| Author |
 Topic  |
|
tk72
Hatchling
United Kingdom
494 Posts |
 Posted - 17/08/2011 : 09:42:48
|
Hi all, my name is Terry and my two children want a pet and as my wife is alergic to cats and dogs our choice has been narrowed down to a snake or a bearded dragon. After some advice first though. Been doing a lot of research as dont want to get the wrong one as both of these seem to have a long life span and want to make sure we can provide a good home for either one.So here go my questions.
1. which makes the best pet.and are they good pets to have.?
2. are they ok with children handling them? kids are 6 and 3.
3. which snake is best for beginners? corn snake/king snake or ball python. all have good reviews.
4. where should i get one from? i live in liverpool and have found a place called warrington exotics which looks good on the web site and i have spoken to them a few times and they seem very knowledgeable and helpful. any one reccommend anywhere else?
thanks for looking and any advice given would be greatly appreciated as i know once we get either pet it is going to be with us for a long time and want to make sure i dont go into it without being able to look after it properly.
Thanks again Terry. |
|
|
tordyjo
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
2036 Posts |
Posted - 17/08/2011 : 09:55:09
|
hi and welcome
I would say a corn snake - but yet i'm biased as i've never owned a beardy. They're brill as pets, take your time choosing one, handle it and make sure you get all the feeding records and make sure it has been shedding ok. Hatchlings can be quite skittish and quick so you may want to look for one slightly bigger 6 months + they're still quick but slow down as they're growing. Mine have been fab with my little girl who's 11, her friends have also handled them - the youngest being 5 and they were fine.
good luck in making your choice |
 Lilly Crystal Harry
1.2.0 corns, 1.1.0 cats tropical guppies who continually breed
|
 |
|
|
garrie
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
1148 Posts |
Posted - 17/08/2011 : 10:08:03
|
Firstly, hi and welcome :-)
1. CORN CORN CORN CORN!!! (lol - in honesty though, i haven't any experience with bearded dragons, i'm just now very much a corn snake enthusiast after owning one for 2 months)
2. Certainly should be fine, corns are about as docile as any pet can get - a cat or hamster etc could easily (and are more likely to) do more damage
3. Corn snakes are definately considered the easiest snake (i believe) - less health issues, better eaters)
4. Can't help with that i'm afraid, but i'm certain someone else on here will be able to help
Good luck, and can't wait to hear about what you decide on and see pictures etc |
^click for more pics^
Garrie - Halesworth, Suffolk. 1.0 AURYN (fire morph corn) 0.1 Puzzle (Cat) |
|
|
|
Hissyfit
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
2214 Posts |
Posted - 17/08/2011 : 10:10:08
|
I'd say corn snake too We've only had our corn snake for 3 weeks, and had read up for months before deciding. He was for my 10 yr old, and she loves lizards/beardies etc, but I could see her dropping a tub of crickets and they'd be everywhere I took her into a local reptile store and they were happy to let her handle the snakes. She chose a corn snake after reading up on them, they seemed the easiest to care for and she's very confident handling them too.We barely saw him the first 2 weeks, but now that he's settled in he comes out when she's in the room, and loves being handled. We have cats, dogs & chickens, and having a pet you only have to feed once a week is such a change from the rest who are really demanding |
 |
|
|
|
gmac
The Scottish Admin
United Kingdom
5319 Posts |
Posted - 17/08/2011 : 10:13:23
|
1. which makes the best pet.and are they good pets to have.?
Is a difficult question they are both completely different, but both are good to keep.
2. are they ok with children handling them? kids are 6 and 3.
Snakes are fast and can strike very quick when they feel threatened, and the kids are both still a bit small for handling snakes particularly your 3 year old.
3. which snake is best for beginners? corn snake/king snake or ball python. all have good reviews.
with kids your age i would plump for a corn out of your options Kings are more unpredictable and if the royal bites it will hurt somewhat more than the other.
I would recommend if you are going down the rep route to get a beardie. They are more friendly have a good personality / beaviour and dont seem to bother with the handling and are generally better as pets for your kids at the ages they are. Just be aware the costs of beardies equipment and feeding requirements as they are more expensive to feed than snakes and require uv lighting replaced every 3-6 months.
Also as your kids are young they are more liable to want to see / watch their pet beardies are out most of the day whereas snakes in general hide all day possible not even venturing out for long most days |
 |
Edited by - gmac on 17/08/2011 10:15:46 |
|
|
|
stuart619
Hatchling
United Kingdom
230 Posts |
Posted - 17/08/2011 : 12:19:26
|
1. Corn in my opinion.
2. I'd say that they kids may be a little young to be handling. especially a corn snake hatchling which can be really fast.
3. I'd personally say Royal Python... Sorry everyone  . However they do go off food around mating season and this can be a bit off putting to a beginner. They are really docile though.
Corns are probably slightly easier to start with and you will see them out of their hides more than you would royals. I'd not recommend a king (just my preference though... Musked too often)
4. I got a snake from warrington exotics before. They were quite good. Leeroys lizzard lounge is meant to be good aswell. Where in Liverpool are you? I'm in the city centre. |
 |
Edited by - stuart619 on 17/08/2011 12:21:05 |
|
|
|
tk72
Hatchling
United Kingdom
494 Posts |
Posted - 17/08/2011 : 13:54:23
|
Thanks for all the advice. I may hold of for a year till they are older.Dont want them not to be able to handle the snake. They will be upset about waiting but if its not the right time its not the right time. They turn 7 and 4 in september so if we wait till next year they will be old enough to handle them hopefully. Once again thanks for all your advice.
Terry |
|
|
|
gingerpony
Queen Bee
United Kingdom
10455 Posts |
Posted - 17/08/2011 : 14:36:20
|
if you're happy looking after and handling the snake/beardie and the children are old enough to understand 'don't squeeze it' i can't see a reason not to go for it 
my kids are 4 and 1 (years), our 4 year old has been handling snakes, under supervision of course, since she was about 2. our toddler doesn't understand the 'don't squeeze' thing yet but he loves watching them in their vivs
heya and welcome btw |
cornsnakes, ratsnakes, bullsnakes, boas and day geckos
Location:Leeds/York/Selby area |
|
|
|
stuart619
Hatchling
United Kingdom
230 Posts |
Posted - 17/08/2011 : 15:12:18
|
Good point GP. Also if you were happy doing the handling for the time being, you can do the leg work in taming your new snake.
A new hatchling can be difficult to handle so by taming you should be ready in time to present a nice tame snake to the kiddies instead of a snake which might be a little jumpy |
|
|
|
|
kelfezond
Snake Mite
42 Posts |
Posted - 17/08/2011 : 15:25:15
|
| Could always just get an adult royal as long as it is of a friendly nature. My nephew and my niece play with my adult royals, if they squeeze the royals are generally too fat and strong to care just gotta teach them to avoid touching the heads :) |
|
|
|
tk72
Hatchling
United Kingdom
494 Posts |
Posted - 17/08/2011 : 18:58:10
|
| once again thanks for all of the advice given. it is good that people take time to help. thankyou all. |
|
|
|
west5680
Hatchling
United Kingdom
134 Posts |
Posted - 17/08/2011 : 19:10:12
|
I would echo GP with the kids thing. I have 2 seven year olds, a four year old and a three year old (all boys) they love handling Sienna our 3yr old corn and know exactly what to do. I wont yet them handle Sydney yet thoug as hes only a few months old and can be lightning fast.
I would say that a corns best, never had a beardie but they seem a bit scratchy to me not like a corn that just wriggles and slides around you. Plus its so much cheaper to keep a corn feeding etc, my aunt has 4 beardies and spends around £15 a week in total on food. Each day your having to prep greens and veg for them and then getting crickets etc.
Corn snake, couple of frozen mice in the freezer then once a week or two weeks defrost feed .. done!
I am biased but corn all the time. |
 
0.1.0 Wife
4.0.0 Children
0.5.0 Chickens
0.2.0 Cats
0.1.0 Amel corn (Sydney)(hatchie)
0.1.0 Carolina corn (Sienna)(3yrs)
Various coldwater fish |
|
|
|
Red123
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
2030 Posts |
Posted - 17/08/2011 : 19:21:48
|
| We started off with a corn just over a year ago now and it was one of the best decisions we ever made. They really do make excellent pets. We got our first 2 lizards about 4 months ago. Not beardies but skinks nothing alike I know but, lizards of any type are more complicated to care for what with the lighting and temps. And the feeding, alot easier to defrost a mouse for a corn than having to buy various feeder insects and calcium powder and multi vitamin powders. Good luck with what ever you choose though . |
Corn Snake
, 1.0.0 Amel (Stan),
Royal Pythons
1.0.0 Normal (Nigel)
1.0.0 Albino (Tony)
Boa Constrictor Imperator
0.1.0 (Agatha)Western Hognose
0.1.0 Normal (Stevie)
0.0.1 Schneider Skink (George)
1.0.0 Extreme Blonde Harlequin Crested Gecko (Bert)
4 GALS.
Tarantulas
Red Rump (B. Vagans) Jo.
Chaco Golden Knee (G. pulchripes) Charlie, Greenbottle Blue (C. cyaneopubescens) Gus, Honduran Curly Hair ( B. albopilosum) Titch, Mexican Fire Leg (B. boehmei), Salmon Pink Bird Eater(L. parahybana), Fort Hall Baboon (P. Lugardi) Blanche, Stout Leg Baboon (E. Pachypus) Graham, Chilean Rose (G. Rosea) Glen.
Border collie x (BoB), 2 Cats (Lucky & Dip), 17 Goldfish, and The Dubia Family |
|
|
|
scottishbluebird
it is all my fault
United Kingdom
8403 Posts |
Posted - 17/08/2011 : 20:13:54
|
| I'd say a corn! |
     
0.1.0 Corn - Kellogs
1.0.0 Hognose - Storm
0.1.0 Staffy - Lyla
1.0.0 Spaffy(staffy x springer)-Spyro
1.0.0 Ferret - Peanut R.I.P
0.1.0 Crestie - Fudge. Wish List - Pygmy hedgehog. Tropiocolotes |
|
|
|
gingerpony
Queen Bee
United Kingdom
10455 Posts |
Posted - 17/08/2011 : 20:14:19
|
quote:
Originally posted by west5680
...never had a beardie but they seem a bit scratchy to me...
that's a good point actually, when i've taken reptiles into nurseries/preschool groups/out of school clubs/to work for our trainee vet nurses  , although there's usually a lot of interest in any lizards i've taken, when it actually comes to the handling part the kids have got a bit freaked out with scratchy claws/toenails......i suppose the lizards look more familiar in a way, having 4 legs a head and a tail, then are a disappointment to handle, whereas the snakes are held/touched with great trepidation and it turns out that actually, snakes don't feel that bad!! lol |
cornsnakes, ratsnakes, bullsnakes, boas and day geckos
Location:Leeds/York/Selby area |
|
|
|
gingerpony
Queen Bee
United Kingdom
10455 Posts |
Posted - 17/08/2011 : 20:16:53
|
quote:
Originally posted by scottishbluebird
I'd say a corn!
of course you would!!
and i'd agree, though i'd go for a yearling that's placid to handle, an established feeder and a manageable size |
cornsnakes, ratsnakes, bullsnakes, boas and day geckos
Location:Leeds/York/Selby area |
|
|
|
Sta~ple
qeeun speler
United Kingdom
6129 Posts |
Posted - 17/08/2011 : 22:15:51
|
I would echo gp's latest post, I would go for at least a yearling, maybe even an rescued adult that's all nice and friendly off preloved or something as they are less likely to whizz. I cannot speak for lizards, I always wanted one but the bugs were an issue, so I got a yearling cornsnake when I was quite young :)
I would probably say no to royals... D:
Kings are more active than corns, mine is always out! He's super friendly too, but as gmac said, they can be unpredictable specially when they think it's food time! Mine will often bite himself and any other object at that point xp corns tend to be more predictable in their actions. |
   
A very special super, duper thanks for K :3 |
|
|
|
tk72
Hatchling
United Kingdom
494 Posts |
Posted - 18/08/2011 : 14:09:28
|
| thanks again. will possibly go into the pet shop and ask if tke kids can have a hold and see how they get on. my eldest has held the before and loves them but will make sure my youngets is ok handling them before getting one. anyone else know of any other places than warington exotics in or around liverpool? |
|
|
|
Sammysnake
Yearling
United Kingdom
606 Posts |
Posted - 18/08/2011 : 16:03:18
|
I have corns and a Rankins Dragon (basically a smaller version of a Beardie with almost identical care requirements). We got the Rankins first as it was what my daughter wanted. I love him to bits but he definitely takes more looking after than the snakes do - you have to keep replacing the UV, have daytime heating and night time heating, dust the food with powders, feed daily and keep the live food alive too etc. Costs a lot more in setup too. Also, now he's an adult he doesn't do much and he brumates for 6 months out of the year when he never wakes up . The snakes are definitely more fascinating to us and to my daughter's friends and much easier and cheaper to care for but she can't get them out of their vivs unsupervised whereas with Keydo our Rankins, she can. Swings and roundabouts but I think I would go for Corns from now on. |
08 male Carolina Corn ‘Saracen’
09 male Anery Corn ‘Twilight’
08 male Rankins Dragon ‘Keydo’ |
|
|
|
Simmy_82
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
1272 Posts |
Posted - 18/08/2011 : 16:29:31
|
| My first reptile is my corn snake. Fairly easy to keep really. Nothing major, but i've only had mine 3weeks this sunday... |
 
0.1.0 - Cat - Tallulah
0.0.1 - Carolina Corn Snake - Lilith |
|
|
|
Mort13
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
5599 Posts |
Posted - 18/08/2011 : 17:34:49
|
My children were 8 and 9 when we got our first snake. He was only a hatchling but they handled him fine. With children your age I'll echo whats been said previously and recommend a yearling or adult corn snake. They are so much easier to handle at that age,for adults as well as children.
I've also previously had beardies (before I had kids) and while they are brilliant animals they too can be squirmy and suddenly shoot off if they decide to. There is also the issue of them accidentally scratching your kids.
Corns can live for considerably longer than beardies.
I've visited Warrington Pets a couple of times. I've never actually bought an animal from there,but they have quite a lot of corns. My recommendation would be to go there with your family and see if you can handle some of the animals there. It does get busy there as its a lot smaller than it looks online but they have a lot of staff so you'll be able to get some help I'm sure. |
      
3.1.0 Corn snakes, 1.0.0 T-Albino Cape House Snake, 0.1.0 Western Hognose,
1.0.0 MBK, 0.1.0 Childrens Python, 1.0.0 Nicaraguan Dwarf Boas
0.0.1 Occelated Skink, 1.0.0 Leopard Gecko, 1.0.3 Tarantulas, 0.0.2 Damon diadema
1.0.0 C0ckatiel,
|
|
|
|
Topic |
|
looking to get our first reptile.
