Reptile & Amphibian Forums

what are some of the smallest snakes you can keep as pets and how big do they get

also how about the hardiest and easiest to care for

Male Kenyan sand boas can be kept in a 10 gallon and are pretty hardy. You also could look into garters and African house snakes.
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Eryx - All the fun of a boa in a convenient pocket size!

You can try ribbon snakes as well.

I have a Childrens Python. They are great snakes that are small and easy to care for.

I have never seen a childreni with that much pattern, even as a baby. That looks more like a Spotted Python (A. maculosus) to me (or possibly a Stimson's Python - A. stimsoni).

Either way, they are great starter boids if you get a baby that isn't too snappy.
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Chris Harrison

It was sold to me as a Childrens Python. I bought her from Isis Reptiles at a local herp show. They are very reputable. I saw photos of their adults, and their Childrens Pythons had a somewhat faded pattern but still very beautiful. The picture was taken in September when she was smaller. She will be a year old in April. Currently, she is ~18 inches long and about the width of my index finger. I'll get a more recent picture and post it.

Linny

how big do they get and what size tank do you need to house them in as adults

They get to be 2-3 feet in length. My Python is still growing, and I currently have her in a 10 gallon tank. But pretty soon I will be moving her to a 20 gallon. You might want to post your specific questions about the Childrens Python on the Python forum and find out how people are keeping their adults. What I can tell you is that I am very happy with this snake. She doesn't mind being handled and is quite docile. I have heard that the babies can be nippy, but mine never was. She has a great appetite and never refuses a meal. This snake is native to Australia and does well in a dry environment. I live in Arizona where the humidity is very low, and this snake never has any problems with shedding. A Spotted Python is very similar but will get a bit larger.

Linny

>>how big do they get and what size tank do you need to house them in as adults

A good many of the antaresia out there are integrades I think. There is a page (I will try to find and link) relating to identifying them by head scalation. Wouldn't you know that my male doesn't match any of them.
My pair is just a bit over 2 feet long, 5 yrs old and 'plump'. Active, curious and great eaters. I have had mine nearly a year and they are in the top five for favs.
Mine have killer feeding responses and they are 'nippy' if they think they could be hungry. But even then the biggest worry is that they hurt themselves as they are too small to do you much harm. Otherwise they are fun snakes that are, to me, a joy.

http://home.clara.net/rmns/rept3.htm

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Sonya

Haven't we warned you about tampering with the structure of a chaotic system?
Mrs. Neutron