Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Lately i have been thinking upon getting a honduran even though they get kind of big for my liking... nonetheless, the temptation is there. Since i am kind of on the fence about it perhaps someone might sway me in a direction about it.

I really like the locality tricolors and the bright tangerine ones... i think i saw a pic of an adult tricolor hondo with a head colored like a zonata (no white at tip) --- is that a specific locality or just a mutant?

Also... i assume these tricolors darken over time... is there a locality or type that preserves the colors better? thanks

I saw an adult orange and black snake in a pet store over 20 years ago and said to myself "What the &^%$#! is THAT!" Although I'm a huge fan of milk snakes, the orange and black banding really got me - I don't know of any other natural colored snake that looks like it.

They are also extraordinarily hardy. I shipped an adult to SoCal a couple of years ago in ther summer and the shipping company lost it - for three weeks in over 90 degree heat. The package was eventually found and the snake survived.

The color and morphs are cool too. There's still room for some great selective breeding projects like yellow or pink snow, all-orange hypo, high-white albino, etc.

They do require more room than a corn snake or even most other milk snakes, so that's something to keep in mind. They don't have the "personality" that some other snakes have (IMHO). For example, a Russian Rat Snake is alert and responsive, while most corn snakes just sit there - Hondurans are more like a corn snake in that regard.

Remember that pet store snake that got me started on Hondurans? Well here's a recent photo of it - it just turned 22 years of age:

Third Eye

That's a beautiful hondo for sure. You sure can't tell that snake is 22. Looks to be in prime condition.

from what little you have said about what you're looking for...I don't think Hondurans are for you.

If you want a tri-color locality animal...I would go with the North American milks...CA or AZ Mountain Kings or Graybands.

Honduran are jumpy, not too bright, but they are super to look at!

Once they get older, they calm down in a huge way...they typically eat very well...and most of all for me, they have all kinds of genetic variation.

They are easy to breed, produce large clutches, the babies come out huge, and are easy to get started as neonates.

I like the size as well...they aren't too big and not too small.

However, if I was looking for a pet snake...I would have to go with an Az Mt. King...they are really calm and nice looking. Once people start producing some multi-hets of the Az Mt. Kings...I can see easily getting back into those.

-R

Regarding coloring, any snake will dull with age to some extent. The skin is thicker in an adult as opposed to a youngster, and that thicker keratin affects coloration.

A humid hide will often make a milksnake look better than a milksnake that has been in a dry cage. Well hydrated skin looks brighter. See pic of the milk (not a Honduran).

Your typical miksnake will often look the best in the age range of 1-2 yrs.

Hondurans are impressive in size and color, and they easily survive husbandry errors better than many snakes. They are flighty (not biters usually, but very squirmy esp when young), and even older adults are often well on the move when held. If that is a factor for you, then I suggest staying away from most milksnakes in general. Yes some get calm, but it is not the best bet to assume most will. Mexican milks get calm, black milks are calm but BIG.

Ive been down this road when selecting a snake for a classroom. I brought in various milks, kings and a cornsnake. And the snake that ultimately worked out the best all things considered (ease of maintenance, ease of handling) was the cornsnake.

-----
Mark

Thanks folks - i should probably wait a while before i get one of these cool big milks... in the meantime i will enjoy my mt king and tricolor hogs... and perhaps an annulata.. a jalisco milk or two... ruthveni... they really are all such good looking creatures... perhaps a stuartii or two... i guess i better save up for a rack first