need help

[cpt_retic]

My girfriends kid brother (14) wants a snake for Christmas. He wants a big one like my retic but i said no. he had a kingsnake the size of a pencil that got out of the cage and now is feared dead. I don't want to get him something overly big but i don't want to get a ball python, Any suggestions . He wants a python

[Simon]

Spotted Pythons,
Children's Python
these are small..lol

[cpt_retic]

Would an I J carpet be ok? they are a nice size and pretty snake

[sSNAKESs.com]

as long as he could deal with initial biting untill the snake gets bigger it would probably be okay :)

[maiden_canada]

maybe hog island boa....it all really depends on how responsible he is and how much you trust him. IJ carpet pythons would be good, 4-7 feet in length and theyre very simple to take care of. make sure you and him know everything about the snake though before he gets it

[Lisa]

I suggest Mackelot's python. they don't get too big.

[cpt_retic]

He wants a pretty snake , but i refused to get him a retic. I was thinking ;
rainbow boa
Ij carpet
mackelot's (thanks lisa) forgot about that one
male common red taled boa

[Reticman]

He is WAY to young for a retic. Doesnt he have parents? Can they buy him a snake? Another issue that concerns me is how long will it go before he loses this one

[Tim and Julie B]

Now, now! Plenty of people have lost snakes before. That does not mean he shouldn't have another. Maybe you could show him some pics and a few websites about snakes. Let him pick his favorite based on care, behavior and size:D

Julie

[RachelS.]

I wouldn't say he is too young for a retic, just not responsible enough for one and doesn't have the experience. I am 15 and got a burm when I was 14 (that I still have) and I'm getting a genetic striped retic by sometime next year.
I say don't get him anything too small, go with something sort of medium sized so it doesn't get out easily or when it gets lost he can at least find it. If he wants a python, tough luck... make him go with a boa constrictor (Boa constrictor imperator).
If he just has to have a python or he will die or be super upset not getting one then a CB ball python is actually an okay choice even though you wish he not get one. Either that or maybe a childrens python or spotted python, or possibly a blood python if he can keep water and humidity well. Not a rainbow boa because they are high maitenece and require tons of misting and a good cage setup. IJPs and JCPs are really nice but are pencil thin as babies and very nippy... if he can get a good cage and handle a bitey snake go for it. Good luck!

[cpt_retic]

Thx ppl. I;ll get him to check out a couple of snakes and see what he likes best. I checked out brb , your right . i won't go with that one. I see the kid alot , Do you guys think a baby male albino burm would be too much. I've had them before and it's something i could help him with.

[C.m.pyrrhus]

Another good idea, although not a python, is a Rosy Boa. They are some of the best boids to get for a beginner I feel. They feed well, care is simple and do not get overly big at around 3-4' tops. Also darn pretty snakes, and different ssp to look into.

[V.hb]

It's not so much your age but buying a retic @ 14-15 years old but think about it, you're young chances are may need to move to school or move out whatever, wheres the 20 foot snake stand here? They're better suited for those that are on stable ground and able to care for them for years to come.

[Lisa]

I don't know if a burm (that grows to be a 2 person snake) is the best gift for a teenager. What happens if the kid goes to college?

[Zoe]

I would go with a carpet python, personally. Irian Jayas are good, because they are pretty small (4-5.5 feet) but not tiny. And they are pretty tame, even babies sometimes. Coastals are awesome too, but get a bit bigger (7-8 foot average). You can go with a jungle as well. Either way. just try and make sure that its tame, well established, and feeding well on RATS.

This might be a little lame, but since he's only 14 you might want to go through different snake choices with him and tell him to choose the favourite one. Then tell him to research it and have him take a test and he can only have a snake if he passes :D

Just an idea!
Zoe

[RachelS.]

A burm is too much as a first snake. Yes, you could help him but it's not a good choice to make. He needs something that he can handle and house in his parent's home that shouldn't get bigger than at least 8 feet IMO. Then when he gets the experience and knowledge he needs after a few years he should be able to get a burm :)

[cpt_retic]

thx guys i think i'm gonna go with the rosy or ij carpet.