Garter vs. Corn (round 2 ;)

[jitami]

First let me say that I am sooo impressed by your research and desire to do what's right for both the snakes and your children. I don't have the snake experience that many here do, but I do have tons of kid experience and I, too, vote for a juvenile or adult corn who is already feeding well and already used to handling as your first snake. You can add a garter or ten later

[Charlet_2007]

i voted garter but really you all need to get is a ball python.. those things are a pet rock..

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

i voted garter but really you all need to get is a ball python.. those things are a pet rock..

I strongly disagree. ball pythons are absolutely not a good first snake... no matter how common they are in the pet trade. They are much more needy as far as temp and humidity regulation goes and they are notorious for going off feed. They are also very unforgiving of beginner's mistakes. I wil gaurantee you that thousands more BP's than cornsnakes die each year because someone got them as a first snake.

[adamanteus]

In my honest opinion the best beginners snake is......

A damned good book!
Then get a Corn Snake.

[Cobra Kai]

First let me say that I am sooo impressed by your research and desire to do what's right for both the snakes and your children. I don't have the snake experience that many here do, but I do have tons of kid experience and I, too, vote for a juvenile or adult corn who is already feeding well and already used to handling as your first snake. You can add a garter or ten later

Thanks for the encouragement. It’s no big deal, that’s how I do. It only took me 4 years to choose my puppy’s bloodline and breeder. LOL! Hopefully I’ll be able to make up my mind a little quicker this time.

i voted garter but really you all need to get is a ball python.. those things are a pet rock..

I love BPs too. I would love to have a pastel from NERD's. They are only a half an hour from my house. But I have to agree with "aSnakeLovinBabe". At this time, I don’t think I’m ready for that yet. But I'm with ya though. They are very chill and I think I'll have to add one to my collection someday.

In my honest opinion the best beginners snake is......

A damned good book!
Then get a Corn Snake.

I devoured Kathy & Bill Love’s book – “Corn Snakes : The Comprehensive Owner's Guide” and it was damn good.

The only thing was…..

I then read “Garter and Ribbon Snakes: Facts & Advice on Care and Breeding” by Richard & Patricia Bartlett
and it was damn good too.

[Garter_Gertie]

Leave the garters until the kids are way older.

Go corn.

[zooplan]

Sorry, but I belive 2 years is too young for any snake.
My 13 and 15 year old daughters have their own snakes, but I still feel liable for those.
My younger children ( 6 and 8) must not have their own snakes yet, but of course they are allowed to handle some of mine frequently.
So no vote from me

[Cobra Kai]

I understand your point about kids. My todler is doing good if we let him out of his gated toy room, let alone having any responsibilities. The kids (only) stare at my box turtles and the 5 year old (might) give doggie a cookie. So the kids will not be taking care of anything. But we all know this snake is actually Daddy's.

[tyflier]

Sorry, but I belive 2 years is too young for any snake.
My 13 and 15 year old daughters have their own snakes, but I still feel liable for those.
My younger children ( 6 and 8) must not have their own snakes yet, but of course they are allowed to handle some of mine frequently.
So no vote from me

Of course the kids that young don't actually participate in the care of the animals. They are too young at 5 or 6. The snake is the responsibility of the parent, even at 13 or 14.

I got my daughter a snake when she was 2. I take care of him, and I use him for breeding, but when she is old enough to move out of the house, if she wants to take Sammy Snake with her, she is welcome to...it's her snake. If she doesn't want to, of course I will continue to care for him, but she at least has the option.

[E&Asmom]

I have a 3 and a 6 year old. My six year old has his own corn snake that he takes care of with supervison!!! I have to remind him to feed it and I have to tell him to come into the reptile room to play with him and change his paper. The 3 year old does not have a snake of his own yet.
My vote would be corn snake 100%. Just make sure you play with it first and pick one that is a little more laid back. Not all corn snakes are mellow!