Pushing the limit.

[REM955]

I know I don't even have one snake yet, but I moved into a new place and I have this one spot that if I moved my desk to a different area would open up a significant area. I was just curious what could fit.

It is 9 foot by 5 foot and it is in front of a window I keep closed that is typical window height (I guess).

It is a big space and that would correspond with a big animal I know is out of my range of expertise. Just curious.

[Tiny Boidae]

I would draw the curtains up to avoid a draft, but pretty much anything in your wildest dreams could fit there. What are you looking for in an animal? Like a "hold me!" Type of guy? A "don't touch" sort of critter? Do you care how it looks? Active and inquisitive or shy and reserved? Active during the day or night? Ground-dweller or tree? And how much money and time are you willing to give it?

[Albert Clark]

It's a big space. Would you like a large animal enclosure to house a boa or other large species?

[REM955]

I am thinking this would be a single snake. I am a single person living on my own so there's that limit, but as something so huge would not be considered anyway, I would not take that into consideration here.

As far as resources go, I imagine it would take a significant chunk of change to create such a container, let alone feed it. Not concerning me here. Also, if I had the money

Just to be clear, this is more of fantasy than something bordering on reality. This is more just to get an idea of what real limits look like for the larger animals.

Tiny Boidae:
My understanding with tree dwellers is that their cage is typically somewhere as high as they are wide if not more. If the only spot I have to offer this space is in front of a window, I think I would want to avoid exposing an animal to the window like that. Just like none of my electronics are near windows unless there is no other option.

Albert Clark:
Large is really what I am going for. What could possibly fit in this space?

[RAD House]

nine foot long by five foot tall I am assuming. How far out into the room could it stick out? Unless you are looking at an arboreal species ground space is more important.

[Tiny Boidae]

The problem with windows usually lies with small, glass enclosures. It leaves the critter without anywhere to go and you run the risk of heat stroke. That typically isn't a problem with large, wooden enclosures, but I would still keep it closed just to be safe.

As for species, I'm going to spitball various species of different sizes, lifestyles, and handability, just to get a better idea of what you are looking for in the animal itself.

A Columbian Redtail Boa could easily fit in that space, and while they do benefit from a bit of height, floor space is more important. Most tame down to be little puppy dogs by adulthood, although you do have to be prepared to deal with a ten foot, aggressive animal as you would any species.

http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/redtail-boa-pet.jpg


Slightly smaller is the carpet python. There are several subspecies that varies in size and coloration, and while the coastal females can get up to the length of a red tail, they still don't have the thick bulk of muscle that they have. There is debate about how much height they need, but rest assured they do need it (these buggers love to climb). They tend to be snappy as babies and mellow out some as they mature, but they don't get to be as tame as some red tails and a good chunk remain aggressive without the socialization needed at a young age. The three most common subspecies are:

Irian Jaya Carpet Python (5 feet in length)

http://www.acreptiles.com/Carpets/2008-Season/Silver08.jpg

Jungle Carpet Python (5-7 feet in length)

http://www.designerserpents.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Jungle-Carpet-Python.jpg

And the Coastal Carpet Python (9 feet in length)
http://www.australianaddiction.com/Coastal_HAxFem.jpg


The biggest snake I would recommend for you is a Burmese Python, and that's because of how docile they are and they're some of the easier of the giants to care for. Typically they are around 10-11 feet in length and while I've never had one myself, there are people on this board who has and most are pretty laid back and tame. Still, you have to be prepared to deal with an aggressive individual which isn't very wise without at least one more person to help.

http://www.factzoo.com/sites/all/img/reptiles/snakes/python/large-burmese-python.jpg


The last snake I'm going to offer is a colubrid. I'm going to mesh the racers and beauty snakes into one suggestion here since they seem to be pretty similar except for care requirements. These are diurnal, robust snakes that are great display animals. In the wild they are always moving, always traveling, and they can travel some great lengths in search of prey, shelter, and mates. They're both pretty great and I plan on getting one actually. I wouldn't count on either to be tame though, as they both tend to be aggressive and quick (especially if they are wild caught or just were never handled). The black racer is only 3-5 feet in length, but they still relish the large enclosure that a boa would need since they're just always moving. The Taiwanese Beauty is 6-8 feet in length and still needs a good size enclosure, preferably as long as the snake is. Neither really needs a lot of height, although a couple feet and some branches never hurts. If you can find them, another I can suggest is the Ridley's Cave Racer (up to 7 feet in length).

Black Racer

http://www.virginiaherpetologicalsociety.com/reptiles/snakes/northern-black-racer/black-racer2-paul-sattler.jpg

Ridley's Cave Racer

http://www.thailandsnakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/cave-snake-thailand.jpg


Taiwanese Beauty

http://www.jonathansjungleroadshow.co.uk/images/4.jpg

[REM955]

nine foot long by five foot tall I am assuming. How far out into the room could it stick out? Unless you are looking at an arboreal species ground space is more important.

Not 5 ft tall. The space on the floor is 9x5ft. As for height it sits in front of a window, the trim starting at 32" off the floor. I imagine it could go higher than that by a bit, but blocking a significant portion of the window is not an option.

[REM955]

I did see the Taiwanese Beauty Snake before, but I thought much more space was needed.

For carpets pythons, the coastals do not have as big a height requirement, right? If this is the case, a height of 2.5 or 3ft would work given the window constraint.

As much appeal as an albino has to me, I really couldn't see myself dealing with a Burmese. Hate to have it live up to the name Snuggles. But it does answer the main question of how big a snake could fit in that spot.

[Tiny Boidae]

I was just suggesting the burm to see what you like. Not the best snakes for new keepers, and especially those who live alone. That can be a potentially dangerous situation if it were to have a misdirected feeding response or just a nasty attitude.

The Taiwanese Beauty is the one I'm planning on adding to my collection actually, and the dimensions I have planned are 8'x4'x4'. Those guys do like to climb a bit, but I don't see a 3' height being an issue for these snakes. These rats will do great with a lot of space. And you can provide definitely provide it a nice home with what you have.

Again, there's a lot of debate on carpets that I find regarding the aboreal vs semi-aboreal argument, but most caresheets say they need 2-3' of height, so that should be fine (I don't have any carpets though, so it might be beneficial getting the opinions of those who work with them :) )

A burm is the largest snake I would recommend for that spot, but that doesn't mean I would still recommend it for you. Cage size has to do with the size of the snake vs activity level, so while a sit-and-wait predator might be twice the size as a "go out and find it" predator, they would still have the same cage sizes because of activity level.

[REM955]

I was just suggesting the burm to see what you like. Not the best snakes for new keepers, and especially those who live alone. That can be a potentially dangerous situation if it were to have a misdirected feeding response or just a nasty attitude.

A burm is the largest snake I would recommend for that spot, but that doesn't mean I would still recommend it for you. Cage size has to do with the size of the snake vs activity level, so while a sit-and-wait predator might be twice the size as a "go out and find it" predator, they would still have the same cage sizes because of activity level.

I understand that. Just for fun. If I want to see a large snake, I'm sure the next reptile convention will satisfy.

[Albert Clark]

I was thinking more along the lines of a Dominican red mountain boa. One that is large but would have plenty of space in your outlined dimensions. There are TODDANDBECKA on this forum who actually breed them and hopefully they will enter the conversation. A animal that is very handleable and as a boa one of the more docile temperaments. That is the one I recommend, however you have a plethora of choices. :cool:

[Sasha2]

Not a snake but a nice big male argentine tegu. It could use all that space and love it. Otherwise a boa, maybe a Argentine boa(bco)

[REM955]

I honestly don't know what to think of the large lizards. No opinion yet.

[sirtalis]

I would staay away from large lizards because most burrow and need about 2 feet of soil substrate.

[pet_snake_78]

I wouldn't suggest really large animals. A medium sized snake like a carpet or a BCI should make a really nice, low maintenance pet.

[prairiepanda]

A tortoise (or multiple tortoises) would appreciate that kind of floor space, if you're interested. Otherwise I would agree with the suggestion of a carpet or boa constrictor.

[Tiny Boidae]

Prariepanda-

The problem with tortoises as those tend to require outdoor pens, at least in the summer, to be able to thrive. That's at least my understanding of it, as I'm no turtle person, but maybe something like box turtles are different? Not sure

[that1guy]

Prariepanda-

The problem with tortoises as those tend to require outdoor pens, at least in the summer, to be able to thrive. That's at least my understanding of it, as I'm no turtle person, but maybe something like box turtles are different? Not sure

Your larger tortoises need outdoor pens. Some of your smaller tortoises, Cherryhead Redfoot, Redfoot, Russian, and Greek can be kept indoors year round with UVB and heat lights. Though all turtles and tortoises benefit from natural direct sunlight when possible. Box turtles are great too, I have two of them. Both of mine are rescues one CB baby and one LTC WC. They can be kept indoors year round with UVB and heatlights as well. Yes that space would be great for a breeding group of tortoises or box turtles. The downside is they are a bit expensive. Russians are fairly cheap at about $60-$80, the rest of tortoises are gonna be $200+. CB Boxies usually go for around $100-$140. Anyone who is interested in keeping a boxie please make sure your turtle is CB by buying from a reputable breeder. Adopting from a rescue is also a good choice, though most rescues are LTC WC. It can save you some money and you can help out a turtle that needs it.

As for the OP I think the Columbian Redtail would be the perfect snake for what you are looking for.

[REM955]

Not really a turtle person.
Otherwise, I got a while before considering taking up that kind of space. Let me figure out one smaller than something like that.
Thanks for the replies.

[Tiny Boidae]

that1guy-

Ah, from the sparingly few caresheets I've read over them and the occasional thread, people made it out as if keeping a tortoise indoors was like keeping an iguana without a UVB bulb, as if it were an absolute death wish. Thanks for clearing that up. Interesting animals, they're just not my cup of tea.


REM955-

Well you're welcome to post any concerns in the future, we're glad to help. If you're worried that you can't handle the size of the animal itself, that space can still fit smaller enclosures and several at that. It's up to you, and I hope you find what you're looking for :)

[REM955]

Oh I didn't plan on filling up the spot immediately (if ever) I still have another spot set aside for the first snake.
This was more fantasy to see what could actually fit there.

[Lefitte]

Be careful of those fantasies, they usually lead to realities ;)

[REM955]

Don't worry. Too cautious.

[daisymaisy]

be careful at reptile expos, caution tends to fly out the window :)