Good snake for a young girl?

[cshouston]

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.

[JLC]

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.

[anatess]

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.

[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

[anatess]

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

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.

[frankykeno]

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".....


My daughter Beth and her beloved Emi......


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......


How can you resist me!!!!....


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.

[cshouston]

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

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

[mainbutter]

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.

[littleindiangirl]

Actually, the corn snakes are nocturnal.

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.

[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.