Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've asked several questions regarding several species of black snakes on several forums...and the subject of snake "personality" came up. For example, some commented on the "intelligence" and "awareness" of indigo snakes while a few others commented on the active nature of the black pine snake. That got me a little curious - so, color and species asside, what kind personality traits do any of you look for in your snake, and what species do you think, for you, has the best sort of personality (granted...individuals can and do vary).

More of a curiostiy type of question...

I think it is true that different species have different personalities. However, even within a species different individuals seem to have different attitudes.
Some snakes seem to be generally more aggressive =blood pythons &reticulated pythons. Some more docile= burmese pythons
Some more reclusive or shy= kenyan sand boas & ball pythons.
However, within the species there can be differential ( ball pythons that curl up no matter how often you handle them or ballpythons that love to cruise around).
Maybe this has to do with how they have been treated in the past, or with something else.

Each snake has it's own personality. I agree that some species tend towards certain traits more than others do (ie. it's in the ball python's nature to be shy and curl into a ball when scared).

I think each keeper looks for different things in a snake. Some like to own display animals that look great, but aren't handleable, and some want a "lap snake".

Personally, I like a variety. I have 2 garters that are great to watch in their tank, as they are very curious and active. My others are more shy in their tanks, and tend to be easier to handle. The milksnake is very busy the whole time I hold her, while the king is much slower and more deliberate, but not quite as willing to sit quietly in the lap as some ball pythons I know.

I think now I'm babbling, but hopefully I'm answering your question... I love all my animals, each has it's own individual personality.

Nicki
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Nicki and...

1.0.0 Liasis mackloti savuensis (Savu python) - Baz
0.0.2 Uromastyx geyri (Saharan Uromastyx) - Dragon and Little One
1.1.0 Uromastyx dispar maliensis (Mali Uromastyx) - Spike and Lizzy
1.0.0 Lampropeltis mexicana thayeri (Variable (Thayer’s) Kingsnake) - Kavi
0.0.1 Lampropeltis triangulum campbelli (Pueblan Milksnake) - Callia
0.2.0 Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis (Red-Sided Garter Snakes) - Spot and Fluffy

Ontario, Canada