quick question...

Hi everyone! This is my first post...I just wanted to introduce myself and ask a quick question.
We recently just found out that my daughter is very allergic to our cats. SO...the cats will be going home with Grandma and Grandpa (staying in the family) and me and the kids have been researching pets that wouldn't affect her allergies.
My kids are 4 and 6 and they have decided that they want a snake! So...load me up with advice and input. Right now I have a 40 gallon aquarium that I could use for housing, although purchasing something larger is not totally out of the question. I've never owned a snake before (except for when I was 15 and kept a pine snake for a few weeks before my mom found it) so I'm a beginner. What books should I be reading? What websites will help me the most? I want to do this right....
Thank you for any and all help you can give me.:)

ps. this will not be happening before the new year, and possibly not before spring. I want to make sure we have the time to be prepared before we acquire a new pet.

Welcome to the forum. There are many kinds of snakes that can be housed in a 40 gallon. Your first task is to narrow it down and decide what you want. Then visit the"Care Guide" page and start from there. Since you have small children I recommend either a Corn Snake or Ball Python because they are known for being very docile. It's wonderful that you have added yourself and your family to the community of reptile enthusiasts. People here are more than happy to answer any questions you have. And again, Welcome!

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Originally Posted by TheSnakeGuy

Since you have small children I recommend either a Corn Snake or Ball Python because they are known for being very docile.

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Thank you so much for your reply. I personally would lean towards a Ball Python (just from the little I know about them) but I didn't know if he/she would be too difficult for a beginner to handle and take care of? I know that they don't get huge, but do they mostly tend to have good personalities? For us the joy of having a pet is handling it and spending time with it and I really want the kids to be able to do that. Do you think 4 and 6 is too young? Thanks again, I'm enjoying looking around the forum!

I don't think 4&6 are too young granted I'm not a knowledgable child person but every ball I've met has been nothing but mellow. It's cool your getting your family into it together and doing all your research beforehand. An I'd agree a ball python would be a good starting point there are tons of different morphs with wide price ranges so you can pick a color that fits your family :) haha I know corns have tons of morphs too but I know nothing about them.

Thank you Carlson:)

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Originally Posted by Naomijoy

Thank you Carlson:)

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Any time I'm still learning myself finally gotten to the point where I'm gonna step up to the breeding table once I have the money. I hope everything goes good for you and welcome to the forum it's filled with great people who are more then willing to help new people :)

If your leaning towards Ball Pythons I would recommend the following books

Ball Pythons in Captivity by Professional Breeders Series
and
The Complete Ball Python Guide by Kevin McCurley

Also just start browsing the forums and dont be afraid to ask questions...im a brand new BP owner myself and everyone on here is very helpful.

Hi!
Welcome.
This is the perfect place to learn how to care for a ball python.

Ball pythons have excellent temperaments. Perfect for young children.
They handle very well and are not typically flighty.

If you choose to start off with a hatchling ball python, a 40 gallon tank will be too large.
Ball pythons typicall stress out in large open spaces, so they do very well in smaller tighter spaces.
Babies do well in 10-15 gallons, but will outgrow them quickly.
If you're really intent in the 40 gallon tank, then I suggest using a temporary divider to section it off so your snake has time to grow into the large space.
Cluttering it up with lots of decorations and hides works great too.
(Plastic storage tubs work great for permanent or temporary enclosures as well. I'm going to guess you want a display tank? Well a plastic storage tub will work perfect for a baby's temporary grow out enclosure. It's small, tight and secure feeling)

If you are getting an sub-adult/adult, a 40 gallon should be fine size wise, but will still need lots of clutter and hides.

It just depends on the snake.

Some tools you will need in order to house your snake properly:
1) Thermostat to regulate your heating source
2) Heating pad
3) Reliable thermometer to read your hot side and cool side of the enlosure.
4) Hygrometer to read the humidity levels

These items are not optional.
(note: Do not buy the thermostat or sticky dial thermometer/hygrometers from the pet store. They are highly unreliable and inaccurate)

Welcome go the site!
Looks like everyone has you pointed in the right direction.

A thought on a BP for a first time snake owner. Don't stress if you get a fussy eater. I think without a forum like this or a friend with experience, a hunger strike could be a problem (to the owner)

Take a look at Kenyan Sand Boas too. They are pretty cool.

Find what you think would be best for you and your kids, then go from there.
I have been bit by my BPs. To me it's nothing, to a 4 year old it might mean growing up hating snakes.

I wish I had snakes when I was 4 :p

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Originally Posted by Naomijoy

Thank you so much for your reply. I personally would lean towards a Ball Python (just from the little I know about them) but I didn't know if he/she would be too difficult for a beginner to handle and take care of? I know that they don't get huge, but do they mostly tend to have good personalities? For us the joy of having a pet is handling it and spending time with it and I really want the kids to be able to do that. Do you think 4 and 6 is too young? Thanks again, I'm enjoying looking around the forum!

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my daughters are 14 and 9. they have been around my ball pythons since the days they were born.(the kids, not the snakes....:P) they began handling them at around the ages of 2 or so. so i would say that 4 and 6 is plenty old enough for a ball. of course, there should only be supervised handling and proper education. i'm a believer that the sooner they can be introduced and learn about them the more confidence they will have around the snakes and the more respect they will have for them as part of the family.

Here is a good place to start
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?p=1410665

My daughter worked me for a snake for years. She got her first one at age 6, btw, she spent her OWN money for it. We now have (which she handles all of) balls, and boas. A lot depends on how your children are with animals, as far as respectful and understanding, and being careful with them. Most balls have great tempermants. However, they are all individual, and can be crabby too. My daughter knows, that if for some reason one of the snakes bites her, she is NOT to drop or throw it. It won't hurt her. And she has no fear of them, helps clean them, and helps feed them. If you know your kids, and get to know your snakes personality, it can be a great experience for them. They are great pets.

Short answer, if proper care and education is taken, no, 4 & 6 isn't to young. :)

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Welcome you'll find a bunch of useful info here. Since you're leaning towards a bp just wanted to share this link.

http://www.worldofballpythons.com/morphs/

Have fun looking!!

My daughters are 3(4 in January) & 6, and they adore our bps. The key with young handlers is supervision. Make sure they are seated (I use the couch, with one on either side of me) and start slow. Make sure your kids understand "soft hands" or being gentle, as well as giving them tips on how to pet the snake. (Don't reach for it's head, always pet in the middle or the end, pet with the scales not against them, etc) Supporting them can be clumsy with the youngest, which is why the couch / lap method works well. She doesn't have to worry about holding the snake, she gets to pet it and it sits on her lap. Make a point of turning it into a repetitive thing, wash hands, sit quietly / nicely on the couch, take turns, wash hands.

Do yourself and the kiddos a favor, and do not buy a snake from a pet store. Most of the ones in petsmart / petco etc are wild imports. You have a very high chance of getting a sick snake, or bad feeder (some haven't even eaten at all). You are much safer buying from a breeder, who can tell you when it hatched, how many times / what it's eating, how it's temperament is etc. If you go to a reptile expo in your area, that's a good place to be able to hold / check out animals in person. (a lot of breeders do online sales, so you can't see how the snake handles) Breeders are also a lot cheaper than pet stores, with normal hatchlings usually under $40.

Good luck and Welcome!

You all have been a huge help...thank you so much.
I DO have a 10 gallon tank (no fish in it) that I could use for a temporary home until the snake outgrows it, so that wouldn't be an issue. I really do like the bp's but if a corn snake, king snake or gopher snake would be a better start for little kids I am ok with that too. And if dad nix's the snake (he keeps saying 'We'll see...") then I might be visiting the lizard forums. too.
Lot's of reading to do!

A 10 gallon is a great way to start. A Ball Python can live in one for several months. I've got a 10 and a 20 gal. If you're getting a baby snake then there will be a lot of extra room in even a 10 gal. When a BP has too much room it can lead to stress and not eating. You've got to clutter up the tank a lot with plants and at least 2 hides. Here's my 10 and 20 for example.

10 gal
http://i1058.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0159731f.jpg

20 gal
http://i1058.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5f337e4c.jpg

Hopes this helps

Seems like all the bases have been covered so I just wanted to say congrats on being a really cool mom :gj:

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Originally Posted by Naomijoy

You all have been a huge help...thank you so much.
I DO have a 10 gallon tank (no fish in it) that I could use for a temporary home until the snake outgrows it, so that wouldn't be an issue. I really do like the bp's but if a corn snake, king snake or gopher snake would be a better start for little kids I am ok with that too. And if dad nix's the snake (he keeps saying 'We'll see...") then I might be visiting the lizard forums. too.
Lot's of reading to do!

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Convince dad that snakes are better!! Lizards are a pita. And balls are MUCH mellower than corns. Corns are too dang busy, imo. ;)

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I would lean toward Ball pythons. Corn snakes are great and often fast, perhaps too fast for smaller kids my partners daughter helps with ours she was 8 when they first arrived and had no issues.

The comments so far are good so no need to repeat good advise already in hand. If you decide set up the tank with everything but snake first as sometimes it takes a bit of time to get the correct conditions for the snake figured out.

There are a lot of good books around. Some great books that are quite costly I like the Ball Python book from VPI but it is 75$ so I suspect you are not ready for that yet. Look at this Ebook
http://www.reptileknowledge.com/ballpythons/

It is actually an easy fun read covers what you will need with a fair and reasonably unbiased, and reasonably priced.

Welcome!

Oh our 'ground rules' these are the rules we put in place it may have insight for you.

Ask if about handling the snake
Wash your hands before with soap...
wait for us (parent) to remove the snake from the enclosure (never remove the snake alone!)
Sit down and we will give the snake to you (safer for the snake)
never drape the snake over the back of your neck across the shoulder is fine or in the lap. (this is not so much concern about the ball python but other snakes it forms a good habit)
Do not take the snake away from supervision (snakes can get into and under all kinds of thing if you are not paying attention)
No kissing the snake.
when the snake has had enough ask to have it returned even if you don't want to. (they can become stressed and we must be cognizant of the animals need over our wishes)
Let us know when you need to return the snake wait until supervised.
spot check the enclosure water/wastes/objects (every time we remove the snake we check to make sure the water is clean and full there is not poop pee and that nothing fell into the enclosure that should not be there)
Check to make sure the enclosure is secured
Check again to make sure it is secured (We check and I have the child check too again good practices)
Wash our hands (we do this together it is part of our ritual) with soap and wash then not just get them wet...

Couches make an awesome hide for a snake :p