Calling all snake keepers.

I' knew who had a corn snake years ago I I rember it as being small and docile, so I wpuld guess yes as a begginer snake, but I far from an expert on these matters.

No colubrids. :sad

The BEST beginner snake is a children's python (Anterasia childreni). Extremely docile, stay small, and can handle beginner mistakes very well.
They are also easier for new handlers or kids to interact with than corn snakes.

Corn snakes are wonderful critters but, there are some things you'll want to consider. The kids can't be rough with it they can't take much abuse they'll stop eating etc. Also some of them are pretty reluctant to feed so watch it eat first. I know this sounds sort of strange but ime the white ones tend to be the most skittish and never seem to get used to handling. The good thing about the corns is they stay small and never eat anything much bigger than a mouse. Also lots of times when they strike they'll do it with their mouths closed.
The python's children's and balls are sweet hearts they eat well and are pretty docile if you handle them regularly.
Either snake will make a good pet depending on the conditions you can provide for them . The corns don't take as much room, food or cleaning. The pythons can take a bit more abuse, are easier to handle. The colubrids will reach their adult size quicker and come in every color in the rainbow.
Just keep in mind ," I know that I probably don't need to tell you this but..." just remember any critters you get for a minor you're responsible for. So make sure which ever one you get them is something that you like as well and are willing to take a responsibility for. Either of those two make a great pet but research to the nth.
hth and merry Christmas
Chris

I'd also suggest the children's, but are they very available in the US? not sure. Easy going, smallish, docile, pretty...

The Childrens Python's are not as readily available in the US as the Ball pythons are. Most Ball pythons are captive bred these days and they are quite docile as suggested. Dont let the word "Python" scare you as these guys are fairly small. The Corn snakes (Elaphe guttata)are pretty good but dont really care for a lot of handling and yes, the lighter phazes have a tendancy to be more skittish. The same goes for most species. Another one to look at is the King snake (Lampropeltis sp.) namely the Florida Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getulus floridana) or the California banded Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getulus californiae). Make sure that you do a lot of reading into the care and set up of any reptile and dont just go by what the pet shop says. Also find out if what you are getting is captive bred or wild caught.

Just to let you know, we had over 250 snakes in our collection when I was into Herpitology. They are fascinating.

get a ball python, I had one if was niceeee...too bad I had to throw it away.

I just got into snakes and I must say I absolutely LOVE them! They are the greatest pets!! I would also suggest a ball python. Mine is captive bred, extremely friendly and docile. You know how pet rats will sit on your shoulder and travel around the house with you? That's how my python is. The other night, this snake sat on my head for THREE HOURS! I usually wear my hair up and he'll curl around the bun part and just hang out. I even did some water changes and fed fish while he was up there. A girl at one of the LFS does the dishes with hers.
Do what Reefscape says and read up on the snake you think you might be interested in. I talked with ball python owners, looked on the net, bought a general python book and talked with co-workers (I work in a pet supply store and a couple co-workers got to take a reptile class in Vegas at a trade show). You might try kingsnake.com as an info site. It was one of the sites I went to for help.

You know how pet rats will sit on your shoulder and travel around the house with you?

Click to expand...

Unfortunately, I've had pet rats and fell in love with them. As much as I would LOVE to have a snake I am afraid I would constantly be "saving" the mice and rats from being its dinner...verrrry bad. In fact, once I babysat a python for two weeks and I couldn't handle feeding it the fuzzies, so I snuck it out of the box and made someone else drop another fuzzy in the tank. I kept that mouse for a loooooong time as a pet haha

I wish I could have them ALL!

p.s. very cool hair tie! haha

There is no reason to feed snakes live prey.
You can feed them thawed out food. Buy the feeders in bulk and thaw one each time you need it.
Most of the breeders will have the snakes feeding on frozen thawed before selling them nowadays. It's safer for the snake since it's food can't bite back.
Children's pythons are not too common in the US but they can be found with some looking. Kingsnake.com will have breeders selling them. Isis reptiles has very good captive bred stock for sale at the moment. I also breed and sell these guys but won't have anymore until Springtime.
If you do decide to buy from a breeder online (which is your best bet to get a healthy truly captive bred animal) check their reputation on the Board of Inquiry on faunaclassifieds.com.
Good luck. Snakes can be very rewarding pets.
Here is my list of good starter snakes.
Small - Children's python
Medium - Ball python
Large - Dumeril's boa
All 3 types are known for being very docile.