Snakes?

there are many good beginner snakes that are more people friendly than others. i have a ball python that is very tame (they usually are) and a good eater (some can be picky eaters). you can google search most reptile forums where there are experts available to answer questions. i feel that smaller tame snakes make good starters. i would look into king snakes, milk snakes, corn snakes, and smaller boas and pythons.

i dont know about the availability of australian species in canada, but i keep a 12ft coastal carpet python, easily tame, not pickey eaters at all, and very tolerant.
had her for 6yrs now.

Hedington, I , too, had a coastal carpet python. Beautiful snakes, a little uncommon I think. Might be slightly pricier than the commonly available ball python but worth it. Back when I had mine I was into the whole gothic thing and would take my python on walks wrapped around my dog collar. He/she would try to climb trees at every opportunity though. Sometimes I would lay out in the yard and she'd/he'd curl up in my jacket beside me and I'd just relax. I got him when he was about 2' and he grew to about 4' in the course of a year or so, maybe a year and a half. Then we moved him outside to the empty rabbit hutch in summer, as he had outgrown his glass tank, and he managed to escape. I miss him.

I have heard corn-snakes being highly popular beginner snakes

I started with a ball python then an albino burmese. Are you looking for something large or small? Are you going to regularly handle the snake?

redtailboa.net
kingsnake.com
ballpython.com
snakebytestv.com
vivariumforum.com
http://lllreptile.com/info/library
http://www.vmsherp.com/LearningCenter.htm
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how's that? any questions just ask!

rosy boa, hognose, ball python, rough green snake and many colubrids are good beginners. corns... not so much imo because of all the bad info you have to wade through.

Snakes? Ugh, don't touch the things, I hate 'em!

In all seriousness, having owned several colubrids including corns and green snakes, etc. I think that Ball Pythons make a great beginner snake. Just make sure that you get one from somewhere that you can trust, and make sure they tell you about any feeding issues. Some Balls can be a real pain about eating.

<----- Sometimes sleeps with her Ball Python, lol!!!

Kristina

I own and work with about 20 species of snakes and keep about 100.
hands down, first snake should be a corn. there are many local breeders that have them possibly in your area.
Every body has made great choices, but I have to X-nay most of them as a good beginner snake.
1. Ball Pythons, are pretty and very nice snakes but it will drive you crazy as your first snake. The feeding issues you will run into in most is enough to get you nervous.

2. Any snake over 6 feet period, do not make a good beginner pet. Number 1 unwanted pet snake, the Burmese python. Number 2? The red tail boa. Most people get them cause they think they are cool.. Well they get big and feeding costs rise as well as proper caging. Another thing.. Most areas, cities, counties and states and I know Canada is no exception to the rule have limitations on Snakes and species. Most of those animals that are illegal to own, are over 6 feet. And may areas, have a size limit as well, such as 6 feet.

Where you live, if you are a renter, they may have rules in keeping snakes and if you keep one, you can get evicted.

I own few large snakes due to most of the conditions above. But they are mainly due to being unwanted cause they get to big and aggressive and they owners did not want to deal with them any more.

3. Milk snakes and Kings, they are nice snakes but again not fore the newb. Due to the following, as babies, they are very flighty and do not like being held. They will musk and bite. Being bitten is nothing but a small snake but they stress and just are not a good first snake. Kings as adults can be feeding aggressive and owning a large 5 foot snake that likes to Chew as it bites your hand. Well, its a gift to enjoy it.

A website to go is Cornsnakes.com

Also remember any snake you get, should live up to about 20 years on average. So if you get one and you are in your early 20s or late teens, well expect to keep it in your 40s. There are a few that have shorter life spans but you probably wouldnt or shouldnt own them as a newb. And some are very expensive as well.

I also recommend the following Book by Kathy Love, its one of the best introductory books to reptile keeping. And she is one of the nicest people you can talk to and buy snakes from.