My milk snake brings all the boys to the yard... or wait, does my king snake?

[m1lkhoney]

I'm going to a reptile convention on August 20 (finally someone remembered that Portland exists, yay!) and I've already resigned myself to setting up a tank in advance because there's no way I'm leaving without a snake. It will just sort of happen. I know myself.

Anyway, I already have a ball python and I was pretty sure I'd get another one, but a friend of a friend just got a king snake for his two year old daughter. (Well, he didn't mean to, he ran over it with a bulldozer by accident and felt bad but that's another story.) I remember king snakes being on the list of "good for beginners", along with milk snakes, so I've been researching them and they seem interesting. Plus OMG THEY ARE BOTH SO BEAUTIFUL THAT IT ALMOST MAKES ME MAD.

As someone who likes to gently handle her snake once in awhile, do you think a milk or king snake would be a good choice, or should I stick with the relative calm that is a ball python? Do you agree that they're good for beginners? And if so, which one would you choose? Sorry for all the questions. I just want to plan my August 20th purchase way in advance.

Edit: I totally posted this in the wrong forum, didn't I

[PokeyTheNinja]

I've heard that kings can be on the feistier side. Here's an interesting video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xi3OxAG7aUE
It all really comes down to preference/availability.

[m1lkhoney]

Fascinating, thank you. I think, based on that info, my kingsnake may actually be the one bringing all the boys to the yard. And wow, the colors on some of them. My friend said they make good "display snakes" and I hate that phrase because it sounds like snakes are objects, but they are pretty showy, I will admit.

[piedlover79]

If you want a great personality snake get a Hognose!

The western Hognose are great beginner snakes too. Mine never refuse a f/t meal and thier tanks needs are easy. They out on a great hissy fit show when you first disturb them but calm down the moment you pick them up.

[voodoolamb]

All the king snakes I've handled are bitey. All the milk snakes I've handled have been fond of musking. And one particular apricot milk was the devil incarnate and would tag everyone. all the time. And not let go. As well as defecate on you

I'm not a fan of handling them. Gorgeous in a natural or planted terrarium though.

If you do go with one, and want to handle it be picky about what you buy.

[albertagirl]

There are some kings and milks that are a little calmer than others, but all will be more active than a ball python. I don't have any milks, but my research tells me that hondurans and black milks are a little calmer than some of the others. They're also on the larger end of the size range. And variable and grey banded kingsnakes are less feisty than some of the other kings, and are on the smaller end of the size range.

[DennisM]

I've heard that kings can be on the feistier side...

I've had the opposite experience. I've found that milks (I've only kept pueblans and hondurans) are much more high strung than the cal kings I've kept. Yes, the baby kings are probably a little more bitey, but the young milks will definitely toss the musk (or whatever else they have available for discharge at the moment) almost every time. My kings have always calmed down at a very young age. The milks are just more nervous, even as adults sometimes. Nonetheless, I love both kings and milks and think either is the "right" choice.

[Caspian]

I think it depends on the snake. My Cal. King is very feisty when it's dinner time - mouth gaping, hissing, all reared up... as soon as he realizes there's no food involved, he settles right down and mellows out.

[DennisM]

I think it depends on the snake. My Cal. King is very feisty when it's dinner time - mouth gaping, hissing, all reared up... as soon as he realizes there's no food involved, he settles right down and mellows out.

dinner time (real or imagined) doesn't count. they're all feisty then!

[m1lkhoney]

Oh my! Well luckily I'll have a chance to "try before I buy" at the expo, so I can pick the snake that seems the right temperament for me. Or I might just go for another ball python, but it's hard to resist beauty. Even if it's musky beauty

NOT THAT BALL PYTHONS AREN'T BEAUTIFUL, of course. <3 I am here for a reason, hehe.