choices

[Reptile_Reptile]

I've had maynard a while so I think I have the experience to take on a second snake 'again'. I've been thinking of either getting a cornsake (again) or going with a garter or hognose. Thoughts?

[Starbuck]

it depends on what you like in a snake. Hoggies can have lots of cool behaviors, and look very different from a typical colubrid, but don't get very big. Same with Garters, and while there are lots of garter enthusiasts on this forum, i personally am a bit put off by the small size and somewhat strict dietary needs.
Have you looked at the lampropeltis group? there are some really stunning animals there (grey banded kings, honduran milk snakes, albino morphs...)!!

[Reptile_Reptile]

Not specifically but my choices are very narrowed down after a long search, these three fit my bill. I'm mostly asking because I'm interested in firsthand accounts and personal opinion on these snakes and their compatability with a journymen snake owner.

[Starbuck]

I've only kept corns of those three species you listed, but what is your criteria? How did you narrow it down to those three?

[sharthun]

it depends on what you like in a snake. Hoggies can have lots of cool behaviors, and look very different from a typical colubrid, but don't get very big. Same with Garters, and while there are lots of garter enthusiasts on this forum, i personally am a bit put off by the small size and somewhat strict dietary needs.
Have you looked at the lampropeltis group? there are some really stunning animals there (grey banded kings, honduran milk snakes, albino morphs...)!!

Yep check us out! Kings and Milks are a very good choice!;)

[drumcrush]

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af280/drumcrush1/reptiles/image_zpsa6e9fb29.jpg (http://s1015.photobucket.com/user/drumcrush1/media/reptiles/image_zpsa6e9fb29.jpg.html)

Oooooo Mexican black kingsnake :D

[sharthun]

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af280/drumcrush1/reptiles/image_zpsa6e9fb29.jpg (http://s1015.photobucket.com/user/drumcrush1/media/reptiles/image_zpsa6e9fb29.jpg.html)

Oooooo Mexican black kingsnake :D

DC, i'm surprised it too you sooo long! haha:D:p

[bigsnakegirl785]

As Starbuck said, garters' diets can be a bit tricky. You can't just feed them anything, and especially for fish eaters research is needed before offering a food item. They are also very very tiny as a baby, which is proving to be difficult for me as I'm more of a fan of the larger snakes and I've never owned a snake as small as the 9in that Draco is.

That aside, my experience has proved to be an extremely amusing one. Garters are highly interactive with people, and I can often find Draco popping his little head out as passersby walk around or coming right up to the front of the tank to follow every movement. He's pretty much always out during during the day and has so much more of a character, concerning activity level at least, than the other two, who are slow and pretty much stick to their hides when I'm up (they are nocturnal, after all).

Now, handling is a different story. It's taken a long time to get him calmed down a bit, but after handling him as often as I can for the 3 months I've had him, he's just now gotten to the point where he's not always jumping out of my hand and almost tolerates it when I accidentally brush his tail (which happens a lot unfortunately). A lot will musk often while they're still getting used to you, but I'm lucky (is lucky the word? lol) enough that Draco has limited himself to flinging himself through the air. His musk doesn't smell bad, though. Maybe Cloud's noxious poos have desensitized my nose? lol idk

If all this doesn't bother you, garters are quite rewarding with the laughs they provide. :)

[drumcrush]

As Starbuck said, garters' diets can be a bit tricky. You can't just feed them anything, and especially for fish eaters research is needed before offering a food item. They are also very very tiny as a baby, which is proving to be difficult for me as I'm more of a fan of the larger snakes and I've never owned a snake as small as the 9in that Draco is.

That aside, my experience has proved to be an extremely amusing one. Garters are highly interactive with people, and I can often find Draco popping his little head out as passersby walk around or coming right up to the front of the tank to follow every movement. He's pretty much always out during during the day and has so much more of a character, concerning activity level at least, than the other two, who are slow and pretty much stick to their hides when I'm up (they are nocturnal, after all).

Now, handling is a different story. It's taken a long time to get him calmed down a bit, but after handling him as often as I can for the 3 months I've had him, he's just now gotten to the point where he's not always jumping out of my hand and almost tolerates it when I accidentally brush his tail (which happens a lot unfortunately). A lot will musk often while they're still getting used to you, but I'm lucky (is lucky the word? lol) enough that Draco has limited himself to flinging himself through the air. His musk doesn't smell bad, though. Maybe Cloud's noxious poos have desensitized my nose? lol idk

If all this doesn't bother you, garters are quite rewarding with the laughs they provide. :)
^^^^^^^ yes! I love both my garters! It's funny when mine "pretends" to be a cobra lol they just have great personalities.

For size. If you want a smaller snake, get a male. For larger, female. Females average 3-3.5'. males average 2-2.5'.

As far as diet, try and buy one that's already on rodents. If not, I recommend trying to switch over to rodents. Other wise, you will have to feed a varied diet of fish and nightcrawlers. I would not recommend feeding a straight diet of just fish or just nightcrawlers unless you can supplement them as they lack dietary needs.

[drumcrush]

DC, i'm surprised it too you sooo long! haha:D:p

Yeah lol, I've been lacking haha

[knox]

After over 30 years in this hobby, the Okeetee Corn is still one of my favorites. It's like the Labrador Retriever of the snake world. 99% of the time you get a well mannered snake who looks great and eats well.

The Black Milk, however, is really the perfect, easiest to keep snake there is - if your house stays around 75 degrees (give or take), no need for additional heat.

[sharthun]

After over 30 years in this hobby, the Okeetee Corn is still one of my favorites. It's like the Labrador Retriever of the snake world. 99% of the time you get a well mannered snake who looks great and eats well.

The Black Milk, however, is really the perfect, easiest to keep snake there is - if your house stays around 75 degrees (give or take), no need for additional heat.

Yeah, the Black Milk is my new favorite! The perfect snake!:)

[Reptile_Reptile]

As far as the criteria I want small, fun, and new. Dietairy needs can be learned and handling theese snakes (or not) is theese least of my concerns. I think I'm leaning towards garters.

[drumcrush]

As far as the criteria I want small, fun, and new. Dietairy needs can be learned and handling theese snakes (or not) is theese least of my concerns. I think I'm leaning towards garters.

Join thamnophis.com their are plenty of great people! It's sometimes a quiet form, but you can get a lot of information there.

[TheFrogman]

All great choices but Brian from Snake Bytes says once you buy a Hognose youll never want anything else .

[drumcrush]

All great choices but Brian from Snake Bytes says once you buy a Hognose youll never want anything else .

^^^^ WARNING: Don't buy a hognose lol :D

[KORBIN5895]

Go with a garter.

[LiL Zap]

I would recommend a hognose. My brother owns one and she is the funniest little thing ever. Very docile and she has alot of personality.