Snake Bite? (Agressivness)

Question
QUESTION: The exact snakes you specified on the front of your account are the choices i have to buying. The Boa, Python, Central American Boa, Red Tailed Boa, Rosy Boa and the rough green snake which is also called opheodrys aestivus. Im new to snakes but i would really like to have one. Can you tell me which of these is the least aggressive? Also i would like to know what a snake bite feels like some people tell me they hurt bad and others tell me it's nothing. Uhh take for example a 24"(2 feet) how bad will that hurt? If you can tell me.

ANSWER: Rosy boa, rough Green snake, and the ball python are probably the least aggressive out of them all. Most snakes if handled early and often never have problems regardless of what kind they are.

If you have never had a snake before, stick to something that will get under 6 feet. This rules out the Central American Boa and the Red Tailed Boa. Both will get at least 8 feet, the Central American possibly 10 feet. This is more than you will want to take care of. I suggest a Ball Python if you want a bulkier snake. I don't have much experience with Rosy boas as they are illegal for me to sell in Oregon. Rough Green Snakes are not much for the handling, but they do look stunning in a vivarium. My ball python Satinka loves to be handled. I can walk around with her hanging from my neck with no problems. They can get upwards of 5.5 feet, but that isn't too much to handle, other than the fact that they should at that size have at least a 125 gallon tank for a home.

Snake bites from smaller snakes are nothing, more a nuisance than anything. Most snakes I have been bit by were about 2 feet, and the only thing that peeved me was that they just wouldn't stop bleeding for awhile. They can get their tiny teeth stuck in your skin, but for a small snake it is easily taken off.  Unless the snake is 5+ feet, you aren't going to have any serious damage.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Okay a well trusted friend told me to get either a Corn Snake, Rough Green Snake or a Garter Snake. Which of those are the least aggressive and best handled by children and such. My friend told me that most Garter snakes can grow to a decent size and live fine in a 20 gallon tank and will eat live fish and pinkie mice. I guess the rough green snake is ruled out then but which one is better for children a Garter Snake or Corn Snake? I also heard that Garter's are easily hand feed and most have a great personality. I want something that will look cool eating mice and stuff :) for me and that is also good with children. One last thing my friend also told me when you feed a snack take it out of it's living home and into another place because if you feed it in the home tank then when you put your hand if for to pick it up it will think your food. Any tips would be nice at this moment. Any tips for how to handle them? Thanx much i will leave good feedback for you.

Answer
I agree with him on the choices. Garter snakes are easy to hand feed and can become quite tame. I let the kids who come into the store handle my largest. They require the smallest space of most snakes, which for most is a big concern.

The cornsnakes also are very good with handling. The two larger ones I have twine around my hand and will stay there no matter what I do, just enjoying being there. It's fun to watch both Garters and cornsnakes eat. Garters are fun to watch eat fish. Garters are a little more squirmy than cornsnakes but still become good with handling if you spend the time.

He is also correct about taking the snake out of his home to eat. When you feed them in their home, then they associate the cage being opened with being fed, and you might get nipped at or bit. My pythons carry cage doubles as her eating cage.

Handling a snake is easy once you get the hang of how yours will want to move. Support the snake with your hands, always keeping a loose grip to make sure they don't go anywhere, but not enough to restrict them. The head is a touchy place for most snakes, though with handling most will get used to being touched there. It usually startles the newer owners when the snake pulls it's head away suddenly. He just doesn't want his head getting eaten!

Most snakes are not aggressive by nature, but with little or no handling and socialization will become so. The only time that I am careful is feeding time. I use feeding tongs (Mine are bamboo but there are many different types) to feed the snakes just to make sure no one ends up confusing my fingers with the food.

Children are usually great with snakes, granted they know to be gentle and stay away from the snakes head. Teach them how to hold them by showing them, and they will catch on quite quickly.

As far as which one you choose, either would be a great choice. Not everyone has good access to feeder minnows or goldfish or frozen mice for that matter so take that into account.