Snake Advice Please

[KevinsMam]

Hi All..

My other half has got his heart set on getting a snake.. I have never been a fan of snakes myself, after watching too many animal progs about people being bit etc it puts me off quite a bit

So if anyone has alot of knowledge on snakes then I would appreciate any advice please, I would consider having one if 1. i knew it wouldn't bite 2. it isn't going to grow huge and 3. it would be suitable to have around our son (3 next month)..

Thanks for reading

[Jczreptiles]

There are many snakes suitable to have around your son and that won't grow to big but if you want something you can guarentee won't bite then a snake or most animals to be honest are out of the question as they may bite at some point. Heres some that fit the okay for your son and size requirements- Colombian Rainbo Boa, Royal Python, Cornsnake, Kingsnake, Milk snake, Smaller rat snake species, Smaller sand boas and ribbon snakes.

[snakes-a-round]

i would say milk snake, corn snake or royal python are your best bet....

[grannykins]

If you have to have a pet that definitely wont bite, then that lets out most of the animal kingdom including hamsters, mice, dogs, cats, rabbits etc. However, there are many species of snake that have the reputation of being unlikely or less likely to bite. I have never had a bite from a corn (not counting hatchlings, and they are so small you cant feel it anyway), or from my royal (but then he doesnt even like biting his food ). And my grandaughter has held many of my snakes under supervision without any harm. Corns are quite good, and there are many different colours and patterns available now. I'd google all the snakes that are mentioned, and see which species attract your other half. That would be the one to go for.

[KING_GONZO]

id say royal or corn. never been biten by mine *YET*

[becky89]

Id say go for a corn snake, in 4 years ive only been bitten by mine once. You might be better going for a yearling/adult snake thats been tamed down tho, rather than getting a hatchling if you're not very confident around snakes.

[KevinsMam]

Thanks for all of your advice, I will have a good read up about the ones recommended and go from there

[Samanthaa]

Corn Snakes are generally quite friendly and don't get too big, also royal pythons are good IMO

But, you cannot guarentee that a snake won't bite. If you get a young snake and handle them reguarly, you minimise the risk, but its always there. Im not trying to put you off here, I think snakes are lovely, but you have to expect to get bitten and be okay with that.

Good Luck getting a snake if you choose to

[mikerichards]

As everyone has said, all snakes bite, but not all will at the drop of a hat, its their main form of defence, but even if you do get bitten, its more shock than anything, its so quick it makes you jump, that's where the shock is from, it rarely hurts much. As a first snake, I would avoid kingsnakes, they can be very food orientated and easily mistake you for food, which is mistaken for aggression, corns on the other hand are very pleasant snakes, it is for this reason that 90% of people starting out with snakes get a corn, they are sensible, hadleable, and they rarely have any issues with feeding they are also very easy to breed and hatch, so are a good starter for peole wanting to learn to breed.my advice would be to bear these points in mind, not just mine, but others as well, and have a look at some snakes, see what you like, then learn about it, see how its kept, what sort of habitat you should be keeping it in, also learning about illnesses, they are very hardy, but do sometimes get ill, and this needs to be recognised quickly and efficiently so as to minimise discomfort and stress to the snimal.
I understand the skepticism that often clouds the buying of the first snake, lots of us have been ther, and we all discovered that once you get used to the snake, its not nearly as scary as we first thought!

Good luck with your first snake.

Mike

[hephev]

I'd say get the snake as a baby and be pro-active about handling and then you will have more confidence in him/her. As people have already said you can't say for def that you won't get bitten but if you spend the time finding out about the snake and be sensible with your son you will be fine. We have a 4 year old and an 11 year old and they are both fine with the animals, in fact, they can tell you loads about reptiles, mammals etc, more than their pet free friends in fact. Its a valuable learning experience and helps them learn about care, life cycles, encourages empathy and loads more. Your son will get tons from the experience.