Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm new to colubrids and considering getting a young pair of milksnakes, either Sinaloan or Pueblan. I would prefer the species that has the brightest/richest reds and most contrast between the black and whites.
Is either species more docile and prone to ocassional handling?
Should I avoid the smaller babies often offered in the classifieds?
Thank you for the advice.

Forgot about the Honduran as well. Which would be more likely to stay out in the open for viewing?
Thanks again.

take a look at these:
http://www.freewebs.com/dnsreptiles/sinaloanmilkcosalalocale.htm

You have to understand that some milk snakes darken as they get older.So make sure you see the adults of any babys you decide to get.
The sinaloans in that link above stay clean as adults as you can see by the photos.
Also if your new to this hobby you may not know that milk snakes can be hard to get started on pinkies so make your when you get one that its well started on thawed pinkies.
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"Wake me when its April"

Doug L

Just my opinion as I have both but I find the Sinaloan is brighter, doesn't get near as much black tipping on the scales and are more docile so hands down the Sinaloan. Hondurans can be fine as well. As babies you can get some that are flighty but all of these calm down as adults and all feed fine. As far as staying out all of these will use a hide box if offered one so its a matter of setting up the enclosure to meet the snakes needs and compromising you being able to still see your snakes. You can use a half open hide so the snake feels secure and you can still see them and they will still feed....Hope this helps

Thank you both for the replies. Those Cosalas sure do look nice.

As if there was any doubt on which side of this question I come down on, my vote is for sinaloans. As already said, they tend to have very little tipping stay bright red and have low band counts. All that equals on of the most impressive milksnakes. Plus, I have found my older ones are not too afraid of being out in a cage that is set up well. By that I mean complex hiding places that are changed around a lot. Keeps them active.

To show them off (and make Dniles a little jealous)........

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“There is a grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed into a few forms or into one; and that whilst this planet has gone on cycling according to the fixed laws of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved.” -C. Darwin, 1859

Natural Selection Reptiles

very nice snakes I love those sinaloans Are those from the same line as Daves?
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"Wake me when its April"

Doug L

I think far back enough they probably are. If I remember right Dave's are Sander's line Cosalas and the last pic in that row of mine is a Lemke line Cosala. So, both Cosala at least
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“There is a grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed into a few forms or into one; and that whilst this planet has gone on cycling according to the fixed laws of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved.” -C. Darwin, 1859

Natural Selection Reptiles

Ahhh Vinny...I love that female of yours...she's a knockout!

Dave

DNS Reptiles

I love a red snake and the Sinaloans are my favorite for clean red with clean, crisp black & white banding. I got my pair from forum member Dniles because I liked what I saw in his adults...clear red, wide red and thin black banding. Bonus that they're Cosala locale so they've got red "noses". I love 'em. Thanks Dave!

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Julie
www.[url ban]/gfx

Thanks Julie. That is a beautiful snake.
I think the vote goes for the Sinaloans! Thanks everyone for the advice. I'm looking for a nice young specimen as we speak.

Great pictures, Julie! Glad they are doing well. I need some photography lessons from you.

Dave
DNS Reptiles

in on this aren't you??

WOW!

we knew it wouldn't be long, Nate Dawg...glad you posted that screamer. Looking forward to seeing that in person next month.

Dave
DNS Reptiles

The land of "OZ" and then some !!!!!!!!!!!

Mike