snake

[fang333999]

hi, ive always wanted a snake but i dont know which one to get. i want one that will grow to a decent size, and something i can handle. i looked at a ball python, and that seems to be what im leaning towards. but any other suggestions? also could u tell me the requirements for the tank like humidity, food, and things like that. thanks!

 

[rollinkansas]

Hey,

While ball pythons are good, there are a ton of other snakes out there that fit your requirements.

Jungle carpet pythons, irian jaya carpets, dumerils boas, hognose snakes, milk snakes, kingsnakes, pine snakes, gopher snakes, etc.

All of these are relatively easy to keep.

 

[fang333999]

how big do kingsnakes get?

 

[mindlessvw]

jungles usually will require a large aboreal cage at some point. Balls require a lot of heating and humidity elements...i would suggest a cornsnake. They come in somany different colors and are awesome beginner snakes

 

[rollinkansas]

jungles usually will require a large aboreal cage at some point. Balls require a lot of heating and humidity elements...i would suggest a cornsnake. They come in somany different colors and are awesome beginner snakes

I dont know why you are making the ones I posted seem more difficult than corns. They all, for the most part will require the same attention on the owners part.

 

[mattnsariah]

Hey.....I would definately suggest a corn snake, especially for a starter snake! i love my cornsnake" We have a Rootbeer cornsnake that even the kids wil hold and made for a great show and tell! :razz: Cornsnakes come in a variety of colors and designs. They are completely docile. Love to be held or not! they don't care! They generally get no more than 5 or 6 feet long, cheep to keep and maintain. nothing to it really. I use aspen bedding for the snake, a water dish, a hiding spot like T's and that is pretty much it! You should have a colder (72 to 75'f) side on one end and hotter side (82 to 84'f) on the other.

Pythons do tend to get a bit aggressive and can snap at you when they get hungry, but typically corns know! and never feed the snake in it's living quarters.... put it in another container to eat so when you put your hand in the cage to hold him or her they dont' think your hand is food!

 

[DrJ]

For Ball pythons you will generally want to put them into a 40 gallon breeder. A king, milk or corn snake would also appreciate the room that a 40 allows them, but can do fine in a 29 (or 20 long, but they do enjoy the extra climbing space in the 29). None of these snakes are too hard to take care of. Just be sure to read up on them and know their basic needs. However, with regards to size, the dumerils boas will get large enough to eat rabbits...just incase you would be taking that into consideration. Jungle carpets can get 8' as well, and your Irian Jayas will typically stay at 6' or less. Both are pretty handleable, but carpets like a lot of room. Jungle carpets generally "want" 125 gallon aquariums. Want is based on what has been recommended to me by many breeders for adult specimens.

As far as pythons being more aggressive, I'd have to disagree as every snake has its own personality. Ball pythons are often WC or farmed overseas. These specimens are frequently seen in pet-shops and can be ill tempered. Try to get one that has been captive born and bred (CBB) meaning that the it was born in captivity, as were its parents. I've met some aggressive corns, but I tend to blame that on the over abundance of inbreeding in the cornsnake field. Hence the efforts by the American Cornsnake Registry. So, if you can, buy a cornsnake from an ACR registered breeder.

If you have other things you'd like in a snake, list them and we can help you decide which direction to go in. From the sounds of it, you seem to be looking for something that is a good beginner snake that is easily handled and not intimidating for new keepers. For this, a ball python or any colubrid (milks, kings and corns) will do. Kings will typically stay between 3' and 4.5' in length. Milks will range anywhere from 3'-6'. and your corns average 4.5' but can be shorter or longer. With kings, I would recommend you stay away from california kingsnakes as they are prone to turning bitey. Not really a "beginner" snake if you know what I mean. I would look into graybands, deserts and mountain kings. Milksnakes tend to be more spastic, especially as youngsters, so it can take some work to break them of the musking phase. Corns are just good all around. Whatever snake you get, I would recommend you hold it first, just to see what it's personality is like. Otherwise (if you are buying online), ask the breeder/seller to hold it and give you all background info on the snake before you buy it.

Have fun with this! Snakes are tremendously great pets to have!

 

[sylverbullit]

when I first started looking at snakes I found a breeder in my area that feeds all his reptiles in their enclosures,( He had over 600 snakes and 300 lizzards to feed in one evening). there's the possibility of getting bit by any snake no matter where it is if it's hungry enough. As far as size of tank, I used to keep mine in an enclosure small enough so that the body of the snake was
touching 3 sides at all times. Most snakes like it dark and closed in. That's why you usually find them in the corners of closets or in drawers if one gets out. I'm not sure what anyone else feels but that was my experience.

 

[Mina]

My favorite for a beginner snake is a rosy boa. They are cute, friendly, don't get very big, are very easy to care for, and come in quite a few different colors. Plus they are so soft!! I just love mine!!

 

[mindlessvw]

I dont know why you are making the ones I posted seem more difficult than corns. They all, for the most part will require the same attention on the owners part.

How would a carpet aboreal set up be similiar to a ball that is predominatly terrestrial?

 

[Galapoheros]

Corns are a good beginner snake as are some boas. I never saw corns for sale when I was a kid. Both corns a boas might bite but boas, in general, tend to have longer teeth than corns. I got bit by a redtail when I was 13, didn't hurt but a lot of blood, ..more minor bites with a corn if you get bit. I've considered a Rubber boa for years but they don't get as big as it sounds like you would prefer. Other than that, I've never developed a big interest in boas and don't know much about the diff species.

 

[rollinkansas]

How would a carpet aboreal set up be similiar to a ball that is predominatly terrestrial?

You mis-read my post. Similar in that the general care of all snakes listed will be the same regardless of what setup they have. They all will require a certain humidity, temp range, etc.

An arboreal setup can be as simple as having a piece of pvc run across the tank a few inches above the ground.

Not exactly a challenging or hard setup to replicate.

 

[Mushroom Spore]

Those are some nice shelves!

One day when I'm rich...:}

 

[rollinkansas]

Those are some nice shelves!

One day when I'm rich...:}

Dont have to be rich to make a setup like that....its nice and simple.

 

[Mushroom Spore]

Dont have to be rich to make a setup like that....its nice and simple.

I suck at DIY stuff, though. I'll probably end up buying one from somewhere.