which snake...

[CopperNightShade]

Okay. I am trying to figure out if I want another corn or a different colubrid.

I am looking for a breed of snake that generally does well with routine handling, eats well and doesn't get too horribly big. I have no experience outside of corns (and I do LOOOOVE my corns,) so I don't know what else is out there. What about a king? What is your experience?

Thanks for the help!

[bsash]

I have little experience with these snakes. I have owned one king snake that I had for three years. She was an extremely friendly snake, she was not that way when I got her. But with regular handling she turned into a sweetie. The only complaint that I had about her was that she was a true escape artist, as soon as I fixed how she was getting out of one spot, she was going out another. Finally I decided to give her to my fiances boss at his work as he was more experienced with them than I was.

[mainbutter]

There are few colubrids that I like as well as corns, and I believe that corns are the absolute epitome of snakes that do well with handling.

That said, there's nothing wrong with expanding your species list. Are you absolutely dead-set on colubrids? There are many pythons and boas that are also great handlers, and among them are snakes that are even smaller than corn snakes.

[fire-eyes]

The only colubrid I have is a Northern Pine Snake. Out of the three snakes I have (Ball Python, Northern Pine Snake, Boa Constrictor) he is the only one I call "fun". Do check them out.

They just have a heck of a lot of personality can can be just down right goofy. Mine loves to explore everything, and wants to crawl all over everything, too, almost to the point of being annoying. Rather like a child. I'm really glad I got him and recommend them.

Pros: Funny, curious, personality, outstanding eaters.
Cons: Poo a lot (more than they eat it seems), no warning when they are going to do so (you will learn to have paper towel with you). Shedding seems to take an obnoxiously long time but he's in his first shed with me.

[Seru1]

I want a corn pretty bad but if you love corns try a Kingsnake!


They are a little bit fiestier but not to much. I love my Cali king. They get just about as big and have very similair care requirements. If you love Corns Kings will do you right!


If you'd like a fiestier snake though I would suggest a New World Ratsnake. they get a little bigger and they aren't as friendly. But texas rats are very pretty.


Colubrids are my favorites without a doubt!

[bsash]

I have little experience with these snakes. I have owned one king snake that I had for three years. She was an extremely friendly snake, she was not that way when I got her. But with regular handling she turned into a sweetie. The only complaint that I had about her was that she was a true escape artist, as soon as I fixed how she was getting out of one spot, she was going out another. Finally I decided to give her to my fiances boss at his work as he was more experienced with them than I was.

I quoted my original post. Don't get me wrong, I loved my king snake. But after she was able to escape out of my house and some how into my neighbors house, I thought it would be in her better interest to to go to someone who would actually be able to contain her. She did manage to escape on him twice two, and he is much more experienced than I, so I don't feel ashamed that I couldn't contain her. He did find her and fix all problems both times though, and she has not escaped since. I just felt that if I would have kept her and she got out side again that her life would have been endanger, and it would have been selfish of me to take that risk if I kept her.

[CopperNightShade]

Thank you to everyone!

I have considered beyond colubrids... I have a ball python. The not-eating thing really pisses me off. And it just seems to be that colubrids are a bit more active.

I absolutely adore my corns, I really do - It really sounds like I need consider others for my next addition.

Thank you thank you thank you!

[Seru1]

I quoted my original post. Don't get me wrong, I loved my king snake. But after she was able to escape out of my house and some how into my neighbors house, I thought it would be in her better interest to to go to someone who would actually be able to contain her. She did manage to escape on him twice two, and he is much more experienced than I, so I don't feel ashamed that I couldn't contain her. He did find her and fix all problems both times though, and she has not escaped since. I just felt that if I would have kept her and she got out side again that her life would have been endanger, and it would have been selfish of me to take that risk if I kept her.

Out of curiosity sash what did you keep her in?

[CoolioTiffany]

Kingsnakes are my favorite colubrid and are pretty strong eaters from my experience. I've got two so far and they are great, both eat and are good with handling.

Milksnakes make another great pet for a colubrid, even though they are a bit flighty they do make pretty good pets. I only owned one in the past and once he was used to handling he settled down a lot and stopped musking.

Garter & Ribbon snakes, from what I've heard, make pretty good pets too. I've held Garters before and some of them are generally nice. Glad to say I haven't been musked on by one just yet.

Some Rat snakes do make fairly good pets too. Texas Rats seem to be the more moody ones but most things can settle down with time, patience, & regular handling.

If you're interested in anything besides colubrids, we could tell you the snakes we feel make pretty good pets.

[CoolioTiffany]

I have considered beyond colubrids... I have a ball python. The not-eating thing really pisses me off. And it just seems to be that colubrids are a bit more active.

Colubrids are more active since pythons & boas are nocturnal and are generally more calmer than the family Colubridae.

Although the non-eating thing makes you mad, are you sure you've got your husbandry down? That's the number one reason why Ball pythons stop eating, aside from stress (which comes from incorrect husbandry and many other things). How's your setup like for your Ball python?