Let's talk about Milk Snakes

[Derek1]

I was looking at some different websites and some said “great beginner Milk Snake” What exactly does that mean? I know there are a lot of sub species, but are there beginner and novice Milks? Lots of great colors and morphs to choose from.

[Derek1]

I mean novice and experienced.

I don't see a edit post link?

[Jim Smith]

I think that any snake that has the following attributes would be considered a good beginner snake:

1. Easy to care for in that it does not require difficult to maintain heating, humidity or housing requirements
2. Known to be "good" eaters and will willing feed on Frozen/thawed mice or rats
3. Typically has a good disposition, not prone to biting or being overly aggressive
4. Only attains a reasonable size that can be safely handled by one person

Admittedly, I am a bit biased towards Honduran Milk Snakes but based on the above criteria, I would consider most of the more popular milk snakes to be excellent beginner snakes.

[Derek1]

Thanks Jim. Nothing wrong being biased towards one or the other. Nice collection judging from your sig. Why did you go with Hondo's over all the others?

[Jim Smith]

I did a fair amount of research before making my decision. I wanted a snake that did not require too stringent housing requirements and yet reached a nice "respectable" size of 5-6 feet long. They have excellent dispositions and come in a wide variety of beautiful morphs to choose from. Here's a link to a thread here on SSnakeSS that I posted a couple of weeks ago with photos of my gang.

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/lampropeltis/106934-meet-gang.html

[Derek1]

Thanks Jim! Beautiful snakes and awesome gang! Your feed back is awesome.

IYO. on your research what were the Milk's you didn't like and why?

[hondo-dan]

I'm with Jim. I've had good luck with my hondo so far and he's my first. At least since I was a kid. He's been a great eater, nice as could be, and easy to maintain his housing.

[Derek1]

I'm wanting to go natural pattern on this. Been looking around and doing some reading. I'm thinking about going with a Nelson's. Any opinions on those or a reason not to?

[Jim Smith]

I really don't think you can go wrong with almost any of the Milk Snakes. A Nelson's would be an excellent first snake. They don't get quite as large as a Honduran so you should be able to get by with a slightly smaller tank.

[hondo-dan]

Nylon here has one of the best looking, in my opinion, natural milks I've seen. It's a pueblan. Check out the snakeweed and ranking post and you'll see what I mean.

[Derek1]

I like the Pueblan's too. Probably the best really with the color. But I get mix reviews about them more likely to musk and whatnot. I like the natural color of all of them. This is why I ask y'all. Y'all seem to have good experience and opinions on what's the best.

[sharthun]

Black milks are awesome snakes as well. Easy to keep. They like it cool. Great eaters, and very docile. Can reach 6+ feet. Tricolored when young, then turn black! :cool:

[Derek1]

Y'all gotta help me decide. Looking at Reptiles By Mack (that's where I got my Cal King) and they were great to work with. I'm in solid grid lock on these three.

Apricot Pueblan Milk Snake
Orange Milk Snake (I need to read more about these)
Tri-Color Honduran Milk Snake

From this ad.

For Sale Milk Snake Sale! Breeder direct, unbeatable prices! - FaunaClassifieds (http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=486490)

[Jim Smith]

Derek1,

You live in the same area as Don Shores at Shores Enough Snakes who is one of the top Milk Snake breeders in the country. You might contact Don as he has a number of beautiful snakes for sale on his website and that would significantly reduce your cost by avoiding shipping costs. Just a thought...

[Derek1]

Will do Jim. Thanks for the heads up.

[Katt]

Of those three choices. The tric-colour hondo. Bigger and cleaner, Apricot Puebs often muddy out.