View Full Version : Last pet snake ever!
First off, many threads similar to this, but none highlighting these three snakes. I've been researching for months (DON'T JUST SAY DO RESEARCH) but I'm just stuck. If I could I would have all of them. My wife, who's not a snake person has allowed me one last pet reptile as a 5 year anniversary gift. Here are my thoughts, but I want yours.
BCI- Have already kept one. Love the handleability, and size but not the activity levels.
Carpet's-Looked after them quite a while ago at my high school pet shop job. Gorgeous snakes with awesome activity levels. Nippyness doesn't bother me, but I am concerned that my wife will be terrified of it if she does see some attitude.
Black headed pythons- Never worked personally with these, but have worked with woma's. Seems to be differing opinions, but they're some of the best looking snakes I have ever seen.
Any other options are recommended, if you have personal experience. However, I've cared for ATB's, GTP's, BRB's, Dumeril's and am not too interested in Macklot's, Olive's or anything too far over 10 feet and under 5.
Currently own- 0.1 Western Hognose, 1.0 Indo BTS, 0.1 BW Tegu
jossh27
03-29-15, 02:51 PM
You could contact Derek Roddy here on the forums about black headed pythons. He seems extremely knowledgeable and reputable.... Also a breeder of bhp's. Wish i could afford one! they really are beautiful animals
SnoopySnake
03-29-15, 03:02 PM
I personally would probably go with a BHP, since you've already worked with the others. Bredli pythons are cool, beauty snakes/cave snakes are pretty neat, also.
EL Ziggy
03-29-15, 04:12 PM
I'd go with a carpet python of some sort. They're gorgeous, manageable in size, and pretty active. I've heard that most of them outgrow that nippy stage. I don't keep carpets yet but it's most certainly my next acquisition. Speaking from personal experience, if you're open to colubrids, I'd try a bull snake. They're monster feeders, the husbandry is a breeze and they come in some beautiful morphs. Some have a bit of an attitude when they're younger but they get over it fairly quickly. They max out right around 7ft and are fairly heavy bodied. I think pits are very underrated in our hobby. Best wishes with whatever you choose. Keep us posted!
Minkness
03-29-15, 04:50 PM
Whenever you talk of 'pits' i always seem to think of rattle snakes and pit vipers lol
My next snake will be a BRB from Cliff (no time soon sadly) but I have carpets and a bull on my list as well. Not to mention a certain neon blue garter and a Boa or maybe an SD retic of some kind? No idea...my list keeps growing lol.
EL Ziggy
03-29-15, 05:09 PM
My bad Mink. I should be more clear :). I meant pits as in the 3 Pituophis subgenres of Bull, Pine, and Gopher snakes.
I do like colubrids, and I used to catch garters, bulls, and rats as a kid. I only get one so I'm looking for that dream snake.
Josh- I've seen his website but never contacted him in person. I'll do that thanks!
So I guess I'll ask a new question. If you could own only one snake, what would you choose?
reptiledude987
03-29-15, 05:30 PM
Imo you cant go wrong with carpets. They get a good size but not crazy big. Out of the 5 I have only 1 has attitude. Theres a ton of different varieties and morphs. Theyre consistently good eaters. Theyre active and dont tend to destroy a nicely decorated terrarium.
Minkness
03-29-15, 05:47 PM
Oh, I knew that Ziggy, just every time I see it it's where my mind goes lol.
Batch, to answer your question would be VERY hard. The only thing I do 1 of, is dogs lol. You already have one of my dream snakes (hognose) so that's out. I think I like the Boas. Either BCC or BCI and would probably look at a higher end morph. One of my favorites being a T+ snow type. Great size and temperment if you ask me. But, you also already have had those and want something more active. Perhaps a carpet would be good. Unless your wife wants to handle the snake, it's attitude shouldn't be a big deal if it's ok with you.
I tried to do the 1 snake thing and got an MBK.....it lasted a few months...now I'm up to 3 snakes. And though I don't plan on any more any time soon, and already know what I want for my next, I will surely have a nicely diversified collection eventually. =)
EL Ziggy
03-29-15, 05:58 PM
If I could only keep one snake I'd have an Eastern Indigo. That's my dream snake.
SnoopySnake
03-29-15, 06:01 PM
If I could only have one snake it'd be a white lipped python. However I would not recommend it for you because they supposedly have quite the attitude and I hear they don't calm down very well.
Minkness
03-29-15, 06:02 PM
Indigos seem popular, but expensive. What is that you like about them? What makes them so pricey?
jossh27
03-29-15, 06:03 PM
Bhp. So damn cool
EL Ziggy
03-29-15, 06:30 PM
Indigos seem popular, but expensive. What is that you like about them? What makes them so pricey?
I'm not sure why they're so expensive Mink, I definitely wish they weren't :). I love their color, size, and scales.
Mink- I'm right there with you, if I got a bo
Minkness
03-29-15, 08:16 PM
How big do indigos get?
(Sorry if this derailing but I'm curious lol)
Also, Batch, I've heard some really awesome things about Vin Russo and his snakes. He produced a beautiful T+ albino female that Tsubaki on here owns. Apparently she's fiesty, but I've never seen a prettier T+!
D Grade
03-29-15, 08:23 PM
I'd go with a carpet python of some sort. They're gorgeous, manageable in size, and pretty active. I've heard that most of them outgrow that nippy stage. I don't keep carpets yet but it's most certainly my next acquisition. Speaking from personal experience, if you're open to colubrids, I'd try a bull snake. They're monster feeders, the husbandry is a breeze and they come in some beautiful morphs. Some have a bit of an attitude when they're younger but they get over it fairly quickly. They max out right around 7ft and are fairly heavy bodied. I think pits are very underrated in our hobby. Best wishes with whatever you choose. Keep us posted!
Couldn't agree more. Also if you want one bad mofo of a colubrid, something out if the norm, and if you're ballsy enough, go with a Mangrove (Boiga Dendrophila). Just don't tell your wife its rear fanged and mildly venomous. :) That's definitely my dream Colubrid.
toddnbecka
03-30-15, 12:20 AM
My little carpet python has the same mellow disposition as the BCI's, he/she has never struck or even tried to bite. Whatever you decide on, keep in mind that the easier it is for your wife to get along with the better your both your chances will be in the long run, lol.
Take her to a show or two and let her see some for herself. That's how we ended up with BCI's, and Becka didn't even like snakes until she got to hold one at the first show we checked out.
Chris72
03-30-15, 06:45 AM
"Last Pet Snake Ever"... Ok, stop telling yourself lies. ;)
Vote = BCI. (Ooooh...a nice Red Tail?)
Carpet-o-holics say the nippy-ness tends to be something they
grow out of with size/age.
reptiledude987
03-30-15, 04:12 PM
Couldn't agree more. Also if you want one bad mofo of a colubrid, something out if the norm, and if you're ballsy enough, go with a Mangrove (Boiga Dendrophila). Just don't tell your wife its rear fanged and mildly venomous. :) That's definitely my dream Colubrid.
Agreed these guys are super cool but are a big pile of attitude. quite entertaining to watch them try to strike repatedly.
If you can afford it, bhp all the way.
Albert Clark
03-30-15, 08:21 PM
I'm biased fellas, I have bp's and garters. So many different morphs in both. I love the piebald bp. My favorite garter is the Oregon red spotted. :shocked: Good luck in your search.
jjhill001
03-30-15, 10:21 PM
No better combo of active, easy to care for, and overall impressiveness than a large pine snake.
I've actually got a friend with a mangrove. They are pretty, but I'd like a snake with less attitude for sure. So pretty much anything else.:D
Chris- Ok, I'll fess up. Last snake until I annoy her enough that she gets sick of hearing about it, or my hoggie dies, which is hopefully never.Although it's taken a LONG time for this chance. TBH I bought the hognose thinking it would be a gateway into her accepting snakes, but even the small size and not a single bite have made her ok to even HANDLE it. It seems crazy to me.
I think I'm going to have to go with a BHP. Everything seemed awesome except for activity levels (Semi nocturnal). So excited! I've owned 9 reptiles and cared for alot more, but every time I get a new one it's like I'm that 10 year old with the leopard gecko all over again.
Thanks for all the help guys, I'm liking this forum alot.
Derek Roddy
03-31-15, 05:24 AM
Depends on what you're looking for.
If you want a great display snake..... Carpets are great.
If you want a snake full of personality (much more so than other python species) go with a BHP
There's so many killer species out there.
But if had to choose only one.... It'd be a BHP hands down. I've kept most every common species ( and most non common too) but all personal preference.
D
Derek- I'm so glad you're on here, I've been told by numerous people that you're the man to go to for BHP's. I have a few questions if that's alright. I dug through your site and didn't find the answers.
How much do your BHP's go for after they've begun feeding?
What size are your adults? I've heard everything from 6-12 feet for the ones in the US. Off that I'd assume 8ft males and 9 ft females.
Cage I wanted to build would be 8x3 (On top of tegu cage might as well use it) with a 6 inch substrate lip. Do they need to be moved up to that size or placed directly in?
pdomensis
03-31-15, 03:02 PM
Carpets all the way. Great snakes with a lot of diversity to chose from. I never experienced the "nippy" bit you hear about. Mine was perfect from day 1.
Aaron_S
03-31-15, 03:45 PM
You say you want your dream snake since you're only allowed one. I suggest pick the one that makes you the most excited then.
If it's honestly your dream snake you will do everything in your power to care for it so I don't see any difficulties there.
SoPhilly
04-01-15, 08:53 AM
You say you want your dream snake since you're only allowed one. I suggest pick the one that makes you the most excited then.
If it's honestly your dream snake you will do everything in your power to care for it so I don't see any difficulties there.
^^^This. Very this.
Get the one that makes you squee like a twelve-year-old girl at a Justin Bieber concert... or... who do 12-year-olds squee over these days? ...You get the point. :rolleyes:
While I don't know who twelve year olds squee nowadays, I'll admit that I would have that level of excitement with any of the three.
Well, I'll take a little more time and decide, but I appreciate it everyone.
Derek Roddy
04-01-15, 11:10 AM
Derek- I'm so glad you're on here, I've been told by numerous people that you're the man to go to for BHP's. I have a few questions if that's alright. I dug through your site and didn't find the answers.
How much do your BHP's go for after they've begun feeding?
What size are your adults? I've heard everything from 6-12 feet for the ones in the US. Off that I'd assume 8ft males and 9 ft females.
Cage I wanted to build would be 8x3 (On top of tegu cage might as well use it) with a 6 inch substrate lip. Do they need to be moved up to that size or placed directly in?
Hey man,
BHPs as hatchlings run about 1000 to 1500 each from a reputable source. "Pet store" BHPs are rarely "good deal" because of associated issues as the become adults. It's very important that any BHP you purchased has been started accordingly..... Which wholesale BHPs rarely are.
Not to mention.... You don't get the cool paint jobs etc
Size is in the feeding and average size for an adult in the wild would be about 5 1/2 to 6 feet.
Animals that are any bigger than that had most likely been over fed which is not recommended for BHPs.
Animals I've raised myself and are producing for me are 6 feet at best.
As long as you don't give them large food items, they're pretty much indestructable. And super killer personalities. Much more interesting than most pythons.
Cheers
D
Minkness
04-01-15, 11:46 AM
Dang....now I wanna research BHPs even though I will never have the $$$ for one. Thanks Derek....lol
D Grade
04-02-15, 03:47 AM
Agreed these guys are super cool but are a big pile of attitude. quite entertaining to watch them try to strike repatedly.
They just need a hug....at least thats what I keep telling myself. :)
pet_snake_78
04-02-15, 05:38 AM
Maybe you can partition off a room in the basement and put more snakes in there. If she doesn't have to go in there she might not care what's in it. 3 snakes? No way, I need dozens!
Minkness
04-02-15, 10:07 AM
Lol Pet!
I have 3 right now and pretty content with that until I can get my BRB from Cliff. Then that will most likely be my last snake for a LONG while again. As it is I'm looking at a year or two for the BRB....I hope Cliff is still around by then lol.
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