in your hands and then suddenly will take off, they are worse than corns for this.
_________________
John
Oldest member, been keeping reptiles for 36 years.
Carpets, royals, rainbow boas, corns, milks, ackies and leos.

[JamieMc88]

It is heated by one of the sticky heat mats that heats up a gd portion of the base but does have some cool areas, yeah he did urinate wen he was taken out to change the substrate, i kind of have a small fear of snakes lol but really feel with this snake i can get over that, any ideas on wat morph he is folks?

[JohnC]

Re morph, it is a normal of one one the milk snake species.
Not easy to be sure from the pics, could be Pueblan or another.
What did you buy it as?
_________________
John
Oldest member, been keeping reptiles for 36 years.
Carpets, royals, rainbow boas, corns, milks, ackies and leos.

[JamieMc88]

The guy in the shop came away with some name tht i hadnt heard before, but he also said it preffered the chips and likes pretty humid surroundings which have proven to be false, i shall get some better pics up when i get home