Knowledge Needed...

[tabastifur]

I am a long time lizard keeper who is looking into getting a snake. Preferably some kind of python. As my knowledge of these creatures is limited, I am reaching out for help.

If anyone could provide me, with a fairly comprehensive list of good beginner Pythons under 5 feet at thier adult state, I would be greatly appreciative. I would also(if possible) like a good link to tips or "how to's" on captive care for the particular species.

Thank you in advance.

-Dan

[BoidKeeper]

What's the matter, can't make up your mind? First it's a boa, now it's a python. If it's a beginer/small python you want then I suggest a CB ball python. Before I find this post on the colubrid forum I'll do it now and recomend a corn snake too as a good first/under 5' snake too.
Cheers,
trevor

[Bryce Masuk]

well there are some others childrens python/ spotted pythons there small easy to care for and not that expensive www.a1pythons.com has some good info on them ball pythons and others a ball is another good choice as long as it is captive bred since they can be hard to get to feed if w.c. they also arent out too often or atleast mine isnt are from what others have told me its quite comon they usually hide there is a HUGE ball python care sheet on king snake in the caresheet section its like 22 pages long it will explain most or everything you should know

[tabastifur]

Trevor,

I wasn't sure as to wether I wanted a Boa, or a Python, so I decided to post on both forums. This way, I could compare results, and the pro's and con's of each particular species. Eventually, finding out which snake was right for me. This is the responsible way of doing things. And I can't see why you have a problem with it. But thank you for your post and I look forward to hearing back from you with more/other good snakes.

Thanks again,

Dan

[tabastifur]

Bryce,

Thank you very much for your recommendations, I will look into each species. It was also nice of you to post the website/s where I could get more information on them.

Much appreciated,

Dan

[Bryce Masuk]

no problem I wasnt sure if you would get what i was talking about on kingsnake so heres the link http://www.**************/ballpythonguide/index.html
Oh yeah it take sme a while to figure out what i want too I switch back and forth so many times its not funny then i find what i truely want

[BoidKeeper]

Hey I've got the solution to your problem, do what I do, keep both pythons and boas! There problem solved. Wasn't that easy.
Good luck,
Trevor

[tabastifur]

Trevor,

I wish I had the funds to support a python and a boa. But most of my money is going towards my monitors, beardie's and Geckos as is. So I must decide between the two. What ONE beginner snake would you suggest, and why?

-Dan

[BoidKeeper]

Hi Dan,

I have balls, corns, a king, getting a milk soon and I also have Hogs and Brazilians. Out of all those I would recommend the corn first for a first pet reptile and a first snake. However you are looking for boas or pythons.
Provided that the Ball Python is captive bred then it would be hard to decide between a BP and a Rosie Boa. Although I've never kept them I would probably go with the Rosie Boa if I had to do it again. I have 5 balls 3 CB and two wild caughts. I have one of each in a winter fast right now. They need more room then a Rosie. Balls tend to be more readily available then Rosie’s in my neck of the woods. That may or may not be a factor for you. Both have docile temperaments so that is not an issue. But the Rosie does stay smaller and won't ever feed on rats where a ball will. In the end the Rosie will be somewhat easier to house and feed although the difference is really negligible. Hard call to make. Those are my two options for you as far as boidae are concerned. Check them both out and see which one you like more read all you can about them that will help too.
Cheers,
Trevor

[PaulBar]

Dan,

If you want a nice snake, get a Honduran Milk Snake.
They are very nice. They eat well, have a lovely red colour, and grow to six feet.

Regards,

Paul

[tabastifur]

Trevor,

Thanks a lot for your help, I will read up all that I can prior to getting the snake. Having so many reptiles over the years has also led me to setting up the enclosure before getting the Reptile. So no worries about that.

Thanks again!

-Dan

[tabastifur]

Paul,

If I ever do decide to get some kind of a Corn or Milk snake, I will definetly look into the Honduran, but for now, one snake will be enough. I have an entire room dedicated to a Savannah Monitor, and my basement has Yellow Ackies(3) Beardies(2) and an Emerald Tree Monitor. (Which is for sale)

Thanks for your reply,

-Dan

[Feed'em All]

Just in my opinion, you should get a boa, Of all the "small" pythons I just worked with balls, and believe, in a point of their existence, they won't eat...why because they won't...this makes the BP (to me) not a begginer specie, like everybody says.
Boas instead, have a big feeding response, and if you get a baby boa there won't be agression problems.
Just my thoughts, Martin.

[Feed'em All]

And by boa I was referring a constrictor (maybe c.constrictor)
I have an c.occidentalis (the avatar pic) and I really recomend this species too, tame and beautiful.

[Herp guy]

Ok, Ball pythons are graet snakes. At their adult stage you could maybe feed them a rat a week . As a young one you would feed them small feeder mice and then eventually move up to bigger game. I have kept one before in in a 65 gallon critter cage. A little larger will probably do the job well. They do not necessarily need a heat rock but a basking light and hiding place should be provided. Check on substrate as i do not know about this. There great snakes and i could hold mine without it biting and I guess you can handle them. Email me FaNg2oo2@aol.com

[Bryce Masuk]

I use aspen shavings for my snakes 7 bucks for a medium sized thing at petsmart it lasts for about 6 changes on my 20 long

[Jezabel]

How about a nice carpet? Irian jaya stay small, my male is 5 ft and female do get bigger but they have really slender body. They are easy to keep. They might be a little nippy when young but they calm down easely.

Or something completly different, a borneo shor-tail python? 5ft usualy maximum for a male. But alot bigger then carpet. But both take alot more space then ball python.

I have pics of both on my website if you want to look. Unfortunatly, it's all in french.

[Ritus_Reptile]

I wouldnt recomend using a heat rock, due to the fact that the snake can get burned from them. Instead I like to use a heat pad. I can be put under the bedding or adhered to the bottom of the enclosure on the outside if its a glass enclosure. The heat pad covers a larger area and you dont risk burning the snake.

As for a good beginner python I would say a cb ball python or a cb irian jaya carpet python. I say the carpet python because you arent a begginer with reptiles and ij carpet pythons are beautiful and stay at a reasonable size. Some are a little nippy but usually tame down quickly with frequent gentile handleing. There are a semi aboreal species and will need a tall enclosure expecially as babies. Temps can be kept at around 80 degrees air temp with a warmer 90 degree basking spot. You should get some sturdy banches as well as a hide box to give the snake the option of climbing or cover. My carpet pythons spend most of there time in the branches i have in there tank. All my snakes accept frozen/ thawed mice or rats. Some people have problems with switching from mice to rats with thier carpets but not always. They can be fed on 5 day intervals when young, than switched to 8 day when they are bigger. As you already know fresh bowl of water at all times. An occational misting to keep the humidity up is also a plus. Hope ive helped good luck with whatever species you choose ;)

[tabastifur]

Ritus Reptile,

Thanks a lot for all of your information. It was definetly helpfull. I have a few other questions though. Either to you, or to anyone in general.

How available are the snakes that have been talked about?

About what do they cost? (CDN)

And how long do they live?

Thanks in advance,

Dan

[Bryce Masuk]

most snakes live 20-30 years roughly however there are exceptions ball pythons depend about 100-200 depending who its from jcp 200-350 also depending who its from

[Lasher]

I suggest a Ball if you want a loyal (sometimes boring) snake. They are very predictable and calm. Stay away from Macklot's and Savu's. They are rather feisty. A bumerill's ground boa might also be a good choice...

[Bryce Masuk]

I think a dumerill's ground boa is out of his price range i usually dont see them for less then 500 in canada because of the papers needed to get em here

[tabastifur]

I have roughly $600. Or I will in about 6 months. (When I plan to get the snake) I'll have the setup finsihed by then and will just have to get the snake. Again, thank you for everyone's help. I will be sure to post some pics of my new snake in his/her enclosure.

Regards,

Dan

[Bryce Masuk]

heres some advise to save big cash build your own in encloseures or buy cracked aquariums from people and garage sales

[Lisa]

For a starter snake I would recomend a BCI, they're less picky about food then ball pythons. corns are nice and pretty but i find they don't hold the intrest of many people. also i find our BCI's to tolerate handling better.

[ranmasatome]

if you're saving up for a awesomer boa then go for the dumerils..:) i think they are just sweet...i've decided to save up to get one myself in the future after i return from my job in asia..especially the high orange ones...hee.hee it looks like they ahve flowers on them...:) good luck in your search!