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I was wondering what's the best snake of this kind. It also seems the best snakes always need humid environments. What about snakes that like 75 - 85 degrees and 30% or so humidity? I mean snakes that make good handling pets, not ones that constantly run away when you're holding them. That's why pythons are so great they can just chill with you.

It really depends on where you live in the U.S.

"Temperate" is a pretty vague term. To most hobbyists, that's just the default term we seem to throw for anything that doesn't come from a rainforest or a desert. In actuality, its not very specific, as even temperate and some desert species require so-called "higher" humidity than we often assume. We just often think "hey, it comes from Asia; it must be tropical" or "If it's from Africa, it must be a desert species."

You really need to research the environment a particular animal comes from before making such a decision, and not just a geographical region. For instance, I live southern Alabama, with a large number of different herps. Technically, all from the same area, but I couldn't keep a speckled kingsnake in the same habitat that I would keep a mudsnake or a green snake. They all live in different habitats.
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To get back to your question, determine what the average temperature and humidity is that you maintain in your home, for most of the year. Then research which species would fair well in at those specs.

>>I was wondering what's the best snake of this kind. It also seems the best snakes always need humid environments. What about snakes that like 75 - 85 degrees and 30% or so humidity? I mean snakes that make good handling pets, not ones that constantly run away when you're holding them. That's why pythons are so great they can just chill with you.

No matter the ambient temp any snake deserves and requires a basking spot. I would think if you don't want to mess with humidity go with a kenyan sand or rosy boa. Most any of the more native stuff is gonna be more active then you want sounds like.
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Sonya

I'm not mean. You're just a sissy.
Happy Bunny

corn snake - want a beast that fits that descrition - coastal carpet

P.c. annectens. San Diego Gophersnake. I keep mine w/ no heat all year. Eats fine w/ ) health issues. Of course I live in SoCal.

reako45

For the answer look for snakes with a wide geographical/habitat range . . . corns, rats, bulls. Very easy to keep and very forgiving of temp/humidity ranges.