Honduran Milksnake (Snow het. Hypo)

Honduran Milksnake (Snow het. Hypo)

Scientific Name: Lampropeltis triangulum hondurensis
Common Name: Honduran Milksnake

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Species Overview

Size: Adults typically reach 4–6 feet (1.2–1.8 m) in length, with a thick, muscular build and smooth, glossy scales.

Appearance: The Snow het. Hypo Honduran Milksnake is a pale, refined combination morph known for its soft, frosted-white coloration and subtle silvery undertones. The Snow morph results from the interaction of Albino and Anerythristic genes, which remove both black and red pigments, leaving a creamy white or light grey snake with faint patterning. This individual also carries one copy of the Hypomelanistic gene, a pigment-reducing trait that can further lighten and soften tones when expressed in offspring. The result is a clean, luminous appearance with a delicate pearlescent sheen and pinkish to light rose eyes. The Snow het. Hypo morph exemplifies elegance and balance, offering both aesthetic beauty and valuable breeding potential for enhanced pale morph projects.

Distribution: Originates from selective captive breeding of the Honduran Milksnake, a subspecies native to Honduras, Nicaragua, and northern Costa Rica.

Habitat: Honduran Milksnakes inhabit tropical forests, grasslands, and agricultural areas across Central America. In captivity, this morph thrives in naturalistic terrariums with soft substrate, climbing branches, and secure hiding areas.

Behaviour: These snakes are confident, alert, and hardy. Juveniles may be defensive initially but tame quickly with regular handling. Adults are calm and reliable, making them excellent display animals and strong breeders.

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Captive Care

Enclosure: Provide an enclosure at least 4 feet × 2 feet × 2 feet for adults. Include multiple hides, climbing structures, and smooth décor. A naturalistic substrate such as soil, coconut fibre, or aspen allows burrowing and supports humidity control.

Temperature & Humidity: Maintain a daytime gradient of 78–86°F (26–30°C) with a basking area near 90°F (32°C). Allow nighttime drops to 70–74°F (21–23°C). Maintain humidity between 50–70%, with a humid hide provided during shedding.

Diet: Offer frozen-thawed rodents every 7–10 days for juveniles and every 10–14 days for adults. Honduran Milksnakes are dependable, consistent feeders that thrive on a steady schedule.

Behaviour in Captivity: Calm, inquisitive, and adaptable, these snakes respond well to regular interaction. Their gentle appearance and stable temperament make them a popular choice for both display and breeding programs.

Special Considerations: Milksnakes should always be housed individually, as they may consume other snakes. This morph is particularly valued in breeding lines targeting ultra-pale or pattern-softened variants.

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Genetics Note

Albino (Recessive): Removes black pigment, leaving whites, yellows, and reds visible. In combination with Anery, this gene helps form the pale base of the Snow morph.

Anery (Recessive): Removes red pigmentation, producing grey, white, and black tones when visual. Combined with Albino, it results in a soft, silvery-white snake.

Snow (Albino + Anery Double Recessive): The combination of Albino and Anery genes, producing a clean, frosted-white appearance with faint, cream-toned banding and pink eyes.

het. Hypo (Recessive Carrier): Carries one copy of the Hypomelanistic gene, which reduces black pigmentation when visual, brightening and softening overall coloration. (“het” is short for heterozygous, meaning one copy of the gene is carried but not expressed.)

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Genetic Combination Summary

The Honduran Milksnake (Snow het. Hypo) expresses two recessive traits and carries one additional recessive gene:

• Albino (Recessive): Removes black pigment for a bright base tone.

• Anery (Recessive): Removes red pigment, leaving pale silvers and whites.

• het. Hypo (Recessive Carrier): Carries potential for enhanced brightness and reduced melanin expression.

Together, these genes produce a pure, frost-toned Honduran Milksnake with a soft sheen and pastel-like subtleties. The Snow het. Hypo is both visually refined and genetically powerful—an excellent foundation for projects aiming to develop ultra-pale or “Ghost Snow” type lines within the species.