Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i have a corn snake and i love her to death, but corns aren't content to stay in one place when they're handled. they pick a direction and go for it.
im looking for a snake that will hang on my shoulder and i can carry around for a long time while im doing other stuff. when i hold nephi-my corn- i have to pay constant attention or she'd be gone.
i've been told california kings are content hang on people like ropes and i considered getting one, but they're ugly. are there any snakes that are "friendly" like that but pretty like corns.
thanks
abby

I know exactly what you mean. I have 2 corn snakes and when holding them, if I give them the chance, they can and will get away. I also have a Black Rat Snake that is not quite as bad but does like to travel.
I have owned a California Kingsnake that would generally wrap around my arm or hand and not move very far or fast.
There are also several "special" types of California Kingsnakes. Not all are black with white rings. I have seen some black ones with a white stripe down their back. And some white ones with a few black markings.
Good luck!

If you're looking for a snake that's going to just sit on you and hang on without constantly trying to go somewhere you should look into Ball Pythons or Blood Pythons. Once they get some size on them, they aren't very active compared to most colubrids like rat snakes and king snakes. Do some research though. Ball Pythons can be finicky eaters and Bloods need high humidity. Many pythons are sit and wait ambush predators so they aren't constantly on the move looking for a meal. They seem to have slower metabolisms so they tend to eat larger meals, less often.
JMHO.
Lora

You can't get a lazier snake that a blood python. I put mine (10 month old Sumatran red blood) onto the bed to clean her cage and very rarely does she move from where I put her (and she's still pretty young.) I hear as they get older they get even lazier. Balls are also very docile and leisurely although they will roam a bit when take out of their cage (nothing like my colubrids though.) I would suggest these two snakes to anyone looking for something new (if they don't already own one, or even if they do ) Their definately two of my favorites in my collection (although I have sooooo many favorites, LOL.) Good luck making a choice, Scott.
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Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

"In any civilized society, it is every citizen's responsibility to obey just laws.
But at the same time, it is every citizen's responsibility to disobey unjust laws."
—Martin Luther King Jr

A blood python would roll RIGHT OFF your shoulder . You can put them on the couch and do housework, though. I have a Goin's king (same thing as Eastern king) and she is also very lazy. Lazy and friendly should not be mixed up though.

Your correct about lazy and friendly. My blood is still young and while she hasn't struck at me in quite a while, I know she will if she feels threatened (especially when their sitting out in the open on the bed or floor.) Once she's in my hand though she's just curious and feels more secure (their eyes are so 'expressive', if that makes sense, LOL.) Take care, Scott.
-----
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

"In any civilized society, it is every citizen's responsibility to obey just laws.
But at the same time, it is every citizen's responsibility to disobey unjust laws."
—Martin Luther King Jr

Mine's currently on my lap.. he's in a bad mood for some reason, so he's hissing and trying to run away at approximately .003 miles per hour... He's the cutest thing!

I am shocked. King snakes ugly? It is my belief that the California King Snake “Lampropeltis gentulus californiae” Is one of if not our states most beautiful snake.
RR