Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been reading this and other forums for quite a while now trying to decide on which species of snake to get. I have never had a pet snake and dream about gettting a monster, but know i shouldn't until I get a little more experience. I would like to get a snake that is between 5-8 feet long. I would prefer a species that is generally friendly and less common. I love colorful snakes like the Green Tree Python (yellow especially) and some of the carpet pythons. I have looked into the dwarf retics and male yellow anacondas, but I fear they may be to aggressive. Also, if you could reccomend not only the species, but some good books that i should buy to learn more! Any suggestions? Pictures will help! Thanks So Much

Aaron

If I were you I would probably go with an olive python or even a Boelens, not sure about the spelling but they both get large, are not overly aggressive and make pretty good pets. Whatever you decide, I think it's important to get a CBB and a baby, that way you can grow with the snake. A large python or any snake can be a handful. Even "tame" snakes have their moments. I personally would never reccomend starting with a snake that gets very big. My first snake ever was a JCP, and she is now 8 feet and very docile but has her moments of aggressiveness. I would be careful whatever you do and make sure you know what you're getting into. A GTP is a decent first snake, they do require an arboreal setup and high humidity which is not for everybody but they are fairly hardy and make good pets. They do stress easily and can be easily damaged when trying to get them off their branches. Either way, good luck and be smart, Eric-

Im assuming JCP meand Jungle Carpet Python? Is that picture of her? Thanks for the help mate.
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Aaron
www.ameade.com
www.bighousepro.com

Neither a Boelens or Olive makes a good first snake. Boelens are not available as captive born and imports, when you can find them, are notoriously hard to keep alive. Olives simply grow to big for a first snake in my opinion.

GTP's aren't really beginner snakes either. Husbandry, while not extremely difficult, doesn't allow for mistakes.

I'd go with something like a woma or a type carpet python. Both are forgiving to husbandry errors, get an long enough to be impressive and are pretty undemanding captives.

First pet snake eh? Then there are a bunch of questions you need to ask yourself.

How big is the cage? What can you afford to feed? Do you have a cage specific for reptiles or just an Aquarium with a lid.

It's really best to start with a good "starter" snake so you can learn the ropes. I recommend Cornsnakes, Kingsnakes and the like.

If you want something bigger than that, go get or build a cage specific for reptiles that is escape proof and get a MALE Boa constrictor baby to raise it up. That way you'll have a small snake that will eventually get some size, but is highly unlikely to get big enough to be a problem. They are also not too expensive. Females can get too big for a beginner and as such need bigger cages and are more expensive to feed.

Stay away from Giant snakes at least until you own your own home.

Doug T

>>I have been reading this and other forums for quite a while now trying to decide on which species of snake to get. I have never had a pet snake and dream about gettting a monster, but know i shouldn't until I get a little more experience. I would like to get a snake that is between 5-8 feet long. I would prefer a species that is generally friendly and less common. I love colorful snakes like the Green Tree Python (yellow especially) and some of the carpet pythons. I have looked into the dwarf retics and male yellow anacondas, but I fear they may be to aggressive. Also, if you could reccomend not only the species, but some good books that i should buy to learn more! Any suggestions? Pictures will help! Thanks So Much
>>
>>Aaron

Big first snake, hmm... Other options may be to get a florida or eastern king, black rat snake or pine snake. The big north american snakes tend to be hardy and while kings can have a verrry enthusiastic feeding response (hand=mouse) and any of them could be hissy they're generally well tempered.
If you want to go with a boa or python, I like the suggestion to get a baby male red tail boa. Jungle Carpet Pythons (black and yellow) are also pretty, but the babies (that I've met) are nasty little buggers though apparently they calm down well in time.
For books, the Barrons series is pretty respectable. Some of the info is a little old, but it's still sound. There's also a site called www.anapsid.org which has good articles. Lenny Flank Jr. wrote a few nice books, one called "Snakes their care and keeping". And check out Philippe de Vosjoli's books, the series is called AVS, advanced vivarium systems.
For your first snake, I strongly recommend getting as problem free straightforward a critter as you can find. A well started CB baby that accepts f/t food is ideal. The thing is, keeping snakes is a fascinating study of Murphy's law and the most simple of snakes can throw their owner for a loop occasionally. (for examples, a certain kingsnake I know who enjoys the taste of hand, and a 4 ft gopher snake that while docile, is squirmy in hand thus a remarkably impressive handful)
That being said, you're asking all the right questions, seem to be researching things thoroughly, and I'm pretty confident that you'll do well with whichever critter.
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0.1 chickens (Condor)
0.2 dog mutts (half ownership, only mine when they misbehave, Lucy & Amy)
0.1 Halflinger horse (Crissy)
0.1 Normal phase California Kingsnake (Sophia)
1.1 parents
Still searching for 1.0 WC human

Please do noit get a GTP......these snakes require extensive care on the husbandry and requires expirience. Also remeber that these snakes are arboreal animals...not meant for handling.....they have nasty bites when older and some turn out to be very aggresive....I would definitly go with a JCP....altough they are a little annoying at first but handling usually does the trick.....also boa are another good option they get big and have a nice behavior and do noit require extreme care and conditons........hope this helps......i am currently into ball pythoins but they only get to four feet....prollly to small than what you are lookin for.....i say a JCP then if you want bigger.......a burmese...another mistake starting off would be an anaconda....too big and aggressive i beleive for begginners......also look at feeding costs like other kingsdnake members posted and make sure you can maintain the animal properly and house it correctly....once again hopoe this helps

Pablo

Whoa now... you said you wanted a snake in the 5-8 ft range, please, PLEASE do NOT get a burmese. I'm a proud owner of two burms now but if I knew five years ago what I know now I probably would have went with something else. They're impressively huge I'll agree with you on that, and beautiful also but whatever machismo points you gain with that I think you lose in that everyone has one. You see burms everywhere! I personally would like to own something more uncommon, maybe something the public hasn't seen very often. REPTILES magazine just ran a great article on yellow-tailed cribos (Drymarchon corais melanurus) that sparked my interest. They get large, are active (one of their downfalls cause they poop alot), and aren't mainstream snakes like ball pythons and burms that you see everywhere. I don't know if cribos would be a good starter snake but I do know a burmese wouldn't be. Look around, investigate, research, and help us all get it through our heads that bigger isn't always better.

Carpet Pythons, Green Tree Pythons, Dwarf Reticulated Pythons, and Yellow Anacondas are really only for experienced keepers. All of these snakes can be pretty nippy. I would strongly suggest going with a Ball Python or something like that first, after experience with something like that, it will come easier when you move up to the next level and you'll get more accustomed to working with a snake. Some books you might want to look at are some from the Barron's Series, which are pretty good for looking at basic care of snakes and which ones to choose. "Pythons" from the Barron's series you might want to look at, and also "Snakes". Before getting any snake, make sure you do lots of reading up on it, and going to talk to proffessionals on what they recommend and to get more info on care. Good luck.

Is hands down the Boa Constrictors! Their are so many choices in size (locality) and colors (locality,morphs).If you handle them regularly most are very docile.
My 2 cents.

I must agree! I love boa's, they are typically quite docile (but not dead heads) and get quite larger, yet husbandy is fairly simple. Although I still agree a corn snake or something similar would be a best first snake, I can see a boa working.

Being a keeper of several jungle carpets, Green Tree Pythons and two Ball Pythons (the carpets were my first venture into snakes) I have to recommend carpets as a first snake, especially if you want a snake that will attain some size. Carpets readily accept feeders (if you get them to switch to rats early your life will be a lot easier) It is true they can be nippy at first but truthfully a baby carpet bite is hardly noticeable, and within two weeks of regular handling they will be fine. Just be sure to get one from a reputable breeder (ex. Will Leary) and you should be fine. Best of luck to you. With the proper research and preparation you should be more than ok. Here is a site you might want to go to. Moreliapythons.com

I'd suggest a medium-sized snake like a Macklot's python. Around 7-9 feet max, cool-looking snakes. I wouldn't want to start with anything bigger than that.

-Imp

Being a brand new snake owner myself, I also wanted something bigger (I wanted a boa) but after researching everything I found that a ball python was the perfect one for me. Yes they are more widely held than some others and they might lack a little of the ooohhhhs and aaaahhhs that you might get if you said you had an anaconda or something bigger or more exotic than a ball, but for the personality, ease of care, and the overall enjoyment (I am speaking from personal opinion here), I think a ball is the best way to go. Anything much bigger would almost require two people to handle at least until you got better aquainted with how to handle them.
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Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Ball Python - Apep
1-1-0 Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
0-1-0 Little Angelic Kitten - Isis
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids

.............

Are the Boa Constrictors!

I think i have almost narrowed it down between a jungle carpet python or one of the boas mentioned above. I love the bright gold you can get with some of the JCPs. Is there any reccomended breeders or bloodlines i can look for to make sure i get a bright/vivid yellow and black one? Also, if there are suggestions for boa breeders, i would be intrested. I have some of the above books on order already. Thanks a lot. I'm so excited!!!
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Aaron
www.ameade.com
www.bighousepro.com

The most docile of the large snakes is probably the Columbian Boa Constrictor (BCI). It's also one of the most hardy of the boids.

The Boa Constrictor Constrictors (BCC) are larger, but tend to be less docile, and require more careful husbandry. The BCCs from Peru tend to be the largest.

Gus at RioBravoReptiles has some good information on some of the various BCCs and BCIs.

Another docile snake, smaller than the Columbian BCI, is the Dumerils Ground Boa - a female is about 6-8 feet long. They can be picky eaters when young, but are good eaters after they are over a year old.

More active than the above, and can be nippy when young is a Coastal Carpet Python. Longer than a Jungle Carpet Python.

Check out the boa classifieds. Lots of great boas to choose from. Someone posted that the BCI (Boa Constrictor Imperator) are the most docile of the big boids, and this is generally true. GREAT first snake. You can find nice looking, captive bread "normal" babies from $50-$150 here in the classifieds. The price goes up with morphs and the like.

Also... Jeff Carr (http://www.imageevent.com/jeffcarr) has some really nice looking Hog Island Boas at good prices. If handled properly and often they are rumored to be the most docile of the Imperator's, and only get 4-6 feet MAX. These guys have been extinct in the wild since the 80's, and as far as we know only exist in captivity. They also are known to change color from day to night.

The Boa Constrictor Constrictor is rumored to be a bit more temperamental, but a huge part of this is how the snake is handled from being a baby. http://www.millerreptiles.com/ has some AWESOME looking locale specific Constrictor Constrictors. They are a bit more pricy than the Imperator's starting at around $250 or so.

Good luck.

- Damian

Hey well first of all congrats on deciding to get a snake, they do make great pets.I wouldent recomend a HUGE snake for your first as they can be a real handfull even to the more experienced Keeper.I would also recomend getting your snake as a Hatchling But bare in mind that most baby snakes can be very snappy. I also wouldent really recomend getting a Carpet python as they dont really have the best temper, however i think Common Boas do make great first snakes, they grow quite large, have fantastic temperment and dont grow to big to quick. Hope this has been some help for you.
Chris

Well I can't say i was exactly like you when I first came into owning a snake, I wanted a biod and after studying up a bit I decided a smaller boa species would be my best bet for cost, time, and space. I was adverse to the idea at first because I did not think that there were many small species out there but i was wrong. After studying some of them I realized they would work perfectly for me.
Whatever you do you should get a baby first so expect a small snake and a small cage(babies like to feel secure so small cage is good for that) when you get your next cage will depend on the snakes growth rate.
Whatever you do research is the key. I'd say research all the snakes in your price range big or small fat or thin you might just find a snake that you fall in love with that isn't big. Not only research their behavior and size but the implicit costs. Like food. track the temp and humidity of your house it will help when you are picking out equipment and cages.
Word of caution, be responible it only takes on aggressive or loose snake to change the reputation of the hobby in your area.
I agree with other members that a redtail boa would be big and docile or a woma and i would try to get a male they are smaller and i would think cheaper but still have girth and length in the 7 foot range. I hope this helps and i wish the best of luck. And graciously welcome you to the snake community.
Quey
p.s. I commend you for asking this question. knowledge is the key to being successful and responible. also keep in mind that the snakes health comes before everything(the size you want). Most people just buy what the want and ask question later often having grim results and experiences.
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Love small boids always looking for new ones.
1.0.0Hogg Island Boa, Quey
0.0.1Ball Python, Apophis
1.0.0Irian Jaya Carpet Python, Riddick
1.0.0Spotted Python
Snakes to get list: Solomand Island ground boa, Soloman island tree boa, Bolivian Boa, Savu(or sawu or sabu all work) Python, Rosy boa(san felipe or san matias) and ATBs. Have any of these guys? or have recomendations for me? email me

The only python you should get is a Ball Python. Dont go overboard and get something huge for the sake of getting something huge. Get a ball python or a corn snake, thats my opinion once youve gotten "a taste" of owning a snake and think you can handle another then get something bigger. Good luck!
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-Doug Daly

"Aren't you two a little old to be drinking illegally?"

0.1.0 Leucistic Texas Rat Snake (Elaphe Obsoleta lindheimerii)

www.petitiononline.com/hhogs05/petition.html

I think you're stuck with a Ball Python, since everything else considered is either too small for you or too advanced. You might get lucky with a red tail boa or blood python, but it'd have to be male, and might get bigger than you want.

When i was first starting out, i did a lot of research as to the different varieties that i could legally hold in captivity. I ended up buying a juvenile coastal carpet python (morelia spilota mcdowelli). Then that was it, i was hooked. A month later i bought a juvenile JCP (morelia spilota cheynei). The following are my experiences...

The jungle was (and still is) a gem. She would eat on command, and never give me any trouble.

The coastal entailed a different story. After i bought her, she went 25 days without food. I ended up giving in to my preconceptions about feeding live (stupid morals that i have) and finally got her to eat one live, after it stayed in her enclosure for 2 days. After that, she would eat once every 3-4 weeks or so (frozen/thawed), and believe me, it was very stressful on me as a new owner. Eventually, she grew out of that and began eating once a week.

That said, the temperaments of both the JCP and the Coastal Carpet were fantastic. The jungle, to this day, has never even put herself in an agressive position. The carpet will often get a bit defensive, but has never struck at me with an open mouth.

But, a recommendation to you, whatever you buy, buy it as a juvenile. That way you will have a long time to, as said by other posters, 'grow with the snake'. Keep in mind that carpets are slow growers. Anacondas are not. Within a year of buying an anaconda, you may have something that is totally unmanageable to a new owner.

Well, I suppose that the moral of the story is this... You should find a snake that you really want, and, provided it has a good temperament, buy it. Just don't buy something that is going to grow too fast. And don't settle for something that, in your heart of hearts, just isn't what you want. With enough attention and effort, most snakes can make great 'pets'. Dedication is the key.

Also, just a query, how old are you? Do you live with your parents? And, do you have an income? I'm not asking to sound condescending. The reason is that, after the initial costs of buying a suitable enclosure, snake, and a couple of frozen rats, the dollars don't cease demand. Weekly rats are going to cost you. You also need to have enough money to pay for vet bills and medication in cases of necessity.

Hope this helps, and happy herping. And, my apologies for the lenth of this scatteringly long post

NO!!!!
Dont get a big snake for your first one!!!
I have 10 snakes and i went the other day to pick up a 19 foot burmese python, she struck the glass when i went up to the front of the cage and i jumped about a foot back. I still wanted her though, but she was 125 lbs and it took 3 of us to lift her......Believe me- start with a bunch of babies. That way you can get used to their behavior- the way they move, the way that they act and feeding. The bigger they get, the more agressive they get when they eat. I used to get bit by my 6 ft ball python all the time. They just cant help it cause your hand is hotter then the mouse.

If you want a big snake- get a adult ball python. They are the nicest, tamest snake, never bite (unless you feed them without gloves) and love to be out. Full grown they get about 6 feet and i do educational presentations with mine as well.

That was the biggest snakes that i have and they were great. Email me if you have anymore questions.

Cerise

Hello,
I have three Ball Pythons and a Dumeril Boa. I highly reccomend you get a Ball Python for your first snake. They are big but, not Too big, affordable and even tempered - lovley snakes! Once you've had the Python for a while, then you will be able to decide if you can handle a larger/more agressive species. Definatley do some research on any anmial you want to purchase before you buy. There's a book on Ball Pythons that's pretty good "The Ball Python Manual" I believe. Also, take a trip down to some of your local pet stores and check out/hold the snakes they have. I personally think that Boa's tend to be a little more squirmy than pythons when they are little and that makes it more difficult to keep hold of them. I don't have a picture on this computer but, you can find tons of pics on the net - Yahoo or whatever.
Good Luck to you!

you're right. starting out with a big snake is NOT a good idea. Try a corn, king, or ball - you won't be disappointed. Red Tail Boas get big but not HUGE and not too fast so that may be another option if you must start with something big.

Take it from someone who runs a reptile rescue, big snakes are commonly given up - even by "good committed" owners. The fact is that owning a big snake can cause problems in many areas of life - with potential roommates, landlords, neighbors, girlfriends, having a baby, moving, and a lot of other situations that come up over the course of their 20-30 year lifespans. Even if you're up for the challenge of the expensive and time-consuming care requirements of a big snake ask yourself if any of those situations may come up in your life in the next ten or fifteen years? Reptile rescues are already over-crowded and under-funded so ask yourself if you might still enjoy something smaller and less demanding before you get something you may not be able to handle.

Whatever you decide good luck.
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Jesse Rothacker
Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary
Find out how YOU can get involved in reptile rescue...
www.forgottenfriend.org

I agree with what everyone else has said - start with something smaller and more manageable.

I agree that a ball python would be a great choice; I was like you when I started and wanted something larger than a ball, but not huge - I was looking for a snake that maxed out around 6-7 feet. I eventually started with my rainbow boa, Zia, and she is doing great. But she was not an easy starter snake, and I committed myself to researching rainbow boas and other species for over a year before I purchased her.

Above all, research is really the key. Read all you can online, browse the Kingsnake photo galleries and forums, and *most importantly*, visit local reptile shows!! It was at a show that my heart first became set on a rainbow boa, and also at a show that I decided that the similarly-sized jungle carpet python was not the best first choice for me (too flighty when handled). You will learn more than you ever imagined if you attend shows regularly.

Good luck in your search and let us know what you decide!
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::i believe in joy > http://www.winds.org/nekomi/hope.html

::my homepage > http://www.winds.org/nekomi

My Growing Zoo:

1.0 Husband (Byron) ^_^
0.1 black cat (Shade)
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Zia)
1.2 Cockatoo cichlids (A. cacatuoides yellow-gold)
1.1 WC Cockatoo cichlids (A. cacatuoides blue Peru)
3.3 Pygmy corydoras (C. pygmaeus)
2.0 Endlers' Livebearers (P. sp. Endlers)

Hi i don't post on the snake forums often but i definately have some input on this subject. If you have your heart set on a larger snake, i definately wouldn't get a corn, king, rat, ect. The reason why i wouldn't is because in order to keep a passion for your snake, you have enjoy it in the first place. I have never had a snake, but i work at a petstore and i care for and know a lot about different types of snakes. I would never get one of the smaller snakes because the just don't interest me. My favorite snakes are in fact boas and i think a male would be a good choice for you. You can get a columbian, which are the cheapest, but i think that they are the larger sub-species(or species i forget). Then if you are willing to spend a little extra money you can get a male true redtail. Another option would be a male or female hog island, which is a smaller locallity so you could get away with getting a smaller female. Good luck finding a good snake for you!

John

I have been into reptiles for a year and a half now. I started with a blood python, what was suggested as a good pet. We lost her about 4 months after we got her, and had a heck of a time wit htube feedingand meds, and vet bills. Then I aquired a boa, she is the apple of my eye, and was also very expensive with her vet bills, she prolapsed her bowel, and we went through a series of vets, and about a grand, trying to fix her, shes thriving now, and is dossile most of the time, yes, shes bitten me, yes it hurts, but its part of owning them. I now have three boas, two poss het for rev. stripe, that i will breed when they get old enough, I am growing with my snakes. I also have kings, corns, milks, and a ball (who was WC, and more of a rescue, she was being attacked by her cell mated in the pet store) she has not eaten for me yet and ive had her for 5 months and im doing the med thing again, shes also bitten, so for everyone that says balls dont bite, tell my finger that. Point being, if you want a larger snake, go with either a boa, or ball. If you have a herp store in your area, ask if you can hold a grown boa, so you can see what you will be dealing with in the future, or with whatever you decide to get. GTP's are notorious for being NASTY, and their set up is really difficult if you are just learning, husbandry mistakes can and do lead to death, and broken hearts. my family keeps growing and is up to 11 snakes and 2 lizards, and there will be more added. A few questions to ask yourself: IS there a reputible reptile vet in your area? Can you afford cages as it grows, food that gets expensive, even if you breed it yourself, can you live with a pet 20- 30 years, are you willing to deal with the concequences, good or bad, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY: CAN YOU DEAL WITH THE ADDICTION OF OWNING JUST ONE! good luck, you do seem like you are asking the right questions. Email if you need anythihng