Catching Nerodia (am I going to die?)

[lokai99]

Well he is a beautiful snake. I can only imagine how many people ask you if he is poisonous. Here in Alabama every snake is either a cottonmouth or a rattlesnake no matter what color or pattern the lil guy has.

[infernalis]

Whenever I show him off, people move away until I clarify that he is harmless.

Same deal with my eastern Milk snakes, people call them "spotted adders" and tend to be afraid. Mine don't even bite or musk! Harmless animals.

[bsol]

Whenever I show him off, people move away until I clarify that he is harmless.

Same deal with my eastern Milk snakes, people call them "spotted adders" and tend to be afraid. Mine don't even bite or musk! Harmless animals.

I love it! "spotted adders"

[infernalis]

I assume that the term was born way back when the first settlers arrived.

In Europe snakes are referred to as "adders" and milk snakes have spots...

Throughout my childhood, I was warned by mom to stay clear of them.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Nerodia make fantastic pets. Quite honestly, pet-wise, moreso than garters. They become a level of "tame" that's not like any other snake!

[infernalis]

Nerodia make fantastic pets. Quite honestly, pet-wise, moreso than garters. They become a level of "tame" that's not like any other snake!

I knew it was only a matter of time before Shannon chimed in.

She is equally fond of them.

[lokai99]

Well question now is where do I find mine..how available are they in the pet trade?

[ConcinusMan]

Nerodia make fantastic pets. Quite honestly, pet-wise, moreso than garters. They become a level of "tame" that's not like any other snake!

don't listen to her. She's the devil and she's trying to tempt us away from garter snakes so she can keep them all for herself! JK.

"Tame" is often a label. A snake can be "tame", but to me, a snake that is tame, is often one snatched from the wild. One that has "intelligence" One that adapts well, one that seems to understand it's situation. One that chooses human interaction rather than avoiding it. My point is, all rubber boas are docile, often the word "docile" is exchanged with the word "tame". To me those words are not the same meaning. To call a rubber boa "tame" is like calling every slug you encounter as "tame". Seriosly shannon, if you ever picked up a wild rubber boa, they wrap around you like you're mom. They treat you like family. Tame? No. Docile nature, yes.

Why is a slug tame? simply because it does not put up a fight? Provide for all it's needs and it is content?

That's not tame. That's docile nature.

"Tame" is an animal with a normally hostile/defensive nature, which, in captivity, behaves in contradiction to that hostile nature. e.g. a "Tame Lion"

Fortunately for Shannon, she has very loving and supporting family and has had the opportunity to persue her interests long enough to "sample" many species. She does have good insight for many of them. She knows some species are downright wild and nasty. Find one gem among those, and that is a "tame" individual.

Think about what you are asking for lokai. There are many captive bred species that can fit your bill. I mean, they can be what you are looking for. There might even be a reptile rescue/adoption place near you where you can get an outright friendly and personable snake to fit that need. Doesn't have to be a Neroida necessarily, does it?

[bsol]

No... haha we're splitting hairs.

Last time I caught a wild water snake it didnt wrap around my hand like i was mom... its tried sinking its teeth in me like a cornered racoon would, and stunk up the area like it was a skunk. Fortunatley for me after a few short weeks, the little guy learned I was no longer a threat and started eating guppies right out of my hands.

tame(adjective) - changed from the wild or savage state; domesticated: a tame bear.

[ConcinusMan]

Good definition, and that's what I was getting at. CHANGED from the wild state. If a snake in the wild is already docile, then is it really appropriate to call it tame? I know, I'm just picking at details.

I want a red eastern milk so bad. Some lucky members have them right outside their door.