Ridley, 2013 Black Milksnake progression thread

[HVani]

I can't believe I didn't have one of these! Luckily he's only shed a few times so it's nice and early still.

Here's the day I got him

 

[HVani]

And today. He's shed twice with me now.

 

[Lt. Dan]

Very nice looking guy.

 

[spyderk]

2013 black milk snakes unite! He's looking good.

 

[Jafar]

This is the cornsnake-part...

 

[HVani]

I don't know if a mod can move this or not

ANyway I'm pretty behind on progression shots.

He has been growing VERY fast lately. He just shed today so I got a few more pictures. He's not the little 38g snake I got back in September

From I think 3 sheds ago

And this is after today's shed

 

[hypnoctopus]

I really want to own one of these someday. He's getting so dark!

 

[spyderk]

Very nice! He is losing that baby look for sure. I will have to take my black milk out for pictures next time he sheds. It seems like he's in shed a lot!

 

[ZoologyGirl]

I've got 2 of these, and it is/was interesting to watch their progression. One of mine went completely black fairly quickly. The other one took a couple years to get completely black. Both from San Antonio zoo line.

 

[HVani]

Well I was gonna get everyone's picture outside today but it's been raining and overcast. So Ridley got his picture taken by the window

He is 167g today, he's a lot bigger than the little 38g baby I brought home almost a year ago. He's also been calming down a lot. He noticeably more calm but still can be a little jumpy. Thank God the poop slinging stage is over.

 

[HVani]

Of course I go to take Ridley's picture and he's in blue. Oh well.

He's almost totally black.

 

[albertagirl]

So jealous! Very nice snake. Hope I can find one someday.

 

[HVani]

So jealous! Very nice snake. Hope I can find one someday.

Some days I want to give him away lol. I have to approach him differently than all my other snakes. He stills seems convinced I want to eat him, he's not smart lol. He's getting better but can be frustrating at time. Lately he's been pretty calm but I'm not sure if he's finally growing out of his jumpiness or if it's just colder. We'll see how he is in the spring.

 

[Ravenessa]

He is pretty though... I have to say he looks awesome in the blue... <3

 

[spyderk]

I cannot wait until mine is all black! He is very dark but still has faint red bands. No yellow any more.

Mine is so calm! I hope yours chills out soon.

 

[TyeW]

Wow I didn't realize the progression was that quick. So cool.

 

[LittleFrog]

Gorgeous! I want one of these SO bad! Someday, someday ....

 

[HVani]

Thanks Once he sheds I will get some new pictures. Once they start turning dark it goes pretty quick. He's over a year old and isn't far from being totally black. He still has red on his belly and a little bit of a yellow head stripe.

He's not that bad to deal with, just different from my other snakes. Getting him out of his tank then spending a few minutes calming him down are the hardest part. At least he's not a poop slinger anymore, though he did musk me about 6 months ago.

Once he's out and settled, he's must better to deal with. He seems to suddenly remember that no one is going to eat him and he calms down. Then he's actually quite enjoyable. Sometimes I just don't feel like getting him out because I don't want to deal with his tantrums.

 

[TyeW]

Thanks Once he sheds I will get some new pictures. Once they start turning dark it goes pretty quick. He's over a year old and isn't far from being totally black. He still has red on his belly and a little bit of a yellow head stripe.

He's not that bad to deal with, just different from my other snakes. Getting him out of his tank then spending a few minutes calming him down are the hardest part. At least he's not a poop slinger anymore, though he did musk me about 6 months ago.

Once he's out and settled, he's must better to deal with. He seems to suddenly remember that no one is going to eat him and he calms down. Then he's actually quite enjoyable. Sometimes I just don't feel like getting him out because I don't want to deal with his tantrums.

Sounds like the same temperament as the hondos I used to keep... Boy were they flighty

 

[spyderk]

It's weird because everyone else that I have talked to about black milksnakes say that they are so calm. Mine has never musked, never bit, never flung himself around.