Which milk snake is best for a pet?

[twh]

I have a Nelson's and a Pueblan, and really.. the type of snake won't determine temperament. It's really the individual critter that says it all.

this is simply is not true at all! species of snakes have certain traits that are true to there species,of coarse there are some variations within each snake and every once in a while a snake will be totally different that most.

the fact that the pueblan is crazy and the nelson is calm is typical of each species.have fun !

[West Coast Jungle]

I like the Nelsons and Sinaloans

[kc261]

Thanks for all the replies so far!

I should have mentioned in my original post that she is not interested in a black milk. I know they are supposed to have nice personalities, but she is attracted to milks because of their colors, and while the color change would be neat, she doesn't want a snake that will be a single solid color for most of its life.

I guess I'll have to do more research into Nelson's, since they seem to be getting the most votes here.

[wilomn]

I've kept and bred sinaloans, pueblans and hondurans. I've never had problems with any of them and have produced hundreds of each. Hondos tend to be the fiestiest as babies. Nelsons and sinaloans are basically the same snake. Black milks are neat, but if it's colour you're after, they are not the species for you.

If you don't have to have a baby any of the three I mentioned first should be great. As babies any of them can be pissy but all have outgrown it in my personal experience.

[Brandon Osborne]

the type of snake won't determine temperament. It's really the individual critter that says it all.

If you hold them, whichever one is the least flighty and crazy trying to get out of your hands is the best. My pueblan is nutso and hasn't calmed down yet, and my nelson's is a doll and goes grocery shopping with me. :]

These statements are contradictory. The type of snake does play a large roll in temperment. I would not recommend a honduran or pueblan to a 9 year old. They are usually flighty and do not like to be handled. My recommendation is a sinaloan, hands down. Great size for kids as well as their temperment. Very easy going milksnakes.

Most Nelsoni in the hobby have been crossed with Sinaloan, and some consider the two ssp to be the same.