Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i have been looking into getting some type of a small snake and have come up with 2 speices that i am intested in. a ringneck snake and a house snake. which in your opion would be better snake for someone who can provide a snake with as large of an enclosure that it needs, can take the time that it needs to take care of the snake, would like to be able to handle the snake, and the only rodents i will feed my snakes are pinkies nothing bigger. the main thinkg is that i would like to be able to handle my snake frequently.

thanks so much for any help
~~sam~~

I don't have any experience with house snakes. But, most ring-necks will not take rodents readily due to their small size and / or specialized diets. Ring-necks also are definately a hands off snake (this is true of the CA ring-necks I've had, but maybe Mike has something to say here). It is also highly unlikely you'll be able to purchase a ring-neck so you'll have to collect your own. From what I've read about house snakes and from what you posted, I think that they would suit you better.
-Alice

yes ringnecks are out because i read somewhere that they are venomous, is this true? how are kingsnakes as pets? i really shouldnt have limited myself to the two snakes in the title. i am new to smaller snakes and would really be open to any ones opinion in a snake that would suit me. like i said i do not want too big of a snake (nothing over 3ft), and mainly a snake that will let me handle it. thanks for all the help.

sam

what about milksnakes??

I've had limited experience with kings and milks. Back in college I took care of the reptile collection which included a sinaloan milksnake (I think he was about 17, then still alive last I heard so he's getting close to 20) and a couple of cal kings. The cal kings were more "handle-able" than the sinaloan. The sinaloan never seemed to relax when I had him out, was very active and somewhat spastic. Cal kings are great beginner snakes; mountain kings and gray bands require a bit more experience.

In terms of ringnecks being venomous, yes they are. But, they don't bite and the venom isn't dangerous to something as large as a person. In addition, they don't have fangs so they don't have a very efficient means of delivering their venom. They have to basically chew the venom in. They're considered harmless. I've caught dozens of them over the years and never even had one attempt to bite. They do smear you with incredibly foul smelling feces; I'd prefer a bite Ringnecks don't make good beginner snakes because they are small/fragile, don't tolerate handling well (it stresses them), and require a specialized diet not because they are in any way dangerous.

If you want more info on kings and milks, check out their forums. This site also has a pretty good caresheet for milks: http://www.vmsherp.com/CarePages/CareMilks.htm

-Alice

A house snake would suit you better than a ringneck snake, I have kept many ringneck snakes, and have less than 20 that wouldn't mind being held. Some, mainly regal ringnecks, and larger northerns, in my opinion do not mind being held at all. I have a 20 inch northern ringneck(nicknamed Giant), that has never minded being held(other than when I caught her, and that's when she smeared me with feces, lol). The musk is quite pungent, but it is nowhere as bad as a pine wood snake's.

Ringneck snake venom is quite strong, depending on the sub-species in question, western sub-species have stronger venom to kill reptilia prey faster and eastern sub-species have weak venom that is only good against salamanders(it has no effect on worms).

I've been biten by ringneck snakes(northerns), 4 times to this day, the largest one I got bit by was a 14 incher, I wasn't bleeding, and I didn't die. I'm sure if you put your finger into a adult regal's mouth, and it cuts you, I'm sure something will happen from there, maybe an allergic reaction or worse. Regal ringneck snake venom has been proven to be stronger than snakes already classified as venomous, like Coral Snakes.

I can't remember what else I wanted to mention, so anybody feel free to ask any questions about ringnecks. I don't come here as much as I used to, but I check in once or twice a week.
Michael
Michael's Place

-----
Michael_Fedzen@hotmail.com
www.freewebs.com/mikesnake

thank you so much for all your help, i think i am going to look into milks and kings a lil more. thanks again.
~sam

I agree with the following post that the species you are considering will grow large enough to require adult mice. If you want to consider snakes that will eat hopper or adult mice I suggest you also consider Rosy Boas. I have no experience with them (I keep Rubber Boas, Garters, and Mountain Kings etc.) but I have talked with many Rosy keepers. They are unanimous that they are easy to keep, do not bite, and adjust well to handling. They are also a good looking and relatively smaller snake. There are many breeders out there as well as a forum for ground boas where you can learn more.

Randy
-----
Firehouse Herps

Hello!

Do you have any links or publications about the ring neck snake complex and their venom toxicity levels?

I'm aware that researchers have identified several enzymes in northern ring neck saliva that are found in the venom of other snake species. The regal toxicity is interesting.

Thanks.

I have seen a few publications about it, and I know a few people that are working on the toxicity levels currently. Do a couple searches for ringneck snakes, you'll probably find some publications, I just don't have any links to them as of now, someone posted a link a little while back but I couldn't find it.
Michael
Michael's Place

-----
Michael_Fedzen@hotmail.com
www.freewebs.com/mikesnake

Kings, Milks, and African House snakes will all require larger prey items than pinkies. If you have an aversion to feeding snakes adult mice, I wouldn't recommend those 3 types of snakes. Right off hand, I can't think of any snake that would only eat pinkies through it's entire life span. I keep African House Snakes and a Mexican Black Kingsnake(as well as a few other types of snakes) and they eat adult mice (sometimes 2 or 3 at a time) as adults.
-----
Lora