Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm thinking about getting a snake but am unsure of what kind to get. I've had lots of experience with lizards but never owned a snake. I love pythons and boas but just don't have the space for them except maybe the smaller kinds. I've got a 30 gallon tank that my baby beardies will grow out of before long so hopefully I can find something that can live in there. But finding a larger cage should be no problem if I had to. Any suggestions?

Hi there.

Im no expert by any means but ill help where I can.

Suggestions for good starter snakes are corn snakes and kingsnakes, or a childrens python if you want to go down that route.

A 30 gallon tank will be too big for a baby snake, and possibly slightly too small for an adult (depending on species).
Remember if you do end up using the cage your dragons outgrow to house your snake, to thoroughly clean and disinfect it before introducing the snake.

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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"

0.0.1 Crested Gecko

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"

I just got my first two snakes, my second one came today. I was amaed at how many color morphs of black ratsnakes there are. I ended up with a female licorice stick black rat, and a male black rat het. lic stk's (regular looking black ratsnake which carries the genes to reproduce licorice sticks).

Here's Lola, my licorice stick

Here's Frankie, my black rat

They won't grow too large, I've been told they can stay in the 29 gallon that they are living in for the rest of their lives (2 seperate 29 gallon tanks), but i'm in the process of building an elaborate cage (one stacked on another) for the two to live in.

Check out this thread on the classifieds, this is the guy I ordered mine from and I was extremly pleased with his service and the snakes I got...although i'm not saying there aren't a bunch of good breeders out there it's just he's the only one i've ever done business with. He also answered many questions for me, and continues to.

http://market.kingsnake.com/detail.php?cat=60&de=238001
http://market.kingsnake.com/detail.php?cat=60&de=218122
http://market.kingsnake.com/detail.php?cat=60&de=213880

(those are the only three current posts he has that I saw).

Mine are both a little over a year old living in 2 seperate 29 gallon tanks and they seem very content. Let us know how it turns out!

-Chris
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The reason mainstream thought is thought of as a stream is because it's so shallow. -Unknown

i havent handled the regular black ratsnake today (gonna give him some time to calm down from the plane ride), but my licorice stick has only struck at me one time (i was a dumbass and didnt wash my hands after handling her mice and she thought i was food...lol). she loves being handled it seems, i put my hand in the cage and she crawls over to me and up on my arm, at times...lol. my mom...who is terrified of snakes...even likes her. lol.
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The reason mainstream thought is thought of as a stream is because it's so shallow. -Unknown

Arboreals are great snakes!!!! Start keepin snakes and work your way up to a chondro!!!