I am getting a Single Snake in 21 days, but....

[Nivek]

When I turn 18, I am finally allowed to have a snake. Though, I want to just get one at first, and get used to them. My problem...I can NOT decide which one...The snakes I am considering the most right now are as follows:

Jungle Carpet Python
Ball Python
Tentacled Snake
Mexican Black King Snake
Taiwanese Beauty Snake
Vine Snake
Redglow Corn Snake (At least that is what I heard it as, it is a red corn with a yellowish underside)
King Cobra (just a joke to see who is paying attention, sorry, no offense)
Or something else, if anyone has any suggestions...

I love all snakes, so I just can't choose, that is why I decided to check into the wise opinions of the more experienced! Thank you for your time!

 

[LPacker79]

I'd go with the Jungle Carpet, just because I have a large fondness for Carpets in general. 7 of my 8 snakes are Carpets.

 

[Michael Jacobi]

When I turn 18, I am finally allowed to have a snake. Though, I want to just get one at first, and get used to them. My problem...I can NOT decide which one...The snakes I am considering the most right now are as follows:

Jungle Carpet Python
Ball Python
Tentacled Snake
Mexican Black King Snake
Taiwanese Beauty Snake
Vine Snake
Redglow Corn Snake (At least that is what I heard it as, it is a red corn with a yellowish underside)
King Cobra (just a joke to see who is paying attention, sorry, no offense)
Or something else, if anyone has any suggestions...

I love all snakes, so I just can't choose, that is why I decided to check into the wise opinions of the more experienced! Thank you for your time!

Although I share Leanne's fondness for carpet pythons, I wouldn't recommend one as your first snake. Don't get me wrong, they can be good for inexperienced keepers; just not a first time keeper. Some are nippy, and although small for pythons, I'd recommend starting smaller. Get one or ten someday, just not early in your snake keeping experience.

A ball python is a smaller, gentler python, but they require close attention to humidity and must be watched to ensure they shed completely (especially the brille [aka "eyecap"]). They also naturally fast for periods of time and this can be frustrating to the beginner. I definitely think this is a good pet species, but I'd recommend getting a few other snakes "under your belt" first.

A tentacled snake is an aquatic species that I certainly wouldn't recommend for most keepers.

Any of the larger kings can be good beginner snakes, but you listed a better choice and that is what I will eventually recommend.

Beauty snakes are fast, nervous and prone to biting, not to mention that they reach lengths in excess of seven or eight feet. Get more experience first.

Vine snakes are rear-fanged and prefer lizards as prey. Definitely for the advanced keeper.

Therefore, I recommend the King Cobra. (Attention checking, again )

Seriously, any corn snake is the perfect beginner snake. There are so many beautiful varieties and an average adult is three feet long with a maximum of not much more than four. The important thing with corns is that you get a well-started baby that is feeding on pink or fuzzy mice and you buy it from someone that you trust to tell you that. Very young corns can be difficult to get feeding, especially when you are inexperienced. Buy one that is at least six months old and has good body weight.

Go with the corn.

Good luck, Michael

 

[Nivek]

SpiderShoppe, thanks a LOT for all the advice! I decided on.......

The King Cobra. I figure since they stay small and aren't very venomous, they would make an excellent starter

Actually, I believe that I will start off with a corn. There is a reptile show in my area on August 13th, and they usually have mass amounts of corn snakes. As to the feeding, I have devised a plan! I will purchase a pinky or two upon entering the show. When I see a snake I am interested in, I will offer it a pinky if the dealer will let me, and see if it takes it, lol. Do you think that idea might work? If not, I will simply ask and hope that they are honest

 

[Trace]

Kentucky, huh? Are you going to go to the Shelbyvill show? I know of a few vendors there that will have some deffinite feeders. PM me if you want their emails. Your plan sounds good but a lot of time the snakes are so stressed out during the whole packaging and toting around they may not want to take until they get home and calm down. I agree with what Mr. Jacobi said, tentacled snakes are great snakes, I plan to get some too. But they are not a good representation of a snake, husbandry is more like a tropical fish. A very delicate, low PH loving tropical fish. I have kept the vine snakes, I am assuming you mean Ahaetulla and had a lot of fun with them. However, they are venomous and sometimes aggressive and feeding them anoles can get expensive. Stick with the corns, some kings and some rats.

 

[Nivek]

I have decided to get a Bloodred Corn Snake. Thanks for all the advice!

 

[ScorpDemon]

my girlfriend wanted a snake.. but she was scared of them.. so she got a candy cane corn hatchling that had ate 2 times.. she loves it to death.. it is pretty cool.. loves to stay just under the lid in its tank.. everytime you take the lid off.. it falls down.. but it keeps going back

 

[Michael Jacobi]

SpiderShoppe, thanks a LOT for all the advice! I decided on.......devised a plan! I will purchase a pinky or two upon entering the show. When I see a snake I am interested in, I will offer it a pinky if the dealer will let me, and see if it takes it, lol. Do you think that idea might work? If not, I will simply ask and hope that they are honest

I may be at the Shelbyville show (KY Reptile Expo) on Aug 13. I used to exhibit there every month, but haven't been there for almost a year (I don't sell snakes so that might not be of interest to you, but, of course, I do sell captive bred tarantulas).

The Kentucky Reptile Expo promoter, Jason Feagans, breeds corns and he will have a huge selection available at the show. You can trust him without doubt and, although he may feed one in your presence, it won't be necessary. If he says it is feeding on thawed frozen mice of a certain size, it is... simple as that. Plus, he is the main rodent vendor at the show.

Good luck, Michael

 

[dangerprone69]

Nivek, I agree with Michael totally. The Corn's the way to go. Ball Pythons are just fine as well, that's what I started with, but they do have some issues which can be frustrating. I found that as long as you do some research ahead of time by buying a good book on the species and join a reptile message board (ask LOTS of questions!!) you'll be fine with whatever species you decide on.

 

[LPacker79]

Actually, my very first snake over 11 years ago was a Ball python (probably wild caught as well). That snake tagged me every chance she got.
Two years ago I got back into snakes and went straight with Carpets. I've been tagged once, by a yearling Jungle female that was in shed. I had to clean her enclosure and knew she was going to make a go for me, but it had to be done. She didn't even break the skin. None of my other Carpets have ever struck at me except for this 03 male Irian Jaya I have.

That being said, I completely agree with Michael's advice, though I personally don't care for colubrids myself. Get your feet wet with the corn, then dive on in with something else if you wish, after you've learned to swim a bit

 

[OldHag]

Kenyan Sand Boa Small, docile, hardy, Happy to just sit in your hands, eats F/T mice...easy as pie!!

 

[Crunchie]

also you could consider a rosey boa, I've heard they are easy enough to keep.

My first snake was a garter but I reckon there are easier options out there.

 

[david31337]

Glad to see ya went for cornsnake! According to all the care sheets I've read there good to look after, can stand a range of diffrent temps. Goodluck!!

 

[Psoulocybe]

I'd have looked at some of the small boa localities. I personally love hogg islands....

Corn snakes are hard to go wrong with... Beautiful and active...

 

[Immortal_sin]

yep, I think corns are probably the best choice, though I'm not a colubrid fan really.
My first (and only) snake was a rosy boa, and he was the most docile, easy keeping snake ever. I would definately get another one.

 

[Beardo]

I may be at the Kentucky show on the 13 if I don't have to work. Like Michael mentioned, Jason Feagans breeds Corn Snakes and has a crapload of hatchlings right now for dirt cheap....he had Snows, Albinos, Ghosts, Hypos, and normals for $12 a piece at the Indy show last month.

Hoopefully I can make it to the show, especially if you'll be there Micheal....I'd love for there to be at least one decent arachodealer there lol.

 

[KerstinP]

When I turn 18, I am finally allowed to have a snake. Though, I want to just get one at first, and get used to them. My problem...I can NOT decide which one...The snakes I am considering the most right now are as follows:

Jungle Carpet Python
Ball Python
Tentacled Snake
Mexican Black King Snake
Taiwanese Beauty Snake
Vine Snake
Redglow Corn Snake (At least that is what I heard it as, it is a red corn with a yellowish underside)
King Cobra (just a joke to see who is paying attention, sorry, no offense)
Or something else, if anyone has any suggestions...

I love all snakes, so I just can't choose, that is why I decided to check into the wise opinions of the more experienced! Thank you for your time!

Hm... well I woul go with a carpet or BP for starters. even though with the balls u gotta make sure that it's feeding without problems. some balls can be picky eaters, while carpets r garbage disposals lol. we have 15 snakes from balls to burmes, so personally, i think u wanna see what is better for u, like if u want low maintanence lol or what not. and with the getting tagged, well hatchlings can be nippy but it usually wears off, once they're used to beeing handled, the more u play with them the better really. balls r pretty good starter snakes, they don't require all that much and once they're established eaters u wont have problems lol.
K

 

[YouLosePayUp]

Knowing what I know now I would start off with the ball python.
Reasons:
not too expensive
just as easy to keep as a corn
they get thicker and cooler than a corn
If any snake were to be called a chick magnet it would have to be the ball python

But seriously if you're crazy I have a site where you can order monocled cobras for $20 I think maybe $25

Cheers Trev

 

[ScorpZion]

good lord man hes tryong to kill you.... lol but maybe you should get a retic heheheheh

 

[YouLosePayUp]

LMAO too funny I would almost choose the cobra over a retic