Reptile & Amphibian Forums

my girlfriend agreed to get me a snake for xmas and i really want a scarlet king. i searched all over the breeder sights and couldn't find anything. i think i might have to settle for a pueblan milk. i love the scarlets coloration and don't really want a coral snake so the milk seemed like the closest thing. are these things protected or just impossible to breed? i thought for sure i could find one.

Scarlet Kings are not good candidates for a first snake.
- They are very shy and typically spend almost all their time hiding.
- They don't like to be handled and will generally struggle when restrained.
- While all snakes are escape artists, scarlet kings are the champions. When they escape, they are rarely seen again due to their retiring habits and small size.
- They are rarely bred in captivity because the babies are so small and very difficult to get large enough to eat anything other than young ground skinks. Adults will eat pinkie/fuzzy mice generally, but not always.
- Most SKings offered for sale are wild caught snakes that were collected by a very destructive practice known as bark ripping.

If you want a tricolored snake, I would suggest you start with either a Sinaloan or Mexican Milksnake. These two subspecies are widely bred and are inexpensive. They are very colorful and hardy in captivity. And unlike some of the other widely bred subspecies of milksnake, they can be handled easily (Pueblans are psychotic when handled and hondurans often bite or crap when handled). Sinaloans and Mexican Milksnakes are the best bet for a first milksnake.

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Chris Harrison

...he was beginning to realize he was the creature of a god that appreciated the discomfort of his worshippers - W. Somerset Maugham

thanks a alot for the info. you saved me and the snake from a bad investment. i looked around and the mexican seemed like a much better bet and it looks almost the same. Its not my first snake, me and my roomates have 2 cals and a garter, but we are still new to keeping them and have a lot to learn. thanks again.

Agreed but would also add the coastal plains milk as a candidate for a first "milk" snake. As far as NA milks go I think they have the best disposition in regards to handling.

I have a baby one, my 2nd snake (Cal King was 1st). S/He is very calm and doesn't mind being handled, feeds well and is beautifully marked in the "coral" type pattern you are looking for!