New pet snake recommendations

[acpearson]

Hello, I am looking to purchase a snake in the next few months, and I want some recommendations on what kind I should get. I am not new to snakes, I have had King snakes and rat snakes before. I do not like bulky snakes like pythons or boas, I like the thinner rope like ones that will get decently long (6-10'). I want one that can get used to being handled, and relatively easy to care for. I am open to both insectivore and mouse eating varieties. If there is a kind of snake that is not common (the more unique the better), but fits the above criteria, I would be very interested. Thank you!

[ngav3]

What kind of rat snakes did you have?

Most asian rat snakes get a decent size and are pretty lean, but they do usually come with an attitude that takes time to overcome by building trust. Also, look for captive bred not wild caught, wild caught snakes come with nasty parasites, and usually dont acclimate to captivity well.

[jpsteele80]

Get a Black Pine Snake, they look wickedly cool, get to a good length and are a relatively slender snake, not stick thin but a decent size

[Andy_G]

Most pituophis would be a great choice for you. My favourites are black pine snakes, bullsnakes, and northern pine snakes. Asian rats are great too but are generally much more nervous than the ones I mentioned.

[trailblazer295]

How big of cage are you okay with? Many beauty snakes are long with the body similar to a corn but they also quite active and require large cages.

[Sylphie]

Elaphe schrencki (Russian Rat Snake), Elaphe climacophora (Japanese Rat Snake), Rhynchophis boulengeri (Rhino Rat Snake), Philodryas baroni (Baron's Green Racer) are all cool pet snakes that aren't common. If you can handle a little more attitude then all the Orthiophis (Beauty Snakes) are cool too! All Pantherophis would be great, but as you're from US and wants something exotic then I guess they won't be what you look for.

There is a lot more colubrid species that I didn't mention as I don't like to talk about species I didn't own/know a lot about them.

[acpearson]

I have decided to get a vietnamese blue beauty rat snake. I found some CBB and have reserved one for the beginning of June. I am getting married and bought a new house, so I want to make sure I am all settled in before I get a snake in the mix. Plus, I don't want to have to move a snake twice in such a short amount of time.

[acpearson]

What kind of rat snakes did you have?

Most asian rat snakes get a decent size and are pretty lean, but they do usually come with an attitude that takes time to overcome by building trust. Also, look for captive bred not wild caught, wild caught snakes come with nasty parasites, and usually dont acclimate to captivity well.

I have had two black rat snakes, the first one was a hatchling that I caught myself, the second one I bought at a pet store.

[acpearson]

How big of cage are you okay with? Many beauty snakes are long with the body similar to a corn but they also quite active and require large cages.

Initially, since I am getting a juvenile, I will just insulate a store bought terrarium to better keep heat and humidity in.

While the snake is growing, I will build a 6'x4'x4' terrarium with temperature and humidity controls. I have some innovative ideas that I will have to test for feasibility before I try them on my real snake's home...

[trailblazer295]

Initially, since I am getting a juvenile, I will just insulate a store bought terrarium to better keep heat and humidity in.

While the snake is growing, I will build a 6'x4'x4' terrarium with temperature and humidity controls. I have some innovative ideas that I will have to test for feasibility before I try them on my real snake's home...

Sorry that's what I meant. How big an adult cage did you want. Obviously some need much bigger than others. A cage that size gives you lots of options.

[acpearson]

Sorry that's what I meant. How big an adult cage did you want. Obviously some need much bigger than others. A cage that size gives you lots of options.

That is why I'm building one so large. In the future I would like to be able to breed my female, so it needs to be large enough for two VBB's...

[trailblazer295]

Nice choice for sure, keep us updated.