Need first hand recommendation

[Paul K]

Hello,
This is my first post but I have been a reader of this forum for months now. my fiancé and I are looking to get a second snake. We currently have a 1 year old boa(BCI) her first, my fourth(my parents got me a ball python and 2 corns when i was young.) that we saved from the failure to thrive list from the back room at petco.(mites and wouldn't eat). shes been happy and healthy for months now, and now that you have an idea of my background with snakes, we are currently considering the following:

Carpet Python
Woma Python
Blood Python
Brazilian Rainbow Boa
Western Hognose

Ive read about requirements and potential size of all of these but looking for a first hand account on what the community would recommended. I am looking for a snake that i can handle frequently, and had the following questions.
Which of these may be more difficult to keep? Why?
Which of these, if any, is similar to a BCI? (looking for a little variety)
Which do you recommended based on personal experience?

I realize that the Western Hognose is the odd ball on my list but considering getting the Hognose ,her favorite, and one of the others in the upcoming months.

Any advice or input is appreciated.
Thank you,
Paul

[pdomensis]

From your list I only have experience with carpets and I think they are fantastic. Very easy to keep. Very nice to handle. Good size and fair to good for display.

[millertime89]

I have owned carpets and BRBs and they're both awesome. I've worked with the rest and I'm not a fan of Bloods. I don't care for the way they look and they frequently have piss poor attitudes. Western Hogs and Womas are great. Of those I would get a Woma or a carpet with carpets being my primary choice and BRBs coming in a close third.

[kwhitlock]

I only have experience with BRB's. They are a great snake, good handle able adult size, getting the humidity requirements can be tricky but overall they are awesome reptiles. I take mine out usually once a week and he is incredibly active and curious. Also love the rainbow and the color and pattern.

[Aaron_S]

Want to handle it frequently? Blood/woma I would take off the list. Woma's can be a little nuts or be great. Same with the bloods. It's why it's best to take them off the list. Sounds like you want something that's pretty much guaranteed to be docile.

The others generally are more calm.

My personal experience tells me the BRB or hognose.

[Paul K]

Thanks for the reply's. docile would be a positive but a step or two above wouldn't be the worst thing. I love snakes and a little bit of a challenge doesn't bother me. Someday i would love to have a green tree python but today is not that day, think a lot more experience would be of great use before that.

After concentration I've decided to take Aaron S advice and eliminate the Blood Python and the Woma from my list of candidates.

my current list in now:
Western Hognose
Carpet Python
Brazilian Rainbow Boa

Thanks for all of the quick responses.

[Cmwells90]

I have a BCI and a Hognose, I love both very much but the Hognose is soo friendly and cute, mainly becuase he's always trying to look tough, but it doesn't work. They biggest difference I saw was that they eat more frequently than other snakes I've ever had. As a neonate you'll feed every 2-3 days, and then 3-5 as subadults, so it's a more frequent feeding schedule. They're also durnial so they're very active during the day!

Note: While a hognose may seem mean and aggressive, in reality they never bite they just get all puffed up and hiss, but it's all a show. The moment I pick him up he calms right down!

[IW17]

Yours may not bite, but as a blanket statement that's just not true. I've seen many hognose that would enthusiastically bite at any given chance. Granted most end up fairly pleasant, but they can have an attitude. And while it's not considered medically significant, they are venomous, which is something to consider as well.

[toddnbecka]

Personally I'd factor easy to care for as high on the list, so I'd recommend carpet python over BRB. I was considering a BRB when I started looking into getting a snake again after many years w/out any, then I ran across the Dominican red mountain boa in my online research, and went for those. Same size and body type as carpet pythons, but no question regarding temperament. They simply don't strike or bite regardless of size/age. I got 2 pairs of yearlings from 2 different sources so when they breed they won't be paired siblings.
Then we went to the Hamburg reptile show last weekend, and I found a baby carpet python with the same mellow disposition as the boas. No aggressive or defensive response to being disturbed or handled, looks like it will be another great pet snake.

[Paul K]

Thanks everyone. i went with a Western Hognose and a Carpet Python labeled "tiger jungle jaguar coastal carpet python". I'm going to let them settle in and then post pictures. I'm sure ill have future questions and ill come back here for good advice.

[EL Ziggy]

Great choices Paul. Hoggies are super cute and carpets are exquisitely beautiful. Can't wait to see pics.

[toddnbecka]

Indeed, post some pics of the new beasties soon. I'm particularly curious about the mixed carpet, mine was labeled "jungle cross."