Can't Decide

[Heidi06]

I am looking to get a snake in the near future . I have been keeping reptiles for quiet sometime but had to take a step back from the hobby a while back due to some personal issues . I thinned down my collection and then eventually sold off everything , after the death of someone very close to me . I am ready to get back into it now . I have a list of a few snakes that I am interested in but I can't seem to decide on one . I am looking for more of a pet snake , I have no future plans of breeding . I will be taking lots of photo's of the snake (I am into photography) so a snake the photographs well would be good . I like them all equally hence my dilemma .

Obviously the snakes listed below are all very different in size , temperament and in their care/housing requirements . I am fully capable and prepared to care for any of the following .

#1- Dumerils Boa .
#2- Super Dwarf Reticulated Python
#3- Brazilian Rainbow Boa
#4- Coastal Carpet Python
#5- Pastel Ball Python

I would love to hear peoples personal opinions and experiences on the above snakes . What would you choose ?

Thank you .

[PDXErik]

Those rainbow boas are awfully pretty. I understand that they have a reasonable attitude as well. After seeing Diane's, I'm going to set aside some space and money for one of those at some point. My next will be a female ATB, already set on that one.

I have heard stories of the Coastal carpet's attitude and the one they had at the expo was not very happy about being there at all.

[ToddBecker]

Dumerils are yery pretty in person but otehr then their unique pattern I do not know how well they would enhance a photo. Now a retic of any kind, including dwarfs and super dwarfs have a great irredescence quality that when done properly show great in making amazing photographs. BRB are the second most irredescent snake I have ever seen, second only to the sunbeam snake that is not on your list. With some trial and error you will learn to capture their amazing sheen in your pics. I do not have any experience with coastals so not much there. What it really boils down to is what you really want. Retics are probably the most personable snakes I have seen. They are very active and are amazing animals. Even the albinos retain most of their irredescence, I have never seen this in any other albino species. The overall choice is obviously yours but from your list I would recommend a retic of some kind. Todd

[PDXErik]

BRB are the second most irredescent snake I have ever seen, second only to the sunbeam snake that is not on your list.

You should see my white lip in the sunlight. Infreakinsane.

[ToddBecker]

lol...very true, I completly forgot about the whitelips. Very beautiful snakes. Yours have the typical whitelip 'tude. Todd

[PDXErik]

Total. Doesn't try to bite, though. Will poop all over you. It will come out and be calm as long as you move slow and don't make too much change, go sit down slowly, don't try to manipulate it, and you're fine for about 5 minutes, then the big leap comes, always be prepared for the big leap, it will try to get away.

It's pretty shocking that the biting comes after it's been provoked quite a bit, you really have to work at it. haven't gotten to that point, yet, but have been shat on a couple times.

[Boots Hawks]

I would just go out and find the one that has the personality that I want. If you are a good photographer you will find the right shots in any snake. I agree some are a lot better looking than others, but would you want one you had a hard time handling? For me it is the personality and not so much the looks, but then I have both in my kids. I am typing this with Precious round my neck. I came into the room got on the puter and she seen me, started tapping on the glass, so here we are her and me, and she says "Hi, and she agrees", Get one you can handle and take pics of, if you love it you will find the beauty. /hsw1 ,,, I don't know what that says but it is her crawling on the keys.

Boots H.

[Heidi06]

Thanks everyone for the excellent advice .

I decided just to go with my gut , the snake that catches my eye and my heart and I've found him . A little 07 pastel ball python , the second I saw him I fell in love . Should pick him up later in the week .

I was originally a little unsure about getting a ball just because they are so common but I realized that that really didn't matter . What matters is that I am happy with the snake I choose and well , I am . As soon as I saw him I knew he was the one , and have had no second thoughts about it .

Super dwarf reticulated pythons are still one of my favorite snakes , may in a year or two I'll get one , we'll see .

Thank you everyone .