hello... : )

[max_damage]

Im new here and i dont even have a snake yet! any suggestions on what to start with?

[Matt_K]

Welcome to the site.. What are you looking for in a snake?? Size, temperment, appearence.. All things you should take into consideration, then we can start to throw idea's your way :D

[max_damage]

Well. iv been reading up on quite alot of different species, im really interested in either californian kingsnake, or ball python, im lookin for any sized, docile easily handled snake

[CDN-Cresties]

Welcome to the site :D

-Steve-

[Edwin]

Welcome to the reptile hobby, mad damage! like your avatar. Corns and ball pythons are good starter snakes, IMHO. But make sure you get something you like, it will make caring for it much easier.

[Lrptls]

i dont think ball pythons are good beginner snakes. They are pretty easy to care for but when you already have experience with some other snakes. I say you should read about corns and cali kings. They are both very easy to care for, good feeders, nice tempermants, great beginners.

[sapphire_moon]

I don't think ball pythons make good beginner snakes. They make you go crazy trying to get them to eat sometimes. Even ones that are good and started. I would get a corn or king snake. Both come in alot of diff colors to chose from.

Welcome to the site!

[mykee]

Welcome to ssnakess.

[JonD]

Welcome. I think BCI's, common red tails boas make execellent first snakes

[Lrptls]

i think bcis make excellent pet snakes. i do not think they should be beginners. They are easier than ball pythons but get much larger. These are really great snakes and easy to care for but i think the size is what should keep them from being beginners.

[Dark_Angel_25]

well maybe a hogg Island Boa then.. don't get as big as a red tail but are just as sweet and nice to look at.. easy feeders too forthe most part.

[JimmyDavid]

welcome to the site.
Whatever snake you get make sure it's a baby one. That way you will have the chance to "grow along" with it. i don't think a ball python has to be easyer to care for than any other snake. All regius i had gave me much more trouble than any retic or burm i had; most don't eat at all and get stressed all the time. It's funny but one of the snakes people fear the most (retic) is really the species i find more suitable to beggin with...

[Lrptls]

are you kidding JimmyDavid? i dont mean to start an argument but i think retics are far beyond beginners. They, because of their size, cage needs, feeding needs and so on, should be for experienced people. They may have nice tempermants and simple care needs but i think its way too much for a beginner. I thought a 6-10 foot bci would be quite a hanfull for a beginner...a 20+foot snake seems quite rediculous

[JimmyDavid]

I'll say again and loud:
RETICS ARE GOOD BEGINNER SNAKES!!

First, i'm assuming a beginner is not a person who knows nothing about snakes, only a person that never had snakes of it's own.

Second, everyone's so worried about the snake hurting the human, but what really happens most of the times is the human hurting the snake. Ball pythons are so demanding...everything has to be right or the snake will die (proper humidity, proper amount of handling, etc). it's easy to screw up. But retics are just so tough that most likely will make it through even being cared by the dumbest person.

Also, i didn't say to go out and buy a 20' retic. I meant a baby retic. It will be at least 3 to 4 years before she reaches a big size and, believe me, if within that time a person hasn't educated herself on herpetology than she might as well give up (some people get a degree in that time, for gods sake)

[JonD]

Really a Retic is not a good first snake or is it a good forth or 20th snake for some people. They grow much too large for the average person to have enough space for it. As for what I said before. A BCI makes a great first snake. If size is a problem, get a male. Or go with a Central American BCI, the stay around 5-6 feet...;)

[max_damage]

Well im proud to say i got a snake, an albino cali kingsnake 5-6 years old 3 ft, he's pretty defencive just now but hopefully he will calm down, douse anyone have any tips on proper care? he is in a vivarium 2' x 18" x 18" is that big enough for it? and all it has is a spectrum light fitting and a 11" x 11" heat mat

[TheRedDragon]

Welcome to sSnakeSs...awesome avatar by the way. :)