Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Im looking into getting a snake but am restricted on size. Im looking at a 20 - 30 gallon tank size. Price is not much of an issue but I know that reptile shows sell for much less than pet stores and am looking at something around $100 or less.

I would prefer to have some type of constrictor as they are much easier to carry around and dont need as much support (ie I can have it around my arm or neck)

So definately something under 5 feet or something thin to fit in my size restrictions. Ive been looking corns and ball pythons but what else is avaiable to me? Everything I read says different sizes for different snakes.
Some things on my list:
Dwarf or small boas: Hog island, nicaraguans, bolivians, caulkers cay
Pythons: Ball, ringed, spotted
If anyone can clarify on size (also looking at males since they tend to be smaller) temperament, and average price range I would be incredibly greatful!

Spotted and Children's pythons are a great choice to fit your requirements.

They are more robust in girth than kingsnakes and cornsnakes yet stay in the 3-4 ft range. They aren't shy like ball pythons. They can live happily on F/T mice their entire lives. They look like the bigger pythons but in a much easier-to-manage package. They can tolerate husbandry mistakes better than boa constrictors. And as adults, 99% of them are pure sweethearts.

Around $100.

Personally, I think ringed pythons are some of the coolest snakes on the planet, and they are NOT a good snake for beginners though. They are not very tolerant of handling, have high-humidity requirements and are sensitive to temps outside a narrow range. They are more susceptible to husbandry mistakes for sure.

Womas are interesting and easy captives but outside your price range.
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Mark

Thanks! Ive been leaning towards the spotted and Im sure I can handle a nippy/hissy baby as long as it can tame easily. The only experience I have with spotteds is this beautiful year old granite at the pet store I work at. I absolutely adore her.

The balls are nice but incredibly common and Id like something less common if possible, even if its just a different color morph. Same with the corns but there are some gorgeous morphs out there. Still, the spotted has just captivated me.

I'd say go with the spotted. Like Markg said, they stay small and are easily manageable. Very cool little snakes. With all that said, my pair have a tremendous feeding response, and you have to be somewhat careful taking them out. My son picked up the female 6 months or so ago, and she latched on to his hand. It was a feeding response bite, not a defense bite. He had a little trouble getting her off. Ever since she laid eggs this past spring, she has not attempted to bite, but still feeds very well.

Steve

Ive learned recently that even the sweetest, calmest little snake can strike for what seems like no reason. At work the other day the "reptile guy" reached in to one of the tanks to take out an adult rosy boa we had. He was always incredibly sweet and has NEVER bitten and Ryan, the reptile guy, has always been great with all the herps and if he was ever bitten he expected it or he knew why. But without any provocation, the rosy latched on and started twisting. The only thing I can think of is that he smelled like food or was just really hungry. But then less than an hour later he was fine again.

Though snakes are pets, I still think of them as wild animals with instincts that cant be controlled which comes with a level of respect a person should have for them. The spotted thats at the store is the sweetest little thing, but I always put my hand in lowly, let her see me so I dont startle her by accident, and then go for the tail and gradually support the rest of her body as Im lifting her out of the cage. This is just a general rule I picked up with most snakes.

A couple of comments -

1. most of the "dwarf" boas you mention will get too large for a 20 gallon aquarium. It isn't the length but the girth that will make them too big (a four foot boa is a lot bigger than a four foot cornsnake).

2. Ringed Pythons get too large as well, IMHO. I had 1.2 for a few years and they need more space than that.

Have you considered any of the small Erycine boas? Rosy Boas, Rubber Boas, and Sandboas all readily fit in the size cage you are thinking about. With most of them, you could keep an adult pair in a 20 gallon long aquarium.

Otherwise, a Spotted or Children's Python is a good choice.
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

Thats why I said up to a 30 gallon but thats also why Im asking. I would feel terrible if I got a snake that needed more room that I couldnt give it and not be able to keep it.

Though the Erycines are beautiful and some of them have incredible markings, theyre just not for me.

Maybe someday I wont live in a small apartment and Ill be able to have more space. Im also hoping that I wont be living in this particular apartment for long and I dont plan on getting a snake any time soon. I have a tendancy to plan WAY ahead before getting a pet. I researched for nearly a year and a half before getting my first ferret. Of course I hope it will be sooner or later but I will be graduating college in a couple semesters and being thrown out into the world. Its probably best to wait until Im settled down again and maybe Ill have more options then!