Hi

jamiethorpe1980 · 08-03-12, 01:06 PM

Hi, I am new to this site, and to reptiles... Me and my wife are thinking of getting a snake but are unsure on the type and what we need for a snake.. We are both beginners at this, I have never held a snake, my wife has only ever had one round her neck.. Could you give me some info on snakes and the best type to go for. I do have young children so I don't want a venomous snake as I want the children to be able to hold it as well. Thanks to you all in advance

alessia55 · 08-03-12, 01:24 PM

Welcome to the forum! Please read our sSNAKESs forum rules.

iBaman · 08-03-12, 01:26 PM

ball python sounds like your best bet =3

Lankyrob · 08-03-12, 01:45 PM

For a first snake and with kids i would go for a corn snake, nice colours, quite active but also easy to handle.

bcoop1234 · 08-03-12, 01:59 PM

Yes, a corn or king snake are really good starters.

StudentoReptile · 08-03-12, 02:32 PM

If you want a snake that can live well in a glass tank set-up, a corn snake or king snake would be a good choice. Hatchling/babies can be a tad squirmy, but a juvenile/yearling would be a great starter snake. If you are open to branching out into other enclosure possibilities (plastic tubs, custom cages, etc.), then a ball python would be an excellent consideration.

In terms of overall availability, inexpensive cost of the animal itself, average adult size, ease of care and general hardiness, those three species are probably your best choices.
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If you're willing to spend a little more on the snake or be more flexible on space and feeding, then there's certainly several more options to choose from: rosy boas, sand boas, dwarf localities of Boa constrictor imperator (aka "red-tailed" boas), garter snakes, African house snakes.

Gungirl · 08-03-12, 03:06 PM

I think a corn snake would be your best bet. They are very simple to keep in terms of temperature and humidity needs and are normally very good eaters. They do take to handling well and they are not as skidish as other snakes. They have amazing colors and patterns depending on how much you are looking to spend.

Here is mine-

TrueBlood · 08-03-12, 04:20 PM

I think it depends on if you want to see the snake often, like in a living room, or just handle it when you want to interact. I have a corn snake and a Kenyan sand boa. Our corn is a gorgeous gold dust that we keep in the living room while the sand boa is very rarely out of the substrate, so we keep her in the basement. I find myself handling the sand boa more often and generally think she's more interesting, but that's just me. She is a little more difficult to raise, though. For the first three years she refused to eat during winter.

Trent · 08-03-12, 04:22 PM

Corn snake hands down the best first choice!

shaunyboy · 08-03-12, 07:32 PM

hello and welcome

if you have a reptile shop thats local,why not pop in for a look,most shops will let you handle a snake,if your interested in it

cheers shaun

jamiethorpe1980 · 08-04-12, 02:15 AM

Hi and thanks to you all for your replies, I don't really mind how much I spend as long as the snake is healthy.. I would like the snake to be with us in the living room so my children could interact with it.. Thanks

graham19 · 08-04-12, 05:39 PM

hi im quite new to snake but my hognose is very docile and brilliant with my kids 9/12