First snake?

[rollinkansas]

. by unique i just want something thats not found normally in pet shops. thats all. not something thats unique in the hobby.

All the snakes mentioned in this thread(with exception of rubber boas) are all "pet shop" snakes.

Why not try to contact breeders of snakes you like, and see if perhaps they have a retired breeder, or older snake that will fit your budget.

 

[Mushroom Spore]

im kinda scared that it wont have a cool side of the tank to cool down. not sure if thats a big deal or not but i figured i would ask you guys first.

It's definitely a big deal, snakes can get heatstroke/hyperthermia just like any other animal. It's not pretty.

 

[Joe]

Another snake I always seem to forget about that makes a great starter is the African house snake. They come in a few different color varieties, are relatively inexpensive, rarely fuss at all when it comes to feeding, stay small, and breed like crazy, if you're so inclined.

 

[K1j1m]

Think i pretty much narrowed it down to a Scarlet Kingsnake. I have always loved the colors on these guys, and they seem to be easy to care for. Probley gonna try the whole "unique" thing when i get some more experiance and money lol.

 

[Joe]

Think i pretty much narrowed it down to a Scarlet Kingsnake. I have always loved the colors on these guys, and they seem to be easy to care for. Probley gonna try the whole "unique" thing when i get some more experiance and money lol.

Good luck finding a scarlet kingsnake, let alone one that's CB and eating mice instead of lizards. There are several other species of milksnake that look pretty similar, though, and are much easier to find. Coastal Plains milksnakes come to mind.

 

[Sevenrats]

If you are getting a first "anything", you should always get something very common that is considered easy to keep. A nice ball python would be a good place to start.

Maybe that instead of looking for a kind of snake, you should look for a really good dealer and ask them what they recommend.

 

[DMTWI]

How about a hognose snake? http://www.hognose.com/

 

[ChondroGirl]

Childrens pythons are also good, and most are very docile, grow fast, but only get 3 1/2 feet long. They are hardy and easy to care for.

I recommend frozen-thawed to cut down on the possibility of disease or mites from the mouse.

You would still need a heat source to provide a temperature gradient, so the snake can regulate his own temperature.

 

[K1j1m]

Good luck finding a scarlet kingsnake, let alone one that's CB and eating mice instead of lizards. There are several other species of milksnake that look pretty similar, though, and are much easier to find. Coastal Plains milksnakes come to mind.

They same pretty common at the shows near were i live. Found a couple from a breeder that were only about $59 per hatchling.

 

[Binky/Carol]

Please please read up on any information on any snake you think you might want. DO not listen to pet stores..
Ball Pythons are NOT good beginner snakes.
They do require a specific type of husbandry.
I have rescued 8 ball pythons in every type of situation, not one of them correct to date.
they require 2 identical hides. They have to have aspen or other moisture capturing substrate. NO pine or cedar.
They have to have a "cool" side and a "hot side.
They HAVE TO HAVE a thermostat, UTH, and humidity gauge, a thermometer on each side to regulate the hot and cool side.
The cool side must be about 80-84 degrees, or 78-82.. the hot side 90-92.
With 50-60% humidity.
They do NOT do well in a big giant tank.. a 30-40 gallon breeder is perfect for AN ADULT.. if you have a 20 gallon and a small 2 foot snake, you will have to clutter it up for them to feel safe.
They are not arboreal, they don't need a climbing tree.. they are an underbrush type snake.. so need lots of "underbrush"...
There are a lot of great forums and information out there.
King snakes, and corns, are a lot of fun, and great snakes, for a first time snake keeper.

Carol

 

[Mushroom Spore]

Ball Pythons are NOT good beginner snakes.
They do require a specific type of husbandry.

Ball pythons are great beginner snakes, I started on one myself. They are not, however, good snakes for beginners who don't know or care what the spotted heck they're doing. But that goes for most animals, it's just more severe in the case of this species.

Their care is easy, you just have to get it RIGHT. It's not difficult to get it right, either.

 

[Sevenrats]

Please please read up on any information on any snake you think you might want. DO not listen to pet stores..
Ball Pythons are NOT good beginner snakes.
They do require a specific type of husbandry.
I have rescued 8 ball pythons in every type of situation, not one of them correct to date.
they require 2 identical hides. They have to have aspen or other moisture capturing substrate. NO pine or cedar.
They have to have a "cool" side and a "hot side.
They HAVE TO HAVE a thermostat, UTH, and humidity gauge, a thermometer on each side to regulate the hot and cool side.
The cool side must be about 80-84 degrees, or 78-82.. the hot side 90-92.
With 50-60% humidity.
They do NOT do well in a big giant tank.. a 30-40 gallon breeder is perfect for AN ADULT.. if you have a 20 gallon and a small 2 foot snake, you will have to clutter it up for them to feel safe.
They are not arboreal, they don't need a climbing tree.. they are an underbrush type snake.. so need lots of "underbrush"...
There are a lot of great forums and information out there.
King snakes, and corns, are a lot of fun, and great snakes, for a first time snake keeper.

Carol

What's so hard about that? Sounds like a snake enclosure to me.

 

[rollinkansas]

Please please read up on any information on any snake you think you might want. DO not listen to pet stores..
Ball Pythons are NOT good beginner snakes.
They do require a specific type of husbandry.

News flash...every animal will require a specific type of husbandry. Your post just sounds like your over exaggerating basic snake care.

That is suitable for a ball python to live and breed in. Very basic, very easy, and simple for anyone with half a brain to keep healthy.

 

[Galadriel]

Dumerils boas.
Stay under 6 feet, excellent eaters, a little high strung, but not generally nippy, pretty forgiving when it comes to husbandry. I'd recommend them over ball pythons for a first boid any day.

 

[Joe]

Dumerils boas.
Stay under 6 feet

Males, not females. I've heard of (not seen personally) some females that reached 8' or 9', and I've seen more than a few that were 7'.

 

[copper89]

I could sell you a juvi timber rattle snake for less then 50 bucks and you sure as hell aren't going to find one at petco but that doesn't make them special and it doesn't mean you should get one. i understand what you mean by wanting a unique snake I have a couple but i have also been keeping snakes for 15 years, most of the more exotic specias have special care requierments( not all but most) it would most likely be a more injoyable experiance if you started with something easier. this is just my opinion and do not mean to tread on any toes.
I might recommend something like everglades rats, or like above a nice amazon tree boa, More exotic go with a spotted python from down under there easy.
copper

 

[K1j1m]

My biggest concern is the heat in my bedroom. like i said it stays at 80F. i read that 80-85 is great for snakes but how would i make a cool spot of the tank?

 

[Mushroom Spore]

My biggest concern is the heat in my bedroom. like i said it stays at 80F. i read that 80-85 is great for snakes but how would i make a cool spot of the tank?

If you can't cool your house/room down to accomodate a reptile's needed temperature gradient, you can't keep a reptile in your room. There's no way around it.

Also "for snakes" is not very specific. It's great for SOME snakes for PART of their needed temps.

 

[froggyman]

Another snake I always seem to forget about that makes a great starter is the African house snake. They come in a few different color varieties, are relatively inexpensive, rarely fuss at all when it comes to feeding, stay small, and breed like crazy, if you're so inclined.

i second this reccomendation...there cheap and not usually found at petco

plus they are really cool looking

http://www.kingsnake.com/housesnake/gallery.html

 

[Mina]

They aren't cheap or easy to find but no one has yet mentioned rosy boas. I have a 2 year old male coastal and he is a real sweetheart. They aren't hard to take care of, are docile and gentle, and don't get very big so room isn't a problem.