New to the group

[caro1977]

Hello All,

I am looking into getting a snake. It is for my daughters birthday, but somehow I think it is just an excuse to have one myself. I have always wanted one, with the hubby saying no..lol.

What is the best starter snake. I was thinking a corn snake. What are your ideas??

Thanks
Caroline

[infernalis]

http://www.thamfriends.com/mat.jpg

[percey39]

Hello and welcome to the forum. Im sure you will get all sorts of ideas for your first snake, but i would suggest a carpet species, either a bredli or diamond python as they grow to fairly decent size 2-3m tops but are fairly slender in their builds. They feed well, give you more fogiveness if your temps are not quite right, require no specific humidity needs, easy to care for, are very active compared to other snakes the same size, both are very placid natured species and they look great!! Also if you want smaller species i reckon garter snakes, corns and spotted pythons are all great little snakes that are easy to care for.

[Noel]

Get a ball python they are the best starter snake. They don't move around alot and are very calm. Just make sure you have them locked in really well cause they love to break out!

[Freebody]

no i dont agree with balls being the best starter snakes, to many respritory problems due to humidity from what i keep hearing, worst eatters out of any snakes, but like noel said they are super lazy so you can hold them nice and easy. IMO i think carpets are one of the best starter snakes as one of the best to keep even as an experienced keeper.Diamond pythons are amazing looking snakes as well :) Welcome to the forum :)

[Lankyrob]

Can't go wrong with a corn snake for a starter snake in my opinion. They eat well, husbandry is simple, they shed well. Can be handled easily as well.

Welcomne to the forum as well!!

[caro1977]

I don't want anything too big, that was one reason for the Corn. Also, from what I hear around, if the python doesn't feel like eating, I know I will stress out about it. I don't want to stress about a new pet. We are going to the TARAS show on Sunday, going to get my hubby more familiar with it all. Will keep you all informed.

[infernalis]

Most corns are consistent eaters once established.

[percey39]

Spotted pythons also will never refuse a feed once going and are more acceptant of handling than the corns i have dealt with many moons ago. They grow around the same size as corns but are more heavily bodied.

[Marica]

Hi Caroline! I'm gonna vote Corns too. They're fairly easy to take care of, come in an amazing array of colours and patterns, and are handleable by children. How old is your daughter by the way? I take it she's supporting your interest in snakes ;) Be sure to check out Rebecca / Triple-R-Corns table at the show - she usually brings a great variety of corns and we've picked up a few nice ones from her. Either way you'll have a great opportunity to see a variety of breeds and be able to talk to a lot of breeders at the show.

[Freebody]

which show are you talking about? the bcrc aldergrove show? i dont think Rebecca/thripe r corn goes to these shows? im sure she only attends the redeer shows. but she does have some great looking corns, i was at her place a few weeks ago with my folks when they got their blood motley and a snow corn, very nice!!

[caro1977]

It is the The Alberta Reptile and Amphibian Society show being held in Marlborough in Calgary this weekend. I went to it last year with my daughter and she held everything she could get her hands on. She is going to be 9 by the way. I love the coloration of most of the patterns I have seen for the corns, except maybe the snow, I find that is lacking in color. Sorry...lol.

[SnakeyJay]

Corns are the best for the first snake. theyve got the best temperament and are very hardy snakes... plus due to them being slightly aggraphobic they only require small enclosures.. my corn is the most active snake ive seen, but this can change from snake to snake. plus hes never missed a feed and once he had a moss box hes never had a bad shed. x hope this helps. x

[caro1977]

Hi all,

So I went to the TARAS show and ended up getting a corn snake. On the bill it says it is a normal stripe het blood amel anery. I will post pics when we bring it home, I have someone boarding it for a week or two untill I get my daughters bedroom set up and a proper enclosure done. Bought him from Triple R Corns. We are very excited and the show was a blast. I will keep you informed. :)

[Freebody]

Grats! i cant wait to see the pics :)

[morelia4life]

Corns are a very good starter snake. I seen someone said Diamond pythons but you don't want a diamond python unless you have around $1000 to buy one. I have kept numerous Ball pythons before and as long as you properly set up the enclosure and provide the right temperature gradient, you shouldn't have a problem. Most corns get 5 or 6 feet long and most Ball pythons stay between 4 and 5 feet long. Both are really good beginner snakes. Just do your research and just buy what you think you will like the most.

[shaunyboy]

hello and welcome

cheers shaun

[dragunov.762]

congrats on the corn. i would say that they are the best snake for reasons that they are easy to care for, don't get to big, and maybe most importantly they are cheap. even the more "expensive" morphs don't get near the price that ball pythons or boa morphs are.