other half wants a snake..help!!!

[stella n bow]

hi all....

being a female used to leos, cresties and beardies, now other half wants a snake.

i iccle bit unsure, due to their BITES.

he has said, after loads of reading up ball pythons/royals are best for handling or beginner snake keepers.

we are aware of feeding issues but are used to this with previous reptiles and got through it.

i am unsure/scared of snakes (same as i was of lizards) but would like to be able to handle/interact with newbie.

do they have good temprements etc, planning on young one to build confidence with etc

any info much appreciated

thanks all

[Freeman]

If youre thinking of royals etc i wouldnt imagine bites being an issue if you approach the snake correctly.

[boapugh]

i dont think royals are a begginer snake in my opinion. because of there tendency to have feeding problems. nice dwarf bci is better. corn ect

[bob_pal_156]

Royals would certainly be a good starting point if your nervous/ unsure with handling. They are generally very calm and rarely bite, and if they do they dont hurt (young ones rarely even break the skin). If you started with a young snake and handled it when small you should be able to build your confidence as the snake grows. Many other species of snake can also be very calm, but its often down to the individual snake and how its been treated/handled in the past rather than specific species. It may be worth going to your local rep shop and having a look (and possibly a hold) of something such as a young royal.

[mrspebro]

i was the same scared stiff of snakes, but soon became addicted ,i started off with a hatchling corn then moved onto boas then royals but my 1st love is beardies .

[soupdragon10]

I can only go by my lad who is an 09 royal. The most chilled out relaxed animal to handle. Royals are good to handle too. My husband was in the same situation as you - he was really scared of my snakes, but he now confidently handles my 4ft corn with no issues at all.

Good luck and I hope you find a beautiful royal.

[stella n bow]

i too love my beardies, thanks for your comments, would rather a younger one to grow confidence with, will going to our local rep centre to get a feel for them.

more comments appreciated

[davidfitch]

I would say that a lizard has a worse bit than most of the smaller kinds of snakes. At least snakes normally let go so you don't even notice getting bit (except maybe with some kings that want to eat you ). Lizards often want to hold on to you till they are satisfied they have caused some pain. I think most people are scared of being bitten just because of the reputation snakes have got but a hamster bite is sorer than a 7 foot snake bite! (at least in my opinion).

[stella n bow]

yeah i know.. got an african grey parrot that has had hold of me but to be honest it was the shock more than the pain..lol.

[Freeman]

Originally Posted by davidfitch

I would say that a lizard has a worse bit than most of the smaller kinds of snakes. At least snakes normally let go so you don't even notice getting bit (except maybe with some kings that want to eat you ). Lizards often want to hold on to you till they are satisfied they have caused some pain. I think most people are scared of being bitten just because of the reputation snakes have got but a hamster bite is sorer than a 7 foot snake bite! (at least in my opinion).

Hamsters are gits, my sister had a big ginger one once, it bit my finger and held on to the point its teeth nearly touched and i couldnt even swing it off. If I could guarantee it wouldnt constrict id rather get tagged by a 15 foot burm as long as it was quick about it.