Class pet help?

I work at a high school (as a librarian), and was talking to my boss yesterday about getting a "class snake" - and possibly turning that into a whole program on reptiles. She's checking with administration on the rules, but hopefully we can do this! :) I have a few questions, and was hoping you all could help...

1. What kind of snake would you recommend? Fyi, all boas & pythons are illegal within San Francisco city limits (where I work), although I may be able to get a permit for educational purposes. But I was thinking a corn snake, or something of similar size and temperament, would be the best for this purpose. Would LOVE to have a BP in the library, just have to find out the legality of that.

2. How should I house the snake? I use tubs with my collection, but don't think that would be viewer-friendly enough. It's pretty cool and wet here in the Pacific NW, though I should be able to maintain things in a glass tank with UTH... but I can't afford to purchase anything fancy (if I end up providing everything), so cheap is good. ;)

3. Has anyone here done something like this, and if so, could you offer any more tips? For example, what's the best way to make this an educational program? And should I have them assist with everything, including the feedings? TIA!

I think a corn snake or similar colubrid would be a good idea. They can be maintained easily in glass tanks without a lot of the heroics necessary to maintain the proper temps and security for a shy ball python.

Thanks! What other colubrids would you recommend? I've always loved king & milk snakes, but hear they can be nippy... and obviously I want something the kids can interact with safely & confidently.

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Originally Posted by JLC

I think a corn snake or similar colubrid would be a good idea. They can be maintained easily in glass tanks without a lot of the heroics necessary to maintain the proper temps and security for a shy ball python.

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x2

Oh, and should I get a baby or adult/sub to start with? Just thinking about how tiny my baby corn is, and wondering if they'd be too delicate - not to mention easily lost. :oops:

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Originally Posted by Lolo76

Thanks! What other colubrids would you recommend? I've always loved king & milk snakes, but hear they can be nippy... and obviously I want something the kids can interact with safely & confidently.

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They can all be nippy as babies. But many settle down as adults. I would look for an adult snake that is used to being handled. I see many of them available at shows and if you look for one at a show, you can handle it yourself to get a feel for how docile it is and talk directly to its keeper. If there aren't any shows in the area within your time frame, I would contact trusted breeders and ask them if they have any tame adults available for sale. I'm sure some do!

There's actually a show in Petaluma (about 40 miles away) today, but I wasn't planning to go since I'm fairly broke... and also not having the go-ahead yet, I don't want to get stuck with an extra snake! I think the next local show after this isn't until April, so maybe I'll talk to East Bay Vivarium - they should have a few adults laying around.

Edit: Then again, there's no such thing as an "extra" snake... LOL. :D

Feeding may be an issue. I hear you have some folks up that way that don't really like the idea of mouses and ratses being food items, especially while still living. Definitely stay with frozen thawed.

You can make a really cool display out of a 20L or 29g tank that would be fine for most any milk, calking or corn.

I would stay away from babies. Too small to see and too hard for newbs to handle. If you decide on a CalKing let me know. I know a guy who's got some very nice black and white yearlings.

What about a hognose snake?

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Originally Posted by DarkComeSoon

What about a hognose snake?

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Rearfanged. Since she wants it in public, in a Sue prone city full of lawyers, I'd stay away from them. Even though the chances are about a million to one you'd ever have a problem.

They are fantastic little creatures though.