Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey Everyone,

I am plannng on adding an addition to my collection this weekend when I go to the local show. From reading everyones posts in this forum, its sounds like pits are the way to go. Also, it sounds like the way to graduate in the hobby from corns and kings. I am a little stuck on whether to get a San Diego Gopher or some type of Bullsnake, I was wondering if you guys could help me...
I live in a apartment so space is limited, I can do a 3-6 ft snake easy. Hissing and tail shaking don't bother me but would prefer a species that "don't over do it" because I live with a skittish g/f. Food is no problem either, I can do pinkies from the pet shop or chickens from the Puerto Rican live poultry market. I love albino's too so if one is prettier in that phase let me know.

Thanks,

New York City Snake Lover

Good question 'city slicker'.
I am planning to take the plunge this summer. I plan to purchase a bull of some sort. The choice will be a hypo amel. or some red bull variety. Maybe Mr. Cherry or Mr. Brown can offer some assistance with your question.
The only advice I can offer is that a gopher will do better uptown while a bull will work better downtown. If you are in Brooklyn you are on your own.
-Chris D.

Both would be a great choice, the Bulls can get larger than 6' where the Gophers max out. The white-sided and red Bulls are cool, but if you like albinos the San Diegos are the best. How about a Snow San Diego, here's mine.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, on a regular basis my son and I argue over which of the pits looks the best and makes the best pet. So you are going to get a one sided opinion here. His favorite's are Back Pines which I will admit are beautiful, but they tend to be a little more hissy than I like at times.

As far as gophers are concerned I just love them specifically the albino sonorans and the normal patterned or albino pacific gophers are my favorites, both are smaller than a normal bull in girth and length.

But my first love is the bull snake, with all the different locales, color morphs and the girth they get, they to me are just awesome. And if handled from babies they get very very tolerant of handling and people.

Either way you go you will love the animal, one word of caution PITS are very habit forming and kind like potato chips you can't have just one. LOL

Let us know if you need help setting up caging etc and we will be more than glad to help.

John Cherry
Cherryville Farms
Cherryville Farms

Thanks for the advice, I am still undecided on which to get. I know it is going ot come down to the last minute, or actually which is avaiable at this show. Its supposed to in the 20's this weekend.
I am assuming the set up is close to corns and kings, please let me know if I am wrong. Also, what is the differences between a San Diego Gopher and a Pacific gopher?

HOW YA DOIN'

NYC SNAKE HANDLER

P.S. Don't fuggedabowdit, I need an ansa!

Take Care John

Just wanted to give the update....I went with Mr. Cherry's advice and got a Sonoran Gopher. Seems to be doing great, very friendly animal with no defensive movements. Plus, it was -22 degrees at the snake show.
I see why everyone likes them, he is very alert.
Is there anything else I should be expecting?