Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey Folks

A year ago I started raising a male Honduran Milksnake, my first snake since I was a kid (I'm 39 now!). My snake is doing great, and is very cool looking. However, he hides 99.9% of the time. He is hand tamed and I do hold him every day.

I was thinking of getting a second snake but I wanted one that is diurnal and moves around during the day on its own, or at least stays in sight during the day. I'd also prefer one that I can handle daily as well. Am I unrealistic wanting a snake that I can interact with? My buddy told me to get a bearded dragon or a chameleon if I wanted a pet to watch or handle (I know chameleons don't like to be handled). But I like snakes more than lizards. If it helps, I like boas, pythons and bull/pine/gopher snakes.

Any suggestions?

i have a honduran milk also and he ALWAYS hides 24/7.

i also have corns and they are out alot.

my jungle carpet python likes his big branches and my little hog nose comes out often also.

Hell0--
I have a spotted python (Antaresia maculosa) who is not in her hide all of the time. She handles well, is quite attractive, and only about 3.5 ft. long. Most snakes will hide, given a choice. Sometimes the key is to find the one that doesn't mind being asked to come out. (lol) If you like pituophis, my sonoran gopher tends to be active in his tank, and social with people. Either species is a joy to work with.
rgds,
althea

I second the vote for Pituophis. Both of the friendliest snakes I ever owned were northern pines. They like to hide, but they're also diurnal and very inquisitive. It's kind of like the difference between a cat that hides under your bed all day and refuses to come out unless you're at work and a cat that likes to hang out under there but pops out as soon as there's something going on worth looking at.
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0.1 Coastal Carpet Python (Boots)
0.1 Western Hognose Snake (Bebe)
0.1 Cane Toad (Hengo)
0.1 White-Banded Sheen Skink (Minerva)
1.0 Northern Diamondback Terrapin (Queequeg)

i had a garter and she was usually not hiding

if you want something to display try an amazon tree boa, thier always in sight but thier tricky to handle
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Jake Barney and Brandon O'Dell
eight02exotics

current (small) collection
1.1.1 ball pythons
0.2 corns
1.0 cal king
0.0.1 wc garter

Ok my votes...

Garter Snakes are active a lot, handle well and are available in many colors. (Flame, Blue, Albino, Orange, etc. ) and are super easy to care for. Occasional musk when startled and some specimines will never really calm down. (rare)

My Cyclophiops Major is totally awesome, he sits up in his tree and to him that IS hiding, he is always active during the day, LOVES being held, never musks or bites. But requires an enclosure that stands like a soda machine, is delicate and demands daily attention. so this species may not be for everyone.

Corn Snakes are another choice, they may hide a lot, but never mind if you reach in and get them out. My kids seldom leave our corn snake alone, and he seems fine with all the attention.

Red Tail boas are great if you want a bigger snake, and unlike tree boas are less likely to bite your face.

I have found that some snakes are happiest if you just observe them, and others like interaction. Some of the most exciting snakes to observe are also the worst to try and hold.

So we just keep both

Regards,
Wayne A. Harvey

our critters

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1.2.9 Storeria dekayi Casper, Xena, Athena, & Kids
0.0.2 Thamnophis marcianus - Checkered Garter Snakes
0.0.1 Thamnophis sirtalis - common Garter - Princess
0.0.1 Nerodia sipedon - Water Snake - "Aqua"
0.1.10 Storeria occipitomaculata - Red Belly snakes
0.0.1 Amelanistic Corn Snake "CY" Juvinile CB
0.1.0. Pueblan Milk snake "Oreo" adult CB
1.0.0. ASIAN GREEN SNAKE 3' WC Cyclophiops major
0.0.1. Savannah Monitor "CHOMPER" CB
0.1.0. Green Anole "Crystal" WC
1.0.0. K9 "ACE" Black Cockapoo
1.2.0. Feline"Felix" "Kaja" & "Silver"
0.1.0. calico RAT
2.4.?? Mice - Feeder farm - Crickets / fish
More herps than I could ever list out back on the land.

>>> "Some of the most exciting snakes to observe are also the worst to try and hold."

This guy wished he'd only observed, and not handled!

I love this pic!..LOL!!!!!, it makes me chuckle everytime I see it!,.....it's absolutely priceless!...hahahaha!

~Doug
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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

~Doug

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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

OUCH!

I've had great luck with my king snakes, especially my thayeri. He seems to enjoy handling rather than simply tolerate it. My greyband has started coming out during hte day some, too. And one of my Cali's comes out too.
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1.1.0 Hondurans Het Amel
1.1.0 Hondurans Anery, Het Hypo
0.1.0 Honduran Hypo
0.2.0 Pueblans
1.0.0 Pueblan Hypo
1.0.0 Thayeri MSP
0.0.1 GBK Blair's Phase
1.0.0 California King
0.1.0 California King Blue-eyed Blond
0.0.1 Speckled King WC
0.0.1 Jungle Carpet
0.1.0 Ball, Normal
0.0.1 Sulcata
0.1.0 Girlfriend, Caucasius Mexicana, Fiancee Phase

My Cal king has a great personality...with just a little bit of ADD mixed in. She is great with people (even kids) and seems to enjoy watching me as I move around the room. She's very active after being handled for a few minutes, but she has never been stressed by daily handling.

Thanks all for the thoughts and info!