Personally I think that's an excellent attitude Melissa and I would think that with proper information you're family will do very well with an appropriate snake.

I've found our 2 ball pythons to be excellent additions to our busy household. They have taught my own children respect for a creature often feared by others, to be patient, calm and respectful of these unique animals that are so unlike a dog, cat, pet rat, etc. Also with their eating habits the children are seeing the predator/prey interaction (tho we feed pre-killed the snake still strikes and coils as it would a live prey item). The lessons of patience especially are interesting. To watch them learn that they cannot hold the snake whenever they feel like it (especially during the "no touch" first week or so) and 48 hours after it eats. Also since they are nocturnal, the kids learned to go with the snake's cycle as far as daily handling.

They will even remind me if I have one of the snakes out and haven't immediately noticed it looking antsy....very funny when my 12 year old says..."mom the snake's had enough" LOL.

Our snakes are a part of our household, just like the other pets (fish & pet rats *not food*).


~~Joanna~~