What kind of snake to get?

[itzazoo]

Currently we have a Ball python, adult jungle carpet python and a florida pine snake. My 7yr old has been bugging for a king or milk snake. And I was thinking of getting a RTB. My son is excellent with animals and has no fear. He handles all the snakes(with our supervision of coarse) and has never had a problem. I would love to get him a snake, but I hear kings and milks have a nasty reputation. And he does'nt want a corn cause we used to have one. We got rid of it cause it was just really mean. Could'nt tame it down for nothing. So corns are out of the question. As for me I want a RTB. But not sure which kind. Could you please give some info on a good snake for my son and any info on RTB's. Thanks.

[JLC]

Milks, kings, corns...they're all pretty much hyper and/or super-paranoid as babies. There are exceptions, I'm sure, but the general rule is that they are quite flighty, hissy and nippy. You might try keeping an eye out for a mature specimen of any one of these. Then you'll have a preview of its adult temperment and a much better chance of getting a snake that is a good fit for your family.


As for the RTB...I guess it depends on what you're looking for. The most common is the Columbian BCI. They're pretty forgiving of husbandry mistakes...eat like crazy...and are generally quite well behaved once they're past that frightened baby stage. (From all I've read...I've never owned one myself.)

[xdeus]

Wow, colubrid or boa... quite a difference. Judy is right about the flighty response of colubrids. They can be picky eaters, too. However, I currently own some Black Milksnakes that are known for being very mellow when they get older and known for being very non-bitey when young. They will "musk" you if they get agitated, and will squirm around a lot until they get used to being handled.

My BCI is a really cool snake, too. He's a very good "lap snake" whereas he is perfectly content to sit in one spot and just hang out. However, he's my scariest snake when it comes to eating. He'll eat anything, and I've never seen anything move so FAST and powerful. He's only 4.5 feet now, but I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving him with alone with a 7 year old, especially when he gets bigger. I can't imagine him ever biting or coiling someone, but he certainly has the potential and the means. And although the Black Milks will eventually get 5-7 feet, I don't think they would be nearly the concern of the BCI.