Kingsnake right choice....????

[Almo75]

Hello again. OK, first let me say that I had never subscribed to a forum and done research in this manner. But, I think that I have found much more info from perusing the discussions and it, obviously, fascinates and amazes me with everyone's background knowledge.
So, is there an 'ideal' first snake for a nine year old boy and his Dad?!
We were originally set (and, at present, still are) on a Lampropeltis pyromelana knoblochi. Maybe more because of the rich colors and it's smaller stature. But, we are open to other suggestions. Only because I have read the previous thread debating boas to pythons.
Can I get some feedback?

PS - keep up the great work!

[Almo75]

Also, does anyone know of any upcoming expos in BC or should we try to book our holidays for Red Deer?

[Boots]

Also, does anyone know of any upcoming expos in BC or should we try to book our holidays for Red Deer?

Richmond had one back in March, and there used to be a Reptile show in the fall in Abbotsford. I would assume that there would also be one in Victoria as well but that would be an assumption. If you track any shows down, please let me know and I will add them to the Calendar.

Jason

[gocmando19328]

If your like me you go with almost anything currently i have...
1 Coastal Carpet Python
1 Jungle Carpet Python
1 Desert King Snake
1 Colombian Red Tail Boa
2 ( one regular male and one albino female) Corn Snakes
3 Ribbon Snakes ( no sex's done yet, keep ya posted on that)
2 ( one male and one female hazels ) Irianjaya Carpet Python
1 Inland Pastel Bearded Dragon
1 Iguana ( female, 4 1/2 ft )


I do say though Lampropeltis pyromelana knoblochi do have very nice colors... kingsnakes are very nice i read that with a desert king snake you can go in the wild and just pick them up w/o getting bit... i doubt that but if its true o.k. im not testing it though...

[gonesnakee]

#1 answer will always be a Cornsnake. The king chosen is good as long as well established on FT prey first. This should be a for sure thing in any new snake for a begginer though. Bigger snakes such as Boids (Boas & Pythons) require bigger caging thus take up more space & also require bigger prey thus more freezer space & having large dead rats or rabbits in there which also cost more $ than mice as well. Basically there are lots of snakes that would work out for a begginer as long as all the factors are considered first. Mark

[Almo75]

gocmando19328 - that is a heckuva collection you have! My wife will NEVER let it go that far!!!
gonesnakee - Mark, you are a wealth of knowledge and I do hope to meet you one day because your posts are always of interest. Thanks for the tips! Someone had sent a pm outlining that some questions to ask:
1) DOB
2) when it ate
3) when it defecated
4) when it shed
5) good eater vs fussy (ie. like you said established on F/T)
6) pics
7) pics of parents
I know that you had said that you have a pyro but I think that we are going to start with a baby. You gave me a few names but only one person got back to me and they will have babies in early July.
This gives me time to build an enclosure of some sort (any hints....???!!).
Cheers, Mike

[gonesnakee]

THX I just try to give something back to the community. Others did so for me to learn (& still do) so I extend the same favours. Something really small to start off with for a knoblochi. Too big of an enclosure can be intimidating for a small snake & stress it out. Folks tend to think bigger is better but it can work against you also with a young snake. I would start off with a shoebox size rubbermaid or something in the 5 g range for a tank. Nothing too big anyhow. If the breeder has babies in July they may not be ready until fall remember as they are very slow starters usually. As far as the Qs above go few breeders keep track of when babies "go" specially if there are a few 100 of them kicking around. I don't even bother to keep track of sheds either. I know the DOBs & can tell you the first shed is approx 1 week after, but don't keep track of sheddings. You will find most breeders don't bother with shed records (some do) & I personally don't know of any that keep track of fecals. I know they crap as I am the cleaner, if they don't they will bloat up & die, making it pretty obvious they aren't. For sheds they pretty much shed monthly if feeding weekly. The big thing is when it ate & what. Feeding record is the most important thing. It should be on FT pinkies & had at least 3 back to back weekly FT meals. Pics of the snake is always good, nice to see what you are getting & pics of the parents don't hurt either. Mark

[Almo75]

Thank-you again Mark. These tips are definitely noted (I have been compiling as much as I can in a binder). I will also be finding a smaller enclosure to start. I may try to build an enclosure or purchase one. Don't know yet. Thanks again for all the tips!

[Almo75]

Lastly Mark, you had directed me to Nett of Wrapped Up in Reptiles, and she is the one that I have to contact in early July. Many thanks for that!!

[gonesnakee]

Sounds good, Mark

[gocmando19328]

gocmando19328 - that is a heckuva collection you have! My wife will NEVER let it go that far!!!


i was talking to a guy from ashville, PA yesterday and he offered me an 8 foot male colombian red tail boa for 75 dollars... sound like a good deal?

[gonesnakee]

i was talking to a guy from ashville, PA yesterday and he offered me an 8 foot male colombian red tail boa for 75 dollars... sound like a good deal? Maybe, maybe not? For starters its a male & a common. Columbians are not true redtails its a "false" label added to make them more "attractive" etc. Whats it age? Could be really old. Whats it temperment? Could be really nasty. Whats it feeding on? Could be on live rats or rabbits? Whats its health? Could have an issue such as RI or be full of parasites. Could just be a really good deal as maybe the person needs the space or has replaced it with a morph male or something too. I always ask WHY they are getting rid of it as whatever "why" is might be a reason NOT to get it for you. With any Boa I would want to see it in person or be dealing with a person that I can trust with lots of pictures. There are some big ugly scarred up Boas up there that folks are just looking to "dump" but there are also some real nice ones that just need a new home because some fancy new morph came home or someone has to move or needs $. As stated always ask Why? They can still lie to you, but if they are honest they will tell you. If its a healthy well feeding snake & you like it I'd say its a fair deal, but as always, Buyer Beware. Mark

[gocmando19328]

i went and looked at the " colombian red tail boa " the guy offered me and i noticed something... his colombian red tail is not a colombian red tail its a serian... or however you spell that

[gonesnakee]

You should be happy that it is a Surinam not a Columbian. True "redtails" are not Columbians anyhow ;) they are Surinams, Guyanans etc. & are worth more than "commons" (Columbians) & IMO are far nicer as well. Mark

[gocmando19328]

i went and picked it up yesterday and am happy to say that the vet visit went well... the only thing wrong was that she had an eye cap stuck... that was taken care of