Help me pick a new snake

[ngav3]

Hey guys, help me pick a snake that i can keep in a cb70 for a while. I want something really unique, so far I'm thinking a large colubrid like a pituophis or some type of kingsnake, or maybe a python of some sort. Just something unique

I can get a larger enclosure for it in the future but for the time being i only have a cb70 open as my fwc will be moving to a larger enclosure.

Thanks!

[daisymaisy]

some kind of gopher snake? I'm quite partial to my albino San Diego gopher. How about a Cape Gopher? Very handsome snake.

[toddnbecka]

If you want something really unique I have yearling Dominican red mountain boas available. Only one definite red phase remaining, 16 others that will range from orange to brown to mostly grey with varying amounts of red scales peppered among the rest. They're fairly slow-growing, would be fine for another year or two in that size tub. Adults should be housed in a 4' enclosure, pvc is best for maintaining humidity, but a glass tank works too IME.

[SerpentineDream]

Woma python? Those are neat critters. Very active, interesting head shape and markings. Graceful movers too. Heck of a feeding response though... count your fingers.

As adults you would want a 4' x 2' cage or bigger if you can swing it.

They are a fossorial species that lives in animal burrows in their native Australian habitat but oddly enough they also sometimes enjoy climbing. They have been found in the wild quite high up in trees. They tend to hold their bodies up when they slither, an adaptation meant to keep their bellies off the hot ground as much as possible.

[Hissing sid 65]

Bull snake...pine snake...angolan python

[Captain837]

I second the woma python, another option from the same family but with a different look and a little more rare would be a black-headed python. If you want something other than aspedities try and indigo.

Pictured are one of pur womas and black-headed pythons. I do not own an indigo, maybe another member can post one.

[DJC Reptiles]

I would choose an eastern indigo. These guys are super intelligent and are said to form a bond with their keepers. Sadly, some states don't allow them without permits so make sure to check your state laws, also, these guys can be hard to find. If you can't find eastern indigos, Mexican red tail indigos and yellow tail cribos are really good choices.

[SerpentineDream]

Eastern Indigos require a $400 federal permit in ALL states where they are legal *if* they have to cross state lines to get to your house. It's a 16-page application which requires a detailed diagram of your snake room and caging. It's not difficult but it's a bit tedious. In some states they are illegal to own as they are a threatened species. Indigos can be hard to find and they'll set you back between $1,500 and $2,500 depending on age and gender. Combine that with the permitting process and a large enough cage and you need deep pockets. We had filled out the permit (fee is nonrefundable, alas) and were ready to go when we had a huge emergency vet bill that blew us out of the water. Some day....

They do have a reputation for bonding with their owners and they are beautiful, intelligent, fascinating snakes. They need very large cages because they are big (up to 9 feet and quite solid) and they are active. Because they do not kill by constriction or venom, they rely on crushing prey in their powerful jaws and either bludgeoning it against a rock or tree or by pinning it down under their bodies and yanking upward to snap its neck. Not sure if they do the same thing with prekilled prey in captivity. You do NOT want to take a feeding bite from an indigo snake. The smell of their poop is legendary. You'll be cleaning a lot. :D If they are legal to own where you live and you are fully prepared to afford and care for one, go for it. Just go into it with eyes wide open.

Equally impressive but without the permit process and somewhat less expensive to purchase is the Texas indigo snake. That would be my second pick.

Check in with Eminart if you want an indigo or other Drymarchon species. He has an Eastern indigo and a yellow tail cribo.

[TRD]

Indigo's shouldn't go into tubs, all I'm saying. That tub size is good for a small species of snake, so it has enough space. CB70 isn't even enough for a newborn Indigo, and they grow fast.

[DJC Reptiles]

Indigo's shouldn't go into tubs, all I'm saying. That tub size is good for a small species of snake, so it has enough space. CB70 isn't even enough for a newborn Indigo, and they grow fast.

I agree, but there definitely worth investing in something bigger. I also agree with past statements about them, it can be a lot of work to fill out all the papers.

So you could always choose a different snake! If you really want something unique, that can fit in a cb70, I would go with a Thai bamboo ratsnake (Oreocryptophis porphyraceus), they go by a million common names so there's the scientific one. They are not aggressive, but I wouldn't recommend handling one as much as a corn snake or ball python, most are shy and secretive. They really like to burrow as well, so make sure to provide the substrate to allow them to do so. They are kept at much lower temperatures then other snakes, about 68° on the cool side and 71° on the warm side, with a 77° hotspot. Higher temperatures will kill this species so be wary. Peat moss makes a good substrate but should always be damp. I wouldn't recommend keeping this species in a cb70 for more then a 1 1/2 from a hatchling, they might come to the surface, and should have the height to do so. A species more common in the hobby is a Kenyan sand boa, which should do really good in a cb70 for about the same amount of time. There should be a good amount of playground sand, to house this species. If your interested in either there should be plenty of info on Kenyan sand boas, but if your having trouble with the Thai bamboo ratsnakes, please don't hesitate to ask.

[Albert Clark]

I second the woma python, another option from the same family but with a different look and a little more rare would be a black-headed python. If you want something other than aspedities try and indigo.

Pictured are one of pur womas and black-headed pythons. I do not own an indigo, maybe another member can post one.

Captain, these are some amazing reptiles you have! Grats..

[Captain837]

Captain, these are some amazing reptiles you have! Grats..

Thank you! We really can't say enough about this species. Low maintenance, easy husbandry, awesome feeders. All in all they are great pets. Now that they are becoming more affordable I am surprised you do not see more of them in the pet trade. Some may say 1k is a lot to spend on a pet snake however we dropped 2k on a dog without hesitation and they only live 7 to ten years.

[DJC Reptiles]

Thank you! We really can't say enough about this species. Low maintenance, easy husbandry, awesome feeders. All in all they are great pets. Now that they are becoming more affordable I am surprised you do not see more of them in the pet trade. Some may say 1k is a lot to spend on a pet snake however we dropped 2k on a dog without hesitation and they only live 7 to ten years.

Woah, why are you hating on dogs? I'd say most dogs live between 10-15 years, and can really become partners with their owners. Don't get me wrong I love my snakes, but, it really is not the same thing as a dog. Most snakes aren't too intelligent, but learn to tolerate handling, some even appearing to enjoy it. But a dog, you can really have a partner. I love reptiles because I think they are misunderstood and amazing, but, snakes are not going to want to play fetch like a dog would, or protect your house from invaders. I really started to get into monitors because of their intelligence, because they are known to really form a bond and like playing. I've seen ackie monitors on the internet that make them look almost ferret like, they can be that playful. One thousand U.S. dollars is a lot of money, period. Regardless of how cool woma pythons are, I can certainly see why dogs would appeal to the majority of people more. (BTW, I am also one of those people who would probably spend that money on a really nice monitor and enclosure, or even perhaps an amazing snake. All I am saying is, owning a snake is a completely different experience then a dog, and to the uneducated public, who are taught snakes are bad and evil, I can completely understand why they are not to popular).

[Captain837]

I was not hating on dogs, I was pointing out the fact that I had no issue dropping 2k on my south african boerboel knowing that as a massive breed he would have a short life. I grew up on a farm, I love all animals and I am used to spending a lot of cash on them. I just think it is funny what people consider too much for a pet snake when a lot of species will live long past most of their mamal counterparts.

[DJC Reptiles]

I was not hating on dogs, I was pointing out the fact that I had no issue dropping 2k on my south african boerboel knowing that as a massive breed he would have a short life. I grew up on a farm, I love all animals and I am used to spending a lot of cash on them. I just think it is funny what people consider too much for a pet snake when a lot of species will live long past most of their mamal counterparts.

I will say, those are some absolutely beautiful snakes you have there. I like the look of black headed pythons, it looks like you dumped the head of a woman in printer ink. :)

[EL Ziggy]

A BHP is now one of my most wanted critters along with an Eastern Indigo and an albino Olive Python.

[DJC Reptiles]

A BHP is now one of my most wanted critters along with an Eastern Indigo and an albino Olive Python.

Albino olives? That's the first time I heard of that, they must look amazing! Black headed pythons are some really interesting snakes as well, I wish there was more captive breeding of these species, but, I understand why there's not.

[ngav3]

A cb70 would be too small for a yellow tail cribo or a pituophis for its whole life right? What about a short tailed python?

[EL Ziggy]

I believe the dimensions for a CB 70 tub are 33.5x17.75x5.25. I don't think any of the species you mentioned could be housed in that tub as an adult but it should be good for a year or two.

[Davor]

I've owned a number of corn and king snakes bitten or pooped by a few of them. If you have kids go with the Kenyan sand boa. They are slow and small but grow in width. I'm new this forum how do I post a picture? Kenyans are so easy to maintain. Corns are good too. A rosy bit my son and wouldn't let go so mmm not sure about them. In this case for me smaller mouth and bite is better.