Another newbie needing advice from y'all

[D4RKHORSE]

Thanks for clicking...

First of all.... I've read & researched tons of posts from this (among others) site's search feature. And still I'm not 100% sure on the right choice.

Here's what I've come to as the best choice for a beginner snake;

-Irian Jaya Carpet Pythons
-Jungle Carpet Pythons

Now... I know that there are probably a ton of other snakes out there that are easier for the beginner to keep. But, my choices were influenced by these factors that I''d like to keep;

A- The smaller the better
B- The more active the better
C- Preferebly not shy by nature/ likes to display its' self & active during the day
D- I REALLY want a snake that is ARBOREAL by nature
E- Not too expensive


Oh yeah, I almost forgot. I have the Oceanic Systems Lizard Lounge (model 70) (http://www.oceanicsystems.com/products_lizard.html) and a lighting fixture that runs a tight beam basking bulb, a flourescent UV tube, and a redundant heat lamp (non directional)... it looks just like this -- (not visible are the 6 circular vents along the back of the tank)
http://www.oceanicsystems.com/MODEL-70-LL-copy.jpg
Would the above tank be sufficent to house any of the "carpet" snakes that I prefiously mentioned..?

Please HELP >>> all opinions & advice VERY much appreciated <<< :dumb:





BTW-anyone know of a breeder in Vancouver, B.C. Canada..? :)

P.S. Do you know if there are any snakes (readily accessable/purchasable) that look like the Green Tree Python, but without the danger and hazards..?

:medtoothy

[sapphire_moon]

Amazon tree boa, Emerald Tree boa, not pythons but they look like it. I can't tell the difference anyways! lol

Ovbiously when you want an arboreal (sp?) You want height, How tall is that tank? You also have to think of the humidity requirements. But you seem to have done your research.

I don't know alot about these snakes but I think all of them can get between 4-6 feet, and I think you would want something taller than that tank looks for an adult.

I Have heard that tree boa's/pythons stress really easy. But I'm not sure which one it is.

Ok I'll shut up now I've probably confused you more than help you. lol.
That tank probably won't be tall enough for an adult. But I'm sure someone else will be able to help you better than me.

Good Lucky :) :D

[UpscaleBoas]

I think this is the best beginner snake....hits all but one of your requirements.....he will be more active at night...but then a gain so will most snakes

[sapphire_moon]

ya, but it's not aboreal *sp* and doesn't look like a GTP, although if you breed one to look like a GTP then that would be awesome!

[KristenM]

Hey,

I have a jungle carpet and shes awesome! But carpets may not be the snake for you. Carpets get a pretty good size like 6ft, and I dont know how large that aquarium is but I would guess it may not be big enough to house an adult carpet. Also theytypically aren't the most friendly snake, they are pretty nippy, and they have a lot of teeth! Also for a baby you are looking to pay 275$ (for a jungle, costals are cheaper) and up! Amazon tree boas may be a better arboreal snake for you but they are also very nippy. For a beginner if this is your first snake, I would personnally recommend some of the more typical beginner snakes, like corns, ball pythons, western hognose etc. But if you are really set on carpets they are awesome animals and make a great addition to any collection. But if your looking for a snake to hold this may not be the snake for you!
Hope you find the snake that your looking for!

[D4RKHORSE]

Originally posted by sapphire_moon
Amazon tree boa, Emerald Tree boa, not pythons but they look like it. I can't tell the difference anyways! lol
--neither can I :) ... are those Boas that you mentioned common..? Because they sound expensive

Obviously when you want an arboreal (sp?) You want height, How tall is that tank? You also have to think of the humidity requirements. But you seem to have done your research.
--I don't have a tape measure handy, but I do know that the tank is a 70 gallon, and the approximate measurements are; 36" wide X 18" deep X 24" tall. As for the humidity, I was planning on getting some of those "ultrasonic foggers"... I know they break down alot... but the fog looks so damn cool ;) What's the 411 on those foggers with you..?

I don't know alot about these snakes but I think all of them can get between 4-6 feet, and I think you would want something taller than that tank looks for an adult.
--Yeah, I guess for a 6 foot animal, that makes sense... what's your guesstimate on how long this tank could be used for (ie: 3 feet longish, 4, 5..?)

I Have heard that tree boa's/pythons stress really easy. But I'm not sure which one it is.
--as long as he tastes good for next Thanksgiving.. ;) Just kidding.

Ok I'll shut up now I've probably confused you more than help you. lol.
That tank probably won't be tall enough for an adult. But I'm sure someone else will be able to help you better than me.

Good Lucky :) :D
--thanks for your help... You opened a couple of doors for me :D

[Yness]

My California king snakes are quite active...very curious little guys...and I paid $200 for a 1.1 pair....

[D4RKHORSE]

Originally posted by UpscaleBoas
I think this is the best beginner snake....hits all but one of your requirements.....he will be more active at night...but then a gain so will most snakes
--It's early for me in Vancouver, so my brain isn't at it's best... but, which snake are you talkin about..? I'm assuming that the snake is Arboreal..?

:confused:

Originally posted by KristenM
Hey, I have a jungle carpet and shes awesome! But carpets may not be the snake for you. Carpets get a pretty good size like 6ft, and I dont know how large that aquarium is but I would guess it may not be big enough to house an adult carpet. Also theytypically aren't the most friendly snake, they are pretty nippy, and they have a lot of teeth! Also for a baby you are looking to pay 275$ (for a jungle, costals are cheaper) and up! Amazon tree boas may be a better arboreal snake for you but they are also very nippy. For a beginner if this is your first snake, I would personnally recommend some of the more typical beginner snakes, like corns, ball pythons, western hognose etc. But if you are really set on carpets they are awesome animals and make a great addition to any collection. But if your looking for a snake to hold this may not be the snake for you!
Hope you find the snake that your looking for!

Thanks Kris, yeah, there's a JCarpet over here in Vancouver, and they're asking $300.00 for it... That's pretty much the maximum I'd want to spend... wait, actually that's the most I can comfortably afford at this moment in time :).
Push come to shove, handling the snake is not a top priority, but I won't get the snake if I can't care for it properly... there MUST be an Arboreal dwelling snake that's in the "beginner" section.

:o

[KristenM]

Hey,
Ok cool, sounds like you have found what you want in a carpet then! Good luck!~ But I just want to add something the majority of snakes have the ability to climb, and when given the opportunity to do so will take to the trees. For example I know someone who keeps ball pythons I guess you could call it arboreal. They rarely go to the bottom of their large enclosures, instead they hang out at the top in the branches provided for them. Its kind of funny to see actually. One of my personal favorite arboreal snakes is Spilotes pullatus (Tiger Rat Snake). But they can be hard to come by, and I'm not sure if they are classified as a beginner snake!

[BoaBoi]

Push come to shove, handling the snake is not a top priority, but I won't get the snake if I can't care for it properly... there MUST be an Arboreal dwelling snake that's in the "beginner" section.

:o [/B]

Well if that's true then it doesn't really matter if it's a begginner species or not if you're sure you can provide the correct environment. You sound like you've done alot of research so that should be no problem, personally I like snakes I can handle. If your looking for a snake to be more of a display theme then almost any aboreal snake will be fine provided with proper climate and sufficient hides.

Might not help any, but just my 2 cents.

James~

[D4RKHORSE]

Originally posted by BoaBoi
Well if that's true then it doesn't really matter if it's a begginner species or not if you're sure you can provide the correct environment. You sound like you've done alot of research so that should be no problem, personally I like snakes I can handle. If your looking for a snake to be more of a display theme then almost any aboreal snake will be fine provided with proper climate and sufficient hides.

Might not help any, but just my 2 cents.

James~

--yeah... you're right, good call. I guess it's one of the "carpets". Not unless there's something I missed...? I'd just hate to bring a new snake home and learn that I can't take care of him properly...
thanks J

Actually, I have another question; is there an arboreal dwelling snake that doesn't grow to such a large size (6'+)...? I must sound like such a rookie LoL ~ :)

[marisa]

Yes an amazon tree boa usually stays around 6 feet, they also "seem" much smaller as they are usually coiled up. They spend time in both the "trees" and on the ground. They are usually affordable, come in a variety of colors and with time and work can become "tame" But most are snappy as babies and can be difficult to work with for someone new to snakes bu this by no means is something that should turn you away. You can easily buy a CB baby from someone and get used to that, or purcahse something already fairly "tame" as a juvi or adult.

Cresheets:
http://wwww.corallus.com/

But honestly that might not be the best snake for a beginner. I'd suggest a kingsnake or corn but they are not aboreal, or a Irian jaya if you want something a bit more aboreal.

Caresheets for them:
http://www.newenglandreptile.com/CareCarpet.html
http://www.pythons.net/australia/carpet/

Marisa

[Linds]

Originally posted by D4RKHORSE
P.S. Do you know if there are any snakes (readily accessable/purchasable) that look like the Green Tree Python, but without the danger and hazards..?


What do you mean by the danger and hazards???

[sapphire_moon]

I think he means so nippy. For a large aboreal (sp!?) I think something about 4-6ft tall about 3ft long, and about 1.5ft deep. But I am just guessing from reading others posts. For any snippy snake you might want to invest in a good snake hook and learn how to use it if you are set on getting a large aboreal snake.

I think the vine snake is aboreal, but I think they have a different diet....???????not sure....If these are the ones I'm thinking of they have awesome eyes.

[Derrick]

Well I didnt feel like reading all the replies I'll just give you my opinion. That enclosure would be the absolute min I would use for a JCP, bordering on to small. Its hit and miss on the aboreal qualities of JCP I have 2 one hides out most of the time the other perches occasionally. they only seem to be active in the evening/night(nocturnal).
My cornsnakes actually climb a lot more than my JCP as they have a lamp over some branches as a basking area.

I cant tell for sure by the picture but that enclosure seems to open from the top. That kinda sucks. The reason I say that is because you have to reach down into it to get you snakes out and with nippy youngsterst you ARE going to jump/flinch and you'll probably end up banging your elbows/bumpin the enclosure around. Also they are more of a pain in the a$$ to clean properly.

I dont really have a suggestion on what you should get but I would recomend a smaller rubbermaid enclosure for the first 1.5 years. It may not look as cool but I feel it would serve what ever snak you get better. In that time you could probably come up whit the 100 or so dollars it would cost to build a JCP a nice 4x2x2 wood/glass enclosure more suited to it. HetForHuman has done a really nice job of explaining how to build one here
http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=25282