Would you call it cute?

[emilie]

My girlfriend is less than fond of snakes...and more or less thinks they are disgustingly ugly. Of course she has the irrational fear that ALL snakes will eat her. I have done everything I can think of to help her see that snakes are loving and most will probably never bite unless you give them a reason.

Anyone elses partener afraid of your pet (or family member ;) ) ?

And I would like to find a "cute" snake, so that she wont be so scared. I thought of a cotton candy (corn) ....any ideas?

[Marica]

If she likes pink, show her this site: Poppycorns (http://www.poppycorns.com/). I think hognose's are cute, but some consider them like the Pug of the snake world - a face only a mother could love...lol. Close up baby/hatchling pictures with their big, goofy eyes always make me smile and let out an 'awe'.

[blindfireak40]

Definitely corn snakes of any sort, as they have the greatest personalities, especially when they're little, and are typically very pretty. My mom is deathly afraid of snakes, but the first words out of her mouth when I brought 'Celli home were "Oh he's a cutie". Of course, you already have a corn snake, so if she doesn't win over your girl, I'm not sure another one will lol.

Have you considered lizards? Could be an ideal stepping stone, and they are absolutely hilarious at times. Case in point: YouTube - Walter Sleeping On His Back (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LVW_FgdA5c)

YouTube - Tegu Grooving (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOojIksjOW0&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL)

[kenchenzo]

i would advise a milk snake as the heads are nice & small i have brought a lot of people round to snakes.

[infernalis]

Show her this....

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/PG1/images/836025.jpg

[marvelfreak]

OMG Wayne that is so cute.:)

[shaunyboy]

my wife had more of a dread of snakes than a fear

she dreaded being in the same room as them which was nuts at first as they're all kept in our bedroom

she now wrangles 6 foot pythons with me when they require medication

my wife also claimed my black and white diamond jungle as her's

i've lost count of the amount of times i've come home to my wife and her diamond jungle tucked up in bed watching tv together

cheers shaun

[Jendee]

People get used to them, especially when they are forced to live with them.
and Im sorry..I have to pump the brakes for a second lol you said girlfriend?? Thats kinda hot lol

[infernalis]

Myself, I got into this because of Dorothy, She had a Savannah Monitor for years before I met her.

Then one day we were here visiting (I inherited the place when mom passed in '06) and our daughter caught a really nice Dekayi brown snake, I talked our landlord at the time into letting us keep it (he had a no pet policy)

Then when we found ourselves homeowners, it skyrocketed from there...


When we started getting reptiles we dove into it together.

[kinggill]

My mother is terrified by snakes.....I think that's why I originally got into them:yes: I don't know if I would consider any cute.....but I'm a man so that word don't exist in my vocabulary.:)

[TylerWortman]

I think Hognoses are the cutest snakes.

[infernalis]

My mother is terrified by snakes.....

My mother used to pick them up and tell me what it was, and why they were important.

[Sapphyr]

People get used to them, especially when they are forced to live with them.
and Im sorry..I have to pump the brakes for a second lol you said girlfriend?? Thats kinda hot lol

LOL I read that and I thought the same <_<; .. Then again I'm Bi. LOL

Anywho, omg that's suuuch a cute pic Wayne :D.. Is that a Garter? And Shaun, your comment made me lol. I wish my snake was big enough to cruise around on my bed without getting lost D; I guess that won't be happening for.. what? 6 - 12 months?

Anywho, my boyfriend has a mild phobia of snakes, but I'm hoping that, when we move in together, he'll get used to them and grow fond of them, then we can get more :D ... I love Axanthic KSB's~ They're light grey/black pattern on top and cute white belly~ And not to mention those black beady eyes~ It's like a cute snake plush.. but it's alive! :D Would love to add one to my collection, especially since I know an absolutely adorable one for $65, but.. I'm getting this hognose next.. and I said the hognose was my absolute last 'til I move out :c Honestly, if this guy doesn't come through with a good hognose... I'm probably gonna go for that Axanthic <3 'Cause they also don't get big, so that could also be good for my bf to start off with handling. I'm hoping that once he handles it, he'll realize it's not so bad...

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o27/Neutralized/101053-10RedPatAneryFr-65IMG_2068.jpg

IS IT NOT CUTE?! AUGGHHH I WANT ITTTT. D:

And uh.. I think this one is kinda funny

http://www.freewebs.com/ruthveni/Group.jpg

[emilie]

Those are all great ideas thanks guys!
lol and yes my girlfriend.

ps wayne that is the cutest picture i have ever seen in my life.

[Ch^4]

My mom doesn't particularly like snakes, but she loves my oldest BP; she'll even pet him! And she refers to all of my snakes as her grand babies! :D

Look at those doe eyes on the normal...(normal below, mojave above):

[Sapphyr]

Those are all great ideas thanks guys!
lol and yes my girlfriend.

ps wayne that is the cutest picture i have ever seen in my life.

Yeeeyyy I feel acceptable nooow :D ... Lol~

And I agree, that is really cute... but what about the KSB ;c Does it not look like an adorable little snake plushie?

[emilie]

ahahaha can we start a gay club on here? that'd be funny.

I think the thickness of the snake would bother her too, im not sure a hognose or sand boa would do. so I think I'm stuck with corns......oh well :) one day *day dreaming gaze*

I had to tell her corns would never ever bite because they can't, before I could get her to calm down....

[Sapphyr]

ahahaha can we start a gay club on here? that'd be funny.

I think the thickness of the snake would bother her too, im not sure a hognose or sand boa would do. so I think I'm stuck with corns......oh well :) one day *day dreaming gaze*

I had to tell her corns would never ever bite because they can't, before I could get her to calm down....

<_<... Corns can bite as far as I know... Any snake can bite, though you're alot less likely to get bitten with a hoggie. You pretty much have to be trying to get bitten for their fangs to actually snag you. Rearfanged. Granted, they're EXTREMELY mildly venomous, you'd have to let it chew on you for 3 - 5 minutes to actually get envenomated. Which is why you pretty much have to be asking for it and trying to be. LOL

I don't think Kenyans get too thick, especially hognoses. Here:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4DBdiZ1PIeE/SZDpSHkTFII/AAAAAAAAANo/GJzgquGjjzo/s400/cute_snake.jpg

Granted, that's a baby hognose, but their bodily girth only reaches an inch in diameter, 2 inches at most. They stay relatively small, as far as the snake world goes. Reaching 2' - 4'. Males are generally smaller, as well.

KSB's also stay relatively small in length, but I'm not sure about diameter. I know their diameter certainly wouldn't exceed the length of your palm. That'd just be insane.

Here:

http://pics.hoobly.com/full/3OWHDDK9477N91AP5Z.jpg

Their small size is why I've considered these two as a good beginning snake for my guy, as far as handling goes. It'd be -my- snake, and in -my- care, at least until he warms up to them, but I think it'd be good for him to start out with handling. Especially the hognose, since they're so reluctant to bite.

Instead of biting, hognoses will put on several displays when feeling threatened. They'll flatten their head(acting like a cobra), they'll puff out air(hiss), they'll wiggle their tail end(acting like a rattlesnake), headbutt you(pretending to strike, but striking with the mouth closed, the flat end of their snout only hitting you), and if all that fails, they'll play dead.

3yuRT9JplC4

[emilie]

Yes I know corns can bite haha and thank you for all the info on hogs, they sound like great pets....but if she found out they were venomous she would say no hands down. It doesnt matter how long they have to be attached or how mild the venom is.... but I can show her some pics maybe she'll come around. She said she was going to move out yesterday.

[Sapphyr]

Yes I know corns can bite haha and thank you for all the info on hogs, they sound like great pets....but if she found out they were venomous she would say no hands down. It doesnt matter how long they have to be attached or how mild the venom is.... but I can show her some pics maybe she'll come around. She said she was going to move out yesterday.

Oh ow :c ... Like a bad kinda move out?.. 'Cause of your snakes orrr? Move out from her parents or something?

Edit: Oh, and mine would probably, flip, too, if he knew that it was venomous, mild or not. I'm not gonna tell him it, though. Should it ever latch onto him, and I intend to supervise him with it, at first at least, I'd just use mouth wash to get it to detach. After he's gotten used to it, I'd tell him to be sure to get it off ASAP to avoid being envenomated. I really doubt that'd happen, though. It'd have been under my care for 1 - 3 years by the time he moves in, so it'd be pretty used to handling. I'd only expect it to happen as a feeding response, but, once again, it's very unlikely either of us would be envenomated.

[infernalis]

We have been doing fine without any "personal preference" discussions for quite some time. ;)

[Lankyrob]

Corns can definitely bite, i had a six month old try to eat and swallow my finger after feeding it, it decided it was still hungry!!

[presspirate]

Personal preference discussions don't bother me for the record. Would I call a snake cute? Absolutely!

[infernalis]

Personal preference discussions don't bother me for the record. Would I call a snake cute? Absolutely!

Me either, I'm probably the most unoffendable person around, however I don't think herp forums are the place to discuss such things.

There is a big forum in the UK that allows sexual comments and such, I swear to you there is even a thread running where people are taking pictures of their "junk" and posting it.

Other members here that have been on that forum agree, it ruins the forum.

[Lankyrob]

I dont think those discussions add to the forum in any way, personally dont care what preference people have, just here to enjoy the herp chat.

[Kite_91]

emilie, I totally understand where you're coming from. I scare all the guys away with my milksnake. It's just something they will have to put up with. The same way I put up with musicals...

If your girlfriend likes pretty snakes, I saw a Japanese Rat snake on here and she was gorgeous.

[Jendee]

calm down people we were just verifying who swings where, saying the word "gay" is nothing near sex talk people....no naked pics or sexual talk here lol and btw Ive been on that forum and it has completely turned into all sex/flirt and no herp :( sad!!


anyways.. I think hogs are super cute!!! there little faces I wouldnt even mention that they are hots lol

[emilie]

well no hard feelings...
back to snakes
She liked the little bright green guy in one of Sapphyr 's uploads :D
Can anyone tell me what it is?

[bo2as]

Show her this....

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/PG1/images/836025.jpg
i acctually went 'ooonnnnnn' :D

[Shmoges]

That dudoma anery KSB that saph posted is a pic of the actual snake that my fiance wants to buy from sandboamorphs.blogspot.com

[Sapphyr]

That dudoma anery KSB that saph posted is a pic of the actual snake that my fiance wants to buy from sandboamorphs.blogspot.com

I actually found it on that link you posted elsewhere :D .. They got like.. 3 so yanno.. I'm not heartbroken if the one I'm eyeing is picked up. Besides, I'm betting this guy will at least come through with a common hognose. <3

And Emilie, I think that might of been a Garter Snake. Ask Wayne, he's all about Garters!

And Wayne.. that forum sounds gross :c

[Jendee]

Garter snakes are neat, don't they eat fish..anything with fish is awesome because you get to watch the pretty fish, a sexy snake and an awesome hunt. Entertainment at its finest!!

[infernalis]

Garter snakes are neat, don't they eat fish..anything with fish is awesome because you get to watch the pretty fish, a sexy snake and an awesome hunt. Entertainment at its finest!!

Watching the babies grab minnows right out of the water is cool to watch...

[dshin963]

Watching the babies grab minnows right out of the water is cool to watch...

sounds very interesting :D

[NennaMeerkat]

I think Hognoses are the cutest snakes.

You are SO right Tyler they are adorable!

http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/4362/adelina.png

How could you not like that cute lil face!!

[dshin963]

You are SO right Tyler they are adorable!

http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/4362/adelina.png

How could you not like that cute lil face!!

:) reminds me of a child about to have a fit :P
cute none the less

[NennaMeerkat]

:) reminds me of a child about to have a fit :P
cute none the less

LOL Well considering that sometimes she does hiss a bit and try to get away from you when you first get her out of her tank...she does have her fits! But even those tiny tantrums are adorable.

[dshin963]

LOL Well considering that sometimes she does hiss a bit and try to get away from you when you first get her out of her tank...she does have her fits! But even those tiny tantrums are adorable.

awwww how cute lol

[mld]

:) reminds me of a child about to have a fit :P
cute none the less

Too cute, a kid pouting! But mom I'm still hungry!

[emilie]

Yes Wayne, the pic that sapp uploaded of the 4(?) little guys, can you tell me what the one on the right is?

[Sapphyr]

This one, right?

http://www.freewebs.com/ruthveni/Group.jpg

[infernalis]

That looks like a smooth green or rough green snake.

smooth green snake - Google Search (http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&source=imghp&biw=1020&bih=583&q=smooth+green+snake&gbv=2&aq=f&aqi=g1g-m1&aql=&oq=)

They are always wild caught, and are difficult to keep alive in captivity.

[emilie]

hmmm too bad, i dont think i could feed it spiders anyways, i would be too afraid.

[Sapphyr]

I thought someone said you could also feed them crickets and stuff?

Edit: I don't know... It's hard to decide whether that's a smooth green snake or a garter.. 'cause supposedly these here are garters:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/112/256549777_8aa3b6556c.jpg

This one's eyes don't match but.. it has that same color of bright green.

http://stories-etc.com/green_snake.jpg

These could be wrong, though, since they came from google.

[infernalis]

I can honestly say they are not Garters.

Garter snakes are of the species Thamnophis.

I own Thamnophis.net, Thamnophis.us & Thamfriends.com, Our good friend Jason (Boots) the other moderator here owns Thamnophis.com

My screen name is taken from Thamnophis Sirtalis Infernalis, The California Garter snake.

I'm not trying to brag or boast, just establishing that there is not a Garter snake species on the planet that I cannot identify on sight. ;)

Google only searches the web for words, If someone who does not know what they photographed calls it a garter snake, Google will attach the name to the picture.

This is also why no one should ever take Wikipedia as gospel, anyone can type anything they want on there, and it's not necessarily always true.

Back to the green snakes, yes they will eat crickets, however there is an enzyme present in spiders that insects lack, Green snakes need that enzyme or their health slowly deteriorates and generally within a year the snake will die.

Just like certain fish contain an enzyme called Thiaminase that blocks thiamin absorption within the snakes that eat fish, and the snake will ultimately have an abbreviated lifespan from thiamin deficiency.

The worst 2 kinds of fish anyone could feed to garter snakes or water snakes is goldfish and rosy reds, yet for some messed up reason, quite a few pet shops will actually recommend feeding goldfish or rosies to pet garter snakes?? Those fish contain very high levels of Thiaminase.

[mld]

rough green snake
Rough Green Snake Beetles In The Bush (http://beetlesinthebush.wordpress.com/2010/04/29/rough-green-snake/)

[emseeKAY]

i like to think all my guys are cute as i now have a lack of females haha how is she doing em? :)

I'd also say my BRB is pretty cute, even though he has a bit of size hes easily handleable and has never shown signs of striking or any defensive behavior whatsoever, maybe the wifey needs to be around them more to see that theyre not THAT bad?

[whoaxmary]

I'd have to suggest ball pythons. My mom hates snakes, but she really loves my bp "Blue". She thinks my new corn (Who I think is a hypo-snow? There was some misinformation/confusion so I'm not sure - but you were in my thread so I know you've seen her picture; she's a pink little cutie) is adorable - but is too affraid to touch her because of the way she moves around. I think she likes Blue's big head, doe eyes, and docile nature. Not to mention their ":3" smiley faces. <3 She's just chilling over my shouldeer as I type this - something I don't think I could do with my corn, atleast not for a while.

[Sapphyr]

I can honestly say they are not Garters.

Garter snakes are of the species Thamnophis.

I own Thamnophis.net, Thamnophis.us & Thamfriends.com, Our good friend Jason (Boots) the other moderator here owns Thamnophis.com

My screen name is taken from Thamnophis Sirtalis Infernalis, The California Garter snake.

I'm not trying to brag or boast, just establishing that there is not a Garter snake species on the planet that I cannot identify on sight. ;)

Google only searches the web for words, If someone who does not know what they photographed calls it a garter snake, Google will attach the name to the picture.

This is also why no one should ever take Wikipedia as gospel, anyone can type anything they want on there, and it's not necessarily always true.

Back to the green snakes, yes they will eat crickets, however there is an enzyme present in spiders that insects lack, Green snakes need that enzyme or their health slowly deteriorates and generally within a year the snake will die.

Just like certain fish contain an enzyme called Thiaminase that blocks thiamin absorption within the snakes that eat fish, and the snake will ultimately have an abbreviated lifespan from thiamin deficiency.

The worst 2 kinds of fish anyone could feed to garter snakes or water snakes is goldfish and rosy reds, yet for some messed up reason, quite a few pet shops will actually recommend feeding goldfish or rosies to pet garter snakes?? Those fish contain very high levels of Thiaminase.

Oh I know you're a VERY well established garter person. You're probably the most knowledgable garter person on this forum.

I just find it a tad odd that that many rough/smooth greens would be housed together. Then again, I know barely anything about them. I also thought the head structure resembled garters to an extent, but then again, neither of them are my forte.

And ohhh :c ... Eh well, most pet stores are idiots.

And on Mary's comment:

http://i1006.photobucket.com/albums/af184/teaninja/bpphotoshoot011.jpg

That's TeaNinja's BP. c:

[infernalis]

OK I broke the picture down for you.

The only rough green in the lot is the one the finger points at, the one that is circled is a garter snake, and the remaining three are ribbon snakes, another Thamnophis sub species, so technically they too are garter snakes.

This also tells me that these snakes are all wild caught animals most likely purchased from one of the Florida wholesalers, since Florida is about one of the only states left that has no laws forbidding the mass gathering of indigenous reptiles for the pet trade.

http://www.reptard.info/ssnakess/Group.jpg

[Reptile_Reptile]

I think the thickness of the snake would bother her too, im not sure a hognose or sand boa would do. so I think I'm stuck with corns......oh well :) one day *day dreaming gaze*

I had to tell her corns would never ever bite because they can't, before I could get her to calm down....
dont tell wrong infromation because it makes things easier please. because the day it actually bites her (not saying it will) i can only see bad things coming from. and if she goes and tells that to someone and that person gets bit by one its just not safe.

[whoaxmary]

Love the picture of teenninjas bp. <3 so adorable!

[Sapphyr]

OK I broke the picture down for you.

The only rough green in the lot is the one the finger points at, the one that is circled is a garter snake, and the remaining three are ribbon snakes, another Thamnophis sub species, so technically they too are garter snakes.

This also tells me that these snakes are all wild caught animals most likely purchased from one of the Florida wholesalers, since Florida is about one of the only states left that has no laws forbidding the mass gathering of indigenous reptiles for the pet trade.

http://www.reptard.info/ssnakess/Group.jpg

Oh wow :c .. More going on than I'd thought.. Poor things, I feel bad for them, being crammed in one place and mixed with all sorts :< ... Florida should really put a law up on that kinda stuff...

[infernalis]

A vast majority of racers, garters, ribbon snakes, water snakes, coach whips, corns, brown snakes, green snakes, etc.. Are all wild caught in Florida.

Especially the ones that are sold really cheap.

My Black Racer Toby came from an egg laid by a wild caught specimen from Florida.

[Sapphyr]

A vast majority of racers, garters, ribbon snakes, water snakes, coach whips, corns, brown snakes, green snakes, etc.. Are all wild caught in Florida.

Especially the ones that are sold really cheap.

My Black Racer Toby came from an egg laid by a wild caught specimen from Florida.


That's sad :c I kinda think wild snakes should be kept wild. I mean... It may not be -so- bad if you know what you're doing and keep it one to a cage(and, as you've said, garters are exceptions to this rule), but to take them from their natural habitat and do -that-? Just grabbin' what ya can and throwin' 'em all in one cage? Bleh. Also could be negative 'cause it makes the surrounding ecosystem unbalanced if too many are taken.

[infernalis]

Heck, my property here is swarming with garter snakes, and I have never been tempted to scoop them up and sell them.

I do keep a few when I find a "special" one. But they live very luxurious lives once I bring them in the house.

[Sapphyr]

Heck, my property here is swarming with garter snakes, and I have never been tempted to scoop them up and sell them.

I do keep a few when I find a "special" one. But they live very luxurious lives once I bring them in the house.

Oh I'm sure. And I meant it's not so bad if you take one and care for it properly, meaning, you keep it and not sell it. I don't agree with taking snakes from the wild and selling them off.

[Lankyrob]

Oh I'm sure. And I meant it's not so bad if you take one and care for it properly, meaning, you keep it and not sell it. I don't agree with taking snakes from the wild and selling them off.

I agree with the sentiment but without this we wouldnt have a hobby............

[Sapphyr]

I agree with the sentiment but without this we wouldnt have a hobby............

Well, yes... If you want to go that way with it, we wouldn't have any of the pets we do today. Dogs came from wolves gradually being domesticated, as most know. Cats probably a similar way. Any pet.. probably a similar way... but, these days most snakes are covered pretty decently, in my opinion. I mean, newer breeds... Yes, you'd probably have to in order to keep it going, to see the successful breeding/selling of them live on, but for things like corns, milks, etc.? Neh. They're already well established, so I wouldn't think you'd need to snatch them from the wild and sell them, and I don't agree with that for such a well established snake.

[infernalis]

I fully agree that whenever a new morph or something rare turns up, Please catch it and if you don't intend to breed it, please get it in the hands of someone who will.

However, Certain snakes like those Florida rough green snakes are well known for doing terribly in captivity (with a few exceptions) yet they turn up for 10-20 dollars all the time.

At this point in our hobby, there is no reason to scoop up large numbers of wild snakes just to get a quick buck.

To this day Royal Pythons are still gathered up from the wild and sold at places like petco so they can keep on having their $29.99 sale.

[Sapphyr]

I fully agree that whenever a new morph or something rare turns up, Please catch it and if you don't intend to breed it, please get it in the hands of someone who will.

However, Certain snakes like those Florida rough green snakes are well known for doing terribly in captivity (with a few exceptions) yet they turn up for 10-20 dollars all the time.

At this point in our hobby, there is no reason to scoop up large numbers of wild snakes just to get a quick buck.

To this day Royal Pythons are still gathered up from the wild and sold at places like petco so they can keep on having their $29.99 sale.

Beeehhh... After hearing all that horrible crap about Petco, all I can say is -feh-... Petco... I'd expect such idiocy from them.

[emilie]

I am learning so much right now!
Thanks Wayne!
And Sean shes doing great!