Honduran milk snake (Lampropeltis triangulum hondurensis)

Short answers

Honduran milk snake: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 180×90×90 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, kingsnakes).

Honduran milk snake: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C, basking spot 30–33 °C, at night 20–22 °C.

Honduran milk snake: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB not essential; weak UVB optional.

Honduran milk snake: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–20+ years.

Honduran milk snake: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C

Night temperature

20–22 °C

Basking spot

30–33 °C

Humidity

50–70 %

UVB

UVB not essential; weak UVB optional

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 180×90×90 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, kingsnakes)

Substrate

Forest floor or aspen shavings, hides, cork tubes

Feeding

Food

Rodents (mice); in the wild also other snakes and lizards

Feeding interval

adults every 7–10 days, juveniles every 5–7 days

Key facts

Adult size

120–160 cm (rarely up to ~180 cm)

Life expectancy

15–20+ years

Origin

Honduras, Nicaragua, north-eastern Costa Rica (Central America), dry forest

Protection status

Not listed under CITES; no special EU requirements

Brumation

No strict winter rest (tropical); a slightly cooler, drier spell to stimulate breeding is optional

Cohabitation

Keep them singly (milk and kingsnakes are ophiophagous and eat snakes – a risk of cannibalism!). Only for supervised breeding. NOTE: some dealer descriptions wrongly claim group keeping – it is not recommended

Notes

A colourful, robust milk snake; one of the larger triangulum forms. A common keeping mistake: housing or feeding them together → cannibalism. Feed them singly. The humidity figures vary by source between 50 and 70 % (a safe middle range was chosen).

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Honduran milk snake (Lampropeltis triangulum hondurensis) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Andean milk snake (Lampropeltis micropholis) – Intermediate
• Sonoran mountain kingsnake (Lampropeltis pyromelana) – Intermediate
• Isla Todos Santos kingsnake (Lampropeltis herrerae) – Expert
• California mountain kingsnake (Lampropeltis zonata) – Intermediate
• Chihuahuan mountain kingsnake (Lampropeltis knoblochi) – Intermediate
• Desert kingsnake (Lampropeltis splendida) – Beginner
• Florida kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula floridana) – Beginner
• Eastern kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula getula) – Beginner

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Honduran milk snake (Lampropeltis triangulum hondurensis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 180×90×90 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, kingsnakes)), substrate (Forest floor or aspen shavings, hides, cork tubes), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.