As species for a N. A. beginner I'd suggest an Emory's ratsnake. Large eggs, easy everything, inexpensive. Also, if you don't mind a bit larger species, I think a Baird's rat would be great; or an even larger snake would be any "obsoletus," like black rat or yellow, etc.

As a species for Asian beginner I'd go for a Russian ratsnake, Elaphe schrencki, or a Dione's ratsnake, Elaphe dione. Russians get much larger, but are easy to care for and beautiful babies. Dione's are smaller and even easier than corns. If you want a bit more of a challenge, you could go for any of the beauty snakes, Orthriophis taeniurus, which get quite large and can be a little bit of a handful sometimes.

Good luck with your choices...Terry


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Ratsnake Foundation

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• Favorite species for first-time breeder? - nekomi, Tue Feb 26 21:34:46 2008
• RE: Favorite species for first-time breeder? - choppergreg74, Tue Feb 26 23:21:31 2008
• RE: Favorite species for first-time bree - nekomi, Tue Feb 26 23:56:55 2008
• RE: Favorite species for first-time breeder? - ratsnakehaven, Wed Feb 27 09:58:00 2008
• RE: Favorite species for first-time bree - Ophidiophile, Wed Feb 27 11:17:51 2008
• RE: Favorite species for first-time breeder? - tbrock, Thu Feb 28 20:28:02 2008
• RE: Favorite species for first-time breeder? - ratsnakehaven, Sat Mar 1 08:15:16 2008
• RE: Favorite species for first-time breeder? - tbrock, Sat Mar 1 09:59:38 2008
• RE: Favorite species for first-time breeder? - tbrock, Sat Mar 1 10:31:15 2008
• RE: Favorite species for first-time breeder? - ratsnakehaven, Sat Mar 1 13:16:31 2008
• RE: Favorite species for first-time breeder? - tbrock, Sat Mar 1 17:25:21 2008
• RE: Favorite species for first-time breeder? - ratsnakehaven, Sat Mar 1 18:03:48 2008