Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i have looked around and did small bits of research.

these are 4 snakes that i have considered to be good choices for first small snakes. would anybody agree with me and give me tips and pointers especially on the 2 teeny python species? no mention of the ball pythons please.

1. corn snakes - heard theyre really docile and have few eating problems and generally inexpensive.. also heard best beginner overall

2. garter snake - arguments over what to feed it, docile, small, inexpensive, good beginner snakes

3. spotted python - small for a python??, might be shy, might need more handling, but a good feeder, and through handling can be friendly

4. anthill python - i heard that these are the smallest python species growing to a max of only about 2-2.5 ft?? i also didnt read much on this one yet except that its really little
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what im really looking for is a small species that will generally fit in a 10-20 gallon tank in the adult stage,(10 is REALLY preferred) and will be friendly.

Thanks so much for your time.

Are these the only snakes you're considering? The Anthill Python could be kept in a 10 gallon tank (I would probably consider the other species - and definitely the cornsnake - to be too large), but they are not very common and are therefore going to be expensive. If you're willing to spend a lot of money on one, you might as well skip that idea and just spend the money on a larger tank so you have more options.

Have you considered a male of some of the Erycine boas? They tend to be smaller and less active than Australian pythons, and can therefore be more easily maintained in small enclosures.
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- Natalie
(San Francisco Bay Area)

1.0 Banded California King
1.0 Mexican Black King
1.0 Goini Kingsnake
1.0 Bay of LA Rosy Boa
2.1 Kenyan Sand Boas
1.2 Rubber Boas
0.1 Pickering's Gartersnake

are you guys talking about kenyan sand boas?? i heard the males can live in a ten gallon cage.

Yes, not just Kenyans though, most species of Sand Boa would work as long as you get a male. Rosies and Rubbers (again, males) would work as well, though some exceptional male Rosies can get 30" or more or length. Most stay around two feet.
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- Natalie
(San Francisco Bay Area)

1.0 Banded California King
1.0 Mexican Black King
1.0 Goini Kingsnake
1.0 Bay of LA Rosy Boa
2.1 Kenyan Sand Boas
1.2 Rubber Boas
0.1 Pickering's Gartersnake

could you recommend me to some areas where i could get some baby small sand boas (males) that you mentioned?

Areas? As in websites or actual stores?

The Kingsnake.com classifieds section usually has a good selection of several species/varieties of Erycine boas, espcially this time of year (baby season). Browsing there a few minutes ago I saw at least several different kinds of Kenyans and Rosies, Rough-Scales, and Saharans. Rubber Boas pop up pretty frequently there as well.
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- Natalie
(San Francisco Bay Area)

1.0 Banded California King
1.0 Mexican Black King
1.0 Goini Kingsnake
1.0 Bay of LA Rosy Boa
2.1 Kenyan Sand Boas
1.2 Rubber Boas
0.1 Pickering's Gartersnake

stores or websites please? (i know about the classifieds but thanks anyways)

Without knowing where you are located in the country it would be impossible to recommend good stores (the only stores I know about are the ones around here), and I haven't ordered too many snakes online either, so I'm probably not the best person to talk to about that.
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- Natalie
(San Francisco Bay Area)

1.0 Banded California King
1.0 Mexican Black King
1.0 Goini Kingsnake
1.0 Bay of LA Rosy Boa
2.1 Kenyan Sand Boas
1.2 Rubber Boas
0.1 Pickering's Gartersnake

If you are a beginner & don't want to spend much & want an overall positive experience....Forget the 10 gallon & go with the corn. If COST of housing is part of why you want to stay small, then consider using rubbermaid/sterilite totes when your snake gets bigger. Do you live anywhere near where there is a regular reptile show? That's where you'll get your best combo of selection and value. Here in central OH, you can find a good corn at the show for less than $20, paying $4 admission & not having to spend big $$ on shipping. Good luck. Duffy

I keep and breed Kenyan sand boas and rosy boas. For a first snake I would reccomend going with a rosy boa. Sand boas are great little snakes, but they are usually hiding and are more active at night. Rosy boas tend to stay under 3 feet and have a very calm temperment. There are also many different types available and they are very easy to keep. Corn snakes are another good choice, but in my experience they tend to be a little more excitable and will get larger than a rosy. They would be my third choice after rosys and kenyans.