Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've always heard people asking what is the best beginner hot snake so it makes me wonder. What is the best first "BIG" snake for a beginner? I'm not talking about a novice...just someone that has never had a snake get over 6ft. Would you start them out on say boa constrictors or bloods and then move them up to the big 5? Would an intermediate be necessary at all? Just looking for your opinions.

Intermediates
1. Bloods
2. Boa constrictors
3. Yellow Anaconda?

The Big 5
1. Reticulated Python
2. Indian Python
3. Green Anaconda
4. Amethystine Python
5. African Rock Python

Should there be any restrictions on owning the big 5? If so what do you think it should be?
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1.4 Columbians
2.7 Kenyans
0.3 Ball Pythons
1.0 Borneo Blood
0.0.2 Blue Tounged Skinks
3 Dogs
3 Cats
1 Ferret
1 Wife

I have long thoguht that there should be some sort of liscensing for hot snakes and all snakes for that matter. What I mean is that if you want a snake you should have to get a permit. As a first time snake owner then you can pick from a list of beginner snakes. After you successfully kept this snake for a set amount of time then you can move up to the next cateragory and get a more advanced permit. This would be extremely helpfull wiht hots. Right now in theory, I could go and buy a black mamba or a king cobra and have it shipped to me with out never having owned a hot before. This recipe is asking for trouble and is part of the reasons that more and more restrictions are put on to our hobby.
I know that giving legislatures room to make these regulations could start an avalanche of outrageous laws but I tink if it was done properly with the hobby in first priority then it would be a good thing. It will ensure that a novice keeper learns about snakes that are easier to care for and gain some experience before getting that cute little retic at the local show. Anyway, just my thoughts on this, TOdd