Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My seven yr old son wants to get a snake, What type of snake do u think would be best! I dont want to get him one that will out grow him, or be overly agressive! We have got a blue tongue skink and he absolutly adores her! This is why I am considering getting him a snake as I know he would look after it and I think it ould be good for him!

Thanx xx

A corn snake would be a good first snake, as would some of the other North American Ratsnakes. You might check out some of the pics and info on both the corn and rat forums.
Although a 7 year old can have a snake as a pet (mine has a black ratsnake living in his room), you will need to take full responsibility for the animal for the next few years. If he gets
"bored" with it for periods of time (as 7 year olds do), you will need to make sure it is being fed and that its tank is kept clean. The care of snakes if really best left to the adults anyway ... although there are several teenagers on these forums that have proven that they are completely capable.
Good luck with whatever you choose. You will both enjoy, as long as you do your research in advance. Duffy

I think a kingsnake would be a good choice too. Black rats are also neat, but they get a bit bigger (and mine has a bit of a 'tude')

>>My seven yr old son wants to get a snake, What type of snake do u think would be best! I dont want to get him one that will out grow him, or be overly agressive! We have got a blue tongue skink and he absolutly adores her! This is why I am considering getting him a snake as I know he would look after it and I think it ould be good for him!
>>
>>Thanx xx

Two things I would be very sure of is ....is he tentative about being bitten? Because, no matter what you do and plan there is a possibility and make sure he knows that it is not gonna hurt.(startle, but hardly hurt) Being afraid of a young fast snake would suck. The other thing I would be sure of is that no one is tentative about feeding mice, alive or otherwise. I just know of kids who really wanted snakes til push came to shove and they had to feed live or the snake tagged them and it got old fast. That said I know kids who are totally cool with it all and do great. But those two are things I have seen being the biggest troubles.
As to what snake? I would look for an individual as much as a species. Corns, rats, kings, some milks (though some can be rather nippy and sulky) My 11 yo realized that he didn't have his own snake (we have many, just none that are HIS) and decided to claim one of my Children's Pythons eggs. The smaller pythons (Children's, Spotteds) or the small Boa that aren't too funny of feeders...like Kenyan Sand Boa- to me this is the great snake for people learning snakes for the first time that get edgy with a snake that moves too much. KSBs are some of the most placid snakes to hold. If at all possible, hold the snake and see if it responds well to your son and vica versa. Finding a local herp club or breeder might help a lot.
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Sonya