Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i'm interrested in getting a snake and i want one that won't bite. what would be the best snake to be around children? i appreciate any help!!!

First how young are your children? Children that are too young can hurt the snake or not take proper care. They want to take it everywhere and love it to death. That said the best in my opinion are corn snakes they are docile and hardy. Remember any snake can bite but corns are usually the best beginner snake.

I would also think of something like a CB rosy boa. Cornsnakes tend to be somewhat squirmy as youngsters, much like any colubrid. Be sure not to buy a snake from a petstore, but rather a breeder or possibly a herp specialty store. Make sure to ask about feeding, temperment, sheds, ect. and possibly records of when the snake has eaten and shed ect. Andy
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Andy Maddox
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

Burgundy baby, With your blue eyed soul, You play the hits and I'm on that roll, Capricorn sister, Freddie Mercury, Jupiter Child cry

well, the snake would be for me, i'm 14. i'm just worried about my little sisters. one's 11 and one's 6. i won't leave them alone with a snake, but i might let them hold it.

The first thing I want to ask, is how much room do you have? There are lots of great starter snakes but some require a little larger enclosure. I will agree that corns are a good starter snake, but so are kenyan sand boas, ball pythons, rosey boas, and some milksnakes and kingsnakes. It all depends on how much room you have for the adult enclosure that you will need. It also depends on where you live, keep in mind that some states have weird herp laws, for instance here in georgia, we can't have cornsnakes since they are native.

As for your sisters, I wouldn't worry about them. Just make sure that they know the rules when it comes to your snake. Example: nobody opens the tank but you. Also make sure that your youngest sister (and the rest of the family) washes their hands after handling the snake.
I used to let my nieces and nephew "help" me with the reptiles when they were over. They were allowed to go and look at the reptiles when I was not home but they learned that they couldn't open the cages. Handling was only allowed if I was home and supervising. Then they were made to go wash their hands after.

I will also vote cornsnake. Yes, they can be a bit "squirmy" when little, as stated below, but for a beginner they have lots of great qualities. I also agree strongly about not getting one from a pet store. Find out if you live near where any reptile shows happen. I was at the Ohio show yesterday, and saw good, healthy corns for $15-$25 (You won't find THAT at the local pet shop!).
Make sure they are eating. Choose one that has put on a little weight, not a tiny scrawny one.
Lots of colors to choose from. Low cost. Easy care. Pretty calm, especially as they grow.
Also agree that YOU need to be the caregiver, and young children need to be closely supervised. My 7 year old holds our snakes under my close watch. He is VERY careful with them, but would never dream of trying to take one out on his own.
Good luck. Check out the corn forum, and others. Keep educating yourself both before and after you get your new pet.
Duffy

Though I love all kinds of snakes, and even advocate starting out with something slightly different or unusual, I really have to vote for cornsnake as well.

Yes, I get tired of the endless 'cornsnake parade' but for a first pet snake they just flat can't be beat. Reasonable price, easy to care for, great color choices, easy to find captive bred, and very gentle. What more can you ask for?

Buy a captive bred baby from a breeder in your area, or have one shipped to you. You can pick the color and the gender that way, and breeder-bred hatchlings are almost always guaranteed healthy and feeding. You really can't go wrong! Sometimes breeders even have slightly older snakes (yearlings or two-year-olds) that you can get for a reasonable price. As long as they're calm, there's no harm in getting a snake that already has a head start -- they're bigger, and thus tougher.

I have four corns myself, and have only been bitten once when he missed the pinky and bit my thumb instead. My five-year-old niece handles them regularly under supervision, and they couldn't be calmer.

Whatever you get, get captive bred and research its needs thoroughly. Best of luck, and have fun!

--Naamah

Thanks everyone for all of your help!!! i think i'll get a corn snake. my last question is how big do they get?

Corns usually average from 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 feet in size, some of he larger ones like Okeetees can get over 5 feet.

Steve