Good snake for me?

Hmm, corn snakes sound pretty interesting. Quick question on them, how often do they bite? I'm not scared, and I know it doesn't hurt, but my parents might freak out a bit if their first-ever interaction with a snake involves it biting me, them, or someone else. Should I show them a fully grown one when the time is right?

Thanks to everyone for your input! You've given me a lot of food for thought.

I'm partial to corns for their ease of care. They would fit into your budget if you aren't looking for anything super fancy. Plus an adult corn can stay on mice so you wont need to buy rats.

Another one that is easy to care for is the Papuan carpet python. The Papuan carpet doesn't have humidly needs like a ball, or many other snakes would. They are one of the smallest carpet python species and have a great feeding response.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by New2Noodles

Hmm, corn snakes sound pretty interesting. Quick question on them, how often do they bite? I'm not scared, and I know it doesn't hurt, but my parents might freak out a bit if their first-ever interaction with a snake involves it biting me, them, or someone else. Should I show them a fully grown one when the time is right?

Thanks to everyone for your input! You've given me a lot of food for thought.

---

Biting would be their last line of defense. Most of the time they will try to flee, tail shake, then musk you. They really are a gentle and tolerant species. The only time I have been bitten by a corn was because I smelled like rodents.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by New2Noodles

Hmm, corn snakes sound pretty interesting. Quick question on them, how often do they bite? I'm not scared, and I know it doesn't hurt, but my parents might freak out a bit if their first-ever interaction with a snake involves it biting me, them, or someone else. Should I show them a fully grown one when the time is right?

Thanks to everyone for your input! You've given me a lot of food for thought.

---

Sorry for laughing but the question about how often do they bite question did make me laugh. After you are a owner of a snake a while you will understand that each and every one of them hare unique personalities. Every animal is different. That is why a couple of us recommended you get a snake that is a little older then a baby and the current owner knows its personality over a baby that will require more patience and working with in the beginning. I have never been bit by a corn snake but I sure bet some have.

Look at how many personalities of people we have. Then apply that to snakes. Every animal with be a learning curve and trust building for you both.


I have a 7 year old adult female corn snake that was a classroom pet before the teacher retired. If interested and you get the setup worked out PM me and will work out a deal for you. Not looking to rehome her but she would be great for you to learn on. She has to be encouraged to move away with a hook or object before reaching in to get her but once out she is easy to hold. You will learn about tap training with her as well as the experience of owning a great animal. She is not completely easy yet easy enough that you will have a great experience if you do. She will teach you a lot along the way as well. She also eats really well. IMO this is a better animal to learn on than a completely dossal animal that teaches you none thing and then you get another and wonder why you are having issues dealing with them.

You don't need a local rescue.
Our local Craig's List usually has snakes.
Be patient, however. Some people have stupid ideas about value and prices.
I would look for a listing where it appears the owner just wants the animal off his hands.

I'd be cautious about Craigslist if I were you: yes, you can find people who just want a pet off their hands, but since you are NEW to snakes and presumably
won't know a sick snake from a healthy one, this "free to good home" or even a high-priced snake can turn into a disaster for you. There are both ignorant
& unscrupulous animal owners around who are more than willing to take advantage of your inexperience...it's better to deal with a reliable breeder or source.

As far as corn snakes (or any kind of snakes) they have their own personality just like us. Some are shyer, some are more feisty...MOST corn snakes make
excellent pets, but it's also up to you. Remember that snakes rely on their instincts to survive, & that the only thing that picks them up in the wild is a predator
that's about to EAT them....we are big scary giants until they learn (& they DO learn!) not to fear us. If you are patient & observant, you may NEVER get bit.
I really can't recall any bites ever from the 5 corn snakes I currently have, nor any memorable bites from all the corns I raised in the past years keeping them.

But if you are pushy & impatient, you'll deserve any reminders you get, OK? ;) Nearly all corn snakes are gentle souls that make wonderful pets, are quite
attractive, are readily available (captive-bred & healthy), & are one of the easiest species to care for. They EASILY accept frozen thawed rodents too, you won't
have all the feeding challenges with a corn snake that you would with a ball python. BPs have often been suggested for beginner's because they are mostly
docile & pretty, but it's much more challenging to get their enclosures on point for them to stay healthy, & feeding quirks are common...you have only to read
threads here to know that.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by New2Noodles

As a member mentioned to me in my introduction post, there are apparently a lot of different kinds of snakes. I'd like a little help in narrowing my choices down to a few that would really suit me, if you don't mind. I already have a Ball Python as a potential species, but I'd like to learn about other options, as well! Here's what I would like in a snake.

-Preferably between 2.5 and 6 feet at adult size (Not a necessity)
-It would be my first-ever reptile, let alone snake
-NO insect diets! I hold a strong hatred for insects, and my mom is NOT willing to feed a snake.
-Must tolerate being handled for short periods
-I would prefer one of the more docile species, as, although I know it doesn't hurt much, I would prefer to not get bitten all that often.
-Must be less than 200$. I will have a 300$ budget once I get the snake, and I want to be able to spend at least 100$ of it on a good cage and supplies. I'm planning to THOUROUGHLY clean (Vet disinfectant and the like) out a thrift store tank to save money in that aspect.
-I am willing to adopt a rehome, but there are really only balls, corns, and Reticulated pythons on Craigslist, is there another site anyone could point me to?

Thank you all!

---

You've just described a Royal ~ Ball Python :)

Sounds perfect choice for you - just make sure the one you buy is a GOOD eater .. .. in the uk I'd suggest buying off a breeder but things maybe different in the states due to the sheer size of the country ..


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by New2Noodles

Hmm, corn snakes sound pretty interesting. Quick question on them, how often do they bite?....

---

Corn snakes don't bite often...& neither do ball pythons. However, corn snakes have MUCH smaller teeth than ball pythons, should they ever tag you.

Snakes bite mostly* for one of 2 reasons:

#1- fear & self defense It's your job to approach & handle gently with respect. Nothing hard about that, just remember that MOST snakes bite when you approach
them...because they don't IDENTIFY you visually, they only see this big scary thing coming toward them. They rely on scent & touch to identify accurately, so before
you pick them up, blow air across your hand thru the screen so they flick their tongue & get your scent. You can also use a 'snake hook' or similar blunt ended item
to gently touch them to remind them it's not feeding time before you pick them up. Or do both...whatever you do, COMMUNICATE with your snake for best handling.
(*another reason a snake may bite is when it's injured or otherwise in pain...but again, that counts as "self defense", & isn't likely to happen.)

#2- feeding mistake Oops! Again, communicate! Snakes do NOT want to bite US...we aren't appealing to them, they are actually rather fussy eaters. You can tell
(easily!) when your snake is thinking about "food"- some wait in their hide box, peeking out & waiting to ambush prey going by, while others actively chase motion, ALL
motion, near their cage. If they're really hungry, they may even try to bite thru the glass! Don't take that personally...they don't want YOU, they just assume (as they
must to survive in the wild) that motion = prey and they cannot afford to miss an opportunity. Snakes in the wild have a hard life, and many only get a few meals per
year...some aren't even THAT lucky. So when your snake is chasing your motion (A) it may or may not be time to feed them -they're like teenagers, always hungry for
more than is actually healthy for them, and (B) all you need to do is communicate (see #1) to let them know you aren't a rodent, & then you can handle them.
Remember that they DO rely on scent though...and NEVER handle their food first & then a snake...they may bite you in confusion, they rely on scent first.

Snakes are NOT "mean" or "angry" creatures...they can make mistakes (just like us!) so help them to NOT make mistakes, and you'll have an easy, calm, gentle pet. :snake:

I was about to give my reccomendation, then saw the comment that brought up the issue of your age and therefore potential change if living arrangements in the next few years.
In light of that I suggest you stay small. While larger snakes are (in my opinion) great and with experience and work just as easy to keep and handle as small ones, their housing can be quite daunting.
My ORIGINAL suggestion was for a Central American Boa. That was my first snake and I can’t reccomend them highly enough! Essentially the same husbandry requirements as a BP in terms of climate, but they are more active and inquisitive, they are less prone to stress and stress related ailments, they always always eat but only need to eat half as often. Within the Central American locales there are some true dwarfs (island and mountain localities) but most CAs are generally smaller than their southern cousins. A male will tend to be smaller still. Mine is a male, 4 and 1/2 years old and about 4 and a half feet long and about as think as a chubby corn snake, but with that classic boa loaf shape and as muscular as a steel cable. Very satisfying to handle, feels much stronger and more substantial than his size suggests. Puppy dog tame (see below)
However, he’s in a 4x2x18”, and that is a big heavy box to move to dorms, apartments, and the like.

My alternative reccomendation is a rosy boa - I don’t have one so I can’t rant and rave like I did above, lol. But I’ve been thinking about getting my son one so I’ve done some research and the long and short of it (no pun intended) is that they are a smaller snake that doesn’t climb so every dimension of the housing can be smaller, but the personality is supposed to be just as big.

One more thing: BEWARE, this may be your first snake, but it won’t be your last, they are addictive! 🤣


https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...d8&oe=5C8362F3

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dkatz4

I was about to give my reccomendation, then saw the comment that brought up the issue of your age and therefore potential change if living arrangements in the next few years.
In light of that I suggest you stay small. While larger snakes are (in my opinion) great and with experience and work just as easy to keep and handle as small ones, their housing can be quite daunting.
My ORIGINAL suggestion was for a Central American Boa. That was my first snake and I can’t reccomend them highly enough! Essentially the same husbandry requirements as a BP in terms of climate, but they are more active and inquisitive, they are less prone to stress and stress related ailments, they always always eat but only need to eat half as often. Within the Central American locales there are some true dwarfs (island and mountain localities) but most CAs are generally smaller than their southern cousins. A male will tend to be smaller still. Mine is a male, 4 and 1/2 years old and about 4 and a half feet long and about as think as a chubby corn snake, but with that classic boa loaf shape and as muscular as a steel cable. Very satisfying to handle, feels much stronger and more substantial than his size suggests. Puppy dog tame (see below)
However, he’s in a 4x2x18”, and that is a big heavy box to move to dorms, apartments, and the like.

My alternative reccomendation is a rosy boa - I don’t have one so I can’t rant and rave like I did above, lol. But I’ve been thinking about getting my son one so I’ve done some research and the long and short of it (no pun intended) is that they are a smaller snake that doesn’t climb so every dimension of the housing can be smaller, but the personality is supposed to be just as big.

One more thing: BEWARE, this may be your first snake, but it won’t be your last, they are addictive! ��


https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...d8&oe=5C8362F3

---

One thing that is always a red flag for me. When an adult is buying a snake for a kid under 10 and saying, "I don't like snakes and don't want anything to do with them but the kid will have to be completely responsible for the animal." Most kids under 10 don't have the maturity to care for any animal solely on their own.