When we speak of the "best" or "favorite" animal, it depends on the desires of the person making the comment. Some want brilliant color; others locale-specific traits; other ease of handling & feeding. I care more for how the animal responds to me, feeding ease and curiosity. I love snakes that like to explore their realm and are seen out exploring fairly often.
From my perspective, I'm intrigued about Behavior & Environment differences between Kingsnakes & Milk Snakes. Nature has provided us with some intriguing questions:
1. Why do the Milks range over a farther distance than any other American snake, exhibiting even greater adaptability than Kings, yet don't penetrate the Rocky Mountains and are entirely absent from the West Coast?
2. Why do most Milks tend to prefer moist environments & woods, whereas most Kings tend to prefer grasslands, rocky areas and open range land?
3. Why do montane Milks become darker, yet Mountain Kings retain bright tricolors??
4. Why do California Kingsnakes tend to darken the farther they get, and the hotter it gets, when Milks only darken in cooler, higher elevations??
Regarding Kings vs. Milks, one breeder and long-time fancier told me recently:
"Black milks and milks in general can be squirmy as hatchlings, more so than most kings. As adults, they are about the same as far as handle-ability and feeding ease. Black milks, in my opinion, make the best pet snake because of the ease of care, decent size and calm nature as adults. Hondurans are a close second. Neither milks or kings tend be very active in my experience until you take them out of the cage."
Okay, time for feedback.
How do you feel Kings & Milks differ? Or do you??
Any subspecies that you recommend? For what specific reasons?
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