New to snakes

[Rebecca]

I'm new to snakes and am interested in a small snake, that likes to be handled. I want one that can live nicely in a 25g or 30g tank. I love the looks of pythons and boas, and I want one like that. Thank you anyone who replies. My e-mail is H_S_Angel@hotmail.com

[J.J.]

Umm, well I dunno about the 25 or 30 gallon tank and all, But Ball Pythons only get about 4-6 feet, and are pretty nice, especially males when babies!!! I have a male, and he is a sweetheart, alot of first time snake owners who get females, dont enjoy having thme, because they Strike ALOT!! Well anyways, thats what I think would be a good choice, But the thing is, It would probably need to be in a 55 gallon tank as the last tank!! So if you dont want a big 55 gallon tank, then Corn snakes are also very kewl, I held a nice one for the first time 2day *LOL* and it was really cool! :p well anyways, good luck and god bless!! And I am sure you will make the right desicion! Also, remember pythons and Boas especially have to be kept fairly warm, so make sure you have EVERYTHING you need BEFORE you get your snake!!! Also, having a snake is almost a lifetime commitment, it takes hard work and dedication!!! Ball pythons can live to be about 20-40 years old!! The longest on record was about 50!! So remember LIFETIME COMMITMENT!! Well, have fun with your new snake when you get him *member get a male* :p
Bye Bye!

[TonyL]

Hi Rebecca....Welcome to ssnakess

The best advice I think is to take your time and research along with ask alot of questions! I found by doing this you find out alot about yourself and what snake will make you smile!

Welcome once again!!!!!

[josefg]

I agree with J.J. that corn snakes like to be handled and the adults would be ok in a 30g tank. Don't know much about boas and pythons as my corn also happens to be my first snake. He likes to be handled a lot and climbs on to my hand by itself when i open it's cage.

Also as lamanna said, do some good research before getting a snakes. They are a lot of people here that are willing to help.

[KRYSTA]

welcome to snakes!! i have a ball python and a mexican black king snake (both males becuz they are soo nice) and they are both very friendly. the kingsnake is a small snake like the corns but he is very easy to keep. they don't require a lot of heat like ball pythons and they look pretty!! just make sure you get the right snake for u and like everyone said do a little researching and u will love owning reptiles!!

[Linds]

Rosy boa!!!! The ULTIMATE first snake. These guys top out at around 3' usually and most of them can happily live in a 10-15 gallon tank there whole lives (some older females may require a 20). They are slow-moving (unlike colubrids), docile, easily to care for snakes that come in a dazzling array of colours and patterns. They are perfect snakes IMO! Keeping in mind that snake do no enjoy being handled, rosy boas tolerate handling better than any other species :). They dont even need a steady water supply! In fact, you should only leave a dish of water in their tank for one day once every one or two weeks. They are a desert boa so they enjoy very dry conditions. Good luck with your decision!

[Rebecca]

Wow that's ALOT more responses then I thought I would get!! Ok I got another question, what type of snake can live in a small tank (10g), can have the temp around 70 or so, likes/stands for being handled??

[Jezabel]

I think a 10gal is way too small for most snake cause it's almost impossible to create a good temperature gradient (a hot side and a coller side).

Children python stay small at usually around 3-3.5ft but they need heat.

[Syst3m]

I would have to say your best bet is a Rosy Boa like linds suggested, they have LOW humidity requirements and don't get large at all. From what I hear they are friendly too. My next snake is going to be a rosy boa or two probably a breeding pair :)

[McPatch]

i agree with Linds get a rosy ijust got mine about 2 weeks ago and love it.nice and calm .would do well in the size of tank you are talking about

[J.J.]

yeah, I havent heard of a snake that can live in a 10 gallon for very long, I will agree with linds too, sounds to be a good begginer snake * rosy boa * hey, maybe I will get one someday!!! LOL!!!

[Kate]

Alright, I know this is an old thread but I have to jump in here and say that, in my opinion, female snakes are no more agressive than male snakes. I have a female Ball Python and several male and female Corn Snakes and I notice NO difference in temperment between the males and the females.

Now, I could certainly be wrong here and maybe my gentle female BP is an exceptional case but ARE females more agressive than males? I've never met a BP that bit, male or female.

[Linds]

Kate,
There is really no temperament difference in snakes between the sexes. What we were speaking about here was size (males are typically much smaller). Ball Pythons are typically hesitant to bite, sicne their first defense is to tuck themselves into a ball and hide. Usually if they bite it's a feeding reflez, but very occassionaly a ball will bite out of agression/stress....

[PO_0784]

nothing can beat a ball for docility...mine is so gentle :)..
but you should be aware of some feeding problem that can happen with this specie...well, it helps to understand after if you get another snake :P! Anyways, ball are a great choice, rosy boa too..I dont say cornsnakes because I dont like colubrid at all roflol..