Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I picked up an adult Honduran at the reptile show yesterday, and I couldn't be happier with him. He's pretty, he's completely tame, he's huge and he only cost $40! To be frank, I'm wondering what the catch is. I suspect he's pretty old and could either die soon, or perhaps he simply can't breed anymore. I don't care about breeding, so that would work out just fine for me.

My other suspicion is regarding his eyes, as they have a grey ring around the edges. Is this a retained eye cap, or is he blind, or is it something that appears with age or is he supposed to look like this?

Also, this guy is probably too big for large mice. What do you think, small rats in the 40 gram range?

Your "Honduran" appears to be an Andean (Lampropeltis triangulum andesiana) or at least an Andean cross. It also appears to be a bit dehydrated and possibly in "blue" (ready to shed). The silvery/blue/gray tint to the black markings is indicative of the lymph layer that forms between the new skin and the old prior to shedding. It's also probably what's giving the snake's eyes the look you're describing.

I'd provide a hide box filed with damp Sphagnum moss for that critter.

Since the animal is a bit on the thin side, I wouldn't hesitate to offer it multiple smaller food items, such as adult mice, instead of one larger item, like a small rat. Smaller items are easier to digest.

Hope this helps.
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-Cole

Agreed on all counts. That's great advice Cole. And yes, that looks to be an authentic L.t.andesiana in every single key meristic feature it displays.

How the seller botched that identification, I'll never know.....but is sure is common to see these days...

BTW, Jimmy is waiting on an email reply from you...

cheers, ~Doug
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

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