Friends, family, and your local pet stores may be able to give you recommendations when you are looking for reputable milk snake breeders. Make sure that the snakes are captive bred before purchasing any, and pay attention to the conditions of the snakes' enclosures. Reputable milk snake breeders will also be very knowledgeable. Many of them will offer guarantees on the health of their snakes, and they will also try to ensure that their snakes are going to good homes.
Finding good milk snake breeders can be difficult, depending on where you live. If your friends or relatives have bought milk snakes, you may be able to ask them for recommendations. Your local pet store may also have a list of reputable breeders in your area. The Internet is another resource that you can use to find snake breeders.
Check whether the milk snake breeders you are considering buying from have references. This is an often-overlooked step when choosing a snake breeder, but it can be one of the most important. Contact each reference, and inquire about the snakes that they bought from the breeder. Make sure the snakes were healthy, and that the breeder was good to do business with.
Captive bred milk snakes will make better pet snakes than wild milk snakes. Make sure that any milk snake breeders you are considering only sell captive bred snakes. Wild snakes can become very stressed, due to the drastic environment change, and they will often find it hard to adapt. Some may become ill, or refuse to eat.
If at all possible, it is usually recommended that you visit milk snake breeders before purchasing any snakes from them. This will give you a chance to see the snakes' enclosures. These enclosures should be clean, and of adequate size. Generally, one or two baby milk snakes should not occupy a tank any smaller than a 10-gallon (38-liter) aquarium.
Reputable milk snake breeders will also ensure the enclosures are clean. There should be no debris or feces on the floor of the enclosure, and the water should be fresh and clean as well. Adequate hiding places, usually around one or two per snake, should also be provided in each enclosure.
Good milk snake breeders are generally very knowledgeable. They should be able to provide you with any information regarding your new pet, and they should also be able to answer any questions you may have. If necessary, they may also be able to advise you how to set up your snake enclosure.
Most reputable snake breeders will also offer some sort of guarantee on the snakes that they sell. Many will refund your money, for instance, if your new pet snake dies or gets ill within a certain period of time. Typically, an average guarantee will cover buyers from around a week to a couple of months.
Although it may seem like an inconvenience to some, good breeders will often require buyers to go through a long application process. This is typically a sign that a breeder truly cares about his snakes and wants them to have good homes. A breeder may make buyers sign a contract, in which they promise to dedicate time and money to the snake. Most breeders will also make sure that buyers have an adequate home prepared for the snake.