Help me pick a good one!

Ok, I'm going to pick up a colubrid as a pet for my son. Of course I'll be taking care of it but I want something that he can easily handle without worry. He's going on 7 years old and he loves my snakes but he is still uneasy about handling anything bigger than a young ball python.

I know nothing about colubrids as pets. I've only ever had constrictors. I'd like opinions on temperament, ease of care (no extra heat or special housing requirements needed), ease of feeding (no special diets), doesn't get huge (no black rat snakes) etc..

I'm thinking corn snake but I'd like your take on your experience with different species.

Thanks!

I don't have any experience with colubrids, but I've heard corns are awesome first pets especially for kids. I mean they are small, he's going to grow up with it, they are cute and not very intimidating as far as snakes go.

Personally, I would pick something a little slower moving for a child. I think the speed at which they move could be a bit intimidating, especially if your son is used to ball pythons. I think sand boas would be my top pick for kids - they're easy to care for, stay pretty small, have a few different morphs to choose from... and who can resist their cute little faces?

Kenyan sand boas would be great! Little sausage snakes!

I would pick corn for a colubrid, but they are fast moving. For someone not used to handling snakes I like ball pythons better.

My 7 year old does much better with ball pythons than corn snakes, the corns won't hold still for more than a few moments.

I got my 5 year old a cornsnake about 4 months ago. It was a good choice for us. They are so easy to take care of he is actually able to do a lot of it with my supervision. It still takes just as much of my time as if I did it myself but it is pretty awesome that he is learning what goes into taking care of an animal.

As other people have said cornsnakes are quick snakes. They move around a lot sometimes when you are handling them. Nothing like a ball python. My son is not allowed to ever handle an animal when we aren't around though so it has been OK for us. Usually my wife takes the snake out from the enclosure and gets it a little calmed down and then hands it over to my son. She stays right next to him in case slithery gets away from him. He hasn't so far. In fact he has calmed down a lot while being handled.

At any rate, we really love our corn snake. He doesn't hide much at night when people are around, he is super docile and a great feeder.

Corns are the best beginner snake. They can be fast as babies, I'd recommend a juvenile, they're more calm if they've been handled. Nothing special for husbandry, I do provide a hot spot of about 80 degrees, but they would rather burrow than use a hide box. As far as temperament, they are less prone to strike than any other I've dealt with, and if for some reason they do, usually as babies, they strike with a closed mouth 99% of the time, so you get a tap. Feeding machines, I have a 5ft male amelanistic who gets what is leftover. And they come in such pretty colors:)

I definitely agree that a corn snake would be a good option. They can be fast, but it also depends on the individual snake. If you want one that is more laid back and not as fast, I would recommend trying to find an adult that is used to being handled. My male corn is very laid back and will usually just sit in one spot once I have him out for a couple minutes. On the other hand, my female is constantly moving and checking things out.

African House Snakes... Dont get big are calm when held and are pigs when feeding...

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Originally Posted by richsballpythons

african house snakes... Dont get big are calm when held and are pigs when feeding...

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Originally Posted by reptile65

I definitely agree that a corn snake would be a good option. They can be fast, but it also depends on the individual snake. If you want one that is more laid back and not as fast, I would recommend trying to find an adult that is used to being handled. My male corn is very laid back and will usually just sit in one spot once I have him out for a couple minutes. On the other hand, my female is constantly moving and checking things out.

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+1

Its really very funny how widely their personalities range. One female almost refuses to move while the other only moves to investigates, neither ever "runs" away. Mind you these are adults. Getting a nice two year old could be the perfect combination of size and temperament however. They seem to realize that "those giant pink hairy monsters" aren't out to eat them when they hit 12 months of age or so.

I didn't think of African house snakes. What about Taiwan beauty snakes? Does anyone here have experience with those? I am going to get back into kenyans at some point. I use to have them about 15 years ago and I've always loved them.

The beauties can get pretty big 5ft+ and be flighty.

Another good one is the rosy boa...very easy to care for, slow moving snake and very reluctant to bite.

I agree, a Sand Boa would be best. Colubrids take some getting used to, and the younger they are the more "flighty" they are.