Hooray noobs!

[TheSuppishOne]

Yep. I'm new. I've been looking into getting a snake for years, and now seems like an appropriate time to finally act upon it, hence, I wanted to join a forum to get myself edumacated! =P

Hi!

[infernalis]

sSnakeSs.com - Rules (http://www.ssnakess.com/index.php?page=rules)

http://www.varanid.us/mat.jpg

[DeadlyDesires]

welcome :D .. what kind of snake are you looking to get?

[Donnie]

Hello and welcome

[Mark Taylor]

Hi and welcome.

[Chu'Wuti]

Welcome to the forum! You're planning wisely for your first snake--GOOD FOR YOU!! There are lots of good discussions about snakes of all kinds, their habitat requirements, their husbandry needs, and a variety of other aspects of snake-keeping here, so explore the forums. If you have questions, don't be afraid to ask!

I've been a snake-catcher since I was six and a snake-keeper for about 40 years (off and on with WC the first 10, regularly for 30). Currently I have ball pythons, Honduran milk snakes, and an albino bull snake; two of the ball pythons and the bull snake are rescues. I also have two dogs, two cats, and three Fire-Bellied Frogs (Bombina orientalis).

So what are you thinking of getting?

[Lankyrob]

Welcome to the asylum :)

[Hurrok]

Welcome to the forums! :)

[Jules1618]

Welcome to the forum!! What are you thinking about getting?? I suggest a carpet or a red tail boa

[TheSuppishOne]

Wow! Quite the reception here already! Thank you!

Am I able to ask questions here, or should I move all my inquiries to the boa forum? =]

[DeadlyDesires]

Welcome to the forum!! What are you thinking about getting?? I suggest a carpet or a red tail boa

personally i think carpet pythons are a little nippy for a first time snake keeper. a BCI though, can't go wrong with that :D

[Tracy33]

Hi and welcome , i hope you find what you are looking for , Tracy.

[TheSuppishOne]

Meh. I'll just go ahead and ask here. I can always move this to a different section later. =P

Basically, I'm a blank slate. Yes, I've done a lot of research independently, but it's so hard to narrow down choices on the Internet. I know that I want a boa and not a BP or a corn/king. I have read that BCIs tend to be on the smaller side vs BCCs, and since I'm specifically wanting a smaller snake (more in the 6 foot maximum range), I think that's where I'm headed. I love most of the Central American boas (Caulker Cay, Crawl Cay, BLOOD BOAS, etc...), but wanting some extra verification that those are really what I need.

All that being said, what exactly IS a red-tail? Is it just a general term that describes BCIs, or are they a specific breed?

What is everybody's opinion on male vs female in regards to temperament? I think males tend to be thinner and smaller, right? But what about disposition?


What age is best to buy a snake at for a beginner? I'm assuming that young snakes (do you call them neonates?), are more work, since you have to establish habits, but is that true?

I really just want a good lounge about buddy. Like, letting it chill with me when I play video games or watch tv. (Not gonna lie, I also want to dispel the stigma that snakes have with being scary and evil.) I am positive that I will need a snake that is calm, relaxed, and comfortable with handling. That's actually the primary reason I went with a boa instead of a corn. I hear corns are prone to being much more active.

I'm already married, and my wife is totally cool with the idea of having a snake. So I won't have to worry about future relationships and complications with snakes. I do live in an apartment, but they're reptile friendly as long as I don't get a Reticulated or Burmese, haha.

Out of general curiosity, what are usual monthly costs like for a snake? I know the feeding is relatively inexpensive, and if I use a cheap enough substrate, that's not an issue either, but what about electric costs for heating or costs for keeping humidity? I'm planning on using a plastic tub, since from what I've read they are cheaper and keep humidity better... Is this true?

Is there anything I'm missing? Are there more questions I should be asking and am neglecting?

Thank you so much!!!

=D

[TheSuppishOne]

Okay. Apparently there are certain words you can't use. Sorry for the double post. I'm figuring out the site.

[DeadlyDesires]

BCI's are different from BCC ..a BCC is a true red tail boa (keep their gorgeous red tails forever) BCI are almost like posers lol i dunno the right word. they look similar but they lose their red tails as they get older and they turn brown.. I have a BCI and i love her to pieces.. other than that im not entirely sure the differences someone with more experience will jump in and confuse you on that lol.. but BCC's are bigger than BCI's yes..

[valid]

I am going to throw the idea of a Sand boa out there.
No, they do not get large as BCC/BCI, (about 2-3 feet) but they make excellent starter boas.

My KSB is totally placid, and I have not heard of many being aggressive. They are beautiful snakes, and have several morphs if you are interested in that.

[lady_bug87]

BCC- boa constrictor constrictor
BCI- boa constrictor imperater

So they are 2 separate types of animal. BCCs (true and pure) can be harder to find and maintain. You need to be very careful with their husbandry and feeding since they tend to be the more sensitive of the 2. They require smaller meals and more attention to their environment.

A lot of serious herp keepers will advise you that NO snake should be left out of its enclosure while you play video games since (depending on your location) our temperatures and humidity are not appropriate for these animals for extended periods of time. They need the proper temperature gradient to thermo regulate and maintain the optimal core temp to digest and otherwise live.

Male BCIs usually stay around 6ft with females topping off around 8ft. BCCs get slightly larger. In terms of temperament its really individual.

[TheSuppishOne]

A lot of serious herp keepers will advise you that NO snake should be left out of its enclosure while you play video games since (depending on your location) our temperatures and humidity are not appropriate for these animals for extended periods of time. They need the proper temperature gradient to thermo regulate and maintain the optimal core temp to digest and otherwise live.

Well, I DO live in Los Angeles, so temperature wise, there's nothing extreme, but this is odd news to me... What is most peoples' definition of "handling" then? And if handling consists of infrequent times to hold the snake, are snakes less of a pet and more of a trophy to look at like a tarantula or scorpion would be? I'm not looking for companionship like I'd find in a dog... But some semblance of bonding would be nice...

[Mark Taylor]

No snake likes being handled they just tolerate you. I only handle mine for cleaning the enclosures or to check them over for health issues, other than that they stay were they are. On the plus side of things when it comes to watching them eat, shed and hopefully produce live babies for boa's its all really exciting.

[TheSuppishOne]

That's kinda depressing. I don't think I'll ever get into breeding and I'm going to feed it frozen and thawed, so right there I've taken out two of the "exciting" things.

Are these animals completely incapable of forming... shall I say attachments? I know they won't sit at the door waiting for you, but is it possible for them to understand that they're being handled by somebody they're comfortable with? Or would I simply be just another weird smelling creature to them?

[lady_bug87]

At first you're a weird smelling creature.

They do 'trust' you but not in any form of bond. At least not to us. I have a mated pair of lizards that have bonded to each other. If I remove my female my male searches frantically digging for her everywhere. My female becomes extra aggressive when my male is removed.

I have a bullsnake that hisses when I go near her which is more because she thinks I'm a threat which is an animal instinct.

There are those that say their snakes bond to them or do mammalian things but I don't believe it. They are curious though and will explore their surroundings if out but even curiosity is subjective to the individual animal

[Lankyrob]

Well, I DO live in Los Angeles, so temperature wise, there's nothing extreme, but this is odd news to me... What is most peoples' definition of "handling" then? And if handling consists of infrequent times to hold the snake, are snakes less of a pet and more of a trophy to look at like a tarantula or scorpion would be? I'm not looking for companionship like I'd find in a dog... But some semblance of bonding would be nice...

My snakes are handled for about ten minutes once a month or so, i dont think any of mine have a bond with me after three years.

I love to watch them and have all their vivs in my living room, "trophy" isnt really a word i like to use as it sounds like you are showing them off, to me they are a beautiful moving decoration that i love to look after.

[DeadlyDesires]

My snakes are handled for about ten minutes once a month or so, i dont think any of mine have a bond with me after three years.

I love to watch them and have all their vivs in my living room, "trophy" isnt really a word i like to use as it sounds like you are showing them off, to me they are a beautiful moving decoration that i love to look after.

when they move lol i handle mine probably once a week or so.. for all of maybe 5 mins.. 10 at the most.

[TheSuppishOne]

Is this really the norm? And is this for all snakes? Corns, boas, pythons alike?

I was thinking more like an hour-of-handling-every-other-day kinda frequency! Is this unhealthy for a snake? =[

[Pirarucu]

Welcome aboard!

[lady_bug87]

That may be a bit much for a boa especially a BCC corns are definitely hardy but I don't suggest that much handling. Snakes just aren't meant for it.

Sorry dude

[Hurrok]

I handle my ball pythons quite often, only when they don't have to poop though!

I usually either handle them myself or let them crawl around in some of my taller plants to get some exercise and show them new smells. I also let them roam on my coffee table as it has a nice large surface and a lower part for them to roam - always under supervision!

Just note that the snakes I do allow to roam are ones that are more comfortable with being held. I also monitor their body temperatures and if they are too cold I usually just put them back in their enclosure to warm up. My eldest BP - I let him crawl around for hours, and when he's sick of it he either comes to me or goes to his enclosure.

One of my males Watson actually loves being held and whenever I put him down he always reaches out for me (stretches his neck up and towards me) and tries to get back on me whenever he gets the chance. I swear, these guys do have some sort of bonding attribute or else they wouldn't get used to you or show some sort of "affection" like Watson. Just my experience! :)

[Lankyrob]

when they move lol i handle mine probably once a week or so.. for all of maybe 5 mins.. 10 at the most.

I see my corns, SD retic, Carpet moving about everyday. My GTP doesnt move much but is out perching on view every day. The only one i dont see during the day is my Royal but he is normally out about bedtime (between midnight and 1am)

[valid]

... Don't get a snake you don't absolutely want 0o.
There are to many homeless snakes out there all ready.
Snakes don't fair as well as dogs and cats when they re no longer wanted. (ANd the dog/cats don't usually fair well at all.)
Snakes are not novelties that can be tossed away when you are done with them.
Keep that in mind before you just buy one .. on a whim.

It sounds like you are trying - but if you want a boa and they are all that really interest you, I would get a boa.

[Lankyrob]

... Don't get a snake you don't absolutely want 0o.
There are to many homeless snakes out there all ready.
Snakes don't fair as well as dogs and cats when they re no longer wanted. (ANd the dog/cats don't usually fair well at all.)
Snakes are not novelties that can be tossed away when you are done with them.
Keep that in mind before you just buy one .. on a whim.

It sounds like you are trying - but if you want a boa and they are all that really interest you, I would get a boa.

This ^^^^^. Twenty plus years of an animal you arent really into? Not a good idea, get what YOU want and amke it work and those twenty plus years will be fun and enjoyable

[KORBIN5895]

That's kinda depressing. I don't think I'll ever get into breeding and I'm going to feed it frozen and thawed, so right there I've taken out two of the "exciting" things.

Are these animals completely incapable of forming... shall I say attachments? I know they won't sit at the door waiting for you, but is it possible for them to understand that they're being handled by somebody they're comfortable with? Or would I simply be just another weird smelling creature to them?

Okay I really like you already.

As for bonding they really don't bond with humans but I do believe they can associate your scent with a non-threat over time or your voice as the one that brings food or let's them out.

Personally I would not get a tub for a boa but rather a wooden or PVC vivarium. Glass terrariums can work well with minor modifications.

Snakes prefer to be left alone but if you snake has a good temperament the handling them isn't an issue. I would avoid prolonged handling bit I occasionally let my boas out for an hour or two. I don't think it would be wise yo do daily or any longer than an hour or so but if you cage is set up properly you shouldn't have any problems.

It will also depend on what your room temperature. I wouldn't have one out for any length of time with the AC on. I would also avoid it during a shed cycle and two days after a feeding.

Bci ( common boas) are a pretty tough species.

[TheSuppishOne]

Aww, stop. You're gonna make me blush! ;P

But yeah, I do know that you're not supposed to handle them while they're shedding or for 2 days or so after a feeding. So that's fine. =]

[DeadlyDesires]

I see my corns, SD retic, Carpet moving about everyday. My GTP doesnt move much but is out perching on view every day. The only one i dont see during the day is my Royal but he is normally out about bedtime (between midnight and 1am)

same here with my royal.. the one i dont see much is my boa.. she chills in her basking stacks most of the time or goes over to the cooler side