Description
- Common Name: Honduran Milk Snake
- Scientific Name: Lampropeltis abnorma, (previously L. triangulum hondurensis)
- Locality/Morph: Tangerine
- Sex: Unknown
- Age: 2026
- Source: Captive bred in UK
- Native Range: Honduras, Nicaragua, and northern Costa Rica
- Natural Habitat: Tropical forests, open woodlands, and agricultural areas with high humidity and ground cover
- Diet: Rodents and small vertebrates (captive diet: defrosted mice and small rats)
- Basking Temperature: 29–31°C
- Ambient Temperature: 25–28°C (night drop to ~22°C)
- Average Adult Size: 120–150 cm (occasionally up to 180 cm)
The Honduran Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum hondurensis) is one of the most vibrant and popular members of the Lampropeltis genus, famous for its brilliant red, black, and yellow banding. Native to Central America, this subspecies has become a staple of the reptile hobby for its striking coloration, manageable size, and generally calm temperament once established. Selective breeding in captivity has also produced a variety of colour morphs, including tangerine, albino, and ghost variants, though the classic tricolour form remains a timeless favourite.
In their native environment, Honduran Milk Snakes inhabit humid tropical and subtropical regions, often taking refuge beneath logs, rocks, or leaf litter. They are primarily nocturnal, emerging at dusk to hunt small mammals, reptiles, and occasionally amphibians. Like other milk snakes, they are opportunistic feeders and are known for their mimicry of venomous coral snakes—a form of natural defence against predators.
In captivity, they thrive in secure, terrestrial enclosures with ample floor space and tight-fitting lids, as milk snakes are expert escape artists. A loose, moisture-retaining substrate such as aspen, coco husk, or cypress mulch works well, with hides provided at both the warm and cool ends of the enclosure. The environment should be moderately humid (50–70%) with good ventilation, and a shallow water bowl should always be available for drinking and soaking.
Temperature gradients between 25–28°C ambient and a basking area of 29–31°C are ideal, with a gentle night-time drop. Lighting is optional but a normal day/night cycle helps maintain natural activity patterns.
In captivity, Honduran Milk Snakes feed readily on defrosted rodents, typically once every 7–10 days for adults. They are hardy and adaptable, making them an excellent choice for beginner and intermediate keepers alike. When handled regularly and gently, they usually become calm, confident snakes that tolerate interaction well.
Livestock Delivery:
Livestock is delivered in our own heated reptile courier vans. Delivery time from ordering will depend on your location and when we next have a van in your area, this will usually be a maximum of 2 weeks. You will receive a date and time slot by phone or email, so please ensure you enter these correctly at checkout. Delivery fee for livestock depends on location, prices start at £45. Livestock orders over £500 (+VAT) are delivered free of charge.
Livestock Sale Terms:
If multiple animals are in stock then not all will be pictured, so the photo above may not be exact animal available.
All prices are per individual unless otherwise stated. All livestock is subject to availability, whilst we try to keep the website as up to date as possible errors may happen, in this situation you will be contacted to arrange a refund/alternative.
Errors can happen with sexing and morph identification. Should this be discovered before leaving us you are entitled to a refund. After the animal leaves us it is the customers responsibility to inform us within 48 hours of the animals arrival. Failing to do so may lose the customers eligibility for a refund.
It is the customers responsibility to have the correct setup available and ready for the animal, if you need any advice please do get in touch. We have the right to request proof of setup at any time, failure to provide an image of an appropriate setup or any image at all, may result in a full order cancellation and refund.
Guarantee for all inverts & amphibians is 24 hours. All other livestock is 48 hours. If issues/concerns are notified upon delivery, then this may be extended. All health related queries will be subject to a full investigation should an issue arise. Failing to provide us with the information we request may void any form of guarantee. If we find reason from the information that its injury or death was caused by negligence or incorrect husbandry then the guarantee may be void. Should death or abnormalities occur then you must inform us as soon as possible. In the unlikely event that an animal passes away please photograph the dead body and freeze until you have heard from us. If death or illness occurs after 7 days, and no health issues were reported, then Ridgeway will not be held responsible.
We have the right to refuse any sale, refund or guarantee at any time if we feel it is necessary.
Livestock sales are for customers aged 18+, if under this age you must have prior parent permission. If we have any reason to suspect this is not the case we will contact you before the animal is released.
When purchasing an animal from us you automatically agree to these terms of sale.
