Most beautiful pet snake you've seen

[Ryodraco]

Originally Posted by Kreptzor

Also, speaking of musking, I WAS considering a garter snake, but after doing some research on musking, I feel like I don't really want to be musked . Is it a habit that goes away after a while if handled often (for garters especially)?

As I've heard it many snakes can be tamed down. I do have a california king who musks every time I handle her, but she is otherwise a good snake so I avoid handling her except for cage cleaning once a month. I don't want to stress her out to handle her more as I've never tamed a snake down before, and she's fun enough to look at.

I also have two checkered garters. I have heard a lot about them being nippy and musking but neither has ever tried to bite me (I take them out of the terrarium twice a week for feeding) and I think I've only been musked once or twice. It just varies with the individual.

Also I think I read that garter snakes are aquatic. How does this change the handling?

Some are more aquatic than others, but it doesn't change handling them or their caging beyond giving them the option of a larger-than-normal water source They require access to overall dry conditions to stay healthy despite their love for water.

They are very fast though, so they aren't snakes you want to handle for extended periods if they are trying to escape the whole time. That just increases the chance of them leaping from your hand. One of mine has never really tried this but it may be in part due to how I don't handle him for extended periods, the other garter is more nervous and routinely tries to make a break for it.

<><><>

I have read of snake keepers who fondly speak of how their rosy boas would curl around their arms for hours on end to bask in their body heat, but most snakes won't do this.