Honduran Milk snake size?

[Topic925]

So I posted this in another forum still no response maybe someone here can give some input.

I purchased my milk snake at a reptile show around 2011 or 2012, not really sure exactly what year but I don't think that really matters at this point. I've been seeing pictures of other milk snakes and they are HUGE compared to mine.
My question is what could be the reason she's so small? only about 2.5' I'm assuming she's a female because I gave her a female name when I bought her but I honestly can't remember if the sex was known when I got her.
From what I've read, male and female colubrids are generally pretty close to the same size when full grown. I had a cali king that was younger and smaller when I got it but literally out grew her in about a year and a half. I feed my snakes pretty good sized meals every 5-7 days. is it possible that I just got the "runt" of the clutch?

[Jim Smith]

To begin with, are you sure that it is actually a Honduran Milk snake and not one of the other species that do not grow as large. Assuming that it is a Honduran, there are two factors that usually dictate the adult size of pretty much any animal, including snakes. They are in order of importance, genetics and availability of quality food and living conditions. Also, there is significant variation in the size of milk snakes; Honduran Milk Snakes in particular. I believe that at least some of this variation is due to the amount of cross breeding between species of Milksnakes in the past; some intentional, some not. If for example, you cross a Honduran with a Nelsons milk snake, you would not necessarily be able to see visual differences very easily unless you went to the level of counting scales etc, and the coloration of many of the morphs are so similar, it would be difficult to tell by coloration. Even if your snake is a pure Honduran, there are differences in size just like there is in any animal or people for that matter. My first Honduran was born in late 2012, she now weighs about 1350 grams and is between 5-6 feet long. When she was small, I fed her (multi-prey item meals) which means I fed her two smaller mice rather than one large mouse at a feeding. I felt (no scientific evidence here) that the smaller prey items were easier to digest and absorb and she was ready to eat again sooner than if I fed one larger prey item. As she started to reach her full size, I switched over to larger single prey meals. I may be all wrong here, but she grew quickly and has attained a good size for her age. To answer your question, by five years old, a Honduran Milk snake should be pretty close to as large as it is going to get.

It's sort of like the answer Abe Lincoln gave to asked "How long ought a man's legs to be?", to which he replied, "Long enough to reach the ground." Your snake will be as long as it is supposed to be.

[JellyBean]

Some things that will help us help you:
Picture of your snake
Weight of your snake
What is a "pretty good size" meal? Ie: small rat, fuzzy mouse, etc.
Does she ever refuse her food, or regurgitate?
How is her habitat? Substrate, temps, humidity.

Then someone can be more equipped to help you figure it out.
Good luck!

(Oops, didn't see Jim's reply while I was typing)

[Topic925]

Thanks for the quick response guys!

I'll post a picture when I get a chance. She is a hypo extreme so maybe that could be something to take note of.
so I had her in a 20 gallon tank with the temps 76 cold - 88 hot with plenty of space to move around and hide. I keep a moist moss box in there for humidity that she really likes when its time to shed. This month I moved her to a rack because I needed space which actually calmed her down a little bit.
Never refused food or regurgitated. Even though she's still flighty she eats like a champ. Pretty good sized meal for her now is a medium adult mouse that puts a very noticeable lump in her for about 2-3 days. She was on hoppers for a long time only because she wasn't growing enough to move up.

I get the whole genetics thing and obviously not all are going to be the same but I'm super jealous! lol I want my milk to be 5'!!

[Topic925]

Here's a picture, she's a little thicker because she ate about 2 days ago

[Andy_G]

Most honduran milks are in the 4-5 foot range but there are a lot of variables. That's a really small one you have there and it doesn't sound like you've been holding back the food. Must be a small bloodline.

[Primal Rage]

Nice hondo Topic 925! That is a vanishing pattern hypo not an extreme hypo. Jim posted alot of really good info! I would say you might have a chance to bulk her up a bit but it is not likely that she will grow into a monster. It has been my experience that after the first 3-4 years they dont really grow any longer but will bulk up in girth if fed properly. I have several 2 year old female hondos that are 48" plus and over 450 grams. My animals are switched over to rats asap! Also it helps to know what bloodlines your animal comes from. Alot of hondo lines stays smaller because of the L.polyzona influence. Hit me up late next summer if you want a hatchling that will grow into a monster!

[Topic925]

Thanks, I kinda figured she wouldn't get any longer just cause its been so long. It's okay though. I will be looking for more. I wanna get in to breeding in a few years but its so hard to decide what to start with. i have 5 different snakes that all have so many sweet options.