Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I'm a mom of 2 boys (9 and 12) and am thinking of getting a snake for them. I haven't kept snakes personally since high school and college, although at that time, I was very interested in them, and had a decent collection. In the past I've had a sinaloan milk snake, great basin gopher snakes (2), common boas (2), burmese pythons (2), florida kingsnake, sand boa, and a ball python.

The ready availability of frozen mice and rats has made me reconsider keeping reptiles once again. That and my boys' avid interest in them every time we go to PetSmart to pick up food for the cats, fish, and guinea pigs.

I was planning on sticking with one of the more common and easy to care for species, and so was thinking of either a California kingsnake, or else a corn snake. The boys like the appearance of the California kings at the pet shop. I have never kept corns, but I imagine they are similar in some ways to the gopher snakes that I used to have. I really liked my Florida king, but I acquired him as an adult from another collector. I have no experience with hatchlings other than boas (ours bred with one we were keeping long-term for a friend in the navy).

How much can the young snakes be handled? How often are kings likely to musk if they get upset? Do they do it more when they are little? Are corn snakes content to hang around on you when you handle them, or are they go go go all the time? Is it okay to put 2 corns together in the same enclosure (just for future reference). I know that kings have to be housed individually. Both types of snakes are attractive and I think would work well for us. I've seen the recommendations for corn snakes over kings for beginners. Why is that the case?

Thanks!

You can handle a young snake as much as you want.

All my Cali Kings musk like crazy when they were young. My Corns hardy musked when young.

Older Corn snakes are content to hang around but young like to keep moving.

As for two corns in one cage -- I only keep one per cage.

I feel both make good beginner snakes.

I have seen many instinces where corns are kept together. Usually they are around the same age. Sometimes kingsnakes can be kinda "bold" with their keeper. They have a little more "attitude" if you will, but I really enjoy this, it gives them a lot of personality. They also shake their tail (as I'm sure you know) at anything they don't like. They do musk A LOT as hatchlings/juveniles, but that does depend on how much you interact with them. We got ours when he was a yearling and he quit musking completely about 2-3 months after having him. It's just a socialization thing. Kings can be a little more wary than corns, but our Cal king has never struck or bitten and he's been very good with the students I teach as well as friends. I will say the corn is more tolerant and they do slow down as they get older, but as youngsters, they're always on the move. We got our corn as a hatchling and although hatchlings are supposed to be nervous and "bite" sometimes, she's always been very sweet(also never struck or bitten). Kings seem to just continuously want to move, lol. I highly recommend both.
HOpe this helps! Oh and I'm sure you know this, but I'd look into a reputable breeder, maybe take the boys to a reptile show?
Good luck!