Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My 8 yr old son for his birthday... We currently have a Mountain Horned Dragon named Spike that all 3 kids do very well with. They like to hand feed him. We always was hands after handling the lizard.

My son wants a snake for his birthday. (I like the idea because I've always wanted a snake.) I've looked into several and am leaning toward a corn, a milk, or a ball python. We really like the bright colors we've seen on the corns.

Here is where I need the help. Should I go with the slower python? Might be easier for the kids to handle. Or go with the faster moving corn. I've heard corns are great starters.

I will be the primary caretaker of the snake, and the kids will only handle it under supervision. As much for the safety of the snake as the kids. Planning on getting a cage with a padlock (hopefully it will deter any invasions from small hands).

My main concern is temperament. I want something that will eventually be calm, and easy to handle.

Any advice is welcome.

Thanks,
Circe

Corns are a wonderful starter snake, and they come in many different colors. As a rule they have great temperaments and grow into mellow adults. Milk snakes, although compatible in ease of care, tend to be flightier in terms of handling--they move alot!

If you decide on a ball python, be sure to buy one that is captive bred from a reputable breeder. Petco is a no-no since most of the bps are wild caught or captive hatched on a farm (the gravid mothers are wild caught and give birth in captivity). These animals often have parasitea and/or feeding issues.

Captive bred babies with gentle, consistent handling, tend to grow up into nicely mannered adults. They require a bit more attention in terms of humdity levels than corns, but are still relatively straight forward to take care of.

Best of luck--your son is a lucky boy!

rgds,
althea

I reccomend the BallPython. They are a joy to have. I've kept all the species you've mentioned, and only one didn't try to bite. An that was the balls. They are very fun and love to explore when handled.

I would go for a Corn or a King. They can both be a little nippy and nervous as babies, but quickly lose those tendencies with regular handling. Our Mexican Black King was a little terror when we got her. The pet store employee wouldn't even reach in to get her because she was so aggresive. When we brought her home, she would rattle her tail and strike at the glass if you even walked by her cage. We made it a point to handle her twice a week (not counting feeding day) for at least 5, usually 10 minutes. Within a month she was tame. She is now a little sweetheart.

Milks are beautiful, but in my limited experience take much longer to calm down, and you never see them. They are always buried in the substrate or in their hides, whereas Corns and Kings tend to be more inqusitive, active snakes that I can actually enjoy watching in their cages.

As stated in the post above, Ball Pythons have a little bit more demanding husbandry. They can also stress out easily from too much handling, which can lead to feeding and general health issues. I imagine the children would get more enjoyment from a more interactive-friendly snake.
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Diego

Diego & Tiffany's Zoo:
SNAKES
3.4 Corn Snakes (Different morphs)
1.0.0 Boa Constrictor
0.1.0 Dumeril's Boa
1.1.0 Rosy Boas (Mexican & Mid Baja)
1.1.0 Kenyan Sand Boas
0.1.0 Indonesian Dwarf Pacific Boa
0.1.0 Tangerine Honduran Milksnake
1.0.0 Honduran Milksnake
0.1.0 Pueblan Milksnake
1.2.0 Ball Pythons
1.0.0 Woma Python
1.1.0 Cape York Spotted Pythons
1.1.0 Macklot's Pythons
0.0.1 Ribbon Snake
1.0.0 Western Hognose
1.0.0 Albino San Diego Gopher Snake
0.0.1 Sonoran Gopher Snake
0.1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake
1.1.0 Gray Banded Kingsnakes (River Road)
0.1.0 Desert Kingsnake
0.1.1 California Kingsnakes
1.0.0 Yellowtail Cribo
0.1.0 Blacktail Cribo

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
2.3.0 Leopard Geckos
1.1.0 Yellow Niger Uromastyx
1.1.0 Green Anoles
FROGS
2.2.0 Southern Bell Frogs
1.0.1 Green Tree Frogs
0.0.2 Striped Walking Frogs
1.1.1 White's Tree Frogs

most people (who don't own one) overlook the black milksnake,i think there as bullet proof as a snake gets.

easy to handle (even as hatchling),great feeders,minimium housing requirements,they turn from tri colors to jet black,i can't think of one negative trait.

there's a good care sheet for them at vpi.com have fun!