So tell me what kind of snake I might like... :)

[ZinniaZ]

I am trying to figure out what snake I would like to have for ME. I have my son's ball python here in my office and I take care of her with him and enjoy her. I think she is pretty wonderful. But I want one for me. I am sure I will end up with some ball pythons for me, but what about other types?

Right off the bat, I know I am not going to be bringing any gigantic snakes home. They are just not for me. I don't want to have to depend on someone else to help me handle my own snake, yknow?

I kept eastern ringneck snakes, garter snakes, and little green snakes when I was a kid. Probably the ringnecks were my favorite. Ummmm, so I have been looking at blood pythons, childreni (which are so cool because they are teeny), and some of the ratsnakes. I would love to be able to have one of those rufous beaked snakes-- I like sharp intelligence in creatures and I think this snake seems fabulous. Met a cobra briefly and really liked her-- would have loved to spend more time with her. Supposedly the rufous beaked snake has the intelligence and personality of a cobra without that pesky fatal venom issue. And I have been looking at ratsnakes.

Sooo, all of you-- tell me about the different snakes you enjoy. Which snake do you find fascinating and why? I'd love to hear about them.

[fishmommy]

I love the way some of the rat snakes look and how they make great display snakes. When I got my BP, my plan was to next get an asian rat snake or an arboreal. HOWEVER, once I had my ball I found that I enjoyed the handling aspects much more than I had imagined. So, I got a boa next instead and have not been disappointed.

So, I'd ask you what do you like most about snake-keeping? If it's display then you can't go wrong with the ratsnakes. If it's handling then a small boa would be ideal. There are quite a few boas that are not likely to get very large.

[ZinniaZ]

I definitely like the handling. I don't think I would have a lot of fun just LOOKING at a snake. Hmmm.

[fishmommy]

to be fair, I should say that rat snakes are quite handle-able, it's just a different vibe than a boa. Rat snakes tend to be on the go while boas are really couch potatoes. So, imagine the characteristics of your ideal pet snake, and then look into species that fit those ideals.

some of the bigger rat snakes are pretty calm also (like mexican black milk snakes), though never as lazy as a boa

[xxTYLERxx]

Hognoses have a lot of personality and can be handled with no problem. They can be very animated in their behavior; sometimes they will feign death to ward off potential predators. I have a fantastic Tricolor hognose. The Western hognose is very popular. Additionally, hognoses rarely get longer than 2 or 3 feet.

[ZinniaZ]

I don't mind if a snake is more active than a ball python-- most would HAVE to be! I was somewhat shocked by how much she sleeps and how little she actually does.

How do ratsnakes compare with kingsnakes for activity level and handleability? How about hognoses? Where do they fit on that spectrum?

Thanks, you guys,for the input and the ideas.

[fishmommy]

my boa is way less active than my ball, if you can believe that!

[littleindiangirl]

Apparently not all boas are quite as lazy... mine will NOT sit still once you take him out of the cage, he's all go go go! And don't even get me started on trying to get him back IN to his cage

[xxTYLERxx]

How do ratsnakes compare with kingsnakes for activity level and handleability? How about hognoses? Where do they fit on that spectrum?

Being that my tricolor hognose is nocturnal, he is not very active during the daytime. As far is handleability goes, he doesn't mind it at all and has not once tried to bite me. He does like to slither around my hands and arms when I hold him, although sometimes he's very still and just likes to look around at his surroundings.

[Blu Mongoose]

I like ratsnakes, but if your not paying attention while handling they can be gone in a heartbeat. All of mine are very fast. You must also be careful putting them back in their enclosures. They can be half way out the door while your trying to close it. But they are also gorgeous display animals too.