Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I want to add a snake to my varied collection of animals. I'm looking for something in the 5-6 foot length, handelable, ect.
I was looking at some pics, and the black pine really struck me.
Soooo i have a few questions. What is the smell like. I read at one place that they're fairly smelly. Is this true or not, and comaring it to the smell of another snake is not going to help me much.
I'm confused about substrate. Some say aspen shavings, but in natural definitions, they like sandy, pine needle substrate. So What's the best to use for them, as well as looks nice, because this is going to be a display tank.
Am i ever going to see it. I've read they like to bury themselves, but they are diurnal. So that's another thing i'm confused about. If i can't see it ever, it's not much of a display.
I know they hiss, and shake their tails, what is the general temperment? If i get a yearling will i still be able to tame it?
As well i would appreciate any additional info anyone can offer up. As this will be my first snake.
thank you

I hope I can help with some of your questions...

black pines aren't "smelly" in the sense that they do not have the tendency to musk as a defensive mechanism. of course an animal that is 5-6' or larger eats a fair amount of food and feces are malodorous but no more than any other snake. Keeping the cage clean as well as providing a large enough enclosure so a snake doesn't crawl in waste before it is removed will help keep the snake from smelling bad.
people use a variety of substrates with pines- newspaper, aspen, mulch, etc. the goal is to give the animal a chance tohave some tactile stimulus, an opportunity to hide if desired, thermoregulate, etc while providing a clean environment. Sand is impossible to keep clean over the long term and is very heavy, aspen and similar substrates make a good substitute to approximate burrowing in pine needles, etc.
these snakes are decent display animals. you will have to be creative with your display as they do in most good zoos where you can visualize your snake even when it is hiding/resting.
most captive bred black pines are relatively good natured, are quite handleable and make good pets. some are not. remember they are hardwired to hiss, rattle and put on a good display. they originate from a tough neighborhood so to speak and thus they have to at least appear to be tough to survive. Even a placid animal may have an occasion when it will hiss. dinner time is when you will see how fast and powerful these animals can be. be on your toes!
A first snake? Could very well work out fine, as long as you are realistic and understand what these creatures are about. The black pine snake page written by Mike Duran ( can access from somewhere here in KS.com empire)can give you more info on natural history. Best bet is to find a reputable breeder and see offspring in person to choose the animal right for you.
Good luck!

You may want to check out "The Natural History, Care & Breeding of Pine Snakes" on my website as well as the "Black Pine Snake Information Sheet" on my site. I think corn snakes are far better to snakes to start out with, or if you like black snakes, a Mexican black king. Because of their large size, tendency to go on hunger strikes and "moodiness," I don't recommend pines as a first pet snake - although they are great for people who have some snake keeping experience and want something different.

Tim

Third Eye