My next snake.. What should it be?

[Awaiting Abyss]

I had my heart set on getting a corn snake as my next snake (it will be my second snake), but I'd like to explore my other options before ruling them out.

There are many things about ball pythons that I like. For example, I like that they are calm so I could take her/him out and she would just sit there.

My fiance really wants a snake that will wrap around his fingers and arm. He was a bit disappointed when I told him the hognose (our current snake) isn't a climbing snake, so it won't exactly do that. lol

I'd like a friendly snake that can live off of mice their whole life; even if it requires feeding multiple mice. I don't want to breed rats, and I don't like buying frozen from other places since I'm not sure how those rodents were cared for while they were alive.

What do you all recommend as my next snake? And it isn't necessarily between a corn snake or a ball python. I'm open to explore other options as well, but I do not want a giant snake.

[Mikoh4792]

Gtp's can live off mice their whole life. While not a beginner snake, once you get the husbandry down before the snake is in it's enclosure you should be fine.

If you don't want to go there then I'd suggest something like a carpet python, new world/old world ratsnakes, spotted pythons?

If you check out all the categories in kingsnake or fauna classifieds you should see a few species you like.

[UwabamiReptiles]

I have a pair of Japanese rat snakes that are awesome. They are semi arboreal so if you set them up in a cage with some height and branches they will make use of them. My pair is awesome as far as temperament goes. But they are colubrids so they won't just sit there when you hold them. They are always on the move.

If you want something a little more calm. I'd suggest you look into spotted and children's pythons like Mikoh suggested. They stay small in the 3-4ft range, they can eat mice there whole lives and the ones I've interacted with have had great temperaments. Another python that stays small are the savu pythons. I've never held one but they do seem interesting. They seem to be a little more spunky from what I've read. Just putting some options out there for you.

[Charis]

Another option for a slower moving, smaller snake would be Rosy boas.

[Starbuck]

Another option for a slower moving, smaller snake would be Rosy boas.



I would second the rosy boas! Mine is so cute and the best :-)

[sharthun]

I have to suggest a Mexican Black King Snake. By far my favorite out of my 3 snakes.:cool:

[EL Ziggy]

I think kingsnakes are awesome. They come in beautiful colors, they're pretty docile, and they're great eaters that can feed on mice their entire lives. They don't get too big either, with 4-5 ft. being the average. I have a banded Cal King and a MBK that I love to pieces.

[Mikoh4792]

I think kingsnakes are awesome. They come in beautiful colors, they're pretty docile, and they're great eaters that can feed on mice their entire lives. They don't get too big either, with 4-5 ft. being the average. I have a banded Cal King and a MBK that I love to pieces.

To be honest, I have a phobia of california kingsnakes. Every one I've gotten would bite me in a feeding response out of nowhere during handling. Never a defensive bite, but always a feeding response bite.

[smy_749]

To be honest, I have a phobia of california kingsnakes. Every one I've gotten would bite me in a feeding response out of nowhere during handling. Never a defensive bite, but always a feeding response bite.

I rather enjoy the feistyness of cal kings. Once you get used to the bites, its sort of entertaining how crazy they go during feeding. A lot more fun to feed a cal king than a BP or something thats for sure.

[Mikoh4792]

I rather enjoy the feistyness of cal kings. Once you get used to the bites, its sort of entertaining how crazy they go during feeding. A lot more fun to feed a cal king than a BP or something thats for sure.

True. Most favorite snakes to feed are arboreal ones that will strike and eat while hanging from a perch. Plus no worry of impaction from loose substrate.

[drumcrush]

kiingsnake all the way! you could also get a garter snake:) babies would have to start out on nightcrawlers tho. You can convert them to pinkies when they are big enough. Other than that, they are great snakes. females can typically get up to 3 ft. Sometimes even 3.5 ft. Males generally stay smaller and range from 2 ft. To 2.5 ft. They are active and always out. Some people think that they are a trash snake because of how common they are but they really aren't. so I suggest a garter snake or a kingsnake:)

[smy_749]

True. Most favorite snakes to feed are arboreal ones that will strike and eat while hanging from a perch. Plus no worry of impaction from loose substrate.

They won't get impaction usually. Only worries I can think of are eating paper towels or having aspen chips stuck in the mouth which isn't good.

[Mikoh4792]

kiingsnake all the way! you could also get a garter snake:) babies would have to start out on nightcrawlers tho. You can convert them to pinkies when they are big enough. Other than that, they are great snakes. females can typically get up to 3 ft. Sometimes even 3.5 ft. Males generally stay smaller and range from 2 ft. To 2.5 ft. They are active and always out. Some people think that they are a trash snake because of how common they are but they really aren't. so I suggest a garter snake or a kingsnake:)

lol what's a trash snake?

[smy_749]

I thought a trash snake is a snake that eats all the left overs.

[drumcrush]

I thought a trash snake is a snake that eats all the left overs.

lol that made my day haha

[Terranaut]

Ask your fiance if he likes this.....
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/terranaut0/20130619_174712_zps6e65fede.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/terranaut0/photo-2077.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/terranaut0/photo-1707.jpg

Carpets are my favorite. The eat while hanging and love to climb. They are big enough to be impressive but are medium bodied and not very heavy. They can be nippy as babies ( not all are) but most calm down with a bit of handling.

[Mikoh4792]

One of my favorites as well. I like all morelia.

[EL Ziggy]

To be honest, I have a phobia of california kingsnakes. Every one I've gotten would bite me in a feeding response out of nowhere during handling. Never a defensive bite, but always a feeding response bite.

Neither my Cal king nor MBK have ever struck at or attempted to bite me. Granted they're only 11 months and 5 months old. They do go into a bit of a frenzy at feeding time but they've never bitten the hand that feeds them (with long tongs). :cool:

[Mikoh4792]

Neither my Cal king nor MBK have ever struck at or attempted to bite me. Granted they're only 11 months and 5 months old. They do go into a bit of a frenzy at feeding time but they've never bitten the hand that feeds them (with long tongs). :cool:

Lucky you and anyone else that has the same experience lol. It doesn't even have to be feeding time for me. My king will be crawling through my hands and the second I feel her nose rub against my skin I know she's going to open her mouth and start gnawing on me. I don't mind the bite, but the thing is she doesn't let go and chews! My albino cali king I used to own several years back used to be worse.

[DeadlyDesires]

ugh! thats a gorgeous carpet.. they are deff on my list of snakes to get lol... i have a feeling im going to overwhelm my fiance with all the snakes i want to get lol and he has only his bp and his corn lol :D

[sharthun]

Lucky you and anyone else that has the same experience lol. It doesn't even have to be feeding time for me. My king will be crawling through my hands and the second I feel her nose rub against my skin I know she's going to open her mouth and start gnawing on me. I don't mind the bite, but the thing is she doesn't let go and chews! My albino cali king I used to own several years back used to be worse.

Wow :eek: Did you hook train them? The cali is definitely on my list. Another underrated king is the prairie king. I've kept several prairie 's and all have been very laid back. :cool:

[slowhite03]

I've never had my kings but me except when I first got one and during feeding time by the other.

[Awaiting Abyss]

Which carpet python breed would you say is less likely to bite and tolerates handling more?

Would you consider an ETB or a GTP to make a better pet as far as handling goes? I'm prepared for any type of difficulty. I won't be getting the snake for a while, because I always do a lot of research before rushing into buying an animal.

I've noticed some places say that rosy boas should not have a water bowl and only be offered water, that they should have a small water bowl, or that they need one large enough to take a dip in. Which do you find to be best?

I haven't researched garter snakes much, but I was told that they only eat fish? -I don't remember who told me that.. Probably the same person who told me that I shouldn't get a western hognose because they never accept rodents and I'd have issues finding toads in the winter. :P lol

@Terranaut: Yep he does. Beautiful snake by the way.

[smy_749]

Garters eat fish, worms, slugs, rodents, frogs, salamanders, whatever....not just fish

ETBS and GTPS don't make good handling pets, neither of them. IMO , ETBs are typically less tolerant, probably due to the fact that most are WC still at this point in the hobby. You also don't want to get bit by either species, which they rather enjoy doing.

Most carpets are pretty docile as adults, none stick out behavior wise as being flighty/defensive adults where as all of them are nippy as neonates typically.

[drumcrush]

Garters eat fish, worms, slugs, rodents, frogs, salamanders, whatever....not just fish.

you can feed some fish. if you check out thamnophis.com, they have a care sheet with a list of good and bad fish. I'd stick mainly to nightcrawlers and rodents though. Not only does it stay on the safe side, it can also be nutritionally beneficial . You could either vairy the diet, or stick to one of the two. If you stay on night crawlers, you would have to dust them with calcium every once in a while. Anyways, good luck with your search on your next future snake:p

[Charis]

I think that the need to not provide a constant source of water in with a Rosy boa is, at the very least, overstated. It might be true if your ambient humidity is absurdly high, then it might contribute to a problem with URIs and stuff. But I always keep a decent sized water dish in with mine and have not had a problem.

[Terranaut]

Which carpet python breed would you say is less likely to bite and tolerates handling more?

Would you consider an ETB or a GTP to make a better pet as far as handling goes? I'm prepared for any type of difficulty. I won't be getting the snake for a while, because I always do a lot of research before rushing into buying an animal.

I've noticed some places say that rosy boas should not have a water bowl and only be offered water, that they should have a small water bowl, or that they need one large enough to take a dip in. Which do you find to be best?

I haven't researched garter snakes much, but I was told that they only eat fish? -I don't remember who told me that.. Probably the same person who told me that I shouldn't get a western hognose because they never accept rodents and I'd have issues finding toads in the winter. :P lol

@Terranaut: Yep he does. Beautiful snake by the way.

Thanks. Mick is great. They don't normally stay nippyfor long. A few weeks for most. Also this is mainly jungles. Some other carpets are even less defensive as babies. Well worth learning to tolerate a couple nips. Both of my adults are calm and....well the shot with my son says it all.

[Awaiting Abyss]

I don't mind the nipping if they outgrow it. :)

Thank you all. Now I just have to research and decide which I want most.