View Full Version : Black Milksnake Heating question..
So, I have my BMS all set up and whatnot with proper humidity, heat gradient, etc.
My breeder (and a lot of places I've seen) suggest a high 60's cold side to high 70's heated side gradient. I have a heat pad, etc etc and keep it around 78 on the warm side and the other side is room temp, which is about 70 during the day and 67 or so at night.
Other places suggest that they're fine at room temp (high 60's low 70's) without any heat while others suggest that you give a heat gradient for juveniles and adults only need room temp..
I'm wondering what peoples experiences are with black milksnakes when it comes to heating because at first my little guy seemed to like chilling on the warm side any time he ate and usually on and off during the day, but he seems to only be on the cool side any time I check on him, even after feeding, so I don't want to be cutting off half his tank just because he doesn't like how warm it is. When would the "cut off" be for moving a juvenile over to not needing a gradient? *shrug*
theapexgerman
03-02-12, 12:57 PM
I don't got to much experience with BMS but the temps sound good it what I keep my arizona mountain king at and my albino nelson I keep a little higher but is sound good tho
Well, i decided to research where they're from (Panama) it averages 79 degrees year round, so.. im just going to keep the gradient, id rather he have it just in case
and in costa rice (other place theyre from) its low to mid 60's to 80 all year as well. *shrug*
theapexgerman
03-02-12, 01:16 PM
If he's eating good and not haveing problems keep the temps were you had them
If he's eating good and not haveing problems keep the temps were you had them
Well hes an "enthusiastic" eater to say the least, he'll eat deep into shed and I think he'd eat every 2 hours if i fed him, he just loves eating, lol..
so i feel like even if everything was off, he'd still eat whatever you put in front of him, lol..
theapexgerman
03-02-12, 02:08 PM
Lol wow he's like my nelson hell eat until he dies he's always hungry hell eat in his shed but he also loves his waterfall I put in there for him he's always buy that
I have no heat at all in my Black Milk's tub. However, my apartment stays around 72 degrees in the winter and 76 in the summer.
This link might help a bit if you haven't seen it yet:
Breeding the Black Milk Snake (http://www.reptilechannel.com/snakes/breeding-snakes/black-milk-snake-breeding.aspx)
Some Highlights:
My schedule for heating a black milk cage varies by season and is as follows:
Winter: No heat for adults, room temperature set to 58 degrees.
Spring: Basking bulb on for four to six hours when the room temperature is below 70 degrees.
Summer: Ambient temperature about 72 to 78 degrees. No basking light needed.
Fall: Basking bulb on for four to six hours when the room temperature is below 70 degrees.
Lol wow he's like my nelson hell eat until he dies he's always hungry hell eat in his shed but he also loves his waterfall I put in there for him he's always buy that
No offense but I asked for info on people who own BMS's and how they heat theirs, not on buying waterfalls.
I have no heat at all in my Black Milk's tub. However, my apartment stays around 72 degrees in the winter and 76 in the summer.
This link might help a bit if you haven't seen it yet:
Breeding the Black Milk Snake (http://www.reptilechannel.com/snakes/breeding-snakes/black-milk-snake-breeding.aspx)
Some Highlights:
My schedule for heating a black milk cage varies by season and is as follows:
Winter: No heat for adults, room temperature set to 58 degrees.
Spring: Basking bulb on for four to six hours when the room temperature is below 70 degrees.
Summer: Ambient temperature about 72 to 78 degrees. No basking light needed.
Fall: Basking bulb on for four to six hours when the room temperature is below 70 degrees.
That's what I was looking at, dunno if ill go as low at 58 in the winter since i wont be breeding, so im sure once he gets a bit bigger ill be able to do room temp w/ him
Yeah, I will never go below what my home gets, either.
These are such fascinating, different snakes. I have really fallen for my Black Milk:
rrEvfmhEZNc
Would love to see a pic or vid of yours if you have them.
Yeah knox I absolutely love him, im fascinated by the color change, and ive always been one of two things.. very minimalist or insanely obnoxious (guess that's why im going to have an all black snake and a high orange BRB lol!)
I've never been huge on milksnakes either, but as soon as I saw an adult Black Milk in person I had to get him.
I shut off his heating pad, its about 73 in the room hes in during the day (only one thermostat and that room gets hotter than the others) and 68-69 at night, So im going to see how he likes that, I went to check the temp and he was actually on the "warm" side for the first time in forever, now that its not 80, so im thinking maybe he didn't want all that heat.
some pics:
when i first got him:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/Novocane/pets/3cf5b57d.jpg
shed:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/Novocane/pets/IMGP2884.jpg
eating while in shed (hungry bugger!)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/Novocane/pets/IMGP2888.jpg
took him out and he immediately found the hat that was on the chair and hid in the stitching, took me about 5 minutes to get him to start to come out!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/Novocane/pets/genghis5.jpg
One thing thats really interesting is that non of the top of him is turning black yet, but his entire belly is starting to black out. I asked the breeder about this and he said that the mother blacked out "normally" with the bands just connecting and fading away, but the father lost all pattern first, then "blacked out belly up" with a long white stripe forming along the way (and eventually turning black as well) and when he was half way he ended up looking pretty cool with all black belly and big red racing stripe down him.. i have a pic somewhere ill find it, its crazy!
found it!
http://gallery.kingsnake.com/data/10466100_1424-med.JPG
Thanks for the pics! That last one is pretty cool. My little guy eats while in shed as well.
Can't wait until they get to be 4 or 5 feet. This snake is a pretty good alternative to the Eastern Indigo...
Thanks for the pics! That last one is pretty cool. My little guy eats while in shed as well.
Can't wait until they get to be 4 or 5 feet. This snake is a pretty good alternative to the Eastern Indigo...
yup! His dad is directly from the San Francisco Zoo line and is over 6.5 ft, hoping mine gets close to that, his moms big too, shes a bit over 6 which is really big for a female
Not sure which line mine descends from, but he came from Isis Reptiles.
I know there are only a few blood lines, which baffles me. These snakes get big, are docile, don't need a lot of heat, and are stunning as adults. If I had known about them 15 years ago I would have acquired one then!
The Okeetee Corn has always been my favorite snake - heck, my favorite animal. But the Black Milk has taken the podium as well.
Not sure which line mine descends from, but he came from Isis Reptiles.
I know there are only a few blood lines, which baffles me. These snakes get big, are docile, don't need a lot of heat, and are stunning as adults. If I had known about them 15 years ago I would have acquired one then!
The Okeetee Corn has always been my favorite snake - heck, my favorite animal. But the Black Milk has taken the podium as well.
Its cause panama and costa rica animal export laws are super strict!
Aaahhh... Thank you for the explanation.
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