Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hi,

Thanks for taking the time to read this. I used to own a corn snake until unfortunately he passed away. I am now looking to buy a larger snake, something like a ball python or boa constrictor. Before I go ahead and do this though, I have a few questions:

1) Is looking after one of the above mentioned breed of snakes a similar process to looking after a corn? i.e. same diet, etc? I know they do get a lot bigger but thats not a problem.

2) I bought the corn snake when he was approx 1 - 2 years old, so he was already "broken in" for want of a better term. If I was to buy a baby boa/ball from the pet shop, are there any special procedures I need to think about while its a baby and growing up?

3) The tank I kept my corn in has the following dimensions:

20 inch wide (51cm)

40 inch long (102cm)

24 inch high (61cm)

How much does this translate to gallons (I see people on the boards describe the size of their tanks in gallons). Also will this be big enough to keep a ball/boa for at least part of its life?

4) Is there a way I can test my thermostat to make sure it is in 100% working order before introducing a new animal to the tank? Apart from just turning it on I mean lol.

5) Are there any other things at all I need to take into consideration seeing that I used to own a corn and now I plan on owning a bigger snake?

Thanks for any help you can give, it will be a great help!

- Chris

I'll try and help as best I can:

For the most part it's the same, except those species will need higher temps, humidity and larger food as they become adults. A plus is that boas and pythons don't defecate as often as corns. I don't own a bci or bcc, but with ball pythons their humidity requirements are higher and can be more difficult to acheive in a glass tank - but possible with some work. Without the proper humidity you will have bad sheds. Corns are a much easier species to work with and usually a good starter snake before moving on to other species. With a ball python, you will likely not see it often. They are very secretive and nocturnal. You might see it 10% of the time, but usually late at night...when most of us are sleeping.

I don't think it's much of a problem with bci/bcc, but getting ball pythons to eat frozen/thawed can be difficult - and some won't switch. It is of course best to feed frozen/thawed. If you buy from a petshop (which I and many recommend against), they are likely feeding live which makes it even more difficult for you. A lot of ball pythons sold in petstores are wild caught - which makes things even more difficult for you. Not to mention petstores are so overpriced, can't give you much history on the animals and sometimes don't take the best of care (particularly housing multiple snakes together). Best bet (especially with ball pythons, but with any snake) is to find a reputable breeder who can give you records on the snake and preferably feeding f/t already. There are several highly respected breeders online or visit a reptile show/expo. Could save you a lot of headache and money. Your're more likely to get a captive bred snake there as well.

Those measurements don't translate into any size tank I've ever seen - so I can't give you gallons. Is it custom made? Is it a glass tank? A 90 gallon aquarium is 48x18x24 and a 65 gallon is 36x18x24 - just to give you some idea. That size tank would be great for a Ball Python all it's life. If you go with a young snake (especially a BP), and start him off in that tank you will need to provide plenty of hides for security. As most people start hatchlings in shoe boxes so they are not overwhelmed. The minimum is one hide per side. In a tank that size I'd put at least 2 hides per side, hides in the middle and plenty of deco (plastic plants, branches, etc) to fill up the empty space and provide more security. It is also important to make sure the hides are the proper size: tight, low and snug. Too big and they don't feel secure. They like to feel all sides of the hide touching them.

As far as that cage size for a boa - you didn't mention which species you are thinking of. That makes a difference, but I'm not sure that that size is okay even for some of the dwarf boas.

About the thermostat...I say just turn it on and see if it works...what better way.

Mainly, can you provide the higher temps, humidity and deal with handling a larger sized snake than a corn. Also can you deal with providing larger food items and have the patience to deal with fussy eaters (particularly with bps). Unlike with corns and other colubrids, you can't just throw a tank together at the last minute with boids. As the snakes you mentioned need higher temps and the humidity - and this must be right before bringing them home. And as I said, if using a glass tank it can be difficult to acheive and may require some extra work. You should (really with any animal), get the tank setup and temps/humidity in the correct range before bringing them home. Of course do your research and know what you're getting into. Buy from a reputable breeder and be sure it is captive bred. With ball pythons they are difficult to switch to f/t most times and will often go off feed. For some people dealing with this is very, very frustrating and a source of stress for them. Just know what you're getting into, do your research, look at and handle some snakes of the species you're interested in and that may help you make your decision.

Hope I've been of some help. I have a psuedo caresheet I've put together on Ball Pythons. It's really a collection of posts I've copied from various forums - but they're great tips. Email me if you're intersted: tigergenesis@comcast.net

-----
Check Out My Albums

1.0 Ball Python "Aragorn"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"
1.0 Saharan Sand Boa "Frodo"
0.1 Rough-Scale Sand Boa "Arwen"
0.1 California Kingsnake "Gentoo"
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake "Indigo"
1.0 Snow Corn snake "Chile"

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"

The first thing I would suggest is finding out if any reptile shows come near where you live. Click on EVENTS at the top of the page and you may get lucky. You will find a much better combination of value, quality and selection if you can attend a show. Or find out if any reliable breeders are in your area. Most (not all) pet shops are the last place I would personally buy a snake. You pay too much for what you get (usually).

That said...You might consider some other snakes that get larger than a corn but are as easy to care for. Some of the other North American Ratsnakes (corns are ratsnake, also), can reach more impressive sizes and make excellent beginner snakes. They may reach 6 feet or more, but will not be as thick-bodied as boas or pythons. Check out some of the other forums and some other options. Good luck. Duffy

Agreed. If you are looking for a species to keep, a herp show is a great place to look and compare. Also, cruise through the different forums and breeders sites to see what catches your interest. You will find children's pythons who are about the same size if not smaller than a corn snake, and easy to care for. Or, bull snakes who can get up towards 8 ft. with easy care. People are happy to share info on the species they keep.

Now that you have found this site, use it and go beyond the "major chain pet store mind frame" of reptile acquisition. With the internet and next day delivery, you can have a snake which is perfect for you and your lifestyle. Do your research and enjoy--herp keeping is awesome!
regards,
althea

Reptile shows are great. If there is one in your area go. You will see all kinds of snakes, lizards, etc. My first snake was a corn too. Then I wanted one that was bigger but not big like boas. So I got a jungle carpet python.
I bought her at a reptile store..I know that's a no-no but we don't have that many reptile shows where I live. When we do the are small. Anyway, my JCP is a great pet snake. Babies can be very nippy but most grow out of it as they get bigger. They are arboreal so make a great display snake. Mine is on her branches alot. I bought her when she was a yearling so she was over the nippy stage.
The only difference with my jcp then my corns is she likes higher temps and bigger cage,of course. They get to 6-8 foot long but are not big around. I don't worry about humidity. I've heard ball pythons need higher humidity and can be picky eaters. With my jcp I just mist her down when she is in shed. She has perfect sheds.
"Safari" is up to 5 plus foot now and is eating large F/T rats. Where as my corns are eating mice. Some JCP's won't take to rats however so trying to feed a 6-8 foot snake can be expensive.

hi,

Thanks for taking the time to read this. I used to own a corn snake until unfortunately he passed away. I am now looking to buy a larger snake, something like a ball python or boa constrictor. Before I go ahead and do this though, I have a few questions:

1) Is looking after one of the above mentioned breed of snakes a similar process to looking after a corn? i.e. same diet, etc? I know they do get a lot bigger but thats not a problem.

Jungle Carpet Pythons are very fun (I have 2 myself) but they may need to eat rats eventually. Ratsnakes, Kingsnakes (certain species), Milksnakes are also good choices. Boas and Pythons may require specific care needs (i.e higher humidity) along with Boas, just make sure to meet those needs and they will be fine.

2) I bought the corn snake when he was approx 1 - 2 years old, so he was already "broken in" for want of a better term. If I was to buy a baby boa/ball from the pet shop, are there any special procedures I need to think about while its a baby and growing up?

Usually pet shop snakes are imports which are stressed and have parasites, so give a thurough inspection before you buy one.

3) The tank I kept my corn in has the following dimensions:

20 inch wide (51cm)

40 inch long (102cm)

24 inch high (61cm)

How much does this translate to gallons (I see people on the boards describe the size of their tanks in gallons). Also will this be big enough to keep a ball/boa for at least part of its life?

Make sure to clean it with disinfectant before you put another snake into the same cage. I can guestimate about a 40 gallon cage, but I am not certain.

4) Is there a way I can test my thermostat to make sure it is in 100% working order before introducing a new animal to the tank? Apart from just turning it on I mean lol.

Use another thermometer (like the one you use to check your temperature) and put them in the same place, and cross check the results.

5) Are there any other things at all I need to take into consideration seeing that I used to own a corn and now I plan on owning a bigger snake?

Bigger snakes make bigger messes, eat bigger food, and are obviously capable of delivering a much more painful bite. Just do some research (anapsid.org is a wonderful site) and choose wisely.

Good luck

-----
Sean McIntyre

Currently have:
0.1 Antherystic Elaphe Guttata Guttata - Corn Snake
1.0 Elaphe Vulpina Gloydi - Eastern Fox Snake
0.1 Leucistic Elaphe Obsoleta Linheimeri - Texas Ratsnake
1.1 Morelia Spilota Cheyni - Jungle Carpet Python

Saving for:
Agkistrodon Contortix Mokasen - Northern Copperhead
Epicrates Cenchria Cenchria - Brazilian Rainbow Boa

Thanks a lot to everyone, you have been a great help!

From what you have said im leaning strongly towards a jungle carpet python. The only problem is aquiring one, I am having trouble locating reptile shows where I live (west midlands, england, uk), and I dont really know where to go to look for a particular breed of snake. Can anyone give me some ideas? I tried the events link on this site but it only gives me 2 results and both are in Italy.

Thanks again for all your help!

Go to the forum specifically designed for the snake you would like, if you've decided on a Carpet Python, then the forum you want is:

http://forums.kingsnake.com/forum.php?catid=80

When there, say that you are located in the UK and wanted to know if there are any breeders in the area. Now that I think of it, a post like this may be against the TOA of kingsnake.com, but at least you can get more info over in that forum.

Another snake I would recommend is a Taiwan beauty ratsnake. They're a ratsnake, so similar to a corn in that way, but they can get up to 8 feet long and as big around as a can of soda/pop. You would need a cage at least 4'x2'x2' though, because they are active snakes.