Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My daughter wants a snake. Can someone suugest a good starter snake that will not get to large, and is docile for someone younger?
I have a large collection of lizards but no snakes so this is all new ground for me.

Thanks
Nicole

Cornsnake would be great. Not too big, and even a 5 foot corn does not seem that large since they are thin-bodied (compared to a 5 foot ball python, for example, which is a much heavier, larger animal).
They can be inexpensive, easy to care for, easy to handle, and come in a variety of beautiful colors. Check out the cornsnake forum...do some research, and don't buy from a pet store...get one from a breeder, or a reptile show if you can. You will likely get a better snake at a better price. Good luck...See you on the cornsnake forum. Duffy

>>Cornsnake would be great.

what about a garter? shes 5

nicole

Nicole,

I have both garter snakes and cornsnakes. And some of the larger ratsnakes, too. I like garters, but I think the corn will be a better overall starter snake. Here's some pros/cons:

Corns will need to be fed rodents. You can and should be buying frozen baby mice (bigger mice as the snake grows). You thaw them out and feed. Some folks don't like the idea of feeding even dead rodents to their snakes, but it is the easiest, cleanest thing in the world. One of my yearling garter snakes has now switched over to mice, the other one still eats...
...minnows. Garters like fish and bugs. While some folks like this idea better, I think it's about the same, or maybe a little more of a hassle. A small bag of frozen mice takes up as much room as one small frozen dinner in your freezer.
Garters won't get quite as large as corns, but they are sometimes a little "squirmier" and harder to handle. Both should calm down with regular gentle handling, though.
More folks breed corns, so it' easier to find good captive bred animals. I would suggest a captive bred snake, although many people keep wild caught as pets. Corns, as I said, come in a great variety of colors. There are some pretty nice garters, too, so if you are really interested, you should check out that forum also.
Finally, since your daughter is 5, YOU will obviously be the caretaker. You can and should involve her in the process, but handling should always be closely supervised (for the snake's sake, primarily). Educate yourself on whichever species you choose, and it will be very rewarding for both of you.
Ask questions both before and after you get your snake. There are plenty of helpful folks on both the garter and corn forums. Good luck. Duffy

>> Corns will need to be fed rodents.

All my lizards eat whole prey so I buy it in bulk anyway.

>> More folks breed corns, so it' easier to find good captive bred animals. I would suggest a captive bred snake, although many people keep wild caught as pets. Corns, as I said, come in a great variety of colors.

I was led to Kathy as a breeder...two people have suggested her.

>> Finally, since your daughter is 5, YOU will obviously be the caretaker.

Yup...she never enters the herp room unattended...but since she has been raised around lizards she is excellent with handling. The snake though, would be kept in the herp room.
Do corn snakes need large cages?

Thanks Duffy for all your help.
-----
Yours,

NiCoLE

"Trying to save someone from their own stupidity is like trying to teach a pig how to dance: it wastes your time, and annoys the pig."

- Robert
Heinlein

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How about a rosy boa? Small, average 3 feet. Rarely bite. Not squirmy, like baby corns and even some adults.

>>How about a rosy boa? Small, average 3 feet. Rarely bite. Not squirmy, like baby corns and even some adults.

are garters a better choice? I have heard pros and cons for them. I'll look into thr rosy boa.....
-----
Yours,

NiCoLE

"Trying to save someone from their own stupidity is like trying to teach a pig how to dance: it wastes your time, and annoys the pig."

- Robert
Heinlein

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Garters are not a bad choice. They will readily take worms and fish, and most will switch to pinkies/mice with a little effort. Garters are very quick, and are squirmy. Most will calm down with age and handling. They are a slender snake, and most stay relatively small. Depending on where you live, it may be illegal to purchase native species. It is all a matter of personal preference. Do you want fish/worm eater or mice eater? Do you want slender and fast, or heavier bodied and a little slower? Do you want high strung or a little more mellow?

Do you want fish/worm eater or mice eater? Do you want slender and fast, or heavier bodied and a little slower? Do you want high strung or a little more mellow?

I want docile a bit heavy but not toooo heavy...mellow yes

-----
Yours,

NiCoLE

"Trying to save someone from their own stupidity is like trying to teach a pig how to dance: it wastes your time, and annoys the pig."

- Robert
Heinlein

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am still thinking a rosy boa would be a good choice. Check out rosyboa.com for more info about them.