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I would actually recommend against Ball Pythons. They are usually touted as being great beginner's snakes but they can also be very picky eaters. I had one who only ate for 2-3 months of every year. The first year I had her it was hard offering her food over and over, only to have it refused - for nine whole months! (Not to mention hating the waste of the life of a mouse/rat, since even though I was feeding frozen, they can only be thawed, heated, refrozen, rethawed so many times....) I had her 7 years and she was an easy keeper in terms of not costing much to feed but otherwise, was not that great a pet.
I would really recommend corn snakes, however. I currently have 6 and have had others over the years. I've almost never had one refuse to eat - and when they do it is usually only because they are in shed. They come in a wonderful variety of colors and actually have different personalities. I read this before I ever had a corn snake and thought "a snake with personality? I can't even imagine that". But its true. I have one who loves to curl up in a PVC pipe. Others won't go near the same PVC pipe. I have some who duck their heads out every time you lift the lid of their enclosure to see what's up and others who hide away and could care less about visiting. Some like to be handled - others are more shy. One of mine is such an aggressive eater that he'll strike at anything that moves first and ask questions later. Others are more selective, examining every inch of their food before deciding whether or not it meets their exacting standards. I even had one who would take the food politely every time it was offered, but if he didn't feel like eating that week, he'd bury it under the bedding at the back of the enclosure. Needless to say it was usually several days later before we knew he hadn't eaten, so we learned to check on him an hour after feeding to make sure he actually did eat it.
For a child, a corn snake can't be beat - they are generally non-aggressive, easily handled snakes who eat and shed regularly. They don't require quite as exacting temp/humidity as Ball Pythons and are interesting, lively pets.
Agreed! I would advise AGAINST ball pythons! My first one didn't eat for a year and a half. They are known to be VERY finicky snakes (I know, some aren't, but too many have I seen over the decade) and will cause a lot of heart ache for people.
I would advice a Cornsnake; though I want to say I hate them (I don't like working with "easy" snakes lol) but they are friendly, come in many colors, always seem to eat and are handled and capable of being great beginner snakes for... well beginners.
I'd also say Kingsnakes, but they can be a bit more aggressive as well as aggressive feeders.
Rosy boas are wonderful, but never have they been my cup o' tea
Email or PM me if you need help.
