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Honduran Milk Snake (L. triangulum hondurensis)

     Honduran milk snakes are found throughout Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.  Honduran milk snakes are a medium sized snake and adults range between 4-7 feet.  Hondurans are a beautiful snake and the “Tangerine Honduran” milk snake is one of the most popular varieties.  Breeding these snakes is fairly easy and females are able to start producing eggs in less than 2 years.  Sexually mature females will produce 1-2 clutches a year with 5-11 eggs in a clutch.  The eggs need to be incubated at 80-82 degrees and they will usually hatch within 60-65 days.  With proper care one can expect their milk snake to live 10-20 years.  Honduran milk snakes can be shy and secretive, so it’s best to provide them with some form of hiding place.  Prehistoric Pets promotes responsible snake ownership and we recommend locking cages that prevent accidental escape.   Large constrictors and other escaped snakes can have a negative impact on the general public which can lead to a ban of snake ownership. 

Temperature

     Honduran milk snakes need to be maintained between 82-88 degrees during the day.  Nighttime temperatures should range between 68-75 degrees.  If you keep your snake too cool it can regurgitate, so make sure the temperatures are maintained.  Snakes shed in one complete piece, if yours is shedding in pieces, the humidity is too low.  To increase humidity you can mist the cage with water or provide a box with a small entrance, for the snake to enter, filled with damp potting soil and moss.

Housing

     Honduran milk snakes can be housed comfortably in a 29-40 gallon terrarium as adults.  Ideally the larger the snake, the more room you want to provide.  Never place a cage near a window where sunlight can directly shine on your cage.  Cages placed in direct sunlight can easily overheat and ultimately lead to the death of your snake.  Never house your milk snake with other snakes, it may eat them.

Bedding

     Almost any type of bedding can be used for milk snakes.  We recommend using carpet, bark, pine shavings, or aspen shavings.  A deep layer is recommended to allow your snake to hide if it chooses to do so.  

Food

     Honduran milk snakes feed on pinkie and fuzzy mice as babies and juveniles.  As your snake grows it will soon move up to adult mice.  We recommend that you feed baby and juvenile milk snakes 1-2 times per week.  Adult milk snakes can be fed once every 7-10 days to maintain proper body weight.   Like most snakes, milk snakes typically will not eat when they are preparing to shed.  After your snake has shed you can return to your normal feeding regiment.  If your snake doesn’t eat make sure you remove the rodent from the cage.  Rodents, when they are hungry, can bite snakes and can injure or kill them. 

Cleaning and Handling

     The terrarium should be cleaned as necessary. Any fecal matter should be cleaned out several times a week. The bedding should be completely changed once a month and fresh clean water should be provided at all times.  The inside of the terrarium can be cleaned out with an appropriate reptile cage cleaner, we recommend Natural Chemistry’s Healthy Habitat.  Honduran milk snakes can be handled on a daily basis and always wash your hands before and after handling them.