Ideal snake recommendation for me

Reading up on black milk snakes too, they sound super awesome except it seems like you need a massive enclosure for them.

Too bad..

Most of the snakes on your list will enjoy an enclosure that is ~ 4'x2'x 15"... Even kings will explore and climb. Dwarf boas need more space as they will climb and use it all. BPs are the least active of the ones you listed, and can be kept in a CB70 sized tub as adults, but I wouldn't go smaller than that.

Have you looked into childrens / spotted pythons? I'm not sure how active they are, but they are small and climb and are said to tame down really well.

Colubrids tend to musk more than pythons / boas (at least from my experience) so if musking is what you mean by "smelly" avoid colubrids and garters.

Actually for a hot minute I got turned on to Brooks Kingsnakes. But mixed anecdotal stories about them being super nice, but having such a massive feeding response I can't even pet my cat or else it will smell that scent and attack me thinking I'm food.

Also 6-7 feet seems a bit on the big side.

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Originally Posted by silentchief

Actually for a hot minute I got turned on to Brooks Kingsnakes. But mixed anecdotal stories about them being super nice, but having such a massive feeding response I can't even pet my cat or else it will smell that scent and attack me thinking I'm food.

Also 6-7 feet seems a bit on the big side.

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You should wash your hands with soap and water after handling other animals before handling any snake.. For health reasons and also for scent purposes. I own a cat and have never had a problem with any of the species I keep, but I always wash my hands before I handle my reptiles.

Agreed, was being a bit hyperbolic there.

So after so much thinking, I'm starting to believe that a black milk snake would be ideal for me. Love that they live in cooler temperatures.

But they're so hard to find, looking around on Fauna Classified and listings are very few and far in between.

I've decided on it for sure! Going for a black milk snake.

If all goes well I should be getting one in the next few weeks. A little bit nervous about getting a hatchling in the fall, hope it doesn't just immediately want to brumate.

Will definitely be asking for advice here and posting pics.