Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a variety of corns and would like to work with other varieties. I like the color of the tri-color milk snakes and wanted some advice from the men and women who work with them. I do not care for the albinos, so which ones of the tri-colors would you suggest I start with.

I have 30 years of collecting experience and about 10 years of experience working with corn and king snakes. I currently have 12 snakes, 2 breeding pairs, and one set of eggs.

My question would be: which ones eat well and stay reasonably healthy? I do not mind snakes that have some aggression because I feel comfortable with this. Thanks for any help you can give.

Dave
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One man with faith equals the majority.
Thomas Jefferson

The easiest tricolors tend to be the ones that are large enough at hatching to take pinky mice. Going along that line, any of the following make durable captives and are available for very reasonable prices:

Sinaloans
Nelsons
Pueblans
Mexican milks
Hobby Hondurans

Myself, I like the personality of Mexican milks, which can be quite calm as adults. Nelsons and Sinaloans can be reasonably calm as adults too, and they sure are pretty, especially Sinaloans with thin black rings. I like how Pueblans get nice and stocky yet stay a very manageable size. Hondurans have the recessive trait thing going. All eat f/t mice. I notice my milks prefer smaller prey in general, though in Spring, they will take just about anything.

As far as caging, milks do well in a substrate they can burrow into; the cage mostly cool except for the basking spot, which can be a small basking area; reduced ventilation to keep humidity moderate; a low-height cage is all that is needed since these are in-ground dwellers.

What I don't like is seeing a milk in a dry, screen-top cage where the snake is dull due to very dry skin. That is not how these milks should be kept. A well-hydrated milksnake has supple skin and usually more vibrant colors than when dehydrated.

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Mark

I appreciate the experience and wisdom that went into the answer. Thanks for your time.

Dave
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One man with faith equals the majority.
Thomas Jefferson