Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm purchasing a male albino nelson from Bob Applegate. This is my first snake, and I'm wondering what to expect? Also, the snake is from '05 and I'm not sure the size enclosure I will need. Anybody who has one of these snakes can you let me know what to expect? How are their temperments and their eating behaviors? I've done research but I'd really like more feedback.
Thank you,
Alex

Alex,
They are great snakes!!! I have two pairs of '05 critters ( 1.1 Albino and 1.1 Normal het. Albino). As to temperment, each one of them is different. My male Albino is a demon snake--pick him up and he bites and shoots musk everywhere (Yech!!!!!). The female Albino never bites and only musks occasionally. The male Normal never bites, but musks like the female albino. The female Normal is the most docile of all. I don't believe it has anything to do with gender or type, just individual personality. My favorite is the Male Albino. Not only does he have killer colors but he has SPUNK!!!!! And I like that!!!! They are housed in ten gallon size aquariums but I expect they will be moved by summer's end to Rubbermaids with a floor area like a 20 Gal. Long Aquarium. My four are voracious eaters! They are consuming 2 Pinky mice each, every 5 days or so. I have noticed they are affected by humidity more than the rest of my collection. If I don't keep it up they have trouble shedding so I keep a deli. cup filled with damp moss in their enclosures. I had them on aspen but have moved them to paper towels to maintain a higher humidity. Here in Texas we fight heat and humidity all the time! Hope that helps. Good luck with your charges.

Pat G-C

In my opinion, you are making a great choice. In general, my nelsons are all very calm and eat very well. As hatchlilngs (or yearlings in your case), they are typically pretty calm for a milk, but they may be a little jumpy but will settle down nicely with some frequent handling. They are very calm as adults in my experience.

I keep my yearling snakes in shoebox size rubbermaids and move them into larger enclosures as they grow. As long as the length plus the depth of the cage is equal or slightly greater than the length of hte snake, you should be fine.

Good luck. I'm sure you'll get a nice one from Bob.

Dave

DNS Reptiles

Dave,
Those are good looking!!!! At some point I'll probably cut back so I can handle more often. If I do the Nelsons will stay. Now if I could just afford a camara!!!!

Pat

I always recommend Nelsoni. They stay relatively small (except for my male who is over 4 feet), nice colors, calm, and most of them eat like clockwork right out of the egg.

Good choice! ~ Mike Russo

Thanks guys for all your helpfulness! I'll keep you posted on him when he arrives and I'll try to get pictures up on here! =]
-Alex