Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have owned one snake. All I know is that thing is VISCOUS. It was a ball python. I did not think I would want a snake again after that because I had no fun with the first one, but then I heard that ball pythons are naturally peacefull and I just got unlucky with this one. What I need to know is if I should concider buying another ball python or go with some other snakes I have been looking at like a Red Tailed Boa or a Corn Snake.

Thanks,
Snipermonkey456

Is take a look at all your options. Look at the different kings, rats, corns, and boas. Do some research on how big the different snakes will get, and make your decision on the following points:

1. Size requirements of the snake at adulthood
2. Size of prey items at adulthood (larger prey, more money)
3. YOUR coloration preference
4. Do you want a snake that is a heavy hitter at feeding time, or one you will have to "tease" feed.

Boas can be great snakes if cared for properly. Some people just dont have the knowledge to care for them as they should be. Therefore, the snake either goes off feed, becomes nippy and bites, has bad sheds, and just generally stressed. Some boas have higher humidity requirements, and when this cannot be met, then the above problems arise. Proper temps are more critical for boas as well.

Now as for the majority of colubrids (rats and kings), they are a very hardy animal and the majority are not problem feeders. Most will take F/T food items with no tease feeding at all. All of mine eat F/T with no problems, and a few of them hit the F/T mouse as if it were alive!! LOL They dont have high humidity requirements and as long as you have a warm/cool ends set up, they do fine.

So I would do some research and figure out just what you want. Dont go by someones suggestion, and then later on wish you had gotten something else.

There are some very nice milks as well that do just as good as any rat or king. The black milk gets large and is a very hardy snake, as is the honduran milk! They are not as jumpy and squirmy as hatchlings as some of the other milks. (pueblan, sinaloan, etc..)
Good luck
Brian

>>I have owned one snake. All I know is that thing is VISCOUS. It was a ball python. I did not think I would want a snake again after that because I had no fun with the first one, but then I heard that ball pythons are naturally peacefull and I just got unlucky with this one. What I need to know is if I should concider buying another ball python or go with some other snakes I have been looking at like a Red Tailed Boa or a Corn Snake.
>>
>>Thanks,
>> Snipermonkey456

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RATS
1.0 Corn snake "Warpath" (KY locale)
0.0.1 Corn snake (KY locale)
1.0 Black rat snake "Havok" (KY locale)
1.1 Black rat snakes "Reaper and Mystique" (MO locale)
1.0 Albino Black rat snake "Malakai" (Dwight Good stock)
1.0 Everglades rat snake "Deadpool" (Dwight Good stock)
0.1 Greenish rat snake "Rogue" (Dwight Good stock)
0.0.1 Great plains rat snake (TX locale)
1.0 Grey rat snake "Punisher" (White oak phase)(Dwight Good stock)

Good luck and Happy Herping
Brian

like brian said, i dont want to make your decision for you, but i would strongly suggest looking into buying a Flordia or AKA Brooks kingsnake. they are one of the larger, bigger kings, but are gentle as can be, and will mine tolerates being handled as much as 2 or 3 times in one day. she is a great feeder, took almost no time to have her used to the cage, and has been one of the best snakes i could have asked for, also, they are beautiful! im trying to find a male to breed her with as we speak!
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i have one Brooks Kingsnake, hopefully breeding in the next couple of years! yaaahhhh, only if i can find a male though lol, but im still looking for a male lol

My opinion, is that u should get a nice, always peaceful corn snake. And the only way u could have a vicsious ball python is if it was wild caught. Usually thay calm down after alot of handling. Captive bred ones are usually pretty nice if u handle them gently. Well, good luck.
-Emily