Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello...

My knowledge about snakes is still in its infancy, but I have always wanted a snake and I am now looking to get one (now that I am moving out of my mother's house)...

I have been looking at different snakes that I would like to get and here are a couple of things that concern me...

I Want A Snake That:

1.) Will not kill me & is usually calm. (Nipping at me is bad.)

2.) Sounds cool. Certain names sound really cool, some sound wimpy. "Ball Python" sounds cooler than "Milk Snake."

3.) Is colorful. Ball Pythons are a bit camouflage-y and brown, while King Snakes & Milk Snakes are very colorful.

4.) Is large! 5 Feet is OK, but 8 Feet would be better.

5.) Is Calm, Colorful, & Huge!

Thank you!!!
Dan from Long Island
"Piano Man Fan.com" - Billy Joel Fan-Site

What "sounds" cool to you is a matter of personal taste, but wanting a 6-8 foot, colorful, reasonable calm snake might lead me to suggest a Boa Constrictor. Some of the morphs are very colorful, many will get 6-8 feet (and a 6 foot boa is still a much bigger snake that a 6 foot kingsnake).
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Chris Harrison

What is more calm and nice? Kingsnake or Boa Constrictor?

The boa is more fat, correct? Which would you get if you wanted a large snake? I don't so much care for it to be large as I like it to be long...

Thank you!!!
Dan
DAN BOD.com

I'm with Chris. Boa constrictor is what first came to my mind. If it's too bulky for you, any of the Pituophis..Bull, Gopher, & Pines might suffice. They will exceed 6 feet. Kingsnakes are nice as well, though most do not get quite as long as the Pituophis. Corns are nice & beautiful, but six feet is a really big one. Whatever you get, don't scrimp on caging, & make sure it is secure.

~~Greg~~

Brazillian Rainbow Boa. Doesn't get HUGE but decent size and you said colorful. Unless the "rainbow" part doesn't sound "cool" enough for you. This pic sure looks cool to me (not my snake or pic btw)...

http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/index.php?photo=37511

They are indeed spectacular looking, & reach a somewhat respectable size. Their temperament can be iffy. Some are great, some are unapproachable.

~~Greg~~

My first response would be a bullsnake as suggested above. Every snake is it's own, and mine has a huge huge feeding response, but once out of it's cage "Odie" handles very well. He's about 61/2 feet long which is a very nicely sized colubrid.

If jet black is in your taste, a black rat snake regularly exceeds 7 feet, as does the Indigo. The indigo requires much more research on care, upkeep and local animal laws, so might not be a great first snake.

My suggestion is to keep searching, perhaps browse the gallery here on kingsnake, and research whatever attracts you. Soon enough you'll have a species that sticks out and really suites you.

Don't know that I'd recommend the eastern indigo for a starter. Extremely high maintenance snake. They don't just defecate once or twice after each meal. You'll be cleaning cages like you never dreamed.

~~Greg~~

It's that "calm" thing.....A snake that fits almost all of the above-colorful, well over nine feet, cool name....BLUE BEAUTY.

If handled from a baby, they become perfectly handleable. However-being more of a racer-than a ratsnake in makeup, they are not a snake that will (stay put) when out of their cage.

A pity that you think 'Milk' snakes are not cool. Hondurans and Black milks can get over six foot (One Honduaran pictured in Vivarium reached over eight)

A very good choice that can go over six is the 'Hypo' Brooksi that are being bred. Eastern Chain Kings also achieve respectable size and dramatic looks.

In the end...it is not the name that matters. It's whether you enjoy the snake.

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

defenetly sounds like a boa to me. They are offten calm, especially if rasied up from a baby, but be ware, all snakes may sometimes bite. As for colors a few boas i would suggest that won't cost you too much that make magnificent adults[ boas change there colours as they mature] would be a east bay vivarium "red group" boa, or a f1 hypo, or even a pastel.
Hope this helps and hope you find a magnificent specimen.
Brian Logan

Are those Boas you describe more docile than cornsnakes or ratsnakes or are they about the same?

How large can they get?

I really appreciate everyone's help!

Dan

Ok, what you should do is start off small and work your way up to larger snakes, especially if you don't have much experience with snakes. Ball Pythons, King Snakes, Milk Snakes, and Corn Snakes are perfect for beginners with interest in snakes. They are all very colourful and can grow to 4-5 feet. These ones also are very docile snakes that get less nippy with handling. If you want a cool name for a snake which shouldn't really matter, I would go with a Ball Python. Your 5-8 foot one that you would be interested in would be a Boa Constrictor. These guys are perfect for someone who has some previous experience with snakes and wants to start keeping larger snakes. They are relatively calm and do fairly well. They are not as colouful though as some of the others. I strongly suggest that you start off with something like a Ball Python first and then see how you feel about a larger snake.

That sounds like a good idea. I think the BOAS are out... Ball Pythons just don't look as colorful to me, so they are out.

I have narrowed it to:

Cornsnakes
Kingsnakes
Ratsnakes

I like the Okeetee Cornsnake and I like the Texas Ratsnake. How large do each of these get and are they about the same level of docile? Also, how large (average) will they grow?

I think I will go with a cornsnake or ratsnake. How are the Kingsnakes with regards to size and behavior?

Do snakes like play toys?

Thank you all for your expertise...
Dan

ball pythons arent colorful enough? wow you havent done much research go to the classifieds section for ball pythons, and check out all the genetic morphs. There are albinos, pastels, pieds, and many many more.

Also, I have a corn snake and have had it for a couple of years. Its a great snake and has a wonderful friendly disposition, but its never just content with sitting there and "hanging out" its constantly moving around, trying to get to the floor, bed, chair, etc. My ball python will get out and move some when I hold it, but I can put it around my neck over my shoulders and it will just hang there, or hold it in my hand. I can sit and watch tv and it will be perfectly content sitting there too. I like the thicker, more aggressive look of the ball python over the corn, but they are two totally different kinds of snakes so its like comparing apples to oranges.

It depends what you are wanting out of it. If you plan on holding it occasionally, and just want something that looks cool in its cage, get the corn. If you want a snake that looks thick, muscular, powerful, and beautiful (not that a cornsnake isnt beautiful) and is also great to hold for long periods of time, get the ball python.

Neal

That is certainly something to think about. I DO want to play with the snake everyday. So, what you're saying is, the Ball Python would be better, huh...?

Any Orange ones? I don't think that I saw any Orange Ball Pythons.

Do Kingsnakes or Ratsnakes like to watch TV with you?

Dan

Corn snakes by nature are just more "ancy" and will be constantly moving around and trying to explore. That does not mean that they are bad pets or unmanageable...but I prefer to hold my python more than I do the cornsnake (although it still gets held from time to time). Go to the ball python classifieds ====> http://market.kingsnake.com/index.php?cat=32

If you like Ratsnakes, I would recommend some color morph of the Black Ratsnake or an Everglades Ratsnake. I have a female Everglades and she is already over 4' at the age of 21 months. She always likes to watch me from her cage and seems to tolerate lots of handling with no ill effects on her appetite. I was told that she will probably reach 7' someday. She is bright orange in coloration and a real beauty. Black Ratsnakes are very much like Everglades, but bigger. Both are subspecies of Elaphe Obseleta so their genetics are very similar. I have seen some nice Black Ratsnake color morphs out there. Also, these ratsnakes are rather inexpensive to buy. If you like Ratsnakes, these are my top picks. I hope this info helps.

What is the true name of your Orange Ratsnake? I wanna see pics...

Dan

The scientific name for the Everglades Ratsnake is Elaphe Obsoleta Rossalleni. Beware though, there are many Everglades Ratsnakes on the market that are not pure strain Everglades. This is because many Everglades Ratsnakes in the wild nowadays are intergrades with the Yellow Ratsnake (Elaphae Obsoleta Quadrivitatta). The cause of this is due to the massive amounts of deforestation in the Everglades region of southern Florida. When the ecosystem changed, the Yellow Ratsnakes moved in and readily bred with the pure Everglades. Thus, many modern Everglades are hybrids. For pictures, you can visit knigsnake.com's photo gallery and click on Ratsnakes, then type in "Everglades" in the search bar. They have some really nice photos that you can look at. Hope this helps.

How about a nice brazilian rainbow boa, colorful, mine is calm, and just a very cool animal.

I think that may get too big and viscious. I am liking the Cornsnakes now... Some are so vibrant!

Dan

If you want an animal you can play with every day, get a dog. If you take your snake out of its cage every day, chances are it will not do well. A snake needs to be left the heck alone for several days after feeding. Snake vomit will prove that.

Dogs like play-toys. Snakes do not.

~~Greg~~

>>Hello...
>>
>> My knowledge about snakes is still in its infancy, but I have always wanted a snake and I am now looking to get one (now that I am moving out of my mother's house)...
>>
>> I have been looking at different snakes that I would like to get and here are a couple of things that concern me...
>>
>>
>>I Want A Snake That:
>>
>>1.) Will not kill me & is usually calm. (Nipping at me is bad.)
>>
>>2.) Sounds cool. Certain names sound really cool, some sound wimpy. "Ball Python" sounds cooler than "Milk Snake."

Don't take it the wrong way but if you are hung up on if the name sounds cool or not, well that is not something to base picking a snake on. If it is infuencing your decision maybe you are not realy for a snake yet.
>>
>>3.) Is colorful. Ball Pythons are a bit camouflage-y and brown, while King Snakes & Milk Snakes are very colorful.
>>
>>4.) Is large! 5 Feet is OK, but 8 Feet would be better.

Again, since this is your first snake you don't want a huge snake. Maybe one of the carpet pythons. But that name may not be cool for you.
>>
>>5.) Is Calm, Colorful, & Huge!
>>
>>
>>
>>Thank you!!!
>>Dan from Long Island
>>"Piano Man Fan.com" - Billy Joel Fan-Site
-----
Anna

2.0.0 Ball Python {Shane, Little Guy}
1.0.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake {Slash}
1.0.0 Afican Bullfrog {Bungy}
2.2.8 Crested Geckos {Mel, Harley, Sally, Momma, unnamed}
0.0.1 Giant Black African Millipede {Milly}
1.0.0 Short Tail Possum {Eddie}
3.0.0 Pet Rats {Ibin the dumbo, Chong, Jack}
2.1.0 Dogs Lab/Pionter mix,Basset Hound,German Shepherd {Vegas,Shorty,Nevada}
2.1.0 Kitties {Kenny, Sebation, Phoebe}
1.1.0 Ferrets {Weasle, Girlie}
1.0.0 Betta {George}
1.0.0 Boyfriend {Brian}
1 fish tanks with lots of fish
And the bugs

Thats it for now.....

Thanks for the tip on that Jungle Carpet Python...

Those look really nice. I love the orange ones. Do their colors fade?

How is their temperment? I read that when young, they can be a bit defensive, but they will get more tame if handled more.

Are they less "frisky" than the Cornsnakes? Can I watch TV with a Jungle Carpet Python?

How much do they run?

(I keep changing my mind, but everyone's wisdom has been so valuable!)

Thank you again!
Dan

>>Hello...
>>
>> My knowledge about snakes is still in its infancy, but I have always wanted a snake and I am now looking to get one (now that I am moving out of my mother's house)...
>>
>> I have been looking at different snakes that I would like to get and here are a couple of things that concern me...
>>
>>
>>I Want A Snake That:
>>
>>1.) Will not kill me & is usually calm. (Nipping at me is bad.)

most baby snakes will nip.
>>
>>2.) Sounds cool. Certain names sound really cool, some sound wimpy. "Ball Python" sounds cooler than "Milk Snake."

the name of the snake should not be important. if what matters to you is if it sound cool maybe you should reconsiter getting a snake.
>>
>>3.) Is colorful. Ball Pythons are a bit camouflage-y and brown, while King Snakes & Milk Snakes are very colorful.

some king and milk snake are also plain. some morphs of ball pythons are very colorfull
>>
>>4.) Is large! 5 Feet is OK, but 8 Feet would be better.

you might not want to start out with a "huge snake" imo is not a good reason to pick a snake. it may play a factor.
>>
>>5.) Is Calm, Colorful, & Huge!

>>
>>
>>
>>Thank you!!!
>>Dan from Long Island
>>"Piano Man Fan.com" - Billy Joel Fan-Site
-----
Anna

2.0.0 Ball Python {Shane, Little Guy}
1.0.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake {Slash}
1.0.0 Afican Bullfrog {Bungy}
2.2.8 Crested Geckos {Mel, Harley, Sally, Momma, unnamed}
0.0.1 Giant Black African Millipede {Milly}
1.0.0 Short Tail Possum {Eddie}
3.0.0 Pet Rats {Ibin the dumbo, Chong, Jack}
2.1.0 Dogs Lab/Pionter mix,Basset Hound,German Shepherd {Vegas,Shorty,Nevada}
2.1.0 Kitties {Kenny, Sebation, Phoebe}
1.1.0 Ferrets {Weasle, Girlie}
1.0.0 Betta {George}
1.0.0 Boyfriend {Brian}
1 fish tanks with lots of fish
And the bugs

Thats it for now.....

Sorry didnt think the first one posted.
-----
Anna

2.0.0 Ball Python {Shane, Little Guy}
1.0.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake {Slash}
1.0.0 Afican Bullfrog {Bungy}
2.2.8 Crested Geckos {Mel, Harley, Sally, Momma, unnamed}
0.0.1 Giant Black African Millipede {Milly}
1.0.0 Short Tail Possum {Eddie}
3.0.0 Pet Rats {Ibin the dumbo, Chong, Jack}
2.1.0 Dogs Lab/Pionter mix,Basset Hound,German Shepherd {Vegas,Shorty,Nevada}
2.1.0 Kitties {Kenny, Sebation, Phoebe}
1.1.0 Ferrets {Weasle, Girlie}
1.0.0 Betta {George}
1.0.0 Boyfriend {Brian}
1 fish tanks with lots of fish
And the bugs

Thats it for now.....

Well, I would like to get a baby, so that after a couple of years, when it is big, I wouldn't be a beginner anymore...

Are there any Ball Python Morphs that are Orange?

If so, what are they called and how much do you think they may cost?

Thank you!
Dan

Easy to care for....
Very colorful.....
Live birth........
A red tail might not be the best snake for a beginner because they can get huge.
Ryan