Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I would like to get a pet snake but I want to make sure I get the right kind for me. Here is what I would like in my snake:
-smaller sized (I don't want to have to feed it mice)
-won't bite (or doesn't have a tendency to)
-and will like being out of its cage, but at the same time won't mind being in it for the day
I have talked to a few people and all have said the Ribbon snake would be good for me. I would be a first time snake owner so I want to make sure it the best arrangment for the both of us.
If you think you know of a better snake for me please tell me. I could also use every last bit of info you have on the Ribbon snake. Also, I have read a few places that they give off a musty smell....what exactly is this??
Thanks.
-Jessie
If you want, E-mail me at jlchristy@aol.com (with the subject reading "Ribbon snake"

The "musty smell" would be musk most snakes give off when being handled, particularly if they dont like being handled. It really depends on the disposition of the particular snake you have, and how much you work with it trying to be used to being handled. G'luck!

We have three Garter snakes in a family of three kids ranging between ages 3-8 and I can tell what our experience is.

Our Ribbon snake's name is Speedy. It won't take much to figure out why we called him that. It's taken several months but my wife has calmed him down so that even the kids can take him out now. He used to scent us in the begining - gross but you start to prepare for it and then one day they stop.
We have an absolutely wonderful Red-sided and checkered garter. Kids can take then out, we've even had them at show and tell at school. Our red-sided is like a lap dog, she only wants to be out of the cage and being handled. She loves to be walked around the house checking out new surrondings. In the summer I expect she'll want to be an accessory on the kids going everywhere with them.

My advice is to go for a bigger sub-species of garter and make sure you can handle the snake before you buy it. If it calms down and seems to like being held - you are golden. Gaters are good at eating feeder fish right out of their water dish, but I am getting them on to a diet of frozen (thawed) pinkies. We keep them in the freezer and take them out as needed.

A friendly Gater is a WONDERFUL pet.

Enjoy.

>> Gaters are good at eating feeder fish right out of their water dish, but I am getting them on to a diet of frozen (thawed) pinkies. We keep them in the freezer and take them out as needed.
>>
>>A friendly Gater is a WONDERFUL pet.

LOL I hope you meant 'garter', not alligator! (Sorry, I just couldn't resist!)

Seriously, I agree w/you. Our 2 garters are just so sweet! My son sits w/them and watches tv, plays his gameboy, etc. My daughter is still too young to hold them but she's learning to, very gently, even for a 3 yr old! (and she loves snakey kisses!)
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Sprig - Head Keeper of the Mellen Menagerie: 1 cat, 1 betta, 2 garter snakes, 3 baby red-eared sliders, 2 little gray tree frogs, feeder fish and crickets... & a partridge in a pear tree! (Just kidding about the bird! But I DO have a hubby, a 9 yr old boy and a 3 yr old girl in the mix!)