Honduran Milk Snake: Info, Care Guide & Habitat (With Pictures)

Honduran milk snakes live in the rainforests of Central America and are brightly colored, which helps them blend in with the leaves and flowers. When they are larger than 12 inches long, they eat invertebrates like slugs, insects, spiders, worms, and small mammals.

Caring for this snake is relatively simple, but you must know what you’re doing. This article will cover Honduran milk snakes, their needs, and how you can provide them with an exceptional home.

Quick Facts About Honduran Milk Snake

Do Honduran Milk Snakes Make Good Pets?

Although not quite as popular as the corn snake for beginners, the Honduran milk snake is a well-liked pet. Some herpetologists consider them better pets than corn snakes, even though they are not as easy to care for.

Their temperament and small size make them ideal for people who live in apartments or don’t want to own a large snake. As far as handling is concerned, Honduran milk snakes are usually not aggressive toward humans.

How to Take Care of Honduran Milk Snake

Once you bring your pet snake home, there are simple steps you can take to make them feel like they belong.

Habitat, Tank Conditions & Setup

Tank

First and foremost, your snake needs a tank. A 20-gallon long glass terrarium is the absolute minimum size that they need to thrive in captivity. If your pet grows too large for the 20-gallon terrarium or seems bored, you can switch to a larger tank or even a custom-made cage for snakes.

As an owner, it’s your responsibility to ensure that the environment in which your pet lives meets their needs. This involves providing them with ample space and hiding places where they can feel secure and comfortable.

Lighting

One of the most important biological processes for a snake is shedding their skin. To help them with this process, they need heat and light; bright white lights can help stimulate their appetite.

If your tank has a screen top that will allow UVB lights and sunlight through, that’s even better. The brand Zoo Med makes lights that can be made to fit inside the cage, so you won’t need to take your pet out of their home.

Heating (Temperature & Humidity)

It doesn’t matter what type of snake you have or what kind of habitat they live in; they are cold-blooded animals that need heat. If you notice your snake is sluggish or hiding in the corner of their tank, it may be because they are too cold.

Ideally, you should keep your snake’s tank around 80 degrees Fahrenheit to give them the heat they need. You can use a submersible aquarium heater or heat tape to help you regulate the temperature, but it isn’t always necessary.

Honduran milk snakes prefer humidity levels between 50% and 75%, so be sure to check and maintain the levels.

Substrate

Once you have the tank set up, it’s important to provide your snake with a secure and comfortable home. The substrate for this type of snake can consist of anything from aspen bedding to newspaper.

The Honduran milk snake will mostly use it for covering or nesting purposes. You can also add branches, moss, or rocks to give the enclosure a more natural feel.

Feeding Your Honduran Milk Snake

Honduran milk snakes are not picky eaters, but they should never be fed anything without ample research first. The primary food that you should feed them is a pre-killed or live rodent, usually a mouse.

Hatchling snakes should only be fed small prey like regular-sized crickets or roaches. Avoid feeding them large insects that are too heavy for them to digest properly. If your snake is growing too slowly or seems lethargic, consult a reptile veterinarian.

Sometimes, overfeeding your pet can cause health problems. It’s just as important to have fresh water available at all times.

Keeping Your Honduran Milk Snake Healthy

Monitoring your snake’s feeding, shedding, and health issues is vital. If your pet isn’t eating, they may be too stressed or uncomfortable in their environment. Failing to shed can be a sign of poor nutrition or stress, so make sure you’re addressing these problems before they get any worse.

Common Health Issues

Health issues for Honduran milk snakes are usually genetic. Due to improper care, they can suffer from respiratory infections, septicemia, and kidney failure. To keep them healthy, ensure they have proper humidity, exposure to sunlight, or a UVB lamp and that you’re feeding them enough, but not too much.

If your snake is acting sluggish or lethargic, it could be due to infection from parasites such as mites, ticks, or ringworm. In that case, visit a reptile veterinarian to get treatment immediately.

Lifespan

In captivity, Honduran milk snakes can live from 12 to 20 years. In the wild, they have been known to live about 7 to 12 years.

Breeding

Breeding a Honduran milk snake is usually fairly easy. Males will be attracted to the scent of female snakes and may begin to follow them around. In some cases, it might take a few days for male snakes to make their intentions known, but once they do, your female snake should become receptive and amorous toward him.

She will rub against the wall in a ritual courtship dance and, in some cases, will even allow the male to mate with her. If you want to be sure that your snakes are, in fact, breeding, it is best to keep them separate for a week or so. After this time has elapsed, they should be ready to breed.

Are Honduran Milk Snakes Friendly? Our Handling Advice

Honduran milk snakes are not aggressive by nature, but they can bite if provoked. If you try to pick up a Honduran milk snake in the wild, they will likely quickly curl into the fetal position or get away from you.

When domesticated since birth, however, the snakes are generally very affectionate. They will coil around your hand and lap at your skin, even curling up in a ball when they’re relaxed. Honduran milk snakes need to be handled occasionally, but make sure you’re holding them gently since their bones are quite fragile for their size.

Shedding & Brumation: What to Expect

You should expect your Honduran milk snake to shed on average once or twice per year. Usually, the snakes will not eat before they shed and then emerge afterward, looking healthier than ever with their eyes a vibrant red color.

However, if your snake stays in the cage after shedding, has no appetite for food, and still looks dull, check with a reptile veterinarian right away. Brumation for Honduran milksnakes is common but not necessary. Some keepers choose to put their snakes in the fridge or another cool place during this time, as it is standard procedure for other reptiles.

How Much Do Honduran Milk Snakes Cost?

Honduran Milksnakes are not a common pet. Depending on the age and coloration, they cost anywhere from $250 to as much as $1,000.

Care Guide Summary

Final Thoughts

Honduran milk snakes are brightly colored and easy to care for. They make great pets, but you must understand how to take proper care of them before deciding to add one to your household. If you provide a balanced diet, maintain the proper heating and lighting, and clean their enclosure frequently, your Honduran milk snake will live a long, happy life.

Related Reads:

• 9 Best Pet Snakes for Beginners (With Pictures)
• Sinaloan Milk Snake: Facts, Appearance & Care Guide (with Pictures)

Featured Image Credit: Nathan A Shepard, Shutterstock