Noob to snakes and I have questions.

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yeah, they'll be captive farmed. Not enough breeders, especially at the "normals" level.

My order of suggestions for a five year old would be something along the lines of:

corn snake
mild mannered king snake
spotted/childrens pythons
ball python

always be prepared for you to have to do all the leg work, and these are very long lived animals.
 
Can a mod split the thread? I can hear the train derailing!

I still think Tongue33 should select which one he wants, and then ask the kid which one of the choices that he want his dad to look after. So if the kid still want it 6-10 years down the line, then it is "his." If not, then Tongue33 has the snake he want.

But really... no matter how you break it down... you have the Carpet Pythons, Ball Pythons and Antaresia Pythons being the most accessible of all the pythons out there.
 
So yeah, I would say Ball. Unless you can talk him into a corn snake, I know he likes the pythons, but tell him that those are big boy snakes and he needs to show he can have the corn first. This also gives mom some time to get used to a smaller snake then later....big boy snakes!!!!
 
Urgh... corn snakes...

If I have a dime every time someone recommended me to start out a corn snake over a boid, a gopher or house snake, then I will be rich. Really, it is up to Tongue33 to come up with a list of what he want.

To use reptiles as stepping stones is wrong; it will just become a chore, not a joy. Now if you're the type of person that won't have anything other than one species of reptile, then the general interest need to be broaden.
 
Kioka;1446452; said:
Urgh... corn snakes...

If I have a dime every time someone recommended me to start out a corn snake over a boid, a gopher or house snake, then I will be rich. Really, it is up to Tongue33 to come up with a list of what he want.

To use reptiles as stepping stones is wrong; it will just become a chore, not a joy. Now if you're the type of person that won't have anything other than one species of reptile, then the general interest need to be broaden.
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not about care so much, although I'm sure it comes into it, but more what is a suitable pet snake for a five year old/younger child... IMO corns are 100% perfect for this.

Not saying there aren't others though. I just think to dismiss it totally would be silly.
 
Kioka;1446159; said:
I still think Tongue33 should select which one he wants, and then ask the kid which one of the choices that he want his dad to look after. So if the kid still want it 6-10 years down the line, then it is "his." If not, then Tongue33 has the snake he want.

But really... no matter how you break it down... you have the Carpet Pythons, Ball Pythons and Antaresia Pythons being the most accessible of all the pythons out there.
Click to expand...

Tottally agreed!! No child of that age should have a "big say" in the choice because it will be Dad's snake for years ( the kid might even outgrow his love for snakes and Tongue will be kept with the snake )..

I would go for a ball ( or a blood if they weren't so heavy ). Corns and Kings will easily slip away from the hands of the kid ( easier than a ball which is easier to grab ).

Anyway, enjoy!
 
Kioka. Thanks For the help. And thanks everyone else who has posted. I appreciate the input!

I agree it will ultimately be a snake that I like and that I will be able to live with for a while. I have researched Corns and even came close to getting one..

Though If he had his choice we would have a Eastern coral!!! LOL Even though king is more available :D But If you had the venomous and the non he would pick the one that would kill you...... So I get the final say.

And it will be a hopefully a long lived snake, That is the plan. I don't want a corn snake to outlive the popularity in our house. As I particularly don't care for them. The idea is to keep the snake it's full life. Not have him AND me outgrow it and then sell it.. And this is likely as he points at those but would rather hold the 5' + snakes.. WHICH in the beginning concerned me.. Seeing your 4 year old holding 2 6 foot snakes at the same time has you thinking OMFG!!!!!

BUT... I don't like the fact that all the Corn owners I know that have had to find their corn in their house.. Usually find them up above a doorway.. NOT COOL for my wife.. I love her and a boid or a Python would not be abel to sit on the molding over the door and wait for her ;)


Plus the decision is still up in the air.. I really am not in a hurry. Though I would like to have the snake for his B-day in a few weeks.. But Likely will not be the case.

There were some Rootbeer corns locally for 15.00.. I am still debating.. Now I have a nice selection to make my decision..

Thanks guys!
 
davo;1446827; said:
not about care so much, although I'm sure it comes into it, but more what is a suitable pet snake for a five year old/younger child... IMO corns are 100% perfect for this.

Not saying there aren't others though. I just think to dismiss it totally would be silly.
Click to expand...

I don't mind cornsnakes, but it seem like a lot of the owners make it seem like everyone need to have it as their first. If I did have a problem with cornsnake, then I would had commented on it earlier when someone else proposed it. However the context of the last post came across the wrong way.

Oh, and be aware Rootbeer Corns are hybrids between the Emory's Ratsnake and Cornsnake, it is not a morph.

Personally, in hindsight, I should had went with a Mole Snake as my first. :D But I love my pythons anyway, and would had gotten them anyway.
 
Corns are often suggested as a starter snake not only because of their size, temperment, etc, but also because of their low prices. I agree that there's a lot of great choices for beginners, but if all else is the same, money is the deciding factor. Not everyone wants to shell out $80-$100 for a small python or boa when they can get a corn for $40 or less.

That's why the corn usually is the first mentioned.
 
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