Help choosing a species

[Mrr]

Hi there!

So let me start by saying that I've owned snakes in the past - mainly corns, with the odd pueblan milk snake and ball python thrown into the mix as well. I had to sell off my collection a few years back but am coming up to a point where I'll be able to get more soon (I'm allowed max. 2 snakes where I live).. And now comes the problem of choosing which two..

I'm pretty positive that one will be another corn. I love how docile and easy to care for these guys are. For the second one I had originally wanted something with a bit more girth to it - such as a ball python or some sort of boa. The last ball that I owned was a bit iffy with handling though, and it's sort of got me reconsidering getting another. I also worry that a boa might end up being TOO big - especially considering I have a boyfriend who is terrified of snakes. So now I'm considering either a hognose or a Kenyan sand boa for the second as well.

Does anyone have any experience with any of these 4 species? It's definitely going to be either a ball python, boa, Kenyan sand boa or a hognose.. I just don't know enough about any of them (except the ball python) to make an informed decision.

What do you think? Weigh in here! :)

[dannybgoode]

There's a myriad of rat snake closely related to corns that personally I think are more interesting. Great grey rat and black rat as two examples. As I say closely related to corns so not a lot in it but if you wanted something just a bit different. You'll have better access to Baird's rat snakes as well which have a following on here.

Snake 2 - ksb's are not really what I'd deem to be handing snakes and it kept properly you'll rarely see it. I have a ball and it's a sweet little snake and I also have a boa Imperator. If I had to choose between then it'd be the boa without a doubt. Choose one of the dwarf localities of know parentage and you can be reasonably sure of getting one that doesn't top 6' or so.

I have no experience of hoggies so can't comment there.

As an alternative a smaller carpet python - Irian Jaya example - would be a great snake as would something like a bull. The carpet is more slender than the boa so doesn't seem as big. Very pretty too.

Given your requirements I'd go black rat of Baird's for snake 1, Irian Jaya carpet for snake 2

[trailblazer295]

Go with a boa and get a new bf lol if you buy your boa from a breeder you can ask how big the parents are. This will give you a good idea how big the baby will get. I got mine from Nagy approx parents size was dad 5.5ft mom 6.5ft. My guy is 2.5 and 807g. Easy to work with and handle. No different then my ball python.

[REM955]

Go with a boa and get a new bf lol...
Agreed, or try a brute force method of facing your fears with a retic. (Joking)

What about a Mexican Black Kingsnake? I have not owned one, but I know they are fairly small. 3-4 ft.

[TLD]

If you're looking for a small girthy docile snake for handling I wouldn't discount ball pythons. Whatever you choose to get I'd suggest going to an expo so you get a chance to meet your new snake and see a preview of its temperament before you bring it home.

My hognose was always very stressed when out of his cage. He would huff, puff and headbutt all the time. I have heard that some can be quite docile. It really depends upon the individual.

[jjhill001]

Eh, he'll get used to it after you've had them longer. Don't dump him off too quick lol.

I would say that Hognose care are kind of similar in care (at least in basic terms) to a corn snake. The other snake species are awesome in their own right. Personally if you want a small boa I'd go with a Rosy Boa but that's just me.

As always I will recommend taking a look at Baird's Rat Snakes. Basically the same care as a corn snake with a different attitude and look to them.

[pet_snake_78]

As far as a pet snake goes, like something to drag out of the cage and handle, I really like boas. Having said that, I find I don't really spend a lot of time actually handling snakes other than to check on their health so I would not discount less handlable species that can be setup in very nice display cages for your viewing pleasure.

[Louv44]

An under-owned Boa species that always seems to have amazing personalities are the Argentine! They get the same length as Colombians just a little thicker. Great snakes if you want a boa!

[dannybgoode]

An under-owned Boa species that always seems to have amazing personalities are the Argentine! They get the same length as Colombians just a little thicker. Great snakes if you want a boa!

They are nice snakes. Are they really available in the states. Over here a proven locality Argentine is hard to source and pretty expensive.

[T-man]

I own a baby normal corn and i just think its your best bet

[T-man]

I own a baby normal corn and i just think its your best bet

They're also cheap!

[T-man]

Did I mension that they are very pretty? Here's mine his name is Cola!