What do you recommend?

[MorgannaMode]

I'm looking for a small size snake (max 2 feet long). It must eat insects, and I would prefer it to be rather docile (as in, one that I can handle).

Although I am new to owning a snake, my husband has had snakes (both large and small) and is proficient with keeping them. I have owned plenty of reptiles throughout the years, I would love to begin keeping snakes^^

Any response would be welcome!

-Chi

[infernalis]

Although Smooth green and rough green snakes are insectivores they are poor choices for pet snakes.

May I ask why it must eat insects??

Garter snakes are relatively small, rarely exceed 2 feet, will eat cut up frozen fish if the "mice concept" bothers you.

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/cool/sky.jpg

Dekayi snakes make fine pets, rarely exceed 18 inches with 1 foot being average and they eat earthworms and garden slugs.

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/stuff_files/dk1.jpg

[mommanessy247]

wow that first pic is awesome. beautiful colors!

[Will0W783]

Why do you say it must eat insects? There are very few snake species that eat only insects. Even garter snakes eat mostly fish and mouse pinks. I think smooth green snakes can eat insects, but I'm not sure. They are hard to find CB and a lot of WC ones don't acclimate well and die.

[shaunyboy]

same question for me why insects ? if its because you dont like the though of feeding dead rats,mice,etc.then why not go for something like an egg eating snake.or them pretty garters infernalis has that eat little strips of fish and worms.if you could give us a little more information as were quite nosey folk on here,haha
cheers shaun

[Will0W783]

Oh the egg-eating snakes and snail-eating snakes are sooo neat-looking!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2344/2148027296_ae7c4795f5.jpg
http://www.schlangenliebhaber.de/afrika2.jpg

They have such cute little faces with really big eyes. I'm dying to get some when I have some more room!

[shaunyboy]

thought i'd lost the plot for a minute.until i realised theres 2 exact same threads in different sections of the forum.i thought my computer was playing up.suppose its just more proof of exactly how big a technophobe i am haha

why insects ? on your other thread i suggested an egg eating snake if your a bit squeamish about feeding dead rodents to your snake.

[infernalis]

I combined the posts before it gets too confusing...

[shaunyboy]

I combined the posts before it gets too confusing...

thanks mate it dont take much for me to lose the plot when it comes to computers,haha

[Will0W783]

Hahaha, same here...I got confused there for a minute too!

[infernalis]

It was the first post, and since it didn't show up, it got repeated... Easy enough to do.

At least it's fixed now.

[MorgannaMode]

Well, I am very close to my rodent friends and I can't imagine feeding them to a snake! Call me wimpy, but it's true! I heard that egg-eating snakes tend to be sort of aggressive. Everything you guys have said is helpful! I will look into them all.

As for the size issue, I have an exo-terra tank that I had from a gecko I had. It's a 10 gallon, and I won't be able to find bigger one (let alone empty my wallet for it!)

-Chi

[MorgannaMode]

Oh the egg-eating snakes and snail-eating snakes are sooo neat-looking!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2344/2148027296_ae7c4795f5.jpg
http://www.schlangenliebhaber.de/afrika2.jpg

They have such cute little faces with really big eyes. I'm dying to get some when I have some more room!


Sorry for the extra post--What are these snakes called?

[Will0W783]

The snakes I linked are various species of African egg-eating snakes.

[Will0W783]

The first one is called the Common egg-eating snake, Dasypeltis scabra and the second picture is an African egg-eating snake (not sure which subspecies it is because it is so reddish). There are three species in the Dasypeltis genus, and all 3 are specially adapted to eat only eggs. In captivity people usually supply them with quail eggs. The species are Dasypeltis scabra, D. fasciata, and D. medici. Hope this helps!

[MorgannaMode]

Yes! Thank you! I will check those out. I'll be doing research for a while anyways before I invest! Thanks everyone, you've been lots of help!

-Chi

[infernalis]

as far as care goes, Garter snakes are about as simple as it gets, and they will thrive just fine eating worms and fish.

besides, look at all the pretty colours you can chose from.

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/cool/christmas.jpg

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/Thamnophis_files/sky.jpg

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/Thamnophis_files/mutt2.jpg

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/Thamnophis_files/BN1.jpg

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/Thamnophis_files/masubi.jpg