Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I got a pair of 6 month old corn snakes about 4 months ago. I am really enjoying them and I want to get another snake now. There is a reptile show this weekend that i have been looking forward to and i was wondering what type of snake yall would suggest.

One of my corns is really shy and always goes into his coconut whenever i enter the room. I have tried being gentle but persistant, i have tried just leaving him alone and seeing if he relaxes. He is just real shy, the other isnt though. What species are less shy?

I want a snake that will be fun to handle too. I take very good care of my snakes (built them an extention for their tank so they have way more room than is normally suggested) and i pay very close attention to their moods and what not, i dont handle them when they dont want to be.

I dont care about looks in the snake. It can handle up to around 6 feet total length. (prefer min around 3ft but open to new ideas) I just basicly want something fun to handle that doesnt bite alot.

To sum it up, what are some kinds of snakes that would best fit these wants:
-Fun to handle
-not too shy (doesnt get stressed too easy by moderate handleing)
under $200
-Doesnt bite too much
-not nocturnal (not as important as the others)
-3 to 6 er 7 feet total length

I was thinking maybe a ball python... im just worried that it will be like my shy corn snake. Also, any ideas how to get the corn snake to warm up to me?

Carpet Python or Diamond Python.

Every snake's disposition is going to differ, so keep that in mind. The carpets and diamonds i keep are never bitey (weren't as hatchlings either) and aren't shy at all. Also, they are semi-arboreal, and spend some of their day hanging about, watching what's going on. Depending on what species you choose will affect the size (Morelia s mcdowelli will grow larger, whilst M. cheynei usually stay around 6 feet... check out some books, and note that price will differ greatly between species). But, you should quite easily be able to find one within your price range. Most specimens will be able to be kept in a 4x2x2 foot enclosure (some needing longer), requiring a hotspot of anywhere up to 35C and a cooler end anywhere down to 20C (they'll figure out the rest). Misting preslough will aid the shedding process, and other than that, humidity isn't a worry.

Ray Hoser has a great paper describing carpet pythons in general, and distinguishing between the species and sub-species available at www.smuggled.com/auspyt4.htm and there's a bunch of other stuff there to check out too.

Let us know if you pick up anything
Aaron.
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Happy Herping

M. cheynei carpet pythons, those are the jungle carpet pythons right?

I have been doing some reading and looking at pictures, and they sound cool. I hear they are nippy as youngsters. What are yall's experience with this? And are they prone to bite as adults? and how much dmg could they do (how big are their teeth) as adults?

I cant wait for this snake show on saturday. If i were to get a JCP how fast would it grow assuming i feed the normal recomended amount.

King snakes sounds interesting too but there is just something alittle off putting about them eating other snakes. Expecially since i have other snakes. I wouldnt let them near each other or anything but the concept that would want to eat my other snakes kinda makes me uneasy. Maybe i would warm up to them after seeing and handling them (i have only seen pictures).

...that all carpet pythons are nippy as young is just trying to get a quick sale. No - they aren't all nippy. Yes - some are. But... if you look around a bit, you'll find one that isn't nervous at all!

If feeding well and appropriately, they can easily reach 3 feet within a year. Then, normally 5-6 (or bigger) feet within 2 years.

Be sure to acknowledge that a jungle is gonna need a 4x2x2 foot enclosure, heated to 35C max. This can easily be made yourself for around $100, out of malamine sheeting, with glass sliding front doors. Heating it, of course, will cost more. Note, though, that it wont need a 4x2x2 when it's only 40 cm long
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Happy Herping

In defence of Kings, a number of robust snakes eat others (including some Pythons).

I have a great shot in an old book of a burmese photographed killing and eating a king Cobra!

Garters are notorious for eating their brethren. Most snakes should be kept by themselves anyway so that shouldn't be an issue.

(I do love having kings as they are one of the best snakes to use when talking to kids-Big enough to handle but small enought to not intimidate.)

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

>>M. cheynei carpet pythons, those are the jungle carpet pythons right?
>>

For something a bit smaller than a carpet python, look at a Children's or Spotted python. Like most snakes, they can be a bit nippy as hatchlings, but generally calm down well. I just purchased a Spotted python yearling last weekend, and it's very easy to handle and has made no attempt to bite.

deg

just a thought on your shy corn. if its a baby it could be stressed out since you say your enclosures are bigger then normal. babies don't need a big space. i housed mine in a 10 gallon tank for a while. now she's in a 20 long.
also it won't get used to being handled unless you handle it. i don't think any snake 'likes' to be handled. some just take to it more then others. plus any snake has the potential to bite. although mine have been good in not doing that.

i also have a jungle carpet python. he is great with handling, feeding. he is 6-7 foot now but they aren't big around as a boa so don't take up as much room. mine loves his big branches and often hangs out on them. i got him at a local pet/fish store for $180.00 he was around 3 foot when i got him. once he started on rats he zoomed in size. he is housed in a 80 gallon aquarium.

reptile shows and sales are great places. you can see all kinds of snakes and talk to all kinds of people. you might find something you just have to have! enjoy.

I will advocate the tottaly underappreciated southern Chain Kings. The Brooks in particular are quite freindly and grow to a respectable 6' and even the hypos are under $200.

As to the corn. handle frequently and it should calm.

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

An adult Eastern King or Florida king would probably work very well for you. They are all individuals but they are a pretty good bet.

Mexican Black kings are a fvorite of mine. Generally VERY laid back. Can be a "lap" snake if that's what your looking for. Content just to sit quietly on you hand while watching T.V.

Like Frank said, if you handle that shy Corn he may calm down. Some retain their shyness and nervousness but most don't. I have bred a lot of Corns over the years and most are mellow perfect snakes. I bought my 10 year old daughter her first corn a few years ago and after going thru many tables at a local show we picked out a nice calm Amel. Corn. Of all the Corns I've taken for granted, this one is a nervous/hyper(no biting) individual no matter how much he's handled. Go figure. Good luck.

The boa group is always good. Common boa or Dumerils. Some of the sand boas are also fascinating. Python group....MacLotts or the small Aussies that have been mention already. Dosmetic stuff is cool...tricolors. Honduran milks get larger than people think. Pick what you like...read about it as much as you can. Enjoy

Of course w/out typos that's domestic.