getting first snake
- Thread starter J.huff23
- Start date
sarraceniashawn
Arachnopeon
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- Mar 19, 2008
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- 37
Well, if you want a snake that gets 10 feet + then a red tailed boa or burmese python is a good choice. They both have in general good dispositoins but keep in mind they still can bite and are very strong. I would do my research before getting any snake and especially any that get big.
NERD has excelent care info on what you might be looking for.
http://www.newenglandreptile.com/
http://www.newenglandreptile.com/
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Keep in mind that any snake over about six feet in length, you REALLY should never even open the enclosure without another adult present. People have been accidentally killed by some very large pets, just because a snake's first reaction when startled is sometimes to constrict anything it touches - and you won't be able to pry a big snake off by yourself. It doesn't matter how docile they are, they're still very big and very strong and stronger than you. So proper safety is a must. 
Ball pythons are my personal favorite - they get from about three to five feet, but fat enough to seem even bigger. Most are very tame, and they tend to prefer getting comfy on their handler and relaxing, as opposed to other species that want to run around all over you.
The only thing about BPs is that you absolutely cannot neglect your research first. Done properly they are a good, easy pet to keep. Kept improperly, or starting with an unhealthy animal, you are in for a nightmare of vet visits and refusing to eat (normally that's okay, but an unhealthy BP will often refuse food for longer than it can handle).
Get a captive-bred BP from a reputable private breeder, not a pet store. A lot of pet stores will lie about where they got their animals, I don't think it's worth the risk. Use an undertank heater, 90F on the warm end and 80F on the cool end. Two hides, one at each temperature extreme. One large water bowl, but not so deep that the snake can't get back out after a bath. Aspen shavings are great and easy to clean, and will let them dig around and enjoy themselves.
They need good humidity, at least 60% or so, but don't mist the tank or keep them damp, as that can cause some nasty skin infections. Covering about 85% of the tank lid with a towel and having a nice big water bowl works in my state, your state's humidity may vary.
Ball pythons are my personal favorite - they get from about three to five feet, but fat enough to seem even bigger. Most are very tame, and they tend to prefer getting comfy on their handler and relaxing, as opposed to other species that want to run around all over you.
The only thing about BPs is that you absolutely cannot neglect your research first. Done properly they are a good, easy pet to keep. Kept improperly, or starting with an unhealthy animal, you are in for a nightmare of vet visits and refusing to eat (normally that's okay, but an unhealthy BP will often refuse food for longer than it can handle).
Get a captive-bred BP from a reputable private breeder, not a pet store. A lot of pet stores will lie about where they got their animals, I don't think it's worth the risk. Use an undertank heater, 90F on the warm end and 80F on the cool end. Two hides, one at each temperature extreme. One large water bowl, but not so deep that the snake can't get back out after a bath. Aspen shavings are great and easy to clean, and will let them dig around and enjoy themselves.
They need good humidity, at least 60% or so, but don't mist the tank or keep them damp, as that can cause some nasty skin infections. Covering about 85% of the tank lid with a towel and having a nice big water bowl works in my state, your state's humidity may vary.
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- Jan 8, 2008
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Ball pythons are a good size to handle, and pretty easy to care for once you get the right information. I had read a lot about them being difficult to keep, but I've had mine for about a month, and she's eaten right away each time I've offered, I haven't had any issues with temp or humidity.
Research any snake you are considering, their care requirements and everything. Make sure you buy from a good source (generally not a pet store unless it specializes in reptiles and you feel confident with the advice given).
Research any snake you are considering, their care requirements and everything. Make sure you buy from a good source (generally not a pet store unless it specializes in reptiles and you feel confident with the advice given).
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- Jan 1, 2008
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Another good choice, IMO, is a blood python. Ball pythons are good first snakes and I happen to really like them, but some people have an aversion to them because they are common. Bloods are a little less common, and some of the captive bred ones have a pretty good disposition, although they do tend to be more aggressive than ball pythons. Red tails are ok, although I have one that is nearly impossible to handle and strikes at everything. My other two are total sweethearts though. A lot of it depends on the individual snake and how you handle it, how it was handled before you got it, and whether it was captive bred or not. But in general, snakes that get upwards of 10 feet are not good for the average person.
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- May 13, 2007
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Ever seen a jungle carpet python(m.s.cheynei) they are beautiful and get to be around 7ft for the really large ones . They also lack the girth of a burmese.
Heres a link to some pics of my jungles these are my favorite species of snake period I also love coastal carpet pythons too. And also heres some jungle carpet python website related links.
http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=93277
www.moreliapythons.com
www.reptilicusreptiles.net
Heres a link to some pics of my jungles these are my favorite species of snake period I also love coastal carpet pythons too. And also heres some jungle carpet python website related links.
http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=93277
www.moreliapythons.com
www.reptilicusreptiles.net
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- Feb 22, 2005
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- 1,123
Keep in mind that any snake over about six feet in length, you REALLY should never even open the enclosure without another adult present. People have been accidentally killed by some very large pets, just because a snake's first reaction when startled is sometimes to constrict anything it touches - and you won't be able to pry a big snake off by yourself. It doesn't matter how docile they are, they're still very big and very strong and stronger than you. So proper safety is a must.
Great advice, at the Lowry Park Zoo where I use to work their rule is one person for every 5 feet of snake: So a 6 footer would take two people, an 11 footer 3 people, 16 feet 4 people, etc
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black milk snakes, bull and gopher snakes are all good choices. corns are fun especially if your into genetics and breeding. as mentioned ball pythons but you will go through hunger strikes once in a while. argentine boas (black boas) are good, red-tail boas are good but will attain sizes that require larger than rat prey which does become expensive (my last 8.5 ft 45 lbs would eat 2 $15 rabbits at a sitting). Rosy boa, milks, kings are good as well.
Rev
Rev
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- May 31, 2007
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African Rock Python
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- Jul 22, 2007
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if you're not too worried about spending a little bit of money then woma pythons rock...i just got my first one a couple months ago and i'm sold on these guys completely...they've got it all...they're beautiful, they get kind of large (midsize really...about 6 feet), they eat literally anything (mine went straight from live rat pups at the breeder to F/T fuzzies from me without a second thought), and they thrive in just about any temp/humidity range you care to try (within reason:razz: )...
they're also one of the most docile pythons on the market...they do have an agressive feeding response so they'll snap a little right after feeding but once they know they're not getting any more they go right back to the placid elmer fudd-esque personality they had before feeding time
hopefully i can get my little guy a girl in the coming months so i can get a breeding project going on when they're old enough
hope this helps
Harvey
they're also one of the most docile pythons on the market...they do have an agressive feeding response so they'll snap a little right after feeding but once they know they're not getting any more they go right back to the placid elmer fudd-esque personality they had before feeding time
hopefully i can get my little guy a girl in the coming months so i can get a breeding project going on when they're old enough
hope this helps
Harvey
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I dont like online reptile dealers I say try to find someone local esp. for your first at least that way you know exactly what you are getting
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- Jul 22, 2007
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www.kingsnake.com is a good resource...all kinds of breeders and dealers from all over the internet post ads there and you can usually find some great deals...i just got a breeding pair of Children's Pythons from a guy on there and let me tell you...they're some of the best examples of their species i've ever seen
so just check the classified ads on kingsnake and see if anything catches your eye
Harvey
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- Oct 14, 2005
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Local dealers are no less likely to lie to you and hand over a sickly animal than online dealers. The trick is to look for a good dealer period, regardless of WHERE they are.
This very forum has two breeder/dealer review subforums:
http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/forumdisplay.php?f=9
http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/forumdisplay.php?f=8
Just run a search for the snake species you want, or for "snake" and see what pops up.
http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=13 is another one.
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2008
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Also check out Dumerils Boas. They usually get around 6' long, are docile and usually good feeders. They are built chubby, so they look larger than they really are. I think they have a cool pattern, too. You can usually find some on Kingsnake.com.
Any dealer and I mean any dealer (online or B/M) should be researched on The BOI before purchasing from. http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?&f=13
This can severely cut down on chance of being ripped off as most scammers are repeat offenders.
Harvey I am so jealous man. I have always wanted a Woma. Or Black head Python. They are both gorgeous animals. Lucky lucky.
I'd put in a vote for Blood python (just make sure its CBB as the W.C. have a bad rep for being defensive) or check out Solomon Island Ground Boas or Spotted Pythons. Both are beautiful, laid back, and stay 4ft or smaller.
This can severely cut down on chance of being ripped off as most scammers are repeat offenders.
Harvey I am so jealous man. I have always wanted a Woma. Or Black head Python. They are both gorgeous animals. Lucky lucky.
I'd put in a vote for Blood python (just make sure its CBB as the W.C. have a bad rep for being defensive) or check out Solomon Island Ground Boas or Spotted Pythons. Both are beautiful, laid back, and stay 4ft or smaller.