Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Do you all think that a Pit would be a good choice for a beginner? Or do you think I should start out with something like a Corn? I would really appreciate your input.

thank you

my first snake was a Pit and I wounldn't have it any other way. Infact that's all I keep. As hatchlings they are fun to watch, and are easy to care for. If you want a hatchling that sits still go with a corn, but if you want one that displays and has spunk go with the Pit. I've had my Gophers since hatchlings and now they are all tame as corns, the fun part was getting them there.

Our first, and so far only, snake is a Cape Gopher. We've only had him for a little over three weeks, but he's been great so far. He's easy to handle and eats well. And on the rare moments when he throws a little temper tantrum, it's really cool to watch. (Not that I'd intentionally make him do that!)

I say, if you like 'em...go for it! But do your research first and be good and ready for the commitment before you buy.

Judy
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1.0 red cape gopher (Caesar)

Our first (and only so far) snake was a Snow Bull (Ka) from John Cherry's operation. It's an incredible snake at 3 months old that the whole family loves. She's got a touch of attitude but is never really agressive and all in all I've noticed she really has a very distinct personality that makes her a part of our family. Also, I researched heavily before choosing and the Pituophis family really does seem to have the most to offer for a beginning snake person.

Ron

(Ka) ?

Ka is our baby's name... It alludes both to the Disney Kaa from the Jungle Book (for our kids) and to the Egyptian word for spirit. In one ancient Egyptian myth Nehebaku (a snake god) is responsible for uniting the Ka (soul/spirit) with the Ba (body). Being a family that is very into the sacredness of the serpent it seemed to be a fine name.

Ron

Got it. Thanks.

...and as Eddie Dean would say "Ka-ka."
KJ

Wonder how many got that one ; )
What a great combo... Pits and DT... I've been busy trying to get my bulls to remeber the face of their owner ; )
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Scott Guilbeaux

>>I've been busy trying to get my bulls to remeber the face of their owner ; )

Man, I try, but... Well, let's just say that the herp trade has moved on.

you would like to have. Outside of some snakes that DO require special care and handling, I've always felt you should go with the snake that interests you and you would like. If you want a pit, then I would not recommend a cornsnake. You'll only get a cornsnake thinking its a stepping stone to a pit and I don't think you will give the cornsnake the attention it deserves. Owning a reptile is a two way street. It is a street between you and the reptile. Get the one that interests you the most and that you would like to have. They all have a little difference in husbandry, but heck that's what it's all about. Good luck. If you have questions on a particular species or snake, don't hesitate to post it on this or any other forum. BTW - a pituophis is one of the best first snakes IMHO. I keep forgetting I'm a ratsnake guy. LOL.

>>Do you all think that a Pit would be a good choice for a beginner? Or do you think I should start out with something like a Corn? I would really appreciate your input.
>>
>>thank you

I would agree with Terry whole-heartedly!!! If a pit is what you want then get a pit! I started with pituophis (Northern Pine) and had no problems with it. I also in my short time in the hobby have come to own several corns, a thayeri king, a sinaloan milk (locale specific), a pair of cal kings, a black pine and I am eagerly awaiting several bulls and some surprises.
I have found that the age old arguement of which is the better first snake to me a moot point and completely irrelevent and an endless debate based on personal opinion. The only opinion that matter when one is deciding to get a first snake is that of the prospective new handler. Yes opinions from those with more experience and knowledge matters and their help and advice is often spot on, but alas the desicion ultimately belong to the new handler.
So with my ramble at an end... Get what YOU want, but be wise and do the research so that not only do you understand the captive requirements of your new snake but also the characteristics of the snake and what to expect as far as behaviour... I can just see a new unsuspecting handler open the top of an enclosure and being greeted by the mad hiss and rattle of a bull... and actually buying the little snakes bluff
If ya do go with a pit, then you have found the right place to gain knowledge and make friends and I hope to cya around.
Oh and pits are my favorites!
Okay I am done...no seriously I am done...

Charles...
Oh and Hi!
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I loathe people who keep dogs. They are cowards who haven't got the guts to bite people themselves.
August Strindberg (1849 - 1912), A Madman's Diary, 1895

just a nice docile easy going ratsnake that is more like a racer. They don't constrict so to speak so they have slashing bites. They can bite you several times before you think Ouch! LOL. I see alot of people who get talkied into buying a cornsnake over a pit, and I see some of them turn around and want the pit right away. I was talking with Daryl Camby the other night on the phone while he was cleaning cages and I could tell each time he opened another of his bullsnake enclosrures. LOL. It was the typical Ouch we all experience and learn to deal with to some extent. Ya gotta love the pits.

>>I would agree with Terry whole-heartedly!!! If a pit is what you want then get a pit! I started with pituophis (Northern Pine) and had no problems with it. I also in my short time in the hobby have come to own several corns, a thayeri king, a sinaloan milk (locale specific), a pair of cal kings, a black pine and I am eagerly awaiting several bulls and some surprises.
>>I have found that the age old arguement of which is the better first snake to me a moot point and completely irrelevent and an endless debate based on personal opinion. The only opinion that matter when one is deciding to get a first snake is that of the prospective new handler. Yes opinions from those with more experience and knowledge matters and their help and advice is often spot on, but alas the desicion ultimately belong to the new handler.
>>So with my ramble at an end... Get what YOU want, but be wise and do the research so that not only do you understand the captive requirements of your new snake but also the characteristics of the snake and what to expect as far as behaviour... I can just see a new unsuspecting handler open the top of an enclosure and being greeted by the mad hiss and rattle of a bull... and actually buying the little snakes bluff
>>If ya do go with a pit, then you have found the right place to gain knowledge and make friends and I hope to cya around.
>>Oh and pits are my favorites!
>>Okay I am done...no seriously I am done...
>>
>>Charles...
>>Oh and Hi!
>>-----
>>I loathe people who keep dogs. They are cowards who haven't got the guts to bite people themselves.
>>August Strindberg (1849 - 1912), A Madman's Diary, 1895

I tell hm to look at the bright side: hoe many people can say they have been bitten by a WC female P. ruthveni...lol. When you have something as rare as those guys, you let them behave however they want....lol.

KJ

is as rare as the snakes themselves. It's terrible to love something soo much that you let it behave as it wants. LOL.

>>I tell hm to look at the bright side: hoe many people can say they have been bitten by a WC female P. ruthveni...lol. When you have something as rare as those guys, you let them behave however they want....lol.
>>
>>KJ

As this is the Pit forum it is natural to expect support for pits
vs corns. If you have been around some of the pits and like them
then I would agree that no amount of corns will satisfy your pit craving.
If however, you have never owned a snake at all before and are not
that familiar with the different genus' of snakes then a corn may be in order.
Corns are very common (ie cheap) and are very hardy with straight forward care.
Corns are some of the easiest snakes to handle and care for out there.
Once you have learned to deal with housing, temp control, feeding, shedding etc
then you are ready to move on to a more active, larger and at times
more tempermental pits. If for some reason you decide that snakes
are not for you then you are not out of a great deal of $$ and corns
are often easy to resell. That being said, pits are great snakes
and even a first time snake owner will be able to raise them well
they are just not as mellow as hatchlings as corns and they are
always very hungry and grow a lot faster and bigger than corns.
They also have a lot more personality than corns (ok now the corn people
are going to attack me too) If you get a corn first and still
have an interest in pits I assure you you will not rest untill
you get one of the big brutes so be warned. Good luck and let
us know what you get.