| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| moonshaddow |
Posted - 04/05/2012 : 17:33:09
I have been told that corn snakes can make good pets for children, ive read thru your info and it doesnt say!! My little boy is 3 1/2 and is very gentle - he held a corn snake yesterday and loved it. Would it be a good pet to get him or should i make him wait untill he is older ? |
| 14 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Mamma |
Posted - 06/05/2012 : 09:49:14
I have 3 kids. Ages 9, 4 and 2. All get to handle the snakes, but the 4 and 2 year old only get to handle certain ones. I dont let them handle the young snakes. I also dont let them handle the boa. |
| LadyV |
Posted - 05/05/2012 : 19:17:33
Trouble is kids and pets can either go well together or can be a disaster- you know your kid, if he's gentle around animals and respects them then I'd say no problem. Snakes are reletively easy to look after in comparison to a lizard/geko and other reptiles etc... I have seen some kids handle animals and it's painful to watch- they either squeeze them or the animal gets dropped because of poor handling. Mind you Chops has nearly fallen from my friend's arm before so as long as he is taught how to handle them, I'd say go for it. |
| Sta~ple |
Posted - 05/05/2012 : 09:52:35
If you were going for a corn for a child at such a young age, I'd get an adult, maybe rehome one but make sure you know has been handled and cared for well, youngest I would go for is a yearling but I think the older, the better maybe as they *should* be less prone to being skittish. I'd also make sure it's out of reach/has a viv lock on the doors if you choose to house in a viv and I would make sure they didn't their fingers in their mouths after touching the snake and any of the housing!
Jut be prepared mum/dad that you may end up looking after it for 20 years since your boy is young so probably won't be doing any cleaning and feeding yet and when he can, he may have become bored. So you would have to make sure it's a pet your happy with him having but you may end up with.
That said, they are lovely pets I think compared to other animals, I've had rabbits, gerbils, lots of dofferent birds, fish, cats, dogs and I think cornsnakes are the cheapest and least smelly/messy of all that I have had. Their poos can stink but thankfully they don't poo much! |
| smart bunny |
Posted - 05/05/2012 : 08:38:50
Would I buy a 3 1/2 yr old a snake because he wanted one? No, definitely not. A child that age cannot agree to care for the snake the rest of it's life - which can be over 20 yrs in captivity!! Would I buy a snake because I want one and agree to care for it the rest of it's life? - definitely, and I have done!!
My almost 8 yr old son wanted a corn snake for Christmas last yr. If I hadn't wanted one I'd never have got it as I know how easily he loses interest in things. But I wanted one anyway lol!! He has already lost interest... whereas his 4yr old sister is always asking to get her (and my new snake) out and pays them far more attention. Obviously children that young are much more prone to jumpy movements and have to be under careful supervision at all times, but she loves having the snakes just wandering about on her!
We got hatchies as my husband was against getting an adult just in case they had a bad temperament and we ended up with a snake the kids couldn't handle. A hatchy is far more flighty and nervous than an adult, but having had Corno since November she is totally used to the kids now. Ember we've only had a couple of weeks so hasn't really been held by the kids very much yet, just brief wandering across them - I want her to slow down a bit first! Obviously this would be a bit tricky if it's supposed to be your son's own snake - I'd get it as a family pet personally, as my son still likes to claim Corno is his even though he's not interested in looking after her lol!
One more thing - my 4 yr old was desperate for a guinea pig and I told her she could have one when she's 7 (same as her brother) to see if it lasted, figuring if she still wanted one in 6 momths I'd get her one - then she wanted a snake, then a tortoise, then a snake again - so I wouldn't go out on the spur of the moment just because he held one once and wants one, only if you do! 
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| lotabob |
Posted - 04/05/2012 : 22:52:42
I dont know about adults been a better choice, both adults and hatchies have their merits and draw backs. Best bet is get to a respectable reptile shop and take the snakey tour, see what you feel comfortable with, see what will fit well into your family as handling will always be supervised and corn snakes are generally well behaved so pick the one that looks up at you with its big eyes and says to you 'pleeeeze take mee home'. |
| moonshaddow |
Posted - 04/05/2012 : 22:32:02
Thanks for all the great advice, sounds like from experience it would be better to get an older corn, the guy in the shop was saying they were getting babys in soon and that i should consider that, so im very glad that i found you all and got advice from people who know !! When i make the decision i will definately be back to ask you all for more advice. Thanks again x |
| meggi |
Posted - 04/05/2012 : 21:09:33
maybe you could condider getting an older corn, then it may be easier to handle :-) |
| crazy JJ |
Posted - 04/05/2012 : 20:45:08
I dont have any kids, the youngest kid that has come to our house recently is 7 so i cant really comment on a young young child but all i can say is sounds obvious and probs stupid but if you do end up getting a snake then i would imagine its going to be more of a family pet but if your child gets bored of it then think to yourself will you or whoever will be looking after will to? if not then great why not i will advise maybe not a young snake though but if the answer is yes more than likely then well there is your answer. (am sorry if this doesnt make sense having a complete blonde friday) |
| lupi lou |
Posted - 04/05/2012 : 20:29:34
i don't have childern and personally i wont let my cousin (3yrs) and godson (4) near my boys but thats because a, jinx is still very quick and small and b, i don't really trust the two kids not to squeeze them! if i had adult corns then i maybe would let then hold but under close supervison. |
| claire_daz |
Posted - 04/05/2012 : 20:00:39
My two year old grandaughter love our snake s i let her sit on the sofa with a towel on her lap then the snake on the towel .. she know she has to wash her hand be4 and after holding the snakeys x x |
| Donnie |
Posted - 04/05/2012 : 19:46:58
I have a 3 1/2 year old and a 18 month old and they are both fine with my snakes. The 18 month does not hold them yet as he will probably try to eat them but the oldest holds with close supervision. They can both reach the fauns but do not touch (many shouts of NO when I first got them) and are never left in the room with them alone. So I would say yes it would be a great pet to get :) |
| meggi |
Posted - 04/05/2012 : 19:32:24
I would say yes, why not?!?!? :) obviously with very close supervision and lots of help :) |
| Starmist |
Posted - 04/05/2012 : 18:59:06
My cousins regularly visit me. They are 4 and 8, they are always very keen to see Jake, but the four year old always worries me as he's quite jumpy around him. Agree with the above comment though, is the viv going to be within easy access for your son? If yes, then obviously with your supervision he can be a great pet for you all. |
| a33272 |
Posted - 04/05/2012 : 17:56:51
My main concern would be is the snake going to be kept within easy reach of said 3 1/2 year old |
