What type of snake should I get next? :)

[MooCow]

Hey everyone! Really sorry if I posted this in the wrong place; I'm new here.

Basically I've had a beautiful Ball Python for five years now, and I think I'm finally knowledgable enough to be able to handle another snake. I'm in the process of purchasing two Ball Python morphs (just have to go pick them). But I also want to work with another type of snake... But I'm stuck on which one to get. :P I'm looking for a snake that won't completely hate my guys (Blue Beauty, etc.), is non-venomous, and can be held. I don't really want to get any of the more common pet snakes (corn, milk, king, etc.). I'm ok with the snake being a bit feisty, but I'd still want to be able to hold it without it trying to murder me all the time. xD I'm ok with any length; I have a lot of room. I'm also ok with spending a lot of money. So, any suggestions? :D

I'm also interested in it being colorful, although honestly I'm not really strict about this. I'd probably fall in love with it even if it has dull colors. :) I'm mainly looking for a snake I can handle.

[Amadeus]

Hey everyone! Really sorry if I posted this in the wrong place; I'm new here.

Basically I've had a beautiful Ball Python for five years now, and I think I'm finally knowledgable enough to be able to handle another snake. I'm in the process of purchasing two Ball Python morphs (just have to go pick them). But I also want to work with another type of snake... But I'm stuck on which one to get. :P I'm looking for a snake that won't completely hate my guys (Blue Beauty, etc.), is non-venomous, and can be held. I don't really want to get any of the more common pet snakes (corn, milk, king, etc.). I'm ok with the snake being a bit feisty, but I'd still want to be able to hold it without it trying to murder me all the time. xD I'm ok with any length; I have a lot of room. I'm also ok with spending a lot of money. So, any suggestions? :D

I'm also interested in it being colorful, although honestly I'm not really strict about this. I'd probably fall in love with it even if it has dull colors. :) I'm mainly looking for a snake I can handle.

Boa constrictor imperator is the snake you are looking for, very mellow, vibrant colors, have similar requirements to bp's and they reach impressive but not unmanageable lengths. BCI below, that is just one example of there many patterns and colors.
http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g361/412bro/images1-5.jpg (http://s1098.photobucket.com/user/412bro/media/images1-5.jpg.html)

Or you could co with a dumerils Boa, almost the same requirements as BCI's but will be even calmer when handled enough.
Dumeril's Below
http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g361/412bro/imagedfdwfs_zps005129f4.jpg (http://s1098.photobucket.com/user/412bro/media/imagedfdwfs_zps005129f4.jpg.html)

These ones aren't too pricey either.

[Ourobouros]

If I had my pick without financial restrictions I'd take an emerald boa, eastern indigo, leucistic ratsnake, blue racer or neon blue California red sided garter snake. Or all! =D

[Terranaut]

What is your actual budget. " a lot of money" is a bit vague. Some people think $500 is an expensive snake and some $5000 so please narrow it down a bit.

[Starbuck]

you're bound to get pointed towards carpet pythons; there is a thread here of a 'german jungle carpet' who is absolutely stunning. They are big, active, impressive, and many calm down and are very tame as adults.

I'd also think about the bull/pine/gopher snake group if youre interested in colubrids... and i know someone who had an adolescent Blue Beauty snake who was a complete angel, she went on lots of education programs etc and was very very well behaved :) It all depends on the snake.

[Ourobouros]

Oooohhh Jamaican boas are really pretty....

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e193/etb99/boas/subflavusfemale2.jpg

http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/ww108/lrdj/AdultFemaleJamaicanBoa-2.jpg

[Mikoh4792]

That jamaican boa is pretty stunning.

I'd look into dwarf/Island Boa constictors or carpet pythons.

You could also look into carpet pythons..etc. There are just so many to name.

[smy_749]

Dominican red mountain boas are pretty. If you have 2000 dollars for a pair, go for it !

Carpets
Boas (scratch the arboreal ones unless you want to get tagged for now)
More balls, you should have atleast 2
corns/kings/milks/garters
Childrens/stimsons

Do your research on the species before hand and stay away from snakes that need redic humidity 85 + (amazons, rainbow boas, etc. ) for now.

[Mikoh4792]

Dominican red mountain boas are pretty. If you have 2000 dollars for a pair, go for it !

Carpets
Boas (scratch the arboreal ones unless you want to get tagged for now)
More balls, you should have atleast 2
corns/kings/milks/garters
Childrens/stimsons

Do your research on the species before hand and stay away from snakes that need redic humidity 85 + (amazons, rainbow boas, etc. ) for now.

If he has an enclosure that is good at keeping humidity and an accurate hygrometer I'd say it's fine.

[Ourobouros]

Real beauties here

Leucistic reticulated python:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wtxGPbu9C70/TWET7XHCy5I/AAAAAAAAN98/WVGRait3gNo/s1600/Blue+Eyed+Leucistic+retic.jpg

High blue green tree python: (I think?)
http://images.yuku.com/image/pjpeg/c3516252034acf2b135fcea9a9ac9b568d8cc175.pjpg

Leopard boa:
http://www.leopardboas.de/assets/images/db_images/db_Melanistische_Leopard_Boa1.jpg

[smy_749]

If he has an enclosure that is good at keeping humidity and an accurate hygrometer I'd say it's fine.

And it probably is. But if its only his second snake, a species which is more forgiving with husbandry mistakes is a better option until he has more experience. Back to OP, I would say to get a dwarf boa species if you really don't want a 'common' snake. And Imo they are prob the best with being handled.

[smy_749]

@ Ourobouros,

I'm pretty sure thats not leucisitic. I can see the black spots all over him....Just because google images brought it up, doesn't make it leucistic. Also, that retic is in the 20 thousand + price tag range as far as I know, and the GTP is in the thousands as well if its a true blue not hormonal.

[Mikoh4792]

And it probably is. But if its only his second snake, a species which is more forgiving with husbandry mistakes is a better option until he has more experience. Back to OP, I would say to get a dwarf boa species if you really don't want a 'common' snake. And Imo they are prob the best with being handled.

I guess. But he's already been raising a ball python which requires moderate humidity. He could always just have only the enclosure and learn how to keep a constant humidity level inside before placing an animal in it.

I only have experience with two dwarf boas. My Cay Caulker that just passed away and some other Central American bci(I don't know which locale). Both were tame right out of the box.

[smy_749]

I guess. But he's already been raising a ball python which requires moderate humidity. He could always just have only the enclosure and learn how to keep a constant humidity level inside before placing an animal in it.

I only have experience with two dwarf boas. My Cay Caulker that just passed away and some other Central American bci(I don't know which locale). Both were tame right out of the box.

There is a huge difference between moderate humidity and keeping 90+
People also tend to just make it very wet thinking it means humid and it leads to all kinds of issues.

[Mikoh4792]

There is a huge difference between moderate humidity and keeping 90+
People also tend to just make it very wet thinking it means humid and it leads to all kinds of issues.

That's why I said he could always have just the enclosure for a while and learn how to keep a constant humidity level.

If someone wants to own a green tree python in the future, do you suggest that person keep buying snakes which have incrementally higher humidity level requirements? No one has to go that far. Just research, set up the enclosure and learn how to keep the conditions constant. Once that's done it should be fine with proper maintenance and care.

[Ourobouros]

@ Ourobouros,

I'm pretty sure thats not leucisitic. I can see the black spots all over him....Just because google images brought it up, doesn't make it leucistic. Also, that retic is in the 20 thousand + price tag range as far as I know, and the GTP is in the thousands as well if its a true blue not hormonal.

Oh yeah I'm far from an expert on color morphs and genetics but I have to admit they are pretty handsome snakes just the same. 8-)

[smy_749]

That's why I said he could always have just the enclosure for a while and learn how to keep a constant humidity level.

If someone wants to own a green tree python in the future, do you suggest that person keep buying snakes which have incrementally higher humidity level requirements? No one has to go that far. Just research, set up the enclosure and learn how to keep it the conditions constant. Once that's done it should be fine.

Gtps are easier humidity wise. And incrementally higher, no. Step by step until you get a bit more experience, yes. I don't suggest anyone to get a GTP as a first snake, or a second snake. Thats just my opinion based on the number of things that can be messed up and detrimental to health. I don't think there are very many snakes which are difficult to keep at all (and most of the ones that are is due to diet imo) , once the parameters are good, but some are easier than others.

[Mikoh4792]

Gtps are easier humidity wise. And incrementally higher, no. Step by step until you get a bit more experience, yes. I don't suggest anyone to get a GTP as a first snake, or a second snake. Thats just my opinion based on the number of things that can be messed up and detrimental to health. I don't think there are very many snakes which are difficult to keep at all (and most of the ones that are is due to diet imo) , once the parameters are good, but some are easier than others.

What do you mean by this?

And by the way why did you use 90% humidity as an example? I just said it was okay to get a snake that had higher humidity requirements. I never said anything about 90%.

EDIT: I take the last line of this post back. I went back to reread the conversation and realized that I responded to you after you mentioned snakes that needed 85%+ humidity.

"And by the way why did you use 90% humidity as an example? I just said it was okay to get a snake that had higher humidity requirements. I never said anything about 90%."

[smy_749]

Oh yeah I'm far from an expert on color morphs and genetics but I have to admit they are pretty handsome snakes just the same. 8-)

I'm not an expert either, but I'm pretty sure there aren't many of those retics at all. The 'cow' retic that nerd has up for sale is for 25,000 dollars to give an idea. And baby GTP's who MAY show some blue due to a parent with blue in it (no where near the one pictured) go for 2 g's. A true blue I'd guess would be in the 12 thousand range

[alistair mh]

You could always go down the road of keeping Boa constrictors as a new snake. Most don,t get to big to handle easily and with all the colour morphs now available their should be something out there to tempt you.

[Amadeus]

You could always go down the road of keeping Boa constrictors as a new snake. Most don,t get to big to handle easily and with all the colour morphs now available their should be something out there to tempt you.

I tried saying that in the first post but no one acknowledged me.

[MooCow]

What is your actual budget. " a lot of money" is a bit vague. Some people think $500 is an expensive snake and some $5000 so please narrow it down a bit.
I have 13,534. :) I've been saving it since I was 12... Originally, the money was meant to go toward a whole new wardrobe of dresses, but then I met the Ball Python... :D

[MooCow]

I tried saying that in the first post but no one acknowledged me.
I'm actually really liking these Boa Constricters. :O Any idea what type of enclosure they would need (I'm guessing I'm going I need a custom)?

Thanks for the help everyone! I didn't expect to get so many replies. :)

[Starbuck]

do you also have a job to be able to afford to feed this snake for the duration of its life? Will you be going to college soon, and can you afford to take your snakes with you, or find an apartment that allows them?

a not-dwarf boa under 8 feet i would say 4'x2'x18" should be sufficient? though bigger is always better. many of the custom enclosures come in a similar size, or larger (up to 6 or 8 feet in length).
Getting one that needs assembly/ships flat will save you quite a bit on shipping, while getting a solid piece, ready to go viv will save you a bit of hassle.

[Terranaut]

I really like these. I have a sunglow from the same breeder(Rich Ihle) and his snakes are great qualityYou won't need anythong bigger than the above sized enclosure for a few years. If you want to go custom you will have lots of time to find exactly what you want.
http://www.salmonboa.com/scoria_large.jpg

[Ourobouros]

Omg that snake iz awesome-sauceome!

[KORBIN5895]

Omg that snake iz awesome-sauceome!

Unfortunately I am not sure they have proved the genetics yet so if you wait a couple years the price may drop hardcore.

[Terranaut]

Rich breeds nothing but these now. I inquired to get a sharp sunglow from him and he said he breeds nothing but these now. He is betting the farm so if it hasn't proven out yet he is taking a big risk.

[Amadeus]

I'm actually really liking these Boa Constricters. :O Any idea what type of enclosure they would need (I'm guessing I'm going I need a custom)?

Thanks for the help everyone! I didn't expect to get so many replies. :)

A 4x2x2 would be fine for both of the boa species I mentioned.
It could be bought or you could make your own if you are handy.

[KORBIN5895]

Rich breeds nothing but these now. I inquired to get a sharp sunglow from him and he said he breeds nothing but these now. He is betting the farm so if it hasn't proven out yet he is taking a big risk.

Pm me about the sharp sunglow.