Reptile & Amphibian Forums

After the death of my rosy a few months back I wasn't sure if I should jump back into the snake hobby. I've been thinking about it a bit and I think I'd like a new one.

The question is what should I get?

I have a 20 gallon long aquarium with all the standard snake equipment ready. I also have a 5.5 gallon, but I don't think there is anything on the market that could fit in there and stay healthy.

So:
1) It needs to fit in a 20L. Not too big...maybe 5-6 foot max (not sure what would be ok in a 20L at that size though)
2) I want something that is relatively docile. Something easily handled. My rosy was a sweetie that had no problems being picked up as long as she wasn't startled.
3) Easy keeper/beginner snake.
4) I want something very pretty. I'm partial to the colorings of KSBs and albino corns (bright/vivid colors). But I also enjoy high contrast colors (like mexican rosies). And I also enjoy the many types of colorful kings (although I'd like something with less red or at least a balanced amount with the other colors).
5) Something relqatively cheap if possible. Nothing over $100 but the cheaper the better. The fact that some corns are going for $20 is a nice idea to me.

So I've been looking at rubber boas, kenyan sand boas, black mexican kingsnakes, albino corns and maybe even another rosy (although from what I read they are slightly more than just a beginner snake).

Anything else anyone else might suggest?

Those are all good snakes for a tank that size, with the corn snake being at the upper end of that. For high contrast, I woudl suggest an anerythristic kenyan sand boa. They look really neat.

For high color, look at some of the tri color kings and the high end corn snake morphs.

>>So I've been looking at rubber boas, kenyan sand boas, black mexican kingsnakes, albino corns and maybe even another rosy (although from what I read they are slightly more than just a beginner snake).
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>>Anything else anyone else might suggest?

If you want something a little more exotic than a corn you might like African House Snakes. There's a good care sheet here on kingsnake and if you do a search in google you'll get a few hits as well.
They are one of the easiest snakes to keep! They stay small, eat mice and are relatively cheap (I've paid around $50 for adult breeders and $30 or so for hatchlings). If you decide to breed them they are very easy to breed and don't require brumation. I really like their temperament also. They are curious and don't seem to have the same defensive behavior that some rat snakes have as juveniles. They aren't very flashy snakes, though they do come in a few color phases- red, cinnamon, brown, black/green, striped, lace and albino.
Check them out.
Lora

Yeah, house snakes crossed my mind after reading the "bullet guide to starter snakes", but I couldn't find anything about them. That one page you gave was helpful, thanks.

And I kind of find their plain solid colors pretty in their own right...

And heck, $30 for a hatchling is a sweet price. I'm hoping to be at the new england reptile expo this coming weekend...maybe I'll be lucky enough to find one there.

Thanks again!

There's a group on Yahoo also- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/housesnake/

The last 4 House Snakes I've gotten have all been via internet classifieds since the shows here in my neck of the woods are pretty lame. I've never seen a House Snake at a show either- though I did get a yearling female Mexican Black King at the last one for $25. They are a neat little snake also, but I've heard mixed opinions on their temperament. Mine's very docile, doesn't even musk which surprised me. Good luck at the show!
Lora

The sinaloan milksnake is a very pretty tricolor snake that i've had no problems with. Got mine at a show for $30