View Full Version : Snake you can watch tv with.
Tarantulaluvah
05-13-13, 09:57 PM
Hello everyone,
So I don't have a snake yet but I'm really interested in getting one.
I guess I really wanted someone with a snakes opinion.
My parents totally hate snakes although I feel I can convince them since I've been doing that with all my pets for years. I really love snakes and marvel at them anytime I get the chance to handle one.
I want something that's easy to take care of, isn't aggressive or fast, very expensive, and between 4-6 feet long max. Id also love a snake that wouldn't mind being held maybe once a week while I watch tv. Something that won't slither away ever single minute and that can just chill on my arm or around my neck. I was considering maybe a hog island or a Arizona kingsnake and I'd love anyone's opinion on that. Also if you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear em.
Thanks guys,
NextMorph
05-14-13, 04:21 AM
My suggestion for a snake that will just hang out with you while watching T.V. would definitely be a ball python as they're most often very calm and enjoy just curling up and laying there. I've kept a number of kingsnakes and in my experience they're usually quite a bit more mobile than a ball python. Boas vary in activity levels, I've experienced boas that are pretty chill and will just lay around, and ones that are always on the go. Therefore my suggestion is a ball python, but I'm sure you'll be happy with any snake as all snakes rock. :P
Mark Taylor
05-14-13, 04:28 AM
I would not suggest any snake to be out while you watch TV you should bee 100% concentrated on the snake!
KORBIN5895
05-14-13, 04:41 AM
I let my snakes out just to roam. I always make sure that there is no way it can escape the room and there is nothing it could hurt itself on.
I will also second a royal. They aren't all that fast and they are in your size parameters.
CK SandBoas
05-14-13, 04:48 AM
Definitely a Ball Python. Mine will wrap himself around my wrist and arm if i have him out while i'm watching tv or a movie. Can get a little heavy at times, but he's what i would call a "couch potato" snake, lol
SnakeyJay
05-14-13, 05:37 AM
I've never kept royals but they seem to be what you want to aim for..
However I second what Rob said, I wouldn't advise having any snake out while you chill and watch tv.. I'm pretty sure one of our newer members has just lost their snake that way..
Lankyrob
05-14-13, 06:16 AM
Whatever you choose NO snake should ever be held around your neck.
Terranaut
05-14-13, 07:01 AM
Whatever you choose NO snake should ever be held around your neck.
Haha I knew this was coming;)
I also think a snake for tv is not a great plan. A ball is probably the best lap snake but maybe you don't really want one anyway
What will you do when your parents freak out? I would hate to see another unwanted snake on the market :(
Another vote for a normal male ball python. Ours are very chilled out. Just don't do the lap thing when they have sausage butt...
Even most furry pets love exploring and generally won't 'just hang out' with you. In my experience only cats and dogs (and probably some trained birds and other larger mammals like ferrets, no experience there) will sit around on/near you when you are doing something else. Guinea Pigs, Rats, Hamsters etc. will probably go exploring, and chew a hole in your couch/t-shirt/tv-remote while they're at it. As snakes are not used to being held in any way compared to most 'cuddly animals', I would not know how any snake would be fine with just sitting on your lap. Of course there can be exceptions, but you can't get a snake thinking that it 'will mellow out' or 'get comfortable around me and want to be with me'.
Lastly: Isn't it much more fun to watch your snake when you are carrying it around/letting it explore out of its normal environment?
I don't have any experience will balls, so I don't know about their behaviour when picking them up, buy my corns and kings are always on the go or lying still but very curious about what's going on around them. So if you want a higher chance that you will get a snake that at least won't try too hard to get away when you are watching tv a Ball seems to be your best bet indeed.
I would look into Rosy Boas. They are small, American, slow moving, and get to a good handling thickness. Their requirements are pretty simple, their appetites are strong, and their enclosures can be relatively small. Just throwing this out there to keep your options open when you are researching royals, corns, and kings.
I hear most snake of the constrictor variety love "Pawn Stars"...
Pareeeee
05-14-13, 08:37 AM
I would look into Rosy Boas. They are small, American, slow moving, and get to a good handling thickness. Their requirements are pretty simple, their appetites are strong, and their enclosures can be relatively small. Just throwing this out there to keep your options open when you are researching royals, corns, and kings.
My Rosy isn't fast like say, a Corn, but he definitely does NOT want to just 'sit' on my lap for very long at all. He likes to explore. Definitely a great snake, but I don't think it's what OP is looking for. My Ball Python is my lap snake.
Concept9
05-14-13, 08:42 AM
Whatever you choose NO snake should ever be held around your neck.
Excuse me for my ignorance, but why should snake not be held around ones neck. My MBK roams everywhere, around my neck, up my arm, over my head and down the other arm?
Mark Taylor
05-14-13, 08:49 AM
Excuse me for my ignorance, but why should snake not be held around ones neck. My MBK roams everywhere, around my neck, up my arm, over my head and down the other arm?
http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/general-discussion/94210-snakes-around-neck.html
It was the first tome Rob posted on my thread:)
Concept9
05-14-13, 08:59 AM
Ahhhhhhhhh . . .
Thanks for the info. I never let mine go AROUND my neck. He just roams around my shoulders and stuff.
Definitely a ball python. All mine are fairly relaxed except when they are hungry, then they roam a lot more. But sometimes they do enjoy a relaxing sit down on my lap or beside me in the blankets. :)
TheSuppishOne
05-14-13, 10:22 AM
This is exactly what I wanted in a snake, too. And what I ended up getting was a Dumeril's boa. He will sit with me for however long I want. Mind you, when I do want him to move around and explore, he doesn't as much, but you don't get to have both in one, lol. =]
still trying to wrap my head around the whole "tv" thing....
NextMorph
05-14-13, 12:13 PM
I hear most snake of the constrictor variety love "Pawn Stars"...
Hahahahaha. But pit vipers can't stand it. Too much drama.
Mark Taylor
05-14-13, 12:30 PM
This is exactly what I wanted in a snake, too. And what I ended up getting was a Dumeril's boa.( Sounds like you are dissapointed?) He will sit with me for however long I want.(Has no choice!) Mind you, when I do want him to move around and explore, he doesn't as much, but you don't get to have both in one, lol.(Not funny your snake sounds stressed leave it alone.) =]
I am sorry but I had to say this!
still trying to wrap my head around the whole "tv" thing....
Seriously, that's so last century, it's all online now baby! :D
Speaking of online, when my female normal BP was small she would just stay wrapped around my wrist while I worked on the computer. She's a bit big now for that.
TheSuppishOne
05-15-13, 01:24 AM
I am sorry but I had to say this!
One, I'm not disappointed in the slightest. I love my little guy.
Two, he very much has a choice. If he ever starts looking like he wants to go, I promptly put him back in his enclosure.
Three, you're welcome to come over to my house at any time and tell me how my snake is acting/reacting. But for you to jump to this from what I said? All I meant was that he is not as active as a carpet or corn. But seeing as he is a boa, I fail to see how that is a problem. In fact, the reason I bought a Dum is because people told me that they're relatively inactive, like BPs. Don't even.
KORBIN5895
05-15-13, 01:38 AM
I am sorry but I had to say this!
One, I'm not disappointed in the slightest. I love my little guy.
Two, he very much has a choice. If he ever starts looking like he wants to go, I promptly put him back in his enclosure.
Three, you're welcome to come over to my house at any time and tell me how my snake is acting/reacting. But for you to jump to this from what I said? All I meant was that he is not as active as a carpet or corn. But seeing as he is a boa, I fail to see how that is a problem. In fact, the reason I bought a Dum is because people told me that they're relatively inactive, like BPs. Don't even.
Yay! Noob fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!
Terranaut
05-15-13, 05:42 AM
I am sorry but I had to say this!
No you didn't. Why would you bother? :(
infernalis
05-15-13, 05:45 AM
Is it even possible for us to have a drama free day here??
Knock it off, Please I am in no mood for babysitting.
KORBIN5895
05-15-13, 06:19 AM
Is it even possible for us to have a drama free day here??
Knock it off, Please I am in no mood for babysitting.
Come on! The noobs are going to tear each other UP!
infernalis
05-15-13, 06:54 AM
Come on! The noobs are going to tear each other UP!
They can take it somewhere else... facebook comes to mind.
Terranaut
05-15-13, 07:10 AM
I saw no "they". I read one newb bashing another out of the blue.
TheSuppishOne
05-15-13, 08:57 PM
They can take it somewhere else... facebook comes to mind.
Or YouTube. Both are equally sufficient for criticism of beliefs/habits from random people. =P
And, to be fair, Mark Taylor has like 10x the amount of posts that I do, so I'm a noob, but he is not/less so. I just don't understand why he jumped to bashing me like that without provocation...
KORBIN5895
05-15-13, 10:17 PM
Or YouTube. Both are equally sufficient for criticism of beliefs/habits from random people. =P
And, to be fair, Mark Taylor has like 10x the amount of posts that I do, so I'm a noob, but he is not/less so. I just don't understand why he jumped to bashing me like that without provocation...
Lol! Mark has only had snakes for roughly six months! That's still really new.
Pareeeee
05-16-13, 07:25 AM
Is it even possible for us to have a drama free day here??
Maybe you should rename the forum "soap_opera.com" :O_o:
TheSuppishOne
05-16-13, 10:16 AM
Maybe you should rename the forum "soap_opera.com" :O_o:
The Real Snake Owners of Orange County?
Desperate Snake Wives?
Snakes of Our Lives?
As the Reptile Turns?
NextMorph
05-16-13, 12:12 PM
The Real Snake Owners of Orange County?
Desperate Snake Wives?
Snakes of Our Lives?
As the Reptile Turns?
Hahahahhaa.... those are funny. :P
Pareeeee
05-16-13, 06:46 PM
The Real Snake Owners of Orange County?
Desperate Snake Wives?
Snakes of Our Lives?
As the Reptile Turns?
I lol'd :D :D
guyabano
05-19-13, 12:23 AM
Another vote for ball pythons. Most of them are pretty chill. I'd also suggest a burm, but those guys outgrow their "lap snake" status. Retics like to move. A lot. I could never get away with watching with my 'tic.
The only snake I have that TOTALLY sits still & cuddles for hours watching a movie is my 7+ foot boa (BCI)...and she came to me as a "rescue" because she kept biting her first owner (as a yearling), LOL. So what I'm saying is, her kind is not really a beginner snake unless you find someone that wants to re-home theirs & they happen to have one with good "social skills". Gotta say though, she has a fierce feeding response...and you need more experience for such a snake.
Rosy boas and Australian spotted pythons are great mellow pets... my rosies will sometimes snuggle around my neck for a while (but they aren't big enough to be a danger); my spotted python is docile but she is very clingy & ties my long hair into a milllion tangles, don't say I didn't warn you, ha ha....
One thing to keep in mind about cuddling a snake for long periods is that the snake may get too hot and NEED to move away from us...don't forget we are 98.6*! So don't insist too much on holding a snake if it wants to move away...it may really NEED to.
I have another suggestion for what is one of my favorite snakes: how about a Trans Pecos ratsnake? they get about 4-5', they are SO SO docile and curious...the sweetest snakes ever. They do like it fairly warm, being from the desert (TX/NM/Mexico) & take dead mice easily. I've had some I could feed from my fingers without them biting me, just taking the food carefully. They are nosy & nocturnal with big eyes, and tend to move calmly. As adults you want to house in a 40 gal tank with screen top...humidity NOT good for these.
smy_749
05-26-13, 02:08 PM
The only snake I have that TOTALLY sits still & cuddles for hours watching a movie is my 7+ foot boa (BCI)...and she came to me as a "rescue" because she kept biting her first owner (as a yearling), LOL. So what I'm saying is, her kind is not really a beginner snake unless you find someone that wants to re-home theirs & they happen to have one with good "social skills". Gotta say though, she has a fierce feeding response...and you need more experience for such a snake.
Rosy boas and Australian spotted pythons are great mellow pets... my rosies will sometimes snuggle around my neck for a while (but they aren't big enough to be a danger); my spotted python is docile but she is very clingy & ties my long hair into a milllion tangles, don't say I didn't warn you, ha ha....
One thing to keep in mind about cuddling a snake for long periods is that the snake may get too hot and NEED to move away from us...don't forget we are 98.6*! So don't insist too much on holding a snake if it wants to move away...it may really NEED to.
I have another suggestion for what is one of my favorite snakes: how about a Trans Pecos ratsnake? they get about 4-5', they are SO SO docile and curious...the sweetest snakes ever. They do like it fairly warm, being from the desert (TX/NM/Mexico) & take dead mice easily. I've had some I could feed from my fingers without them biting me, just taking the food carefully. They are nosy & nocturnal with big eyes, and tend to move calmly. As adults you want to house in a 40 gal tank with screen top...humidity NOT good for these.
Snakes don't 'cuddle' .
cud·dle
/ˈkədl/
Verb
Hold close in one's arms as a way of showing love or affection.
And the 98.6 is internally body temp required for organs to function properly, not surface temp of the skin which is lower than that. Take a temp gun to your neck and see what it reads.
http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/mtucker66/3qf45t_zps10c66558.jpg (http://s1252.photobucket.com/user/mtucker66/media/3qf45t_zps10c66558.jpg.html)
*sigh*
Snakes don't 'cuddle' .
Amen brother....
infernalis
05-26-13, 04:34 PM
I like my snakes to behave....... like snakes. ;)
babyboa97
05-26-13, 06:11 PM
You need a ball python
I like how you all answered the OP's question...
smy_749
05-27-13, 11:33 AM
I like how you all answered the OP's question...
You did a good job of telling him how your boa sits and cuddles while enjoying a movie with you. Does he prefer horror movies or romance? I think there was enough good answers and explanations of whats realistic and whats not, but when someone says something to the OP that doesn't make a grain of sense, are we supposed to let it slide and have him read it and take it seriously because if we responded we would be going off topic?
Also, sometimes the question is from someone with less understanding about the behavior or husbandry, and it may be required to go away from the original question in order to help the OP form a more reasonable/realistic question.
Example:
-Person 1- Hi, I found an eastern brown snake and I would like to pick it up with my hands to remove it. Do you think its ok?
-Person 2- Just make sure you ask him politely before hand and everything will be fine.
-Person 3- Snakes don't speak english so you can't ask him that. If you do it you may die.
-Person 2- Please don't go off topic about whether or not snakes speak english,
the OP didn't ask about that.
You did a good job of telling him how your boa sits and cuddles while enjoying a movie with you. Does he prefer horror movies or romance? I think there was enough good answers and explanations of whats realistic and whats not, but when someone says something to the OP that doesn't make a grain of sense, are we supposed to let it slide and have him read it and take it seriously because if we responded we would be going off topic?
Also, sometimes the question is from someone with less understanding about the behavior or husbandry, and it may be required to go away from the original question in order to help the OP form a more reasonable/realistic question.
Example:
-Person 1- Hi, I found an eastern brown snake and I would like to pick it up with my hands to remove it. Do you think its ok?
-Person 2- Just make sure you ask him politely before hand and everything will be fine.
-Person 3- Snakes don't speak english so you can't ask him that. If you do it you may die.
-Person 2- Please don't go off topic about whether or not snakes speak english,
the OP didn't ask about that.
Of course snakes don't speak English, they speak parseltongue :bouncy:
vBulletin® v3.8.7, Copyright ©2000-2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.