Good snake for a young girl?

Hey all. My 17 year old niece loves my ball python. Her birthday is coming up so I had a chat with her and her dad and we decided she was responsible enough to care for one of her own. I do recall her making a comment expressing some disappointment about how mine was always "hiding", and at the fact that they were nocturnal and not terribly active (at least mine isn't, he's always in his warm hide if I'm not handling or feeding, and I rarely if ever see him come out).

Can anyone recommend a good, docile snake for a young adult which is a little more active and/or visible than a ball python? Perhaps a diurnal species instead of nocturnal? I appreciate any input and comments! Thanks a bunch.

Corn snakes are awesome "starter" snakes. Typically very docile (although babies can be flighty and nervous). And they come in tons of different colors. And I'm pretty sure they're more active during the day than ball pythons. Also, they're more likely to be comfortable in a tank set up to be attractive and display the animal.

I would like to recommend the western hognose. They are a little "spunky". Your niece would need to study them before she gets hers though because they can be intimidating to those who are not familiar with them. They display various defense techniques that normally would make you go, Whoa... like hissing and fake striking (striking with mouth closed - usually just in the air, not even hitting the target). If you understand hognose behaviour you will know these are just bluffs and they normally calm down once they're held. It gives them a little bit of character.

The cool thing about the hognoses are they require temperature gradients that are within a normal American household range (70-80F).

They are diurnal, therefore they usually roam around during the day, although they would still keep pretty much to their hides. They are burrowers as well, so a lot of times, you don't see them anywhere.

There are not many snakes that are display snakes and docile. The arboreals like a Green Tree Python are very pretty to look at and are normally seen hanging off a tree but man, prepare to get bit many times! Husbandry on these guys are a little bit more complicated than ball pythons as well.

Just my 2 cents.

I recommend a corn snake too. They are also diurnal, but they seem to be more visible than bp's. Take a look at all the different ones available. This gallery doesn't even have all the morphs available, but it should give you a good idea of what's out there.

http://www.jonigarcia.com/photo_gallery.html

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Originally Posted by charliegirl

I recommend a corn snake too. They are also diurnal, but they seem to be more visible than bp's. Take a look at all the different ones available. This gallery doesn't even have all the morphs available, but it should give you a good idea of what's out there.

http://www.jonigarcia.com/photo_gallery.html

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Actually, the corn snakes are nocturnal. But you're right, they are usually more active than a bp. But they could also go on a brumation period during winter when they stay inactive all winter long. The corn snakes also go with normal household temperatures. The cool thing about corn snakes is they are not sensitive to humidity.

My 15 year old daughter has a female Albino Nelson's Milksnake and I highly recommend these. They are as easy to care for as a cornsnake, are gorgeous to look at, don't tend to be big hiders (though like most snakes they appreciate a place to get some downtime in away from view), do very well in a busy room (ours lives in our livingroom) and are known to be one of the best natured of the Milksnake group. As hatchlings like most small colubrids they tend to be nervous but Nelson's tend to adjust to regular handling very easily. They are slow growers though compared to cornsnakes. They don't have a tendency to be picky eaters. Ours will take pretty much any prey you offer and could care less if it's frozen/thawed, pre-killed or live prey.

A couple of pictures to show tempt you over to the Milksnake side....

We also have a top breeder of these snakes as a member of this site - Brian Barcyzk of BHB. I've been to his facility in Michigan and can attest to the lovely and healthy Albino Nelson's he produces.

Emi has a small "worm".....
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...5monthsOld.jpg

My daughter Beth and her beloved Emi......
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...hEmiFeb092.jpg

Emi in her 20 long tank which will likely do her most of her life though she may move up to a 30 if needed......
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2.../EmiMay081.jpg

How can you resist me!!!!....
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2.../EmiMay083.jpg

Colubrids are major escape artists though so a good lid and metal lid clips are a MUST. We use four clips on Emi's enclosure just to make sure she stays safe at home.

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Originally Posted by charliegirl

I recommend a corn snake too. They are also diurnal, but they seem to be more visible than bp's. Take a look at all the different ones available. This gallery doesn't even have all the morphs available, but it should give you a good idea of what's out there.

http://www.jonigarcia.com/photo_gallery.html

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Wow, thank you. I am in love with the bloodred morph... I think I see a new snake in my future as well! :)

Don't forget to look at some larger species of beginner snakes such as BCIs(boa constrictor) and carpet pythons, both of which make very interesting and fun beginner snakes. I highly recommend corns and hognoses, but sometimes size matters ;)

My advice is to make sure to talk to the girl about the new pet. Nothing is quite as good as picking out a pet for yourself, and it will get her to do some research before getting her new scaly friend. 17 years old is plenty old to be responsible for a snake(easiest pet to take care of ever), heck I had my first corn snake when I was 8.

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Originally Posted by anatess

Actually, the corn snakes are nocturnal.

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I would have to say the corn as well. Being diurnal (I swear I read that they mostly are diurnal... ) mine was often seen basking and cruising his cage, hanging out in his plants. Great animal to handle, very curious about their surroundings and alert.

Other than a corn, I'd have to say a black Mexican king snake, or Honduran milk snakes are at the top of my list. But I really do love the corns and rats.

If you want a sort of exotic rat snakes species, check out the Blue or Vietnamese Beauties.

One things about teens and snakes (I have both LOL) is to make a plan for her future as a snakekeeper. Most of the snakes recommended, with good care, could be her scaley buddy for up to 15 or 20 years or better so a plan for what will happen to her snake if she attends college and can't take it with her is a good thing to discuss up front.

I really like mainbutter's suggestion of bringing her into the discussion. I would encourage you to print up a gift certificate type of thing from you saying you will cover the cost of the snake, it's enclosure and 6 months of feeder prey or something like that. She should be encouraged of course at her age to assume responsibility for it's monthly costs at some point. I'd also encourage her to join this site so she can learn and find support in a family friendly environment.

I'd also encourage you to consider a hatchling from a good breeder over running down to your local pet store. Most pet stores, unless you are blessed to live near a VERY good one, won't even know the sex of the snake, when it was born or hatched, and sadly often sell you a snake with a free case of snake mites. If you happen to live in an area with a good monthly reptile show that's also a purchasing option. Once your daughter does decide on what snake species best fits her, we'd be happy to help you find a good show or good breeder.

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

One things about teens and snakes (I have both LOL) is to make a plan for her future as a snakekeeper. Most of the snakes recommended, with good care, could be her scaley buddy for up to 15 or 20 years or better so a plan for what will happen to her snake if she attends college and can't take it with her is a good thing to discuss up front.

I really like mainbutter's suggestion of bringing her into the discussion. I would encourage you to print up a gift certificate type of thing from you saying you will cover the cost of the snake, it's enclosure and 6 months of feeder prey or something like that. She should be encouraged of course at her age to assume responsibility for it's monthly costs at some point. I'd also encourage her to join this site so she can learn and find support in a family friendly environment.

I'd also encourage you to consider a hatchling from a good breeder over running down to your local pet store. Most pet stores, unless you are blessed to live near a VERY good one, won't even know the sex of the snake, when it was born or hatched, and sadly often sell you a snake with a free case of snake mites. If you happen to live in an area with a good monthly reptile show that's also a purchasing option. Once your daughter does decide on what snake species best fits her, we'd be happy to help you find a good show or good breeder.

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She was involved in the discussion and the current plans are to attend a local university and live at home or off-campus, plus I told her that if she ever ended up in a situation where she couldn't take care of it, I would take it into my home for her (I'm a sucker for animals, I can't help it).

From what I've gathered, Amir Soleymani has a shop about 20 minutes away from my home, so I'm going to try and check it out one of these days. He is a respected name in the herp world, isn't he? I purchased my ball from his old shop, Snakes At Sunset, and that little guy has been great... a little shy right now, but a voracious appetite and no parasites. They also carry corns, bulls, boas, kings, etc. so I can always check them out as well.

I think I am liking corns for her because they're not very large or "scary looking" which should make it easier for her in the unlikely event she gets struck, or when showing it to her friends, etc. Thanks for the advice! :)

Some people have already made some great comments. I feel with any live animal gift, it is important for the new owner to be a big part of the decision process. And your niece is plenty old enough to be doing a lot of the research herself. That will help both you and her see if she is really interested in a snake as a long term commitment, or if it is more of a passing phase.

For her to join this site would be a great start. This site is very family friendly, and is much more friendly to newcomers than many internet forums.

I'm glad to hear you've already considered what will happen to the snake when she gets old enough to move away from home for college or otherwise.

As far as snake recommendations, the first thing I would suggest is that your niece should accept that most likely any snake she gets will spend a large amount of time hiding. Some species are less shy than others, but even then there is a lot of variation within a species, so she won't know for sure how much hers will want to stay hidden until she's had it a while. If she will be disappointed by this, she might want to reconsider whether or not she wants a snake at all.

Corns are great for beginners. They come in an entire rainbow of colors, and most of the morphs are quite affordable. My 11 yr old daughter has 4, and the whole family enjoys them. They are out and about a larger percentage of time than the BPs, but they still spend more time hiding than anything else. Hatchlings can be quite flighty, even striking and musking, so be aware of this. Most corns will quickly tame down with regular handling, and if your niece does get bitten by a hatchling corn, it won't hurt at all.

I do not have personal experience with king snakes and milk snakes, but I've heard that they also make good beginner snakes, and tend to spend less time in their hides. I do have the impression that on average, they do not tame down quite as easily as corns, but at least most of them should tame down with just a little persistence. Of course, I'm generalizing over a large number of species here, so definitely research the specific species you have in mind if you go in this direction.

Whatever you decide, you and your niece should feel free to come here with any questions you have, both in the process of choosing the snake, and any issues that may come up after you've purchased it. This site is really great, and there is always someone happy to help!

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

I would have to say the corn as well. Being diurnal (I swear I read that they mostly are diurnal... ) mine was often seen basking and cruising his cage, hanging out in his plants. Great animal to handle, very curious about their surroundings and alert.

Other than a corn, I'd have to say a black Mexican king snake, or Honduran milk snakes are at the top of my list. But I really do love the corns and rats.

If you want a sort of exotic rat snakes species, check out the Blue or Vietnamese Beauties.

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Okay, I checked my son's book Snakes of the SouthEast by Gibbons and Dorcas and it says there that cornsnakes are diurnal right after getting out of brumation in Spring and then become nocturnal in the summer.

So, we're both right. :banana:

Amir has an excellent reputation. :)

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Originally Posted by cshouston

I think I am liking corns for her because they're not very large or "scary looking" which should make it easier for her in the unlikely event she gets struck, or when showing it to her friends, etc. Thanks for the advice! :)

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Who knows, she might want a tough looking snake to scare her friends with :D

What I would give to have a large blood python that would put on a nice defensive display whenever I took it out for handling :D

Those Corns are really nice looking and what I was going to suggest too. Just see what exactly she likes. Some people just prefer the way that BPs look compared to corns etc... She could also go for one of the Boa species that doesnt' get very big.