To keep or not to keep, a milk snake I found in my backyard.

[smoothie4l]

Long story short my mother found this juvenile milk snake outside and I really want to keep it :D! But I know I must do what's best for the snakes health and I am not sure if I should release it. So what do you guys think? If you could also tell me more about the snake that would be awesome!

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(Tell me if I need more pictures okay)

[Tekpc007]

I would release it , it is just going to get stressed and may have parasites or other issues .

[rmfsnakes32]

We have a captive bred publan milk snake as babies they do tend to be rather nippy hoping someone on this forum can tell me if he will outgrow this phase

[allenj3210]

I would release it , it is just going to get stressed and may have parasites or other issues .

I agree, let it go somewhere safe, it could die from the stress alone notwithstanding the parasites

[*Don't Mind Me*]

Seems like every snake caught in the wild, and kept, eventually dies from stess, or refusing to eat, or escapes when the chance is there. Plus, wild caught reptiles can carry diseases and parasitic worms and mites. I would put it back where it was found, away from the road.
Nothing wrong with keeping it for a few hours just to look at it though :)

[Jlassiter]

if you do choose to let it go it should be in a very close vicinity where you found it or it will surely die.

BTW...that is a nice Eastern Milksnake.
Personally, I would keep it......but I know how to treat it and keep it........

If you do not, then you should let it go where you found it or close by.

[Jlassiter]

Seems like every snake caught in the wild, and kept, eventually dies from stess, or refusing to eat, or escapes when the chance is there. Plus, wild caught reptiles can carry diseases and parasitic worms and mites. I would put it back where it was found, away from the road.
Nothing wrong with keeping it for a few hours just to look at it though :)

Where did you hear these myths?
I have a w/c snake that was captured as an adult in 1983 and is over 30 years old.
I also have 6 or so other w/c snakes that are thriving and breeding.

How do you think this hobby got started?

[*Don't Mind Me*]

Where did you hear these myths?
I have a w/c snake that was captured as an adult in 1983 and is over 30 years old.
I also have 6 or so other w/c snakes that are thriving and breeding.

How do you think this hobby got started?
lets just say i did this a lot as a kid, and i'm guessing the OP is also young, which doesn't compare to someone with decades of experience in herpetoculture. Didn't mean to offend you or anything, but i'm sure you would also suggest for the OP to release it back into the wild.

[Jlassiter]

I did suggest he release it right where he found it and I only meant to make a point.....especially since you said almost every wild caught snake dies.....

It's cool......

[BarelyBreathing]

Release it.

[MrBD1980]

Release it.

^^^^^^

What they said!!

However, if you've found a snake which really appeals then begin the search for a captive bred healthy one to add to your collection!

Beautiful snake BTW!

Brian

[shaunyboy]

if you plan on keeping it,you will have to get fecial tests from your vet,to make sure its not carrying parasites etc

cheers shaun

[StudentoReptile]

Lots of reasons not to keep it, but if you are able to care for it properly, and it really appeals to you, go for it.

[Lankyrob]

I would release it back where it was found, if you really like it htat much buy a captive bred one :)

[smoothie4l]

Thank you everyone for your input!
My first plan was to keep it for a couple of days in a 10 gallon tank with a heat pad in a quiet room with a blanket over the cage. I also planned to attempt to feed it maybe this or next Saturday but if I still get a large amount of people saying to release it than that is what I will do (but I will miss the little cutie).

[infernalis]

Where did you hear these myths?
I have a w/c snake that was captured as an adult in 1983 and is over 30 years old.
I also have 6 or so other w/c snakes that are thriving and breeding.

How do you think this hobby got started?



Exactly... I have a w/c milk snake that has been living with me for over 5 years, she's a doll.

4 of my garter snakes came from out back too.

It's not like we are talking endangered species or anything like that, these snakes are very plentiful, and it's not harming the overall populations.

so what the heck is this big hangup???

every single time someone finds a snake in their yard, people go off on the person who found it about releasing the darn snake.

My goodness, if the person is willing to take good care of the snake, the snake hit the jackpot... free food, clean water, no predators, a nice home free of floods, droughts and parasites.

No one thinks twice about ordering w/c snakes ripped from jungles, rain forests and islands in the far pacific.

These North American colubrid snakes are a LOT more plentiful than some of the exotic snakes imported every year.

Someone goes to Africa and finds a new colour pattern on a BP, we applaud the person like a hero... what's the difference?? marketability... thats the difference.

I bet if that was an albino Lampropeltis, everyone would be begging for it to start a breeding project.

[MrBD1980]

Exactly... I have a w/c milk snake that has been living with me for over 5 years, she's a doll.

4 of my garter snakes came from out back too.

It's not like we are talking endangered species or anything like that, these snakes are very plentiful, and it's not harming the overall populations.

so what the heck is this big hangup???

every single time someone finds a snake in their yard, people go off on the person who found it about releasing the darn snake.

My goodness, if the person is willing to take good care of the snake, the snake hit the jackpot... free food, clean water, no predators, a nice home free of floods, droughts and parasites.

No one thinks twice about ordering w/c snakes ripped from jungles, rain forests and islands in the far pacific.

These North American colubrid snakes are a LOT more plentiful than some of the exotic snakes imported every year.

Someone goes to Africa and finds a new colour pattern on a BP, we applaud the person like a hero... what's the difference?? marketability... thats the difference.

I bet if that was an albino Lampropeltis, everyone would be begging for it to start a breeding project.

Not wanting to get into a whole big thing but I personally am not one of the people your referring to. I, and I accept that many people may flame me for it, feel that any animal who has been able to enjoy the freedom of the wild should be enabled to continue with that freedom...I guess I just feel that CB's have nothing to miss as they've never been free roaming.....

I understand that all animals available began in their ancestry as wild caught but I reckon with the availability of captive bred we can be more harmonious than collecting wild caught....just my 2cents which I'm sure people will disagree with but as I say I'm not being a preacher, each to his own and all that!

Brian

[StudentoReptile]

I know lots of folks who, if they find hatchlings, they'll keep them over the winter to grow them up, basically giving them a good start on life before releasing them the next spring. I see nothing wrong with this.

I also see nothing wrong with removing a WC reptile out of an environment that is dangerous, or if the animal is injured and needs some rehabilitation. For example, I went herpin with some buddies about a week a go. We followed this manmade gravel road with ditches, dirt and mud pits on the sides. Great place for water snakes, mud turtles, amphibians, etc. Unfortunately, its a popular place for 4-wheelers to ride through, and they pulverize any critters casually resting in the pools left in previous trackways. We removed 5-6 young Nerodia that night to relocate to a different part of the property, along with a hatchling mud turtle.

[infernalis]

Except for a very few people, show me anyone working with Triangulums??

It's not like there is any for sale.

http://www.thamfriends.com/photos/hatch.jpg

http://www.thamfriends.com/photos/hatchin.jpg

[StudentoReptile]

I know a few people locally who occasionally keep and breed them, but I agree with your point...its a very very SMALL niche market. Its smaller than people who keep and breed rough green snakes.

[infernalis]

I know lots of folks who, if they find hatchlings, they'll keep them over the winter to grow them up, basically giving them a good start on life before releasing them the next spring. I see nothing wrong with this.

I also see nothing wrong with removing a WC reptile out of an environment that is dangerous, or if the animal is injured and needs some rehabilitation. For example, I went herpin with some buddies about a week a go. We followed this manmade gravel road with ditches, dirt and mud pits on the sides. Great place for water snakes, mud turtles, amphibians, etc. Unfortunately, its a popular place for 4-wheelers to ride through, and they pulverize any critters casually resting in the pools left in previous trackways. We removed 5-6 young Nerodia that night to relocate to a different part of the property, along with a hatchling mud turtle.

Exactly why I flip out whenever I hear engine noise in my woods.

[infernalis]

I know a few people locally who occasionally keep and breed them, but I agree with your point...its a very very SMALL niche market. Its smaller than people who keep and breed rough green snakes.

Those rough greens are w/c in Florida. most of them live very short lifespans in captivty, because very few people set them up right and feed them spiders.

Rough greens are like the Anole, cheap pets that don't last unless you put the effort into it.

If you know anyone who has longevity to report I'd love to hear about it, because that advice needs to be put out there for people to see.

[MoreliAddict]

Seems like every snake caught in the wild, and kept, eventually dies from stess, or refusing to eat, or escapes when the chance is there. Plus, wild caught reptiles can carry diseases and parasitic worms and mites. I would put it back where it was found, away from the road.
Nothing wrong with keeping it for a few hours just to look at it though :)
As stated, those are myths in the first place. And if the snake in question did have mites (which it doesn't), keeping it for a few hours just to look at could infect your entire collection...

[Lankyrob]

Personally i would never keep a w/c animal unless it was a case of keeping something alive that could never survive in its own environment.

This is one of my issues with my future plans for a pair of savs, i am having difficultly balancing my need for cb with the wanting of the lizards.

[StudentoReptile]

If you know anyone who has longevity to report I'd love to hear about it, because that advice needs to be put out there for people to see.

For rough greens, husbandry success is simple: treat them like lizards, not like snakes. These are snakes that do not fare well in plastic tubs with aspen shavings or paper towels and an UTH placed on one side.

Set them up like one would a chameleon, anole, or day gecko: densely decorated naturalistic set-up with lots of room and some UV lighting.

I have a friend who had a HUGE terrarium set-up and had great success. One of the few instances where a mixed-species habitat worked well. He had anoles, at least one rough green snake, a small box turtle on the bottom, a few treefrogs and mediterrean geckos thrown in there. It worked. Everything thrived. Unfortunately, he had to moved out of state and sell off his collection, but it was his goal to start breeding rough greens. I think he coulda done it.

[snake man12]

For rough greens, husbandry success is simple: treat them like lizards, not like snakes. These are snakes that do not fare well in plastic tubs with aspen shavings or paper towels and an UTH placed on one side.

Set them up like one would a chameleon, anole, or day gecko: densely decorated naturalistic set-up with lots of room and some UV lighting.

I have a friend who had a HUGE terrarium set-up and had great success. One of the few instances where a mixed-species habitat worked well. He had anoles, at least one rough green snake, a small box turtle on the bottom, a few treefrogs and mediterrean geckos thrown in there. It worked. Everything thrived. Unfortunately, he had to moved out of state and sell off his collection, but it was his goal to start breeding rough greens. I think he coulda done it.

That sounds like it would have been an amazing site to see!!!:)

[StudentoReptile]

Personally i would never keep a w/c animal unless it was a case of keeping something alive that could never survive in its own environment.

This is one of my issues with my future plans for a pair of savs, i am having difficultly balancing my need for cb with the wanting of the lizards.

The issue is not as black/white, and has been discussed countless times before. I used to be pretty diehard against WC. But now I am shifting my focus on native/conservation issues as well as rescues and rehabilitating herps that need it.

I have great biodiversity in my area, but it seems like everyday, a new subdivision is getting developed. That's one less piece of land for the EDBs, black pines, racers, rat snakes, speckled kingsnakes, lizards, salamanders, gopher tortoises, etc., to incorporate into their environment. My state wildlife dept cares little about things, which is why a few members of our society are working on restoration programs, even if its just bring hatchling critters in to give them a good start over the winter, so they have a better chance of surviving when we release them the following spring. Its not some need to possess.

[infernalis]

Personally i would never keep a w/c animal unless it was a case of keeping something alive that could never survive in its own environment.

This is one of my issues with my future plans for a pair of savs, i am having difficultly balancing my need for cb with the wanting of the lizards.

Rob, if you can get the cage set up, I know of two breeders in the U.K. that are producing captive bred, cabtive born, Bosc monitors.

One of them has had hatching going on over the last several days.

They are out there.

[Lankyrob]

Rob, if you can get the cage set up, I know of two breeders in the U.K. that are producing captive bred, cabtive born, Bosc monitors.

One of them has had hatching going on over the last several days.

They are out there.


I will keep that in mind thank mate, wont be getting one until i can afford the full sized enclosure i have in mind :)

[rmfsnakes32]

I can see all views on keeping the snake personally after reading other threads and knowing droughts are affecting everyone I dont see the harm in keeping it as long as proper quaratine procedures are kept and maybe a trip to the vet to check for parasites otherwise sounds like a perfect pet ;)

[Jlassiter]

Exactly... I have a w/c milk snake that has been living with me for over 5 years, she's a doll.

4 of my garter snakes came from out back too.

It's not like we are talking endangered species or anything like that, these snakes are very plentiful, and it's not harming the overall populations.

so what the heck is this big hangup???

every single time someone finds a snake in their yard, people go off on the person who found it about releasing the darn snake.

My goodness, if the person is willing to take good care of the snake, the snake hit the jackpot... free food, clean water, no predators, a nice home free of floods, droughts and parasites.

No one thinks twice about ordering w/c snakes ripped from jungles, rain forests and islands in the far pacific.

These North American colubrid snakes are a LOT more plentiful than some of the exotic snakes imported every year.

Someone goes to Africa and finds a new colour pattern on a BP, we applaud the person like a hero... what's the difference?? marketability... thats the difference.

I bet if that was an albino Lampropeltis, everyone would be begging for it to start a breeding project.

Amen Wayne!
But there are a few triangulum keepers that would kill for a locale milk like this one....lol

[infernalis]

Amen Wayne!
But there are a few triangulum keepers that would kill for a locale milk like this one....lol

I wound up with a clutch of 9, kept one for me, and the remaining 8 were sold almost instantly.

[MoreliAddict]

Looks like you should keep that snake smoothie...

[*Don't Mind Me*]

As stated, those are myths in the first place. And if the snake in question did have mites (which it doesn't), keeping it for a few hours just to look at could infect your entire collection...
Well, it was already in a terrarium right? As long as they washed their hands after handling it/it's housing.

[*Don't Mind Me*]

I did suggest he release it right where he found it and I only meant to make a point.....especially since you said almost every wild caught snake dies.....

It's cool......
Yeah, sorry. I guess I wasn't thinking before posting and exaggerated.
I provided criticism without facts and experience...

[Akuma223]

As long as you know exactly how to care for the snake then by all means keep it. I keep things that I've caught all the time in the past without problem, including snakes. All my amphibians that I have right now are ones that I've caught.

[TremTricolors]

Amen Wayne!
But there are a few triangulum keepers that would kill for a locale milk like this one....lol

Yep, you're right John. I am one of those L.triangulum keepers that will kill to be able to catch and produce locale North American milks. Most people say they are hard to get to eat, too small, they bite, to fast and the best is they are the best escape artists I have ever kept. With all that said at least you know they are alive and actually have a personality unlike those painted rocks that eat once a month. That eastern milk will do just fine in a 5 or 10 gallon tank with multiple hides and at room temperature. With a hot spot of 86 or so. The question is will it feed? Sure it will, but you will have to find out what it likes first. Typically, deer mice, moles and depending on where it was caught sometimes lizards.

I say keep it! Try and learn about it and what it likes and dislikes where it hides or spends most of it's time. What temps is it using when it has just eaten, what temps it uses when it's been 4 or 5 days after. As far as quarantining the animal. Considering it is a hatchling most likely the internal parasites are minimal, it doesn't hurt to have a fecal done. I say if you have other snakes just make sure your hygiene between the L.t.t and your other snakes are good. Good Luck with whatever choice you make!

[Jlassiter]

Great Advice Jimmy.....