good snakes for kids

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Originally Posted by Rapture

You might want to look into African house snakes as well.

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are those common to get? and are they expensive?

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Originally Posted by djansen

well it sounds like it varies on the individual snake, my nelsons milk was calm as a juvie. and on a kenyan, havent they been known to bite a finger that reaches into the cage when they pop out of the sand?

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I have an albino nelson's milk, and he's very skittish.

My kenyans have never bitten me. You don't want to come from above when you take them out of their cage is all.

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Originally Posted by djansen

well it sounds like it varies on the individual snake, my nelsons milk was calm as a juvie. and on a kenyan, havent they been known to bite a finger that reaches into the cage when they pop out of the sand?

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The Sand Boas biting a finger, sounds more like mistaken identity. It seems like they had mistaken a finger for food. From what I know, this is how they hunt. Things like this happen, and it comes with keeping the animals. Its no big deal, and rather painless, but can spook the unexpecting person. Especially a child.

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Originally Posted by AndrewH

The Sand Boas biting a finger, sounds more like mistaken identity. It seems like they had mistaken a finger for food. From what I know, this is how they hunt. Things like this happen, and it comes with keeping the animals. Its no big deal, and rather painless, but can spook the unexpecting person. Especially a child.

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i totally agree it is mistaken identity, but that is why i dont think they are for kids who dont know that.

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Originally Posted by djansen

i totally agree it is mistaken identity, but that is why i dont think they are for kids who dont know that.

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Mistaken identity can happen with any snake, and to any person. It doesn't really matter upon species too much. I've had it happen with my Burms and Afrocks from time to time, as well as Ball Pythons. Just aim for the best and prepare for the worst (the worst being a couple dots of blood from a bite :P ). Basically the animal has to get accustomed to being handled. Some species take off to handling much better than others. Burmese Pythons are a good example. Hatchlings bite like no tomorrow, yet adults are laid back, gentle animals for the most part. Their only downfall is they grow huge fast, and have an incredible feeding response, which for the unwary keeper can prove to be dangerous. Too many people are lulled into a false sense of security because of this, and its where the problems come along. These are reasons why this animal isn't a good beginner for children. Now compare it with Ball Pythons. They're placid, and laid back even as hatchlings for the most part. They stay small, come in an array of gorgeous colors, and captive born and bred animals eat magnificently. They're a good "beginner" snake. I'd recommend them over other species, for a good species for a supervised child to start off with.

All snakes are individuals though. You can have some oddballs that are overly defensive here and there. Just when you handle them, be confident, but not cocky. Just handle them and support them gently. Don't tail them like a hot because your scared of getting bit...I promise it doesn't hurt :P . Kids who learn this, learn quick. My little brother helps me feed my Burms, and Afrocks (supervised), and he recently took a good bite from a 5'er. He didn't expect it but took it like a champ. He's only 11. Just work with both your kids, and the animal. There is always a possibility of getting bit, no matter what reason it be, or how tame the snake it. Let your kids know this. It teaches proper safety habits and keeps them prepared. Just don't drop it on them as snakes are dangerous, sound harsh, or tell them it will be really painful; and don't come off as they will bite...let them know there is a chance :P Teach your kids proper handling and husbandry. I'm sure they'll enjoy keeping these animals:sunny:

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Originally Posted by AndrewH

Mistaken identity can happen with any snake, and to any person. It doesn't really matter upon species too much. I've had it happen with my Burms and Afrocks from time to time, as well as Ball Pythons. Just aim for the best and prepare for the worst (the worst being a couple dots of blood from a bite :P ). Basically the animal has to get accustomed to being handled. Some species take off to handling much better than others. Burms are a good example. Hatchlings bite like no tomorrow, yet adults are laid back, gentle animals for the most part. Their only downfall is they're huge, and have an incredible feeding response, which for the unwary keeper can prove to be dangerous. Too many people are lulled into a false sense of security because of this, and its where the problems come along. Now compare it with Ball Pythons. They're placid, and laid back even as hatchlings for the most part. They stay small, come in an array of gorgeous colors, and captive born and bred animals eat magnificently. They're a good "beginner" snake. I'd recommend them over other species, for a good species for a supervised child to start off with.

All snakes are individuals though. You can have some oddballs that are overly defensive here and there. Just when you handle them, be confident, but not cocky. Just handle them and support them gently. Don't tail them like a hot because your scared of getting bit...I promise it doesn't hurt :P . Kids who learn this, learn quick. My little brother helps me feed my Burms, and Afrocks (supervised), and he recently took a good bite from a 5'er. He didn't expect it but took it like a champ. He's only 11. Just work with both your kids, and the animal. There is always a possibility of getting bit, no matter what reason it be, or how tame the snake it. Let your kids know this. It teaches proper safety habits and keeps them prepared. Just don't drop it on them as snakes are dangerous, sound harsh, or tell them it will be really painful; and don't come off as they will bite...let them know there is a chance :P Teach your kids proper handling and husbandry. I'm sure they'll enjoy keeping these animals:sunny:

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well said! and i agree getting bit does not hurt, it just shocks you. although i have never been bit by a large python :)

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Originally Posted by djansen

well said! and i agree getting bit does not hurt, it just shocks you. although i have never been bit by a large python :)

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Getting bit by a large python doesn't hurt as much as someone expects. Really, I'd compare it to getting a couple shots :P The only time I've had one actually hurt is when the animal bit down and yanked back, or when they started chewing. Gotta love the "chewers" :P

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Originally Posted by tweets_4611

How big do the rosy boas get?

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I think they stay in the 3-4 foot range, tho they are much slimmer than your average boa. I have always thought they resembled large cornsnakes. Very beautiful too.

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Originally Posted by djansen

are those common to get? and are they expensive?

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I think they're popularity is growing...we have one membere here on B-P.net that breeds them and I know a guy on cornsnakes.com who breeds them. I never asked the price for a hatchling because I don't want to be tempted.

We own two snakes from the "good for kids" list and two on the "bad for kids" list, hehe...between the corn and the bp, I still think that a well started corn is the easier snake to care for because the husbandry is easier and if well started, feeding is a breeze...as is shedding. My corn just jumps out of his skin. The downside is that juvie corns are jittery and fast and probably more prone to exercising escape opportunities. My only holdbacks from recommending a ball over a corn is you must be more viligant over the husbandry and due to husbandry/etc., feeding can be an issue.

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I love my "bad kids" snakes...rawr!

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Originally Posted by TheDude

I think they stay in the 3-4 foot range, tho they are much slimmer than your average boa. I have always thought they resembled large cornsnakes. Very beautiful too.

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I don't think they get much over 3'...