It really depends on where you live in the U.S.

"Temperate" is a pretty vague term. To most hobbyists, that's just the default term we seem to throw for anything that doesn't come from a rainforest or a desert. In actuality, its not very specific, as even temperate and some desert species require so-called "higher" humidity than we often assume. We just often think "hey, it comes from Asia; it must be tropical" or "If it's from Africa, it must be a desert species."

You really need to research the environment a particular animal comes from before making such a decision, and not just a geographical region. For instance, I live southern Alabama, with a large number of different herps. Technically, all from the same area, but I couldn't keep a speckled kingsnake in the same habitat that I would keep a mudsnake or a green snake. They all live in different habitats.
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To get back to your question, determine what the average temperature and humidity is that you maintain in your home, for most of the year. Then research which species would fair well in at those specs.

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• Best Temperate climate Snake? - LightElf, Fri Nov 26 08:07:21 2010
• RE: Best Temperate climate Snake? - ShiningSnakes, Fri Nov 26 10:05:34 2010
• RE: Best Temperate climate Snake? - Sonya, Fri Nov 26 12:39:12 2010
• RE: Best Temperate climate Snake? - robeyeshua221, Fri Nov 26 22:29:38 2010
• RE: Best Temperate climate Snake? - reako45, Sun Nov 28 18:32:44 2010
• RE: Best Temperate climate Snake? - MikeinOKC, Mon Nov 29 06:44:04 2010