18-24 inches of width/depth is usually recommended, as well as a similar amount of climbing height. The enclosure should be a minimum of at least as long as the snake on one side (so you will have to prepare for the potential of needing a 6 foot or larger enclosure). Tanks, tubs, PVC, or wood enclosures are common options. Honduran milk snakes can be kept in a variety of enclosures. ![]() Spring water, safe tap water (depends on where you’re located) or water with reptisafe is recommended. As for water, they should have fresh water at all times, changed daily. Impaction is not a huge risk with snakes, however if you are super concerned, you can feed over a plate placed in the enclosure. Feeding outside risks stress and regurgitation (which is potentially deadly, especially for a baby). Feeding should always be done inside of the enclosure. In general though, you should provide food with tongs. This usually isn’t a huge issue and can be resolved by covering their enclosure or turning off the light and leaving them alone to eat. They aren’t picky snakes, however when they are hatchlings they may be shy eaters. With milk snakes, it is usually not an issue and most will eat f/t. When purchasing your snake, make sure to ask the breeder (or rescue, previous owner, etc.) if they are eating frozen/thawed. As babies they can eat once a week, but they should be switched or slowly moved to every 12-14 days once they’re near full grown. They should not stay on baby rats long-term, but if they are large enough to eat small or medium rats, then they should be switched to those. While some may stay on large mice as adults, many may need to be upgraded to rats. As they grow, food should be upgraded appropriately. As hatchlings, most will start on large pinky mice, but some may be able to start on small/peach fuzzies. Milk snakes eat mainly rodents in captivity. Never handle while the snake is in shed (unless necessary), for 48 hours after eating, or while the snake is adjusting to its new home (usually 1-2 weeks is recommended). With regular handling (which in my opinion, should be no more frequently than 3 times a week), and as they gain size and become more confident, they will calm down significantly. Never try to restrain them unless necessary or they are more likely to musk or bite defensively. It’s best when handling them to let them move as freely as they want until they are more used to handling. Although it’s never a guarantee, Hondurans in particular have a higher chance than other milk snakes to be much calmer and less likely to musk. All milk snakes run the risk of being super flighty, musking, and biting defensively. Like many other milk snakes, Honduran milk snakes have a tendency to be shy and skittish, especially as babies. Hatchlings start out much larger than some other milk snakes (in the 20-30 gram range) so they may be easier to handle for beginners when they’re babies. They start out with clean patterning as babies, but unless they are of a different morph, they develop black tips on their red scales which gives them a darker look. Although many morphs exist, their wild-type coloration is red with black bands. They range from 4-6 feet on average, and it’s always best to prepare for their largest potential size. Information courtesy of, wikipedia.This species of milk snake is heavier bodied than some other milk snakes and has a tendency to get larger on average. ![]() Many predators confuse them with the venomous coral snake and will retreat. This is all in an attempt to startle the predator and warn them of danger. ![]() These snakes would rather flee than fight, but if cornered they will raise their head and make quick “jerky†movements to flash their colors. Many times, these snakes have appetites larger than stomachs, causing them to regurgitate their food because they are unable to digest the large prey. They hunt mice, rats, birds and other small mammals. They are a non-venomous snake but rather a constrictor. They are nocturnal in the summer and diurnal in the spring and fall and hibernate in the winter. In the wild, they have a life span of about 12 years, but in captivity they can live over 20 years. As adults, these snakes reach lengths of 3 to 5 feet and some are now exceeding 6 feet. They have a signature “M†pattern under the mouth. The original Honduran Milksnake was tri-colored, orange/red, black and yellow or orange bands down the body. ![]() The colors morphs are creating a high demand for these snakes by collectors and hobbyist. These snakes have a rapidly growing color morph, primarily bright orange, dull orange, reds, blacks, gray or even pure white. They make their home in the rain forests. The Honduran Milksnake is a milksnake and as its name implies, originates in Nicaragua, Honduras and even parts of Costa Rica. Honduran Milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum Hondurensis)
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