Choosing the Right Species for Us -- Questions

[Rhaethe]

We don't have a snake, yet. But my Christmas gift to my other half this year is a snake. He's been wanting one for some time.

I have a card all done up that will say "This Year's Christmas is Snakey!"

Then we will decide upon the species together, I'll buy all the necessary things, etc.

Thing is, I've been reading up for some time on differing species. From my experience with fish species, while I know that the critters are individuals, species do have tendencies ... and there is never better accounts to read than personal experience.

So I wish to ask ... if given the following criteria, which snake species would fit the best, do you think? We will be purchasing an adult or near-adult snake.

-- Small ... 3 feet max adult size or less. If purchasing a male of the species will match, even though female will get larger, that's fine. I don't mind being specific and asking for a male.

-- Mellow and lazy. Yes, we want a lazy snake.

-- Tolerant of beginner's mistakes.

-- Relatively uncomplicated to care for, i.e. doesn't need exact or ultra-tiny range of humidity and temps

[infernalis]

Corn snake..

[Gungirl]

Originally Posted by infernalis

Corn snake..

Ditto ^^ I don't think snakes get any easier than a corn.. The come in a wide selection of colors too. Here is my baby Ivan a buckskin Okeetee

[exwizard]

I would also say corn snake. They are very hardy, eat well and very easy to care for.

[youngster]

so far 4 for corn snakes.
I have 3 and they are all puppy dog tame.
They are NOT lazy lap snakes like ball pythons but mine aren't as high strung flighty like they get a reputation for.
I recently had a corn escape and survive for over a month in cold New Hampshire weather with no signs of a RI, so they are very forgivable when it comes to husbandry.

[Rhaethe]

Corn snakes get no larger than 3 feet? Size is also one of the primary criteria. And laziness factor.

I'm also not sure we can have those in Georgia ... a good number of the colubrids are disallowed.

[SpOoKy]

What about a childrens python. I don't know too much about them nor have I ever owned one but as far as I know they don't get too big. You would have to read up on them.

[Kayla90]

Well if you can't have colubrids that pretty much cuts out the majority of snakes under 3 feet... O.o

[zamaya]

i looked it up, it says that you can have any colubrid except rear fanged ones like hognoses
Georgia Exotic Animal Regulations ? Pet-Snakes.com

[Rhaethe]

That site is inaccurate.

This is from the actual govt site:

Georgia DNR, Wildlife Resources Division - Print Version

Although this URL seems to indicate they are fine. Keeping Georgia Wildlife as Pets | Georgia DNR - Wildlife Resources Division

Ugh. Georgia law is so complicated :/

By and large, most all pythons and boas are ok ... or so I have been told by people living here that do own pet snakes.

[SpOoKy]

Wow, you guys are really regulated there Did I read correctly you are not allowed cats?

[Rogue628]

Sand Boas come to mind, although I don't know anything about their husbandry nor their temperments.....

And what's your idea of a lazy snake? One that doesn't move much at all and pretty laid back or is it you're meaning one that's easy to hold and handle....doesn't move really fast?

Other than that, a male corn should meet your criteria.

[SpOoKy]

Other than that, a male corn should meet your criteria.
__________________

They are not allowed corns where they are.

[Rhaethe]

Originally Posted by Rogue628

And what's your idea of a lazy snake? One that doesn't move much at all and pretty laid back or is it you're meaning one that's easy to hold and handle....doesn't move really fast?

Hmm. Either


And yes, we can have cats. Just not any kind of bat, which is what I think you read, Spooky.

[Rhaethe]

I will look up the children's python and the sand boas, and start reading up on them.