which snake...

Okay. I am trying to figure out if I want another corn or a different colubrid.

I am looking for a breed of snake that generally does well with routine handling, eats well and doesn't get too horribly big. I have no experience outside of corns (and I do LOOOOVE my corns,) so I don't know what else is out there. What about a king? What is your experience?

Thanks for the help!

I have little experience with these snakes. I have owned one king snake that I had for three years. She was an extremely friendly snake, she was not that way when I got her. But with regular handling she turned into a sweetie. The only complaint that I had about her was that she was a true escape artist, as soon as I fixed how she was getting out of one spot, she was going out another. Finally I decided to give her to my fiances boss at his work as he was more experienced with them than I was.

There are few colubrids that I like as well as corns, and I believe that corns are the absolute epitome of snakes that do well with handling.

That said, there's nothing wrong with expanding your species list. Are you absolutely dead-set on colubrids? There are many pythons and boas that are also great handlers, and among them are snakes that are even smaller than corn snakes.

The only colubrid I have is a Northern Pine Snake. Out of the three snakes I have (Ball Python, Northern Pine Snake, Boa Constrictor) he is the only one I call "fun". Do check them out.

They just have a heck of a lot of personality can can be just down right goofy. Mine loves to explore everything, and wants to crawl all over everything, too, almost to the point of being annoying. Rather like a child. I'm really glad I got him and recommend them.

Pros: Funny, curious, personality, outstanding eaters.
Cons: Poo a lot (more than they eat it seems), no warning when they are going to do so (you will learn to have paper towel with you). Shedding seems to take an obnoxiously long time but he's in his first shed with me.

I want a corn pretty bad but if you love corns try a Kingsnake!


They are a little bit fiestier but not to much. I love my Cali king. They get just about as big and have very similair care requirements. If you love Corns Kings will do you right!


If you'd like a fiestier snake though I would suggest a New World Ratsnake. they get a little bigger and they aren't as friendly. But texas rats are very pretty.


Colubrids are my favorites without a doubt! :gj:

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Originally Posted by bsash

I have little experience with these snakes. I have owned one king snake that I had for three years. She was an extremely friendly snake, she was not that way when I got her. But with regular handling she turned into a sweetie. The only complaint that I had about her was that she was a true escape artist, as soon as I fixed how she was getting out of one spot, she was going out another. Finally I decided to give her to my fiances boss at his work as he was more experienced with them than I was.

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I quoted my original post. Don't get me wrong, I loved my king snake. But after she was able to escape out of my house and some how into my neighbors house, I thought it would be in her better interest to to go to someone who would actually be able to contain her. She did manage to escape on him twice two, and he is much more experienced than I, so I don't feel ashamed that I couldn't contain her. He did find her and fix all problems both times though, and she has not escaped since. I just felt that if I would have kept her and she got out side again that her life would have been endanger, and it would have been selfish of me to take that risk if I kept her.

Thank you to everyone!

I have considered beyond colubrids... I have a ball python. The not-eating thing really pisses me off. And it just seems to be that colubrids are a bit more active.

I absolutely adore my corns, I really do - It really sounds like I need consider others for my next addition.

Thank you thank you thank you!

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Originally Posted by bsash

I quoted my original post. Don't get me wrong, I loved my king snake. But after she was able to escape out of my house and some how into my neighbors house, I thought it would be in her better interest to to go to someone who would actually be able to contain her. She did manage to escape on him twice two, and he is much more experienced than I, so I don't feel ashamed that I couldn't contain her. He did find her and fix all problems both times though, and she has not escaped since. I just felt that if I would have kept her and she got out side again that her life would have been endanger, and it would have been selfish of me to take that risk if I kept her.

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Out of curiosity sash what did you keep her in?

Kingsnakes are my favorite colubrid and are pretty strong eaters from my experience. I've got two so far and they are great, both eat and are good with handling.

Milksnakes make another great pet for a colubrid, even though they are a bit flighty they do make pretty good pets. I only owned one in the past and once he was used to handling he settled down a lot and stopped musking.

Garter & Ribbon snakes, from what I've heard, make pretty good pets too. I've held Garters before and some of them are generally nice. Glad to say I haven't been musked on by one just yet.

Some Rat snakes do make fairly good pets too. Texas Rats seem to be the more moody ones but most things can settle down with time, patience, & regular handling.

If you're interested in anything besides colubrids, we could tell you the snakes we feel make pretty good pets.

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Originally Posted by CopperNightShade

I have considered beyond colubrids... I have a ball python. The not-eating thing really pisses me off. And it just seems to be that colubrids are a bit more active.

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Colubrids are more active since pythons & boas are nocturnal and are generally more calmer than the family Colubridae.

Although the non-eating thing makes you mad, are you sure you've got your husbandry down? That's the number one reason why Ball pythons stop eating, aside from stress (which comes from incorrect husbandry and many other things). How's your setup like for your Ball python?

Like Tiffany suggested, garter snakes are great. They don't get huge or heavy, they are active in the day time and like most colubrids, some seem to be engaging with their humans. Although I'd have to say my personal favorite is the western hognose. They are also a smaller snake, eat very regularly (especially females from my experience), and are also active in the day time.

Both do well with handling if you handle them enough. :)

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Originally Posted by CoolioTiffany

Colubrids are more active since pythons & boas are nocturnal and are generally more calmer than the family Colubridae.

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Many colubrids are nocturnal - ever hear of boiga?

That begs the question............what does nocturnal have to do with being calmer or less active?

Some really kewl colubrids I've owned are african house snake, albino nelson"s milksnake, pueblan milksnake, cal king snake,mexican black king, and of course my collection is never complete without my leucistic Texas ratsnakes. I would like to get a lavender honduran milk, and Robin's "imperial" is awesome too! Thses have all been great snakes for me. Texas lucies can be quite moody, so I'd definately start out with a baby!

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Originally Posted by CoolioTiffany

Colubrids are more active since pythons & boas are nocturnal and are generally more calmer than the family Colubridae.

Although the non-eating thing makes you mad, are you sure you've got your husbandry down? That's the number one reason why Ball pythons stop eating, aside from stress (which comes from incorrect husbandry and many other things). How's your setup like for your Ball python?

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It would be lovely if I could blame it on my husbandry, but I can't. I sat down with my exotic vet when the not-eating thing started back in December and went over my whole set up. We made minor adjustments here and there until we got everything right. But everything has been right now for 4mo now, and still no eating. Rawr.

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Originally Posted by 4theSNAKElady

Some really kewl colubrids I've owned are african house snake, albino nelson"s milksnake, pueblan milksnake, cal king snake,mexican black king, and of course my collection is never complete without my leucistic Texas ratsnakes. I would like to get a lavender honduran milk, and Robin's "imperial" is awesome too! Thses have all been great snakes for me. Texas lucies can be quite moody, so I'd definately start out with a baby!

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I totally would love to try out an African House snake. I've heard they are really good snakes and a lot of fun. :)

As to the question about whether or not to get another Corn or expand into other areas, I say this: Get what you feel comfortable with. ;) It is always fun to expand, though. I started out with a Corn. Then one became three. And three became five. I finally had to ban myself from getting any more. LOL!

If you want a different colubrid, though, maybe try out some Milk snakes or Kings. I don't have a King, myself, but I do have a Sinaloan Milk and she is just the most darling thing. Granted she is very small (I got her as a hatchling), but she is curious, friendly, FUNNY (she does the silliest things) and above all, just as interesting (to me) as my Corns.

Also, if you wanted to branch out into the boa area, but don't want to go too big, you should check into Rosy or Sand boas. My Rosy boa is wonderful. She's a very slow moving snake and she's curious. The thing I like most about her is that when it is time to be handled, she doesn't fight with you....and when it is time to go back into the enclosure, she slithers off to her hide without a struggle. Most of my Corns HATE going back into their enclosures, so it's a ton of fun to get them back in there sometimes. :D

No matter what you choose, I'm sure you'll love it. I have found that it is always so much fun getting a new snake.

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Originally Posted by Becca Granger

I totally would love to try out an African House snake. I've heard they are really good snakes and a lot of fun. :)

As to the question about whether or not to get another Corn or expand into other areas, I say this: Get what you feel comfortable with. ;) It is always fun to expand, though. I started out with a Corn. Then one became three. And three became five. I finally had to ban myself from getting any more. LOL!

If you want a different colubrid, though, maybe try out some Milk snakes or Kings. I don't have a King, myself, but I do have a Sinaloan Milk and she is just the most darling thing. Granted she is very small (I got her as a hatchling), but she is curious, friendly, FUNNY (she does the silliest things) and above all, just as interesting (to me) as my Corns.

Also, if you wanted to branch out into the boa area, but don't want to go too big, you should check into Rosy or Sand boas. My Rosy boa is wonderful. She's a very slow moving snake and she's curious. The thing I like most about her is that when it is time to be handled, she doesn't fight with you....and when it is time to go back into the enclosure, she slithers off to her hide without a struggle. Most of my Corns HATE going back into their enclosures, so it's a ton of fun to get them back in there sometimes. :D

No matter what you choose, I'm sure you'll love it. I have found that it is always so much fun getting a new snake.

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:) I can't wait to see an african house snake, I have a friend who is supposed to be showing hers off in a bit.

Why wait? :P

Here's a picture of my little guy. :wuv:

http://satanswombat.googlepages.com/...e1adjusted.JPG


dr del

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Originally Posted by dr del

Why wait? :P

Here's a picture of my little guy. :wuv:

http://satanswombat.googlepages.com/...e1adjusted.JPG


dr del

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Oh she is stunning! I just wanna wait because my job might be in need of replacing soon. :weirdface

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Originally Posted by Skiploder

Many colubrids are nocturnal - ever hear of boiga?

That begs the question............what does nocturnal have to do with being calmer or less active?

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My apologies, I was tired when I wrote that and just wanted to do a quick answer.

I meant that pythons & boas are generally calmer than colubrids:P

if you're not dead set on colurbids (omg can not spell that word) and can find one.. Solomon Island Tree boas are amazing little snakes.

They are mostly nocturnal, but i can wake mine up at almost any time. If its near feeding day he does get a little bit nibbly, but its nothing horrible (i've had worse bites from ball pythons). With regular handling I'm sure he'd be an absolute sweet heart.

My male is about 3 feet, maybe 3 and a half feet long and might reach 4 feet in another year or so. They're very thin around and have really awesome shaped heads.

They also go through a color change throughout the day. They are lighter in the morning and get darker at night. CB ones regularly feed on mice. My male takes hoppers and has a typical boa appetite.

here are some pics of my male :) (female is coming this week).

http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...k/DSC_0108.jpg
http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...k/DSC_0090.jpg
http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...k/DSC_0112.jpg
http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...k/solomon1.jpg
http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...k/solomon2.jpg

Keeping 1 type or species makes sense to us, We've made it a point to specialize in one small family..IMO if one has a large varied group theres some that get 2nd class treatment..:snake:

Another vote for the Western Hognose. They usually only get 18" to 24" long, are active in the day and have a good feeding response. Males sometimes fast in the spring, mine did this year from mid January to a few weeks ago. Mine always gives a good hissing and neck flattening display. Cool little snakes...and they aren't that pricey either, unless you go for an albino.

I'm also going to suggest getting a Hognose! I have 8 corn snakes and love them all, but the hoggie is unique from them without being too different... they stay quite small, generally have mellow temperaments, easy husbandry, eat like PIGS (at least mine does), and seem to like interacting with humans. My little Charlotte is a doll, and I love handling her - it's considerably easier than holding a squirmy corn, LOL. I'm enjoying Charlotte so much, I am considering a mate for her in a year or two. :gj:

Here's my girl:

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...2/DSCN2000.jpg

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Originally Posted by leper65

Another vote for the Western Hognose. They usually only get 18" to 24" long, are active in the day and have a good feeding response. Males sometimes fast in the spring, mine did this year from mid January to a few weeks ago. Mine always gives a good hissing and neck flattening display. Cool little snakes...and they aren't that pricey either, unless you go for an albino.

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Oh yeah, I should have mentioned how females are more consistent feeders... Charlotte is still just a baby, but so far has never refused a meal. She has quite an aggressive feeding response, even though I feed her thawed fuzzies. You'd think the mice were alive, the way she displays and devours them. :D Aside from feeding responses, she's only hissed and flattened at me once - when I woke her from a deep slumber, scaring her for a second. But she always settles down in my hands, and hasn't ever tried to bite or "strike" at me.

My male is 2 1/2 now, he never missed a meal until January. So maybe it's an adult thing...thinking about the ladies and all. He does bluff strike and head butted my hand once and the glass a few times but has never really tried to bite. A lot of personality...I may need to get him a lady friend for next year.

oooh I have been looking at the Western Hoggies too... can't get an Eastern or a Southern where I am.

What is the recommended temp gradient on a westie hog? So many sites disagree...

I have my hot side at 88-90, it drops a little at night to 84-85. I like the care sheet at Extreme Hogs best:

http://www.extremehogs.com/Caresheet.html

Here are some others:

http://www.hognose.com/

http://www.northwindreptiles.com/caresheets.htm

http://www.reptileallsorts.com/westhognose-cs.htm

lolo76- i can see in the pic that that is a hognose but the pattern says rattler...to me at least. i've seen rattlers with that light tan on gray pattern. im not saying anything negative dont get me wrong, its pretty.

leper65- the small pic you have under your name...is that a pic of a venomous snake? i thought only venomous snakes had that arrow shaped head, at least thats what i was told all throughout my childhood...the bulges at the back of the head are supposed to be venom sacs, or so i was told...am i wrong?

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Originally Posted by mommanessy247

lolo76- i can see in the pic that that is a hognose but the pattern says rattler...to me at least. i've seen rattlers with that light tan on gray pattern. im not saying anything negative dont get me wrong, its pretty.

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Maybe rattlers have hognose patterns - ever think of that?

It's a hognose, and leper's avatar is of a non-venomous snake - an amazon tree boa.

Skiploder is correct, my avatar is my Amazon Tree Boa. I don't do venomous, at least not the dangerous ones; Hognose, Mussurana, Mangrove snakes are more my speed. I know I would screw up and get tagged.

The arrow head thing is a myth. Many venomous do have the arrow head shape, especially the vipers, but there are many that do not...

Some of these guys are arguably the most deadly snakes there are, no arrow heads.

King Cobra

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...King_Cobra.jpg

Mamba

http://www.freesnake.com/mamba5.jpg

Taipans

http://timesrunningout.welshblogs.co.uk/taipan.jpg

King Browns

http://www.brucemeans.com/around_wor...a_snake500.jpg