New Pueblan Milkshake Help

[flowerquxxn7]

Hello! I just recently got my female Pueblan milkshake in the mail (my first ever snake :)) and she immediately burrowed and I have only seen here for a few short seconds. I understand that milkshakes burrow a lot, but I am concerned for two reasons. #1, I wanted to start socializing her at a young age, so I was going to start trying to handle her in a couple days so she could settle first. I am just concerned she will spend all her time burrowed and will grow up not used to people. #2, I am worried about feeding. How am I going to feed her if she's burrowed? Any tips would be appreciated as i am new to this :sorry:

[EL Ziggy]

Welcome to the forum flower. Best wishes with your new critter. Give her a week to settle in and then offer her a meal. If she's hiding you can thaw the mouse near her enclosure and see if the scent draws her out. If not you may have to gently lift her onto to the surface to feed her. I'd hold off on any handling until she's eaten a few times. They catch on pretty quickly once they acclimate to their new environment.

[Jim Smith]

Welcome aboard! I think you have the information you need. Your snake will probably remain burrowed for a week or so; at least during the daylight hours. In a week or so you and attempt to feed her a F/T pinkie mouse. If you want to for the first few feedings, you can feed her in a separate container, but that is not at all necessary. The only reason I even mentioned it is in case you didn't know where she was burrowed in and leaving a F/T she may not find while it is still warm. Best of luck and don't get too concerned over every little thing. Snakes are very easy creatures to care for. As long as they have fresh water, correctly controlled heat with a good, reliable thermostat and plenty of places to hide, she should be fine.

[Andy_G]

Welcome!

#1 - It's not really possible to truly socialise a solitary animal, and milk snakes in general are very secretive as well as noctournal, and pueblans are one of the most prone to this behaviour due to their nervous nature, so it's best to let your snake be a snake in regards to that question. Snakes become accustomed to handling to a certain point and many will tolerate it quite well, but I believe that interaction only plays a small role in this process, size and age also play major roles. I kind of hate to say it, but I have never had a pueblan that isn't extremely nervous, darty, and prone to musking, even as regularly handled adults, and I therefore worked with the specific species for a very short time. No matter what you pick up, I always advise getting a few meals into an animal before you begin adding other sources of stress into their lives such as handling. As mentioned by El Ziggy, waiting 5-7 days before you offer food would be ideal.

#2 - I have never owned a single milksnake that once established wouldn't eat something left in it's cage overnight. They rarely even need the prey item to be warm. I would say for the first few feedings or two, if you don't see your snake, it may be best to just leave it in there overnight.

The other gentlemen have also given great advice. Patience is a huge factor in keeping these animals. We are here to help if you need it.

[Scubadiver59]

I have a Pueblan and I can say that everything that Andy_G said below is 100% on the mark...at least it is for my Pueblan.



Welcome!

#1 - It's not really possible to truly socialise a solitary animal, and milk snakes in general are very secretive as well as noctournal, and pueblans are one of the most prone to this behaviour due to their nervous nature, so it's best to let your snake be a snake in regards to that question. Snakes become accustomed to handling to a certain point and many will tolerate it quite well, but I believe that interaction only plays a small role in this process, size and age also play major roles. I kind of hate to say it, but I have never had a pueblan that isn't extremely nervous, darty, and prone to musking, even as regularly handled adults, and I therefore worked with the specific species for a very short time. No matter what you pick up, I always advise getting a few meals into an animal before you begin adding other sources of stress into their lives such as handling. As mentioned by El Ziggy, waiting 5-7 days before you offer food would be ideal.

#2 - I have never owned a single milksnake that once established wouldn't eat something left in it's cage overnight. They rarely even need the prey item to be warm. I would say for the first few feedings or two, if you don't see your snake, it may be best to just leave it in there overnight.

The other gentlemen have also given great advice. Patience is a huge factor in keeping these animals. We are here to help if you need it.

[Bandit]

I will also back up what Andy said. Speaking as to mine and the several others I used to care for at my old job.