Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i was at the local pet supplies plus getting crickets for my veiled chameleon and saw a milk snake there that someone ordered in and was on hold. he was very beutifull and appeared to me to be a mexican milk(from what i have learned so far since getting home) I was wanting to get my first snake and was wondering if it is a good begginer snake? are they hand tame? alot of people suggest a ball python for a good non bitting begginer but i want something smaller. it was about a foot and a half long ....any help would be appreciated

My first snake was a corn snake. They are very good for a beginner snake. Averaging 4-6 feet in length. Mine are not near that long yet. I soon got another corn then I bought a milk snake. I find the milk's very flighty, esp babies. My tangerine dream honduran is starting to calm down but will "make a break for it" if given the chance. He was hatched 7-03. I've heard and read ball pythons don't necessarily make a good beginner snake. They can have feeding problems, i.e. sometimes they won't eat for weeks or months. I have the same set up for my corns and my milk. They all have a 20 gallon long tank (even as an adult corn's and milks will live their entire lives in a 20 long tank), hides, water bowls and UTH. I have lights on for day. Timers to turn lights off for natural darkness. If there are any reptile shows/expos in your area...GO! There you can look at all kinds of snakes. Ask questions and be amazed at the variety. Don't buy the first thing you see. DO YOUR HOMEWORK first and enjoy your future addition. :0)