1st Snake/Reptile - Thoughts & Suggestions?

[DrgnRebrn]

I'm looking to get a snake as my first reptile. Right now I am torn between the Hog Island Boa and a Ball Python; however I'm open to any suggestions and I'd like to get some input from all types of snake owners. Things I'm looking for in a snake:

- Temperament. I have 3 young children (7, 6, & 3). I know snakes have individual personalities, but I would like a species that is generally known for having a good temperament. I also know there are other factors that influence this, such as the health of the animal, handling frequency & proper handling techniques, environment, stress, shed state, etc. I am looking for a snake species that would typically not be stressed out in a loud & active environment.

- Size. I want a species that will not get any larger than 6 or 7 feet in length. Conversely, I am looking for something larger than 4 feet in length. Girth isn't that big of a deal to me, but one of the reasons I don't like typical Colubrids is because they are typically too skinny for my taste. From my research, Pythons & Boas seem to have several options that are ideal in size.

- Curiosity. One of the biggest reasons I'm leaning towards Boas is because of their inquisitiveness. They come across as very curious, and seem to like exploring their environment and interacting, if you will, while being handled. What I don't want is an animal that will tend to be inactive while being held. I don't mind one that will chill, but I'm hesitant going with a Ball because of the "pet rock" reputation.

- Speed. I know that any snake could probably take off quickly if it wants to, or is provoked. What I don't want is a hyper snake. Again, this is another of the reasons I don't like Colubrids. They seem to be extremely active while being handled. I don't want to have to constantly be maneuvering my hands in order to keep the snake in place.

- Hardiness. So this may be the real item here. I've never cared for a reptile before, long-term. Like many of you, I grew up catching lizards, frogs, & snakes from my yard & the creek I grew up by. Long-term management of temperature, humidity, and the environment (controlling disease, parasites, etc.) will be new to me. I keep my house cool (night/day temps of 63/68 in the Winter & 66/72 in the Summer). Will this be an issue? I live in a high-altitude desert environment (SLC, UT). Will I have to take extra measures to control humidity? Having a species that is hardy, generally healthy, and can be forgiving of slight inconsistencies in their environment that may be caused by locality & my inexperience is very important to me. I'm not looking for a "set it & forget it" species, but I do want to make sure the species I choose is ideal for me, right now, and will allow me to learn without causing harm, serious illness, or even death to the animal.

So, there you have it. My top 5 things I'm looking for in a snake. Is the Hog Island Boa the right choice for me? I've read that this is an "intermediate" species to own. Why is that? What differentiates a snake species from a "beginner," "intermediate," and even "expert" owner status? Should I stick with the typical Ball Python and get a Hog Island once I'm no longer a newb? Is a snake the right reptile to start with, or should I consider a lizard of some kind?

I should note that I am 100% perfectly comfortable around non-venomous snakes. Furthermore, my Uncle, and roommate for several years (he's 9 months younger than me), owned a Columbian Red Tail Boa, raising her from 1 month in age until she died a couple years ago. Medusa was freakin' awesome! I loved how she'd chill on my shoulders behind my neck while I played XBox. I handled her quite a bit and lived with her until she was about 6-7 feet in length, before I got married & moved out.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to read my long-winded post, and for your expertise & advice. I am looking forward to hearing from you all!

[Zelg]

I have no comment on the hog island boa but I do have a Ball python. Really, considering you have kids and they will likely be pretty interested in it, I would go with a Ball, just because of their docile nature. I know there can be some pissed off balls but I will say mine has never even attempted to strike and will climb on my face without even a hint of worry from me. I also was more than comfortable to let my (at the times) 7 & 9 year old nephew hold him.

As far as a loud environment, IDK. I used to have my Ball in my living room but being a new snake owner and my Ball having gone off feeding for a few months, I moved him to a back, quiet room. Did that help? I dont think it made a difference with my snake. However I'd suspect its an individual snake thing.

My ball seems to be pretty hardy. Has not been sick and I can literally go days without checking on him. I feel like I could go on a weeks vacation and not worry about him so long as theres water there. His temps and humidity are also very easy to maintain.

That said, when I got mine, I had a choice between two of them at the store. One did the typical ball python thing and curled up in a ball and wouldnt relax. The one I got didnt show ANY signs of stress or nervousness. I've only had it ball up once in the 3 years Ive had him. Such a calm snake.

As far as beginner, intermediate, and advanced, I would take those pretty seriously for your first snake. There will be plenty that you'll be unsure of and trying to balance the husbandry of an advanced snake, or simply just handling one, could prove to be too much at first.

IMO I would always prepare for a snake that will have a nasty attitude. I imagine its hard to tell how a baby snake will be as an adult. Reading back through your post, my ball is definitely a set it and forget it snake lol. I love keeping him but man, he doesnt do anything but poop and eat and sit in his hide. Of course that just fuels the urge for another snake.

[ngav3]

I have never kept either species, but here is my opinion based on my knowledge of them

Temperament-Both tend to be pretty calm, but i have heard that hogg island boas can be a little nippy, particularly as babies.

Size- The boa will definately get bigger than the python, but for me boas have the perfext size of any constrictor. Big enough so it is impressive, but not a monster size.

Speed-Because boas are more inquisitive, they tend to move around a lot more than a ball python would. They are not a colubrid that constantly runs through youre hands, however. The ball python will more or less stay in one area and move less when you handle it.

Hardiness-Never kept a ball python so i dont really know. I do have other locales of boas, however, and they all are pretty hardy.

Curiousity-Boa wins, hands down. Very inquisitive.

Theres my 2 cents. I would go with the hogg island, in my opinion. I think boas need more consideration (overall size, size of enclosure as adult and cost of feeding as adult) than a ball python, but i think the payoff is greater, as you end up with a very impressive, inquisitive snake.

^^ i also agree with preparing for a snake with a bad attitude, and if they do have a bad attitude work with them as much as you can before they get to adult size.

[Minkness]

All good info given so far!

My input is this.....if you could only get 1, go with the boa. Hog islands are great as they stay on the mich smaller side than other types. They can be a bit nippy as babies, but most snakes are. They are acrive and out more than a BP and as mentioned, more curious and less fearfull.

If you just want to get a snake to see if it fits into your life style. ..get a BP. Smaller adult enclosure, easy care, but...some stress very easily and will go off feed for a plethora of reasons, and sometimes, no reason at all! They are also cheaper and come in loooots more color/pattern types. They also stay a very manageable size and activity level to not be intimidating to kids or even fearful adults. I have several different kinds of snakes and loooots of snakephobic friends. They ALWAYS accept holding a BP, but never my smaller hoggies or carpets. They just seem less threatening.

Both are a great choice. Just consider adult space and what you really want in a snake, and which one you like the look of best, and just go for it.

You can always get more later ;)

P.s. No reason to get a lizard first. Care requirements are just too different. As for why the hog island is more intermediate....I really don't know. I have handled several kinds of boas, one of which are the hog islands, and they (to me anyway) are almost the exact same as handling a like size boa of the more common varieties. So to me, if you can handle a red tail, you can handle a hog island. But, as others have mentioned, if the snake gets an attitude....be ready!

[sam]

Have you considered carpet pythons? I'm not sure of the price and availability in the US but they can grow pretty big depending on the sub-species you get, Irian Jaya's are the smallest getting to around 6-7 feet. But if you want something bigger you could go for a Coastal which will get to around 8-9. Carpet's are inquisitive but can be a little nippy when young (as with all hatchlings!) but have gained a reputation to be one of the more defensive pythons in comparison to say a ball.

[Tiny Boidae]

My suggestion for these kinds of situations is to go to a local reptile shop or, if you can, a reptile show. It's two very different things to read about a snake and actually get to interact with one in person, and you can handpick a specimen at that point that fits what you're looking for (be warned, snakes become little sloths sometimes at reptile shows due to a lack of heat and stress. Sometimes defensive individuals or energetic guys calm down and trick you, only for you to figure out it has a completely different personality once you bring it home).

Repti-con is pretty popular, although if you're like me and repticon doesn't come to your state, then your state will usually have it's own reptile shows that circulate. I would recommend going to one of these because you have a MUCH wider selection to choose from, you can sometimes get a better deal than in a petshop, and none of my petshops sells cotton candy and cola :laugh:

Best of luck to you!

[Minkness]

Tiny has a really good point!

I got my 1st snake based solely off of 'research' and listening to other's opinions about it. But I can almost guarantee you that if I had gone to a show and seen it in person, I wouldn't have gotten it. That is part of why I no longer have it. My 1st reptile show was a repticon and I got ALOT of suplies...and...oops! 2 snakes! Lol.

As Tiny mentioned, they act different at the show than they will at home. My male BP that I got from the show was calm and easy to pick up and handle. (He also decided to void his bowels everywhere!). He was also a bit of a fattie for his age, which to me said he was a good eater, and his breeder confirmed this. So, I got him! Took me a month to get him to take a meal (very frustrating) and now, he is one of my grumpiest snakes who always hisses when I go to get him out of his enclosure.... He's fine once out, but it was a real surprise to me since he had been so 'nice' at the show.

So, 9f you do go to a show (which I also highly recomend) just keep in mind that what you get, may not be what you get. ;)

[sirtalis]

My suggestion for these kinds of situations is to go to a local reptile shop or, if you can, a reptile show. It's two very different things to read about a snake and actually get to interact with one in person, and you can handpick a specimen at that point that fits what you're looking for (be warned, snakes become little sloths sometimes at reptile shows due to a lack of heat and stress. Sometimes defensive individuals or energetic guys calm down and trick you, only for you to figure out it has a completely different personality once you bring it home).

Repti-con is pretty popular, although if you're like me and repticon doesn't come to your state, then your state will usually have it's own reptile shows that circulate. I would recommend going to one of these because you have a MUCH wider selection to choose from, you can sometimes get a better deal than in a petshop, and none of my petshops sells cotton candy and cola :laugh:

Best of luck to you!

^This, I've watched countless youtube videos of large snakes/lizards but the first time you actually hold one is way different.

[macandchz]

since all i have ever owned is a ball python maybe i can try to add some of what i have learned.i keep mac right in a high traffic living room where the t.v. is always on, people are always walking past etc., dog barking, and he's not stressed by it all. don't forget, they are nocturnal and do spend most of the day as a "lump" but so far-after a year- mac is still very docile. maybe all the people noise has helped him stay that way. i handle him every evening and he seems to like being held. he's never tried to bite-since you have kids i know that's a concern-but no one can read an animal's mind. the only negative thing i can say about pythons is their finickey eating habits. it is time consuming and worrisome trying to figure out when and what they want to eat. whatever you decide on, good luck with it!

[Aaron_S]

Adult or juvie gopher or bullsnake. You'll already know temperment.

[DrgnRebrn]

Wow, there so much good feedback here! I can't thank you enough!

I have decided on the Hog Island Boa. I really feel they will be the best fit for me.

I live in SLC, UT and I do not believe Repticon comes here. I do know there's a local reptile show every May, and I am planning on going to that before making a purchase. Also, I am going to convert an old "tube TV" entertainment center into a custom-built enclosure, and I want to give myself time to draw up plans, build the enclosure, and get everything setup & dialed in before bringing the animal home.

Apparently there's a local Hog Island breeder. I went to a few local pet stores to see if they had Boas I could handle, and was pleasantly surprised to find that both of the stores I went to had a few baby Hog Islands available from a local breeder. I got to handle several and was sorely tempted to buy one of them, but I would have had to spend a lot more money on a terrarium and supplies than I am planning on, so I didn't. I am excited about the potential local access to Hog Islands though!