New to snakes

[kupo969]

I really want to get into snakes, but I have limited space and want to start off with something small. The only space I have now is a 20g long tank. The measurements are (off the top of my head) 30"x12"x13" (LxWxH).

What snakes at adult stage can fit this tank?

 

[LeilaNami]

kings, milks, sand boas, rosy boas...lots of em

 

[Mushroom Spore]

If you get a male ball python, he should be fine in there. BPs are fairly small, males are smaller, and they're also not very active so they really just need enough room to stretch out and room for their hides and waterbowl. Mine is around four years old and still fine in his 20 long.

 

[Jwwjr]

kings, milks, sand boas, rosy boas...lots of em

Idk about you but my king is in a 50 gal 48"Lx12"Wx22"H. shes 4ft so she can touch the ends and i want to build her something with more floorspace then the height she has

also colubrids are more active then pythons and are amazing at escaping lol

check out www.redtailboa.net for more reptile stuff

to the OP try to get a baby snake, theyll be small for a bit till you can get more room

 

[kupo969]

Idk about you but my king is in a 50 gal 48"Lx12"Wx22"H. shes 4ft so she can touch the ends and i want to build her something with more floorspace then the height she has

also colubrids are more active then pythons and are amazing at escaping lol

check out www.redtailboa.net for more reptile stuff

to the OP try to get a baby snake, theyll be small for a bit till you can get more room

So that's a no-go for Kings or do you just like to give them more room (I would too but I'm limited here)?

 

[redsaw]

A corn snake would fit, and are good for a first snake.

 

[skippy]

rubber boas are adorable

 

[Shrike]

I've got to throw out a recommendation for Lampropeltis triangulum andesiana. This snake is awesome. Large adult size (your 20 gal would be on the small side), most tend to be very handleable, comfortable with slightly colder temps than many snakes. I've also noticed that this species doesn't musk or defecate when handled as readily as other Lamropeltis (this is definitely a plus). If you want something easy and slightly uncommon, this is a fantastic species.

 

[Jwwjr]

or what about a lizard? like a Green Anole. i havent owned one but the pics of them are cool and from what ive read/heard they seem to be on the easy side. and they still eat crickets just like your inverts do so no need to invest in other forms of food. just get calcium powder for dusting

 

[Mushroom Spore]

or what about a lizard?

I really want to get into snakes

;P

OP, I wouldn't put a large active snake like a king in a 20 long, to answer your question. Ball pythons are about the biggest snake you could get away with, partly because they don't feel the need to zip around much.

 

[DrJ]

Most colubrids and ball pythons do tremendously better in a 40 breeder or bigger (if you can afford to go bigger). Usually, colubrids (such as kingsnakes, milksnakes, cornsnakes) eventually get crowded due to their size and high activity level. Balls are heavier snakes and appreciate more space with a 40 as well.

The best snakes to be kept long term in a 20 long are rosey boas, sand boas, and rubber boas.

 

[kupo969]

Thanks everyone for your input. I'm not new to herps, just snakes .

I'll try to squeeze in a 40g breeder, the size diff. here isn't "crazy". That way I can open up my options more.

 

[DrJ]

Another way to measure how big an enclosure you'll need for a snake goes by floor space. The floor space should be the length of the snake. For example: A 20 long is 12"X30" (1'X2.5'), so would be adequate for a snake up to 2.5 feet in length. A 40 gallon breeder is 1.5'X3', and would so be adequate for a snake up to 4.5 feet. I also useshowcase cages that measure 4'X2' to hold boas up to 8' in length.

But, keep in mind that this is only a rough "minimal" caging equation. The slenderness or heaviness of a snake should also be brought into consideration. For example, blood pythons can range from 40-72" on average (depending on whether it is male or female) but needs a minimum cage size of 4'X2' because it is a heavy (meaning FAT) snake that can weigh up to 45 pounds. Granted, that is obese, but they are fat, and need the room just to move about. Ball pythons are also heavy snakes, which is why I recommend that even males be kept in at least a 40 breeder. On the other hand, you can push the limits a bit with a slender snake. Colubrids can be kept comfortably in 40 gallon breeder all the way up to 6' in length. However, if you can afford it, I would recommend upgrading tanks when they get this big, which could take 2-3 years for some kings and milks.

Just remember, there is no such thing as a tank that is too big with a snake. The more room, the better. It basically boils down to what your budget can afford. If you could at least get a 40, that opens up a LOT more options, and I think you'd be more pleased with your choices.

A good snake that would recommend for a 40 breeder would be a male nicaraguan or honduran boa. This is a Boa constrictor imperator species that is from central america. You can pretty much call these "dwarf boas" as the hondurans generally get to about 4', and the nics up to 5'. The males being slightly smaller. Hondurans a little more rare, but they are generally very nice snakes, and a good beginner snake as well. Boas generally have a nice disposition and are ready eaters.

A good breeder of dwarf local boas is Cutting Edge Herp. Check them out here.

Also check Kingsnake.com classifieds to find some good deals on a variety of snakes.

 

[redsaw]

I would like to point out that no snake is going to be too heavy for an aquarium, they can support a lot of weight. (if that is what drj is referring to by saying "The slenderness or heaviness of a snake should also be brought into consideration")
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgEwEiTyYcs
If a 10 gallon will hold over 200lbs of weight a snake is not going to hurt a thing in a larger tank (larger tank=thicker glass=holds more weight)

 

[DrJ]

Heavier, as in "fatter". They need the room of a larger tank in order to move around comfortably.

 

[redsaw]

Heavier, as in "fatter". They need the room of a larger tank in order to move around comfortably.

Ahhh, gotcha.
I cant stand how some people cram there snake(s) into tiny tanks/tubs. To each there own I guess.

 

[LeilaNami]

I have a cal king that fits just fine in a 20 long

 

[kupo969]

I have a cal king that fits just fine in a 20 long

Is it an adult?

 

[GiantVinegaroon]

;P

OP, I wouldn't put a large active snake like a king in a 20 long, to answer your question. Ball pythons are about the biggest snake you could get away with, partly because they don't feel the need to zip around much.

I have my Cal King in a 20 long and never have had any problems

 

[Jojos]

A corn snake would fit, and are good for a first snake.

I agree. I would really go for a corn because the choice of colors are awesome and less expensive than ball pythons.