Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I posted on the "snake-genereal" forum before, now here. I am trying to get ideas for good candidates to own. I haven't had much success so far. If you can, please read the original (general) post before answering.
I do not want any front-fanged (fixed or hinged) snakes. No venomoids, there's too much ARA press on them. I don't want it/them to be deadly, or potentially deadly (I have a child to think about). I have no allergies other than opiates, so no worries about an allergic reaction.
I do want one that is semi-arboreal/arboreal, and that is not so common & inbred beyond belief. I don't want in to be Black/mostly black, brown/mostly brown. I'd like something with a noticeable pattern, and color is preferred. *(NO Elapids/Vipers/Corals/Kings/Corns/BPs)*
-----
Serpents Touch

A mind wanders in search of something, collecting information along the way..

Maybe an eurasian rat snake: Elaphe situla, Elaphe taeniura ridley, porphyracea...
If do you prefer a rear-fanged one, maybe any of the genus Ahaetulla

I know I'll have to save to buy it, but the most I'm willing to spend on a snake is $200. Anything higher than that, they can keep it until I win the lottery. Then all bets are off, I'd have to buy a large house just to have room for all the snakes I want.
-----
Serpents Touch

A mind wanders in search of something, collecting information along the way..

Mangrove snake! (Boiga Dendrophilia) If you can handle a snake that is potentialy deadly to your child .But if you have a room you can lock and keep your herps in then it would probaly be ok. Oh ya you said no black snakes oh well there still beautifull and you hardely notic the black because of how stunning the yellow is! Just make sure you have a hook and treat it for parasites.

Oh and there not dealy to you but your child may be endangerd. And when handling light garden gloves will stop a bite.

I don't have a her room, or a room to use as one. I live in a studio apartment, nothing but an aquarium separating me/friends from whatever I get. I'm not really wanting a Mangrove, I was looking at the other boiga options. I just can't get a response from anyone about the venom levels. I want it a little lower than a Mangrove, seeing as my daughter likes snakes as well. I want an arboreal/semi-arboreal with a reasonably mild temperment, if there is one. I already own an ill-tempered LTR.
-----
Serpents Touch

A mind wanders in search of something, collecting information along the way..

What about snakes of the genus opheodrys?

I've owned a rough scale green before. They're intriguing, but not what I'm looking for, unless I can locate the Giant variety. It reaches lengths of 3-4ft. I'm looking into the Genus: Leptodeira, but I'm hitting dead ends with pictures & very little information. It's funny, they're thriving everywhere but the US. I guess too many uneducated individuals are killing them because of improper identification (happens all too often here).
-----
Serpents Touch

A mind wanders in search of something, collecting information along the way..

If do you wanna a rear-fanged one, maybe you may enter in confront with problems with food and you should think about it. Althought aglyphous, opheodrys is a good candidate as it eats insects. On another point, Leptodeira is an almost anuran-eater specialist as many opisthoglyphous species. I am not intended to make merchandising, but while surfing I found a classified of LLL reptile supply, maybe they got what you need. I dont know about it feed needs, but I think you would like the keelback snake. It looks like what you expects.
classified link

I have done research as well. Not all Leptodeira are anuran-specific. Just depends on the country/region it comes from. The ones in Texas eat frogs, anoles, tadpoles, other small lizards/amphibians, etc. I'm sure you're also well aware of people training just about any Cat-eye to eat rodents by scenting. I have anoles everywhere, or I can purchase an acceptable animal for scenting F/T pinkies. If I wasn't willing to go through the trouble, I wouldn't be researching them. I'd just pick up what was available to me localy.
-----
Serpents Touch

A mind wanders in search of something, collecting information along the way..

Paridise Tree snakes or Tiger rat snakes are both aswsome.

Personally, I think you need to do more research and find what exactly it is that strikes that cord with you and more importantly why. What's your motivation for getting something so different? Is it the challenge of caring for something that there is not much known about? The status of having something venomous, but not really dangerous? So many of the commonly available snakes are absolutely beautiful and have very interesting personalities and habits. By default, they are also often captive-bred and come in a myriad of different color and pattern morphs and are often bred for temperament as well .

With that said, I have some less commonly available snakes that I hope to learn more about and hopefully breed and make available. My "oddballs" are Spilotes pullatus aka tiger rat snakes, two different species of Telescopus (tiger snakes from Africa - rear-fanged but not dangerous) and amazon tree boas (not really oddballs, but less common than alot of the snakes you mentioned). None of the above are cuddly snakes and I saw in one of your posts that you weren't sure about an amazon because of their temperaments. Again, I ask you what your motivation is? If you want something to show off to your friends and handle all the time and not worry about being bitten, stick to something of the more common variety. Due to the very nature of what you are looking for, many of the less commonly available snakes are not very good "pet" snakes. If they were, they would be more commonly available. Many are a challenge to work with due to dietary needs, size, temperament, etc. So you see, it might be that you can't have it both ways.

Well, I guess I've rambled enough, so here's some pics...

Billy

I do appreciate you taking the time to think your response through. You made some very valid points, most of which I've thought about, but not all. I own a VERY tempermental LTR, I get bitten every time I go to hndle him. That doesn't bother me, because he eventually calms down. The ATB I mentioned, just wouldn't quit biting long enough to hold him at all. That's on the extreme end of their temperment He was a poster child for "Tempermental ATB's". But I've heard that's not how most act. I have been looking into them even more. I have also looked into the breeds of your babies before also. They are beautiful specimens by the way.. I've got time before I make any decisions, not going to rush this one.
The rear-fanged(mildly venomous/not dangerous for humans), I have looked into because of unusual colors/markings and differ in body types than the "Commons". That's part of what attracts me to them, aside from not being common. No individual on here needs to worry about me making any harsh or hurried decision, I'm taking my time, researching and weighing options.
-----
Serpents Touch

A mind wanders in search of something, collecting information along the way..

Because you said it didn't necessarily have to be venomous and you have a child to consider, I would recommend rhino ratsnakes (Rhynchophis boulengeri). They can have a beautiful green color. Most importantly, not a lot of people have them, and they have an odd appearance with the elongated snouts. I think it has a "wow" factor. They eat miceor sm rats and can be kept down to 68 degree night time temp so they are easy to take care of. The hatchlings can be delicate so you will want to handle them carefully. The only problem is you said you don't want to pay more than $200. They are typically $400-$800. But if you are looking for something that is unique, you are going to pay more. I would also look into bamboo rat snakes. Incredibly gorgeous reds and I saw a morph at a Reptile show that was unbelievable. I have been trying to track a breeding pair down. They are also a little expensive. Be prepared to pay a little more if you are looking for something unique because there is a high demand.