Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all! I am thinking about getting a pair or trio of milksnakes sometime in the next year or so. The Nelson's are the ones I'm leaning toward. I hear they are quite tame as well. I think the Hondurans are beautiful also, but I hear that those are hard to tame down and tend to musk a lot. Is this true? I indend to breed them, but I also would like to be able to handle them without the usual discomforts. I know most hatchlings are ornery, but I am talking about when they are adults and have been handled regularily.

I was also wondering what kinds of things to look for and watch out for in Nelson's? Any reputable breeders? I've seen many ads for them, but I haven't learned who is reputable yet in the milksnake world.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and thanks in advance for replies.
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Slipstream Serpents

My Reptile Family:
1.1.0 Leopard Geckos (Booger, Gimp)
1.0.0 Veiled Chameleon (Lucutis)
0.0.1 Quince Monitor (Pollux)
1.2.0 Thayeri Kingsnakes (Korben, Leeloo, Artax)
2.2.0 California Kingsnakes (Beetlejuice, Kang, Maraca, Kodos)
1.1.0 Bullsnakes (Hawker, Socata)

Hondurans are tame as adults, the bigger they get, the more they seem to relax. I have found Nelson's to be quite handleable even as babies.

If you're looking to get into breeding, Hondurans offer more options than Nelson's when it come to the variety of morphs. One thing to keep in mind is that Hondos can get big and probably average around 4 feet (there are some people who regularly post on this forum who have six-foot Hondurans). Nelson's don't get that large, so when it comes to housing, Nelson's are easier.

I think most people who post here (or sponser a forum, or are listed on kingsnake.com's homepage "storefront" section) would be considered reputable breeders.

Tim

Third Eye

Thanks for the info. I'll keep in mind what you said about the breeders here on KS, but I'm still a bit wary. I bought an animal from a poster once (not a snake) and he wasn't too helpful after the sale... just kind of dissappeared. He also shipped it without first asking if the date was OK with me. Perhaps the snake world of breeders is different, I dont know.

Anyway, thanks again for the info, and that is one mighty gorgeous snake you have there!
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Slipstream Serpents

My Reptile Family:
1.1.0 Leopard Geckos (Booger, Gimp)
1.0.0 Veiled Chameleon (Lucutis)
0.0.1 Quince Monitor (Pollux)
1.2.0 Thayeri Kingsnakes (Korben, Leeloo, Artax)
2.2.0 California Kingsnakes (Beetlejuice, Kang, Maraca, Kodos)
1.1.0 Bullsnakes (Hawker, Socata)

Nelson’s are my favorite, hands down. They are beautiful, stay a manageable size, and are about the calmest of the Milks. I also have Hondurans; male is almost 6 feet largest female about five foot. I get bit by a few baby Nelson’s but it is a guarantee the Hondurans will go ape on you as babies. They are very “handleable” as adults though but are still nervous compared to Nelson’s. Both are easy feeders as babies but Hondurans are absolute garbage pails, I have never had one refuse a meal. Hondurans are messier.

As Tim said, there are far more mutations breeding Hondurans and the price of Nelson’s is too low for their beauty (supply and demand economics). You really can’t go wrong with either.

As for breeders, I also agree with what Tim said on that point too.

Also, Sinaloans are about the same as Nelson's as far as care and personality; they get slightly bigger.

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Rick
Never Enough
Reptiles

Rick, what is the middle pic? That's gorgeous!!
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Everything I know about life I learned from Nintendo!!!

n/p

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Rick
Never Enough
Reptiles

Ok, it's good to know that Hondos aren't as bad as I've heard. From what you say, it sounds like they are similar to Cal Kings in temperement. They can be real sassy if you dont work with them. Perhaps I will add a few Hondos in the future, I really like the morphs they come in. I'll probably do the Nelson's first, though.

Those snakes in your pictures are awesome! I especially like the abberrant one and the albino that is all red.
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Slipstream Serpents

My Reptile Family:
1.1.0 Leopard Geckos (Booger, Gimp)
1.0.0 Veiled Chameleon (Lucutis)
0.0.1 Quince Monitor (Pollux)
1.2.0 Thayeri Kingsnakes (Korben, Leeloo, Artax)
2.2.0 California Kingsnakes (Beetlejuice, Kang, Maraca, Kodos)
1.1.0 Bullsnakes (Hawker, Socata)

Don't rule out Mexicans (annulata)- They look closer to hondurans and Pueblans if you like the more even-sized color rings, and after doing my own research the consensous was that they were probably the most tame, both as babies and adults.
Our hatchling is great; Very mellow, he seems to really like being handled, never once musked/bitten/rattled tail, and he eats like a champ. Also, getting up to 2.5-3 feet long, he will be easy to handle as an adult.
As for breeding, it seems that everyone has hondurans, Pueblans, Nelsons or Sinaloans, to the Mexican might be a nice difference. I'm not a breeder, so that is my very novice opinion there.

Yeah, I've read a very small bit of information about them. They sound like good snakes. Glad to hear you really like yours. I think I'm gonna stick with the Nelson's for now, but I'll keep them in mind for the future. Thanks!
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Slipstream Serpents

My Reptile Family:
1.1.0 Leopard Geckos (Booger, Gimp)
1.0.0 Veiled Chameleon (Lucutis)
0.0.1 Quince Monitor (Pollux)
1.2.0 Thayeri Kingsnakes (Korben, Leeloo, Artax)
2.2.0 California Kingsnakes (Beetlejuice, Kang, Maraca, Kodos)
1.1.0 Bullsnakes (Hawker, Socata)

If this is your first time working with milks, I would go with the nelsons over hondurans for the reasons others posted. You will be able to hold the hatchlings with no problems and they are generally good eaters and stay a very manageable size.

Most of the posters in this forum would be a good source for nelsoni. Many of us smaller scale breeders are sold out for 2006, but I bet some of the larger scale breeders still have some. I prefer to get mine directly from the source rather than from a reptile broker when I can.

Keep an eye for an add from Nathan Wells or email me and I'll get you in touch with him. I've seen him post adds for some nelsoni recently and he has great stuff. Here is an 04 female I got from him.

Dave

DNS Reptiles

Thanks for the info! I think I will start with Nelson's but will probably pick up a few Hondos after a while. I was thinking about waiting a while before getting another snake, but I've already got my eyes on one. You know how it goes. Snakes are so addictive!

Thanks everyone for all the information... you all have been extremely helpful!!
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Slipstream Serpents

My Reptile Family:
1.1.0 Leopard Geckos (Booger, Gimp)
1.0.0 Veiled Chameleon (Lucutis)
0.0.1 Quince Monitor (Pollux)
1.2.0 Thayeri Kingsnakes (Korben, Leeloo, Artax)
2.2.0 California Kingsnakes (Beetlejuice, Kang, Maraca, Kodos)
1.1.0 Bullsnakes (Hawker, Socata)