Pet snake information from experienced owners, please!?

Question

Before you tell me to "do a search," I have searched and read. I just want some more info from experienced owners. =)

I'm interested in getting a pet snake within the next 10 years. However, I have a few worries:

1. My friend Jen has a beautiful corn snake, but 6 feet is way too big for a cat lover! I'm looking for snakes that will get no bigger than 2 feet long and will remain relatively thin; 1.5 feet or smaller is preferable.

2. I have no problem with the circle of life, but I've owned pet rats before, so I'm hesitant to get a snake that eats live rodents. I can handle snakes that eat insects or frozen rodents, though.

3. How worried do I have to be about a cat attacking a snake, or visa versa?

4. How much, on average, does a small snake cost annually? (EX: housecats are moderately expensive, rats are cheap after start-up.)

I would prefer a docile/low bite risk species. I am in NE USA.

Species I'm currently interested in: green, western hognose, carphophis

Answer 1

i like ball pythons and garters hognose and kings they do not get big a lil bit more then 2 feet but they r easy to handle and very fun with rats i feed live but my friend just buys frozen off of bulk websites and with pinkies 4 the babys i do give them frozen live go 4 anything from a dollar 2 3 frozen 3 for 4 live is better for ur snake cause freezing kills off some minerals and makes them fatter live is wut u should buy ur snake will love u garters are good and spotted pythons i hav some balls for sale and grass snakes ar tempermental lil snakes though

Answer 2

There are a few snakes that stay small, and are not aggressive. The best bet is for you to pick one for yourself that you like the appearance of.    If you get a snake that the size you mentioned and if he is in his own tank, then your cats will not bother him at all. I too am a cat lover.  As for food Any snake the size you are wanting will at most eat 1-2 mice a week.   Frozen mice run around $1.50-$2.00.   And I do not care what anyone says any snake will eat frozen if it is prepared correctly.     To prpare the frozen mouse, first fill a cup with as hot of water you can get from your tap only.  Place the mouse in it for five minutes.   Do this same thing three times.  Every five minutes empty the water and refill with hot tap.    Now here is the trick.   Make sure you have a little rubbermaid storage tub with lid.  Pat the mouse dry a little bit and put it in the tub, and then put your snake in the tub and cover with lid.   Wait a half hour then check.  If he has not eaten it, then put the snake back in his tank and wait a week and offer him a another mouse.    Feeding in a seperate container helps reduce accidental bites.   The snake will not associate his own tank with feeding, so he will not think your hand could be food by mistake if you move to fast.  Now as for the snake and biting.  There are snakes that are more nippy than others, but a baby might nip more than an adult.  Also regular handeling lowers the chances of being bit.  Another thing to remember though is that smaller snakes are usually much faster and wiggle more.    Some king snakes are small.  Ribbon snakes are good, and they eat feeder fish in their water bowl instead of mice.  The choice is really yours.  Personally I would always recommend a ball python.  They are not expensive.  The don't get huge, but they are bigger.  They are docile.  Good eaters and cheap to feed.    Well hope I helped if you have any other questions send an e-mail to [e-mail].  There is no soliciting there only answers.