Reptile & Amphibian Forums

eventually i am looking into getting a snake. Now, i have kept mice and rats so i was wondering what inexpensive snakes are out there that can be kept on insects(crickets, large roaches, mealworms, etc)? Thanks, i just wouldnt want to feed em mice&rats. (i am also getting lizards so i no about that option already)
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Nic
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Email me if you want to give me any more info

Sounds like you're looking at green snakes, brown snakes, ground snakes, ringnecks or dekays depending where you're located. They aren't commonly available in the pet trade- most people just catch them locally. These kinds of snakes aren't great for handling and hanging out as they tend to be shy, run away and hide types. I've kept rough greens before and they make a nice display animal and can be handlable for brief periods. If you don't mind providing fish for a diet- there are a ton of neat garter, water and ribbon snakes. Lots of different garters are available captive bred too, so you may want to consider it if you aren't into catching your own snake.
Lora

thanks, it was only the mice and rats, im ok with fish, which would be the most handelble?
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Nic
if you want to contact me: noseguardnoms@hotmail.com
Email me if you want to give me any more info

I've had some garters that didn't mind handling for a few minutes but they may musk a bit. Feeding fish can be a little tricky due to a vitamin deficiency caused by feeding common fish like goldfish or minnows which contain thiaminase (sp?) which breaks down the B1 vitamin in the snakes system. Check the posts on the garter forum for information on a varied diet to prevent this condition. Scott Felzer's got a good web site for garters as well- http://www.gartersnakemorphs.com/
The reason people who keep snakes tend to get constrictors like rat snakes (corns) or boids is because they are easier to feed and easier to handle generally. I started out keeping garters and water snakes and moved on to rat snakes and boids because I can stock my freezer with frozen mice/rats and not have to run to the bait shop or pet shop every week to get live feeders. But since you keep lizards already, you are already doing this so it's not a big issue.
Lora

im only a teenager and my brother and I also keep rats, we have 5. But i would feel very uncomfortable to feed a snake mice/rats at this time. Eventually, i will probably get a ball or cornsnake when i grow up. I just wanted a smaller snake(not a 7 footer)that i wouldnt have to feed mice/rats.
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Nic
if you want to contact me: noseguardnoms@hotmail.com
Email me if you want to give me any more info