On thy belly, thou shalt go

[Ophiuchus]

Garter snakes
- average between 2-3 ft
- will eat fish, worms, insects, amphibians as well as rodents.
- very hardy and tolerant of cooler temps than most herps
- downside: most are very highstrung and may musk/bite, although some can tame down nicely

Water snakes
- average 3-4 ft
- will eat fish and amphibians
- similar care to garters
- very nasty dispositions, but being diurnal, can make very nice display snakes in a naturalistic set-up

Rough green snakes
- 2-3 ft
- very docile and excellent display snakes in naturalistic vivaria
- downside: 99.9% of all RGSs are wildcaught and therefore, heavily parasitised; as a result, they rarely want to eat in captivity and often die
- if the above issues are resolved, they eat crickets, and other insects

Glass (legless) lizards (I know, they're not really snakes, but just read on...)
- average between 3-4 ft
- usually quite hardy
- eats insects, canned lizard food, and eggs
- sometimes highstrung, but rarely bites; can tame down with regular handling
- downside: requires a fairly roomy cage (at least a 40 gall breeder)

There are many other types of snakes that will accept amphibians and lizards for food, but most people do not have a regular supply of such prey year-round, not to mention its pricey. If you're looking for a smallish snake that doesn't require rodent prey, then the options I listed above are all decent beginner choices (except perhaps the green snake).

Of course, you were able to overlook the rodent thing, then there's the choices most everyone has already listed, and then some:

cornsnakes, ratsnakes, kingsnakes, milksnakes, house snakes, hognose snakes, ball pythons, children's pythons, spotted pythons, rosy boas, sand boas, etc

 

[ewurm]

"jolly good post"? lol

ewurm... take a look around at what there is, but you aren't going to find much that doesn't eat dead rodents...
Also, there may come a time where you have to touch a snake, in order to assist it if a problem arrised.
You could use your fishkeeping skills to keep an aquatic snake such as the tentacled snake (check out the MFK articles), although I'm not sure how well they are doing in captivity etc, but may be worth checking out. Quite sluggish on land, and are docile things. Oh and did I mention they have fish feeders for food? Just an idea.

I don't mind touching it, I just don't need a lap snake. LOL

 

[ewurm]

All right, I got the screen lid, aspen bedding, and a heat pad for half the tank. I still need to get a means to measure temperature, some hides, and a water bowl. I saw a Ball python today, much cooler in person than on pictures. I still think i want to go small, so a friend and I are going to some herp shops tomorrow.

 

[Nabbig2]

I have been considering a purchase of a snake. I'm at the pre-goldfish in a bowl phase, so help me out. I want something that is small, easy to manage and won't kill me. Hit me with a flood of info please, I am not even going to ask the petfart employees, I want some expert advice, and I know there are some herp freaks here.

Corn Snake, I would reccomend. They are awesome!
They are one of the easiest snakes to keep, but that doesn't make them a cinch to take care of.

 

[Jessica Dring]

petfart employees

 

[ewurm]

I like the Milk Snakes, they have amazing color. What size enclosure do you experts recommend for them?

 

[Jessica Dring]

depends on the size of animal. for an adult i would say a 4x2x2 at least, but, as much as possible. you can get ALL SORTS off morphs for milks, so, look around

 

[ewurm]

depends on the size of animal. for an adult i would say a 4x2x2 at least, but, as much as possible. you can get ALL SORTS off morphs for milks, so, look around

UGH, that's a bit bigger than I want to start with. Maybe make the milk snake a goal for the future. How about live plants? Anyone use live plants in the enclosure? I thought that would add some natural aesthetically pleasing habitat. One of the better things I have read about the Smooth green is that it is recommended to have some foliage. I think I am shying away from this species, though, because it sounds like trouble with all the parasites and problems feeding. I might take all of your advise and start with a corn.

 

[davo]

How big is your enclosure now wurm? Depending on the size of the snake, may depend on what the best size enclosure for it... I don't bother using live plants, they get a bit trampled by snakes, but use fake ones, and I think they look nice. Also if you get a temp. thing, get a digital thermometer with a probe instead of those exo terra stick on the glass things... I'd also urge you to get a thermostat.

 

[loconorc]

There are milk snakes in size anywhere from 2-7 feet. Color and pattern varies greatly, and there are tons of morphs. There are other tricolor (red, yellow, black) species too besides milks. My absolute favorite is the Tarahumara mountain king, Lampropeltis pyromelana knoblochi. (think i spelled it right lol!)

Something I would recommend though, a hognose! They are an absolute blast to own! Ball pythons are simply pretty and cuddly, hognoses are that more! As lonh as you get a CB western or one of its subspecies, they can be just as easy, if not easier, than a corn or ball.

For measuring temps, try a Temp Gun from http://www.proexotics.com Mini ones are on sale for $15