educational snake

[BryanB]

I soon will be taking on a weekend job that will putting me in the public "kinda" with a couple snakes both over 6 feet long. I want to know what a good small "2 feet or so" at full size snake would be to introduce people and show them snakes are not bad, scary or slimy. It should be very interactive and easy going snake. It would most likely be my snake I only have boas now so i was thinking a small garter or something of the sort but don't know what tend to be a good handleing snake. let me know what you think. And i know there is no snake that wants to be a puppy dog...

[brylecc1989]

hmm 2 feet is pretty small. How about a Rosy Boa?

[sweatshirt]

Congrats on that!

I can't really say but I hear good things about children's pythons and Kenyan sand boas (juveniles maybe)? They're both a bit bigger than 2 feet though.

I think that it all depends on the snake what's it temperament will be like... so just meet some and pick whichever you think is the finest with handling for long periods?

Edit: I second brylecc1989

[Ourobouros]

Ball Python I'd say

[smy_749]

Kenyan sand boa.

[Concept9]

Kenyan sand boa.

***Nods***

Or and Hog nose.

Hiss, roll over and play dead. :)

[smy_749]

***Nods***

Or and Hog nose.

Hiss, roll over and play dead. :)

Rear fanged and mildly venomous doesn't sound pleasing when the people at the event ask him if its venomous and he decides he doesn't want to be a liar :P Panic may ensue.

However a cross eyed stubby nosed snake whose head looks like his butt and lives under the sand, they may enjoy.

[Concept9]

Rear fanged and mildly venomous doesn't sound pleasing when the people at the event ask him if its venomous and he decides he doesn't want to be a liar :P Panic may ensue.

However a cross eyed stubby nosed snake whose head looks like his butt and lives under the sand, they may enjoy.

Everyone needs a lil fear in there life. :)

[CK SandBoas]

However a cross eyed stubby nosed snake whose head looks like his butt and lives under the sand, they may enjoy.

Perfect way to describe Kenyans!:D

I also say use Kenyan Sand Boas.....but i'm very biased towards them myself, hehe.

[Zoo Nanny]

Kenyans make excellent educational animals. I've used corn snakes, ball pythons, milk snakes and rat snakes. I think the key is starting the animal while young and not over using them. Best of luck.

[slowhite03]

Scarlet kingsnake

[Amadeus]

As others said I suggest rosy boas, Kenyan sand boas, but ball pythons will be calmer albeit being bigger.

[BryanB]

So far I like the rosy and kenyan ideas but keep them coming I like options

[Ourobouros]

Maybe a Mexican black kingsnake like mine but bigger. =D I'm a huge fan of MBK's

[smy_749]

I don't advise any kingsnakes. I don't trust kings :P There not the type of snake I could push my fingers up against its mouth with confidence he won't bite. Not that I would do that, but you need a snake tends to never bite.

[Starbuck]

i would go with a rosy boa; they are hefty enough to not instill a fear of them wriggling away/spazzing out, but small enough that even a child can handle them by themselves. they also have tiny little heads and cute faces.

I also think they are neat becuase they are slightly more endemic than the KSBs ;) so you can talk about adaptations to predators (blunt tail, live underground etc) in N.A., vs africa
9not that KSBs dont have those adaptations too...). that being said, KSBs tend to be a bit more flashy and have lots of cool morphs... Get both? lol
I believe that there is such a thing as too small of a snake for newbies/folks that might be afraid, and i think rosy's fit the spot perfectly :)

[Hurrok]

Ball or corn, however corns can be fairly active so unless that's what you are looking for than go for a ball. Any ball that is handled a lot will be puppy tame and out of all my ball pythons, one has bit me, and that one just has an attitude. Everyone else is good though :)

Rosy boas are good too, Childrens or Spotted pythons are on the smaller side as well.

[smy_749]

you guys are cheating now, he said adult size of 2 feet ish. :P not fair.

[Starbuck]

i wouldn't go with ball OR corn... corns are big ("big"? lol) and look like a typical 'snake' that might scare people. Balls are over-represented, and yes they look cute, but they also get kind of big... and, just... how could anyone possibly ever be scared of a rosy? OR a ksb????

I've also found rosys to be just a little bit more active than Bps, so they will actually move when handled, not just wait for it to be over :P

let us know what you decide, i guess :)

[possum]

So far I like the rosy and kenyan ideas but keep them coming I like options
Rosy boas are a great choice as they get about 3' max (females bigger than males) and are slow-moving...that's where a garter snake is a poor choice, too active.

Another great choice (& best, I think) is a c/b Trans Pecos ratsnake. As adults they stay about 4' or so, and they are slow-moving, curious & docile snakes...I've had some that would even take food carefully from my hands. Super pets. Took one of mine to a meet & greet recently, he was a hit.

Aussie spotted pythons stay small and handle well too...except they tend to be VERY clingy...for someone afraid of snakes, could be a nightmare? You want a laid back snake that also lets go, lol.