Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a ball python and my younger cousin is absolutely in love with it. Everytime he comes over he always wants to play with it and hold it. He's tried for many months to be able to get one of his own, but his mom is very squeamish about mice. He's five and both of his parents know that they would be the ones caring for the snake, and they are completely okay with that...as long as it doesn't eat mice. Are there any snakes that don't eat mice (even the harmless pinkies) and are good beginner snakes (docile and easy to handle...because there is no way he's going to leave it in it's cage).

Ringnecks will eat worms, and various insect types. The small terrestrial snakes forum has a thread near the top (5-6 down) with pictures of one eating worms, for reference!
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0.0.1 Normal corn snake (Frito)
0.0.1 Creamsicle corn (Tang)
0.0.1 Ghost corn (Raynham)
1.1 Bay of LA rosy boas (Rivet and Cali)

Rough green snakes eat crickets and worms - not very handleable. Garters and Ribbons will eat fish and worms - takes work, but can become very docile. Have you discussed the option of using frozen mice?
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Diego & Tiffany's Zoo
SNAKES
4.4 Corn Snakes (Different morphs)
1.0.0 Boa Constrictor
0.1.0 Dumeril's Boa
0.1.0 Tangerine Honduran Milksnake
1.0.0 Honduran Milksnake
0.1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake
1.1.0 Ball Pythons
0.0.1 Ribbon Snake
0.0.2 Rosy Boas (Mid Baja & Baja)
0.1.0 Pueblan Milksnake
1.2.0 Kenyan Sand Boas
1.0.0 Western Hognose
0.1.0 Solomon Island Boa
1.1.0 Gray Banded Kingsnakes (River Road)
0.0.1 Desert Phase Kingsnake
LIZARDS
1.0.0 Frilled Dragon
3.1.0 Bearded Dragons (2 Normal, 1 RedXGold, 1 Citrus)
0.1.0 Eastern Collared Lizard
0.1.0 Merauke Blue Tongue Skink
1.0.0 Turquoise Sunburst Veiled Chameleon
0.0.3 Leopard Geckos
1.1.0 Yellow Niger Uromastyx

Keep in mind insectivorous species will require a high quality UV lighting source.
As has already been mentioned, Thamnophis spp. (garter snakes), actually make excellent captives and there are a variety of captive produced specimens available. I must disagree with the prior post, regarding the work required to eradicate the defensive behaviors often associated with the genus, as CB specimens are generally quite docile.
You may wish to pay a visit to the garter forum, as you will find a great deal of information, a few people who are actively involved with the captive husbandry of the genus and photos of some very attractive specimens, I especially like the California red-sided, Canadian flame and Eastern black-necked.
Here is a link to a web site by Dr. Alan Francis, a Thamnophis enthusiast/breeder in the UK www.gartersnake.co.uk/index.htm I believe you will find the link informative and the photos incredible.

Best of luck to you,

Jeff
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Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947

I am only referring to my personal experiences with hatchling and juvenile specimens that tend to be flighty and will musk you (or maybe just me) until they become accustomed to regular handling. I do admit, however, that my experience is limited to a few specimens in my collection as well as that of a friend's.
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Diego & Tiffany's Zoo
SNAKES
4.4 Corn Snakes (Different morphs)
1.0.0 Boa Constrictor
0.1.0 Dumeril's Boa
0.1.0 Tangerine Honduran Milksnake
1.0.0 Honduran Milksnake
0.1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake
1.1.0 Ball Pythons
0.0.1 Ribbon Snake
0.0.2 Rosy Boas (Mid Baja & Baja)
0.1.0 Pueblan Milksnake
1.2.0 Kenyan Sand Boas
1.0.0 Western Hognose
0.1.0 Solomon Island Boa
1.1.0 Gray Banded Kingsnakes (River Road)
0.0.1 Desert Phase Kingsnake
LIZARDS
1.0.0 Frilled Dragon
3.1.0 Bearded Dragons (2 Normal, 1 RedXGold, 1 Citrus)
0.1.0 Eastern Collared Lizard
0.1.0 Merauke Blue Tongue Skink
1.0.0 Turquoise Sunburst Veiled Chameleon
0.0.3 Leopard Geckos
1.1.0 Yellow Niger Uromastyx