Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Which locality or line of syspilas or other milksnakes hold their hatchling colors the best? I'm not a milksnake expert but I'm getting the impression that almost all of them end up looking quite different as adults and not nearly as nice as the fresh shed hatchlings. Any good info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot.

are the milks that come to mind as an answer for your question... the link below is to a recent post of a rather good looking example. I don't have them myself but if I were looking for something based on your one criteria Sinaloan's would be my choice.

Keep away from Black milks if you want a snake that will retain it's colors... if you want the best milk snake though than by all means get a Black milk. Be warned though... I am biased.

Gerry

Thanks. I am more interested in which USA lines hold hatchling color best, particularly the different locality and breeder lines of red milks but also wondering about some of the other northern USA milks. Thanks again.

in these early hours I see I could have... and should have... inferred that in this case "other milks" meant other NA milks. In which case ditto for the advice and opinion Sunherp/Cole gave.

I've never seen an example of the Johnson County animals that he mentions so I can't say for certain... but if he says so I'd believe him. What is certain is that somewhere out there fish are waiting for me.

Gerry

Sinaloans are from North America...just not the U S A ....

....and it would all vary....I have a few types and locales and they all vary more than I like...not towards the brighter side of course but towards the dark side....

....just look at the parents, it helps alot....

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........JY

Sinaloans are from North America...just not the U S A

What's funny is if quizzed I would name Mexico as part of North America... along with Canada, Greenland, what we refer to as Central America(don't get picky here with the whole subcontinent thing), could probably name a lot of the islands... but yet some how on a day to day basis if NA is mentioned I think of just the USA... heck of a day to realize I might be an arrogant American.

Gerry

might as well be a good American even if it means being an arrogant American......sounds good to me....

I think of Central America as anything below Mexico...as in Belize,Costa Rica,Guatemala, and on south....is Belize the first one?....hmmm...now I am doubting my brain....

......actually I think most milk people think NA, Mex then CA and SA .......as you did....
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........JY

You're correct - nearly all forms of triangulum change in coloration between hatching and adulthood. This includes both tropical and temperate forms. Some milkheads, myself included, come to appreciate this change. Many localities of the western forms tend to develope various degrees of black stippling on their white bands, in addition to a variable layer of graphite coloring we call "newsprinting". This can actually add to the attractiveness of an animal and varies between individuals and localities.

The red milks you're asking about in particular tend to have narrower white bands which can stay white, fade to tan, become light gray, and may develope an infusion of Orange or red pigment. Some of the brightest available animals are from a line originating from Johnson County, Illinois. They match what you're looking for.

I suspect that once you scratch that itch for the "best" animals that your tastes will evolve and broaden. Essentially, the "best" will be hard to define like it is for those of us who have such an affinity for these animals.

Good luck in your quest!

-Cole

I'd go with a good quality Sinaloan any day . . . .

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Jerry Kruse

UPDATED!
www.zonatas.com

And God said, "Let there be zonata subspecies for all to ponder..."

I agree, wanna trade? That sinaloae is smokin!

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Jimmy Tintle