found a baby milk snake - help appreciated

[billonthehill]

So, here we are in Wisconsin, in March, with about a foot of snow on the ground. High temp today will be upper 30s with lows in the low twenties/upper teens.
This morning I found a young milk snake on our living room floor. just hangin out.
So the question is, What do I do with this guy? Is it too cold out to release him outside? Should I keep him for a while until the weather breaks and if so what is the best way to care for him/her? Thank you

[infernalis]

Releasing it back outside would be a death sentence. I would keep it at least until spring.

[ilovemypets1988]

it probably came out of hibernation early and has ended up in your living room to try and get out of the cold and warm up for survival reasons. as infernalis said, keep it until spring at the very least, though they do make good snakes to keep.

[billonthehill]

Thanks for the responses.

So, the big question is what is the best food to feed this little guy, he is only about 8 inches long.

[infernalis]

I fed my baby milk snakes pinkie mice cut in half.

Split the mouse with a knife while it is still frozen. The cut is a lot cleaner and it's not nearly as messy.

[poison123]

I fed my baby milk snakes pinkie mice cut in half.

Split the mouse with a knife while it is still frozen. The cut is a lot cleaner and it's not nearly as messy.

Why cut?...

[RyanReptile]

Most people cut there rodents because they are too small to eat the full rodent or could also stimulate their appetite but usually don't cut them in half to do this but just split the head.

[poison123]

Most people cut there rodents because they are too small to eat the full rodent or could also stimulate their appetite but usually don't cut them in half to do this but just split the head.

I used to feed pinkies to my 1 month old milk. Took them down no problem.

[billonthehill]

Thanks everybody. I live far from a town that would have pinkies in stock, is there anything else I can feed this small snake until I can get some?

[infernalis]

Thanks everybody. I live far from a town that would have pinkies in stock, is there anything else I can feed this small snake until I can get some?

It's about all the snake will eat.

The good news is, no hurry. ;)

I have personally seen baby milks go almost 3 months without eating anything at all.

Can you post a photo?

[Bloutitt]

Love to see a photo!

[billonthehill]

here is one that we took just after we found him...

[billonthehill]

and another one...

[ilovemypets1988]

thats a corn snake i believe

[Bloedig]

thats a corn snake i believe

Agree, Corn snake.

[ilovemypets1988]

looks to be a miami corn snake due to the very light grey markings

[poison123]

Eaatern milk snake.

[ilovemypets1988]

oh ok, i stand corrected, sorry, just looks so similar to a corn

[Gravelanche]

either way it's a beauty lol, ship it here :P

but seriously, very nice snake, seems healthy and alert. find a plastic storage bin, give it a water dish, and if you have a way to warm it up a little that would be awesome too

[Chu'Wuti]

Nice looking baby! I agree with Daniel--definitely eastern milk snake.

Some rodent breeders sell reds--very tiny pinkies--which that snake should be able to eat without any problem (obviating the need to cut larger pinkies in half). I use reds for my Honduran hatchlings.

[billonthehill]

Thanks for the responses, I'll look to see if I can find some reds.

[Pareeeee]

Eastern Milk? Sure looks different than our Eastern Milks...

[Deva]

Beautiful snake! Order some frozen pinkie mice online and feed that little darlin!

Or go to the nearest pet store that has them and lay in a supply. Odds are you won't want to let this beautiful snake go in the spring!

[poison123]

Eastern Milk? Sure looks different than our Eastern Milks...

How so?....

[Pareeeee]

How so?....

Maybe it's the gene pool in different areas causing 'morphs', they just have slightly different markings than the ones I see here. (and I've caught juvies as well)

[stephanbakir]

I've also caught quite a few milk snakes up here in Canada, none of them looked like that.
I LOVE the contrast on that snake, none of ours come close.

[snakeriver]

Corn or milk, he is still a beautiful snake! I have a Durango Mtn. Kingsnake, I think he has a similar pattern to your snake...
http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag124/snakeriver1/IMG_0051_zps5c41c3c0-1_zps9ac92608.jpg

[NCHornet]

it will probably take crickets if you can find them?

[poison123]

it will probably take crickets if you can find them?

Its best to raise these guys up on rodents. As the bone of an animal is where snakes get there nutrience.

[Mark Taylor]

Nice looking corn thou.

[poison123]

Nice looking corn thou.

Corn?.....

[Squirtle]

Man, I swear everyone else is so lucky :sad: I wish I could find any kind of wild snakes in New York City.

[NCHornet]

Its best to raise these guys up on rodents. As the bone of an animal is where snakes get there nutrience.

True, however the photo of this snake it doesn't look large enough to handle a pinkie to me any way. I have used Crickets to feed newly young until they are large enough for a pinkie. I amo not going to cut pinkies in half, sorry not me, lol!!!! I have also started them on small feeder gold fish amoung other things. We often forget that in nature these reptiles can eat a variety of prey items.

[unknownclown]

He's pretty I wish one would show up in our living room!

[unknownclown]

I may be wrong but wouldn't they eat worms in the wild if so you can pick them up anywhere you buy fishing supplies.

[ReptiWoman]

As someone else said, just order online :D makes life easier and you dont have to drive!

[jarich]

Man, I swear everyone else is so lucky :sad: I wish I could find any kind of wild snakes in New York City.

Though Ive never found any, apparently its not too difficult to find Northern Brown snakes and even Eastern Garters in parts of the city, especially up in the Bronx. Ive been told that you can find water snakes in Staten Island too but again, never seen any myself.