Best colubrid for child

I have 3 grand-girls, 8,7, and 5. They all want snakes so we'll be going to a show the beginning of Jan.
The 7 yr old is extremely experienced, she's held, been around and owned snakes since age 1. The other two are just coming around, but want one of their own. My 4 ft ball makes those two uncomfortable, they want something small and pretty. I've been reading here all day and I wonder if a corn is going to be too squirmy for them? Plus with the eating problems I've been reading about, is that asking for trouble? If they lose one early on, they aren't going to want to go through it again. I am hoping to get a nelson or hondo for myself, would those be good choices? I know they won't stay small, but neither will the girls.

Any and all advice welcome and appreciated.

i have a western hognose that my son (2) and nieces and nephews (3-8) all love... it stays small, calm, and is very easily handled.

Corn? Docile as they come, temps and humidity are simple, readily eat mice. It's what I started with some 15 years ago...

I'd say a corn but maybe one that is already one year old. It won't be as small and wiggly as a hatchling but still small enough not it intimidate your girls. Lots of colors too.

an older corn or a kenyan sand boa or a rosy boa would be your best bet = ]

Hognose snakes sound like they fit your specifications. Try to get one that is at least 6 months old since it's probably less of a bluffer if it's that old.

Older (1+ year) Corn = calm, not as quick moving, good established eater and minimal requirements for upkeep (good teacher)

Try to see if you can locate a rescue or adoptive service... :)

I had a hoggy when I was a kid, though wild caught and kept, he was a treat. I also loved his antics in trying to be a cobra...

For children, I would say just about any common colubrid that has some size and maturity on it that you can handle and evaluate before purchasing, so you have a good chance at knowing what you're getting. I'd consider corns, milks and hoggies as all fine species to consider. Sand boas are another fun option.

Babies of any species are far more likely to be flighty, defensive, fast and delicate.

I would say 1+ year old colubrid that has been handled on a regular basis will be your best bet.

I got my corn when I was about their ages, I even got a teeny tiny hatchling, and couldn't have been happier with it! I highly recommend one!

you all are the best!!! Wish us luck at the show that they can find what is going to be a long time friend.

I love this place.

Let us know what everyone picks out! With pics if you have the time/a camera :D

well, I've just found out that I can't have milks or corns without a license. even though they sell them at pet shops around here. I won't share the bad words I'm thinking.

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Originally Posted by grammie

well, I've just found out that I can't have milks or corns without a license. even though they sell them at pet shops around here. I won't share the bad words I'm thinking.

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Are you in Georgia? (Only asking because I am so I am familiar with the laws here)

If so and/or regardless of the state you live in keep in mind that those laws are generaly made to protect native species which means you can own non indigenous species ;)

I live in GA and I own several Milksnakes, the catch is that they must be non indigenous which is why I chose Honduran Milksnakes :gj:

Hope this helps

so Hondos are okay? I had such trouble reading that, it just said milks. I want a Hondo so much I can't stand it. And yes, in Georgia :)

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Originally Posted by grammie

so Hondos are okay? I had such trouble reading that, it just said milks. I want a Hondo so much I can't stand it. And yes, in Georgia :)

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They absolutely are, as long as they are non indigenous you can own them, I was in your shoes couple of years ago I wanted a cornsnake and found out I couldn't, so I started researching what I could own, I am now the owner of 5 Honduran Milksnakes ;) and 3 California Kingsnakes

I can't thank you enough. If we can't find sand boas (that's what one wants), I'll steer the girls to western hognose or hondos. You made my day!!!

Don't sand boas spend the majority of their time underground? Might be a bad choice for a little kid that wants to watch his/her snake cruise around the tank a lot. Corns on the other hand...I can't get mine to shut up when I'm trying to go to sleep! : )

The one that wants the KSB has held her and the size is what draws her in I think. Hopefully at the show, she may get bolder and interested in something else. I do love my KBS though, they named her Noodles, because of the way the substrate 'sucks' her in like a spagetti noodle!

My vote goes to rat snakes. Any kind, really. I adore mine to no end. I'd heard that they were smart enough to recognize their owners and such but I didn't believe it until I got one. When I come into the room he picks his head up like a little puppy or something, and all I do is give him my hand and he climbs on. I can stick my fingers in his face and he'll just "smell" them. He's always curious and always wants to know what I'm doing. He's made me see snakes in a whole new light. I'm really surprised no one has mentioned them yet. I'm pretty sure there's laws against at least some of those in Georgia, though. Georgia is pretty picky about their snakes. Look into it if you're really interested in one.

Here's a photo of mine, just to temp you. :giggle:
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...kestuff040.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...kestuff125.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...kestuff093.jpg

Ok, so it was three photos. But he's CUTE!! :oops:

Western Hognose. No special requirements and stays small. Will bluff some here and there but very very very rarely ever bite.

wow, he is great!!! I'll check into those. thanks :)

I second the hognose idea. They are good first snakes and if you can handle it before deciding it's even better. Some can always puff and hiss some never will puff or hiss.
You don't need anything larger than a 20l for its entire life, it can live in a ten gallon but that's very cramped for an adult. They take little to no heating. The only downside is once in a while they will go off feeding, but nothing to worry about!
Rat snakes are also a great choice! They also stay pretty small for a long time and they are great to handle. That and who can say no to those big eyes? :-D

Corns...my best guess...good luck pickin' out a colorphase though!

Its already been mentioned, but I'm going to say check into a rosy boa. I have 2, one is a small hatchling and she isn't fast and skittish like some baby corns can be. Plus they are beautiful snakes and the girls will love how soft they are. They also have a great size, adults are about as big around as a corn, but only 3 feet long.

WOW.

No one has mentioned Kingsnakes.

Surprised.

Sub adult Mexican Black Kingsnake, Desert Kingsnake or Bairds Rat snake are all Colubrids worth considering but this is just from personal experience.

Once they grow out of the flighty, skittish stage they ae wonderful snakes to own. All my nieces and nephews from four years old up to sixteen years old reguarly call to see and handle the snakes. Even the younger ones who were apprehensive of the snakes at the start, now can't get enough of them.

well, we can't have corns in GA. :( One of them wants a sand boa, and I think a rosy would be a great choice for her. One wants a milksnake and the experienced one hasn't made up her mind yet (well, she wants a red-tail. sorry, not yet).
I'm so torn, I have promised them the show in GA, but now I hear bad things. It's too expensive to ship, plus the fact that I wanted them to experience the show. We might change and go to a smaller show and see what they find there. You've all made some wonderful suggestions and I have them written down so that when we do get somewhere, I don't forget what you've all said. :)