Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have two savannah monitors and am interested in purchasing a snake. I prefer to have one that grows no more than 4 feet and has a good attitude and temperament. I have no experience with snakes and would appreciate anyone’s opinions on the matter. I was told by a local pet store that is great with herps that a corn snake would be the best starter.

Thank you,
Christina

>>I have two savannah monitors and am interested in purchasing a snake. I prefer to have one that grows no more than 4 feet and has a good attitude and temperament. I have no experience with snakes and would appreciate anyone’s opinions on the matter. I was told by a local pet store that is great with herps that a corn snake would be the best starter.
>>
>>Thank you,
>>Christina

As a newbie as well, I'd agree. I love my 3 corns! They're simply GREAT!
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3 Corns - Squall (Normal), Freya (Normal), Peyton (Amel)
2 Florida Kings - Thor & Lilith
1 Leucistic Texas Rat Snake - MacLeod

corn snakes are one of the best snakes for beginners. they dont' get very big, easly handable, eat well. good starter snakes. just make sure you read all you can about them before getting one. kathy love's book on corns is great for anyone wanting to get into corn snakes. i have 4 now so they are addicting. enjoy.

also i would recommend going to a herp show/sale to look at all different kinds of snakes. try to stay away from pet stores. they tend to sell them for alot more and half the time don't know what morph is what or they will try to tell you babies eat crickets (they don't)

My first snake was a kingsnake. I like the whole idea of it being the "king" and eating rattlesnakes. It's basically the same care and size wise as a corn. Corns are just too boring and common for me but I do agree they are a good starter snake.

>>My first snake was a kingsnake. I like the whole idea of it being the "king" and eating rattlesnakes. It's basically the same care and size wise as a corn. Corns are just too boring and common for me but I do agree they are a good starter snake.

Bring His Majesty by some time, and I'll introduce him to some real Royalty. (Hint: She's ten feet long and stands about 2 feet high)

(Rattle snakes snickering in the background...)

are you talking about a burmese or king cobra?
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jake

my addiction:
2 normal ball pythons (lazlo and izzy)
1 amelenistic corn snake (mazy)
0.1 blizzard corn (blizz)

that is the true king
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jake

my addiction:
2 normal ball pythons (lazlo and izzy)
1 amelenistic corn snake (mazy)
0.1 blizzard corn (blizz)

The "pet store" I would be purchasing from is not your typical pet store, the lady specializes in reptiles, and is very committed to her herps, she does not mass sell and will only sell the animals that she has to people who are committed and have the time, energy, and money. This is where we purchased our two savannahs. Very healthy and loving. Thank you for you info. I am going to get some books today and some things for the cage. I will not purchase the snake until it is closer to Christmas, and I have researched everything that I can and purchased everything needed.

Christina

corns are good but since you already have some experience with reptile and you want something big, i think you should get a boa, they get to be about 6-9' and are also a beginner snake.
for your first snake i think you should take a smaller snake first, some kings get to be 6' or you could get a bullsnake 7-8'
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jake

my addiction:
2 normal ball pythons (lazlo and izzy)
1 amelenistic corn snake (mazy)
0.1 blizzard corn (blizz)

No I am looking for a snake that will be around 4 feet or under. I have heard that boas are great snakes too. Maybe in the future, but not right now. Thanks though.

Christina

a ballpython or corn would be good,
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jake

my addiction:
2 normal ball pythons (lazlo and izzy)
1 amelenistic corn snake (mazy)
0.1 blizzard corn (blizz)

Sounds like your putting alot of thought & research on what your getting. I don't think you'll have any problems. Corns are about as good a beginner snake as you could want. Most fall in the 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 foot size range. Post some pics when you get your new addition.

Steve

It depends, do you want a slender, active snake or a heavier, laid-back snake? If you want the first one, some choices are a Corn Snake, Kingsnake, or African House Snake. If you want the second one, some choices are a Spotted Python(3'-4'), Rosy Boa(2'-3'), or Borneo Short-Tail Python(2'-4'). Also, most Boa Constrictors are extremely tame, and there are several kinds that stay in the 3'-5' range, such as male Hogg Island Boas and Nicaraguan Boas.
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MY COLLECTION:
1.0 '04 Columbian BCI
0.1 '05 Sumatran Blood Python
0.0.1 Crested Gecko

MY WISHLIST:
A Northern Blue-Tongue Skink
1.1 nice Jungle Carpet Pythons
1.1 Hogg Island Boas
0.1 pastel Columbian BCI
1.1 Sumatran Short-Tail Pythons
1.1 Dumerils Boa
2.4 Bearded Dragons
1.2 Rankins Dragons
1.3 Crested Geckos
Breeding groups of various Leopard Gecko morphs (including Tremper Giant, Patternless Albino, Blazing Blizzard, and Bell Albino).

Christina,

Before you make a decision, I recommend that you go to the Mexicana sub-forum on the kingsnake forum. The variations in what they call the Thayeri kingsnakes are incredible. Some of them look similar to milksnakes. Others have a unique look that I think is as pretty as that of any other snake. These snakes have a reputation as being very gentle, as being great eaters, of being somewhat visible, and for stopping at about 3 feet in length. I'm pretty happy owning just two snakes, but I think my first choice for a third snake would be one of these.

I think part of the decision depends on what you want in an animal. Do you want a snake that you're going to handle much? If so, what do you like to feel? If you like holding a big-bodied snake, a ball python would be a good choice. If you like a medium-bodied snake, then you're back in the corn and kingsnake range. I think the Thayeri kingsnakes are somewhat small-bodied, but I don't know all the breeds well enough to recommend a good small-bodied snake. Do you want one that will be visible? I love my California Kingsnake. He's a very nice animal, but he spends much of his life hiding under a water bowl. That's just the way that God made kingsnakes (or kingsnakes evolved or whatever explanation you find least offensive). Likewise, my ball python spends much of her time hiding. In some ways, it's very gratifying to see her using the hides that I provide. I see a little bit of her body underneath something that I bought for her, and I feel that I've done a good job providing for her needs. However, I don't get to see her out and being active very often. If your friend is experienced with snakes, she might be able to run you through better questions that would help narrow your search.

Good luck,

Bill
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It's not how many snakes you have. It's how happy and healthy you can keep them.

np
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MY COLLECTION:
1.0 '04 Columbian BCI
0.1 '05 Sumatran Blood Python
0.0.1 Crested Gecko

MY WISHLIST:
A Northern Blue-Tongue Skink
1.1 nice Jungle Carpet Pythons
1.1 Hogg Island Boas
0.1 pastel Columbian BCI
1.1 Sumatran Short-Tail Pythons
1.1 Dumerils Boa
2.4 Bearded Dragons
1.2 Rankins Dragons
1.3 Crested Geckos
Breeding groups of various Leopard Gecko morphs (including Tremper Giant, Patternless Albino, Blazing Blizzard, and Bell Albino).

Yes I am going to get one (a corn) for christmas. The place I am getting them has a few babies, 2 candy cane, 2 snows(they look like sunglows to the untrained eye), and 2 albinos, I fell in love with this one albino, he just roams around your hand, up the arm, then curls up in the palm of your hand and chills. I would prefer one with color but the way you guys talk I will have a few more buy the time I finish so I should go with the one that has the best qualities I am looking for in a snake. I held all 6 and not one struck at me or bit me. SO that is good. I am trying to figure out how to post pictures on here, I want to put my monitors on but I can't figure it out. My pics are too big and too many pixels. Hopefully I will have it figured out by the time I get the new baby.

.............snakes are like potato chips,can't stop at one.a black milksnake makes a great captive,starts out as a tri color and slowly turns to jet black.have fun!