Hello and a few questions

[Scott204]

Hi just saw this forum and decided to join. I owned two snakes years ago when I was in college, a bull and a grey rat. But I now have a 4 year old who seems to be interested. I am looking into the kings because of there vibrant colors but I also want a snake that I and he with my supervision of course can hold. My bull snake was fantastic for being held but again I like the bright colors. I am leaning heavily towards a grey banded king but if we can't hold it then what's the point lol. So if anyone has any other suggestions and if anyone knows some place in New Jersey which has a wide selection please let me know.

[Jim Smith]

You might also want to consider the milk snakes. Readily available, beautiful colors, lots of different morphs to choose from if you want something a bit different and once they get out of the juvenile stage, they calm down and can be held very easily. I've never had one bite me. Great snakes. Here's a link to another site that shows some of the Honduran Milk Snake morphs. » The Lampro Blog: Honduran Milksnakes - Herp Nation Media (http://www.herpnation.com/hn-blog/the-lampro-blog-honduran-milksnakes-2/?simple_nav_category=hn-blog/the-lampro-blog/ross-padilla)

Good luck and please post photos when you do make your choice.

[prairiepanda]

Bright colours you say?
http://i.imgur.com/IbcbQFD.jpg
Above is my tangerine albino honduran milk snake. She was a little spaz when she first arrived(babies normally are) but after handling her for just a few minutes each day for a week or two she calmed right down. She's great for handling; not headshy or nervous at all. She's often content to just sit in one comfy position in your hand for a while.

Milks are known to be a bit more squirmy than kings though, so maybe my girl is a unique individual.

Your first choice of a gray banded king would be the same way though; even if it's uncooperative as a baby, you should be able to tame it nicely with regular handling. I think they're smaller than hondos too, if you want to stay small.

[sharthun]

Hey and welcome.

[holdendillard]

Bright colours you say?
http://i.imgur.com/IbcbQFD.jpg
Above is my tangerine albino honduran milk snake. She was a little spaz when she first arrived(babies normally are) but after handling her for just a few minutes each day for a week or two she calmed right down. She's great for handling; not headshy or nervous at all. She's often content to just sit in one comfy position in your hand for a while.

Milks are known to be a bit more squirmy than kings though, so maybe my girl is a unique individual.

Your first choice of a gray banded king would be the same way though; even if it's uncooperative as a baby, you should be able to tame it nicely with regular handling. I think they're smaller than hondos too, if you want to stay small. beautiful snake!

[Scott204]

Size isn't as much an issue as is behavior. I don't want a nippy or nervous snake being that my 4 year old will want to hold it too. I would even get another bull mine was a fantastic snake.

[Jrich]

I don't why but brightly colored colubrids, such as the beautiful one above, seem less intimidating to me. A lot of my family and friends are scared of snakes but once they see Sheldon my 1 1/2 yr old albino milksnake (he's light pink,tangerine, and yellow) they really lighten up and even want to hold him. He's never bitten or given any indication that he might.

[prairiepanda]

Size isn't as much an issue as is behavior. I don't want a nippy or nervous snake being that my 4 year old will want to hold it too. I would even get another bull mine was a fantastic snake.

If you're wanting something that your kid can handle right away, then I'd stay away from hatchlings of any species as they will all need time to acclimate to handling before working well with a 4 year old. Doesn't necessarily have to be an adult, but I'd suggest you look for an older animal that you can handle before buying. Have you checked your local classifieds?

A bull, grey banded king, or milk, would all satisfy your interest in bright colours. You just need to find an individual with the personality that you want. A corn snake would appear to be the most likely to be docile(babies will still be squirmy) if you really want to gamble on a baby, but I think you can find what you're looking for in any of the species discussed here if you can find one locally or at an expo that you can handle first.

[CKC44]

Prairiepanda: Very very very pretty snake. :)

[EL Ziggy]

Welcome and best wishes Scott. There are some gorgeous bull snakes out there. I love my bull snakes but they were a little hissy and nippy as youngsters. You might want to start with a juvie or yearling. Both of mine are puppy dog tame now. I have a 5 year old son and I'm not worried about him handling them at all. They don't strike of hiss anymore but they'll occasionally rattle their tails if I startle them or come too close while they're eating.