Just curious

[Bel5191]

So if I keep reading this forum I'll end up with a snake :p I'm moving out in June so I may end up with one then. What's a good snake that could be kept in a relatively small rental house and isn't too hard to care for? I know milk snakes are like the universal beginner's snake but I was just curious what opinions were.

[GarterPython]

I think to good starter snakes are the corn snake and the ball python.

[Bel5191]

Is that a real (unedited) photo for your profile pic? How big does the ball python get?

[alessia55]

Corn snakes are also good beginner snakes that don't need a lot of space.

[alessia55]

Is that a real (unedited) photo for your profile pic? How big does the ball python get?

If you're interested in ball pythons, you can check out our ball python section (http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/python-regius/) here at ssnakess, and my website (www.pythonregiuscare.com) :D

[GarterPython]

Yes it is real. It is a San Fransisco Garter Python. Those are its real color. The ball python is a little bit bigger. A male is usually 3-4 feet and a female is like 4-5 feet. That is the average.

[Bel5191]

Wow, nice website. I'm not a fan of big, heavy snakes. Small ones are cool but the big ones kinda creep me out for some reason. That is a pretty awesome snake Garter.

[GarterPython]

Even milks and corns get pretty big! They get quite long but I guess they are not as wide around.

[BarelyBreathing]

Corn snakes, ball pythons, milk snakes, king snakes, Kenyan sand boas, rosy boas, hognose snakes, Hogg Island boas.

[BarelyBreathing]

Wow, nice website. I'm not a fan of big, heavy snakes. Small ones are cool but the big ones kinda creep me out for some reason. That is a pretty awesome snake Garter.

Then scratch the Hogg Island and the ball.

[theapexgerman]

Hmmm I say a milk snake or king there some milk that stay small under 3 foot or so

[alessia55]

California King Snakes are also great for beginners :D

[KORBIN5895]

Corn snakes, ball pythons, milk snakes, king snakes, Kenyan sand boas, rosy boas, hognose snakes, Hogg Island boas.

Garter should be first.

[BarelyBreathing]

I have no experience with garters, so I can't confirm or deny this, but I was told that garters do not make good beginner snakes.

[Bel5191]

Along these lines, is there a pre-existing thread of good beginner aquariums/cages?

[alessia55]

Along these lines, is there a pre-existing thread of good beginner aquariums/cages?

That depends on the sort of snake you'd be housing. A corn snake or a king snake that doesn't need high humidity levels, a glass tank with a screen top will be just fine.

Something like this:

http://www.leopard-gecko.eu/images/glass-tank.jpg

The size of what you would need would also depend on the species you acquire.

If you get a snake that requires higher levels of humidity, you'd have to find a cage that has a solid top and holes drilled into the side, so that the humidity wouldn't escape through the screen top. Glass also doesn't hold humidity well.

So it all depends on what you actually decide you'd like :)

[theapexgerman]

Or you could always get an albino nelson there not big and very pretty plus not the expensive either

[Bel5191]

Well there's no guarantee here :p I've been looking at snakes and lizards for a while though.

[kernel]

Corn snakes, king snakes and milk snakes are the 3 best beginner snakes with corns being the absolute best IMO. A 20 long tank with sliding lid will house any of the mentions snake unless you get black or Honduran milk, then you will need a 40 breeder.

[MoreliAddict]

if i was ever to get a small snake it would be a hognose:
http://www.reptilestogo.com/PhotosSnakes/Western%20Hognose%20Snake,%20baby,%20Photo%20No.%2 04%20660.jpg

I like how they have an authentic venomous look

[MoreliAddict]

also i highly recommend you go with an enclosure which you can open & access in the front. snakes are more likely to feel threatened when you come at them from above, which makes taking them out and handling them tougher with a glass tank. You can find nice front-opening enclosures here:
Animal Plastics (http://www.animalplastics.com/)

and here:
Plastic Reptile Cages, Tanks and Racks. Snake, arboreal, lizard and turtle light weight custom flexwatt heated enclosures. (http://www.boaphileplastics.com/)

^These are all made out of PVC which makes them light and easy to work with, they also hold heat and humidity better than a glass tank.