seeking infor on pueblan or mexican milks

[latazyo]

hi, I'm looking to get my first snake and I'm attracted to these two snakes

I have a few questions though
1. do either of these snakes have any sort of UV requirement (I ask becuase my experience with reptiles is in turtles/tortoises and chameleons, and they do have UV requirements)
2. are either of these snakes a good beginner snake?
3. if you had to choose between the two, which would you choose and why?
4. do either of these snakes have a tendency to bite?
5. where might a person find these in the United States to purchse (not catch)

thanks in advance if you can offer any assistance to my snake finding adventures

[Ed_r]

No uv required.

Not a bad beginner snake just not real handleable, very fast snake, Loves to escape.

Personal preference choice, both have similar husbandry

Usually they dont bit unless you handle another snake, or anything that resembles a snake, they are canabalistic towards snakes at times.

There are plenty of places to get them in the states. Go to herp shows, LLL reptile and a few others of the sort.

[marisa]

1. Nope. Like most snakes they do just fine without UV as most are noctural, or only out early dawn. dusk.
2. I'd say both are! Milks *are* more nippy than corns and it can take them longer to calm down. But husbandry of both is easy and similar to corns, kings other milks, etc.
3. Can't tell you that any better than I could tell you what you want for dinner. Do research, talk to other keepers and decide which suits you best.
4. Yes both. Normally just as babies, and even an adults bite won't cause serious or permanent damage, in fact you probably wouldn't even feel it. :)
5. All over! Just type "milksnake breeders" into google.

Those are basic answers and nothing stands 100% true for each and every snake and I am sure some milk keepers will be able to give you even more detail.

Marisa

[Vanan]

I'd recommend the Mexican over the pueblan. Seem to have better temperaments. Not as skittish as puebs. I'm sure Roy would have more info on each as he has years of experience keeping both. So he claims! :D j/k

[latazyo]

I hope some milk keepers come in and offer their advice

if you notice my location, there's pretty much no such thing as a reptile show around here, hehe, but I'm used to having to buy animals online anyways, so this won't be anything different than before

do either of these snakes get bigger than 6' as adults, if so, I might have to reconsider, I don't think I could handle a snake that big

also, if these snakes aren't handleable, perhaps I'd have to reconsider and think about a different snake...I want one that can be handled pretty regularly

[marisa]

A Pueblan is a small species. Normally rounding out at like 35 inches I think. Although some please correct me if I am wrong.

These snakes are most certaintly handleable!!! :) It's just calming one down takes time. If you are willing and wanting to hold often and deal with tiny painless nips and some musking, then you are definitly looking in the right direction, as extra handling/regular handling will really help calm them down especially as they age.

If you are indeed looking for something a bit calmer right off the bat, then try a cornsnake. But remember, ALL species, especially young specimens can and sometimes do bite.

Marisa

[latazyo]

your description sounds perfect for me, that is not as bad as I thought it sounded at first

[vanderkm]

Based on our experience a Mexican is an easier beginner snake than a Peublan because they are less likely to bite and much less active - a calmer nature for sure. Pueblans can get larger, Mexicans don't get much over 3 feet at the max and our 3 year old is less than that now. Peublans can be up to 4 feet. I find the Mexican prettier, but depends on what you are looking for. Mexicans are very nice, calm, good feeding snakes - great pets. If you want something in the same size range you might also consider Mexican kings (variable, mex mex and durango mountain) very pretty with a lot of different patterns,

mary v.

[Classic]

Pueblan are a good choice as it was my first snake. Pueblans are very skittish as yearlings but calm down to be very docile with moderate handling. I personally have never been bitten by my pueblans and any one elses. They will musk until they are used to being handled. An exception to the rule though, occasionally an adult male will musk if he is not in the mood to be tampered with. Pueblan are a relatively small milk ocassionally reaching 3ft.
They are very easy to care for and love to have tight , confined places to hide as they are a very secretive animal.

Mexican are spastic also. Maybe a little less flighty, but they fit the typical milk snake traits. They only want to get away from your hands and hide. Mexican milks are a little smaller than the pueblans but just barely. Mexican top out at 30" but some specimens have reached 40" . A 40" Mexican would be a very robust animal.

I think either would be a good choice as both have the same needs and both are relatively the same size.

Brian
HighWaterHerps

[latazyo]

I've been reading more posts in the milk and king snake forum here and I'm leaning towards the mexican at this time, I guess it will come to availablility, too...I live in North Dakota and unfortunately this isn't a very popular hobby up here and I'm not really sure which breeders are reputable online, yet

[latazyo]

I found mexican, pueblan, and apricot pueblan on aaareptilesupply.com for very good prices, 39,45, and 49 respectively plus shipping

does anyone know anything about aaareptilesupply.com?

[gonesnakee]

Go with the Mexican. They are less common than the PMs (in Canada anyhow) & are slightly less nervous snakes (not much though). They don't grow quite as large & are apt to be more docile as well. Most Milks aren't mean, but are real skittish. I find the Mexs keep their bright baby colors better than PMs too. If space is a concern go for the Mex as they are slightly smaller, but its pretty much which one YOU like best & what is most readily available to you at a reasonable price. Mark

[Tim_Cranwill]

I'm only a 3 hour drive from you and I have a pueblan for sale. ;)

http://www3.mb.sympatico.ca/~cranwill/net_pics/pueblan02.jpg

[latazyo]

Tim, is there any sort of regulation at the border that we'll have problems with?

[Tim_Cranwill]

Not really. I've driven over the border with newly purchased snakes before. You don't need any official documentation. I just brought my receipt and some books that showed the exact sub-species I was bringing over (cal kings and sinaloans). I had to go into the office to show them the snakes but they were more curious than anything. It may be different on your side of the fence though. Call the border patrol office and ask them. They'll be able to tell you for sure. :)

Give me a call if you want to. 204-269-2502 :)

[vanderkm]

Bringing into and out of Canada is not a big deal - it is the US Fish and Wildlife that has the stiff regulations - they require a lot to take reptiles out of or bring them into the US. It has the potential to be a big issue for someone driving herps back to the US because Customs would likely be aware of the F & W regs that need to be met including inspection at designated ports or making arrangements for their F & W officers to come to the port to inspect and verify. Plenty of paperwork to be done in advance to move even colubrids INTO the US.

Not to discourage you from buying from Tim - he has some great animals! Just don't want you to lose it when you try to get through the border.

mary v.

[latazyo]

alright, the word on the street is that a local pet store has a snake "with red yellow and black" markings (my friends know I like those) so I'll be checking it out today to see what species it is, if not I might have to get on the horn with border patrol and find out their opinions on this