My first snake was actually a pueblan. Had him for just under a year before I had to go off to college, so I sold him. I had never been bit by him. I don't know much about the other snakes, but I do know that I love my pueblan (paco). I kept him in a solid top lid (which nobody seems to do but me and my specialty pet shop) without ANY heating unit at all. No undertank and no light. I also had no regurgitations, so I guess that worked out pretty well. I had one hide box and one water bowl in a 10 gallon, which also worked out great. I would suggest pine bedding (buy it at Kroger in the pet section, find it with the hamster stuff). #1 - a big bag is SUPER cheap and lasts FOREVER. #2 - aspen sucks. I HATE aspen. Only an opinion, of course.

Again - I'd never had ANY problems with Paco. No splotchy sheds, no hard feeding times - though he had to get used to me on that one...it took him a month to eat his first f/t pinky (and only after I'd left the room). Eventually he ate out of my hand (which isn't advisable but hey! I was a nOOb lol).

The only thing is that pueblans are super jumpy and musk ALL THE TIME when they're young, though if you handle them enough (and consistently) they calm down, age helps the process as well.

You might also consider a Ball Python. AMAZING snakes and SUPER easy to take care of. Mine LOVES to be held. Buy it captive born and they'll be AMAZING eaters, as well. Max size is 5-1/2' for a female (though males are smaller).

Anyway...those are my thoughts on beginner snakes.

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