Beginner Snake

Hmmm · 08-06-14, 06:24 PM

What would make a better first time snake a carpet python or a ball python?

nazanova · 08-06-14, 08:11 PM

Just from my personal opinion id say a ball despite the feeding issues just because of how incredibly easy it is to care for them. But as a first ever snake have you given any thought to a Corn Snake?

eminart · 08-06-14, 08:17 PM

I'd say BP too, unless you're less of a noob than the average noob. Carpets get a little big for most people to start with. That said, if you understand what you're getting into, and know you can handle it, pick whichever you fancy.

franks · 08-06-14, 08:48 PM

Honestly, whichever one you like more. Research the animals thoroughly and whichever one captivates you, that is the best beginner snake. You will have no problem caring for either. Niether species are "advanced" and the notion to get a super easy snake to begin with is a silly one. Pick an animal you enjoy and want to invest time into. Snakes are not like training wheels- they can live for 20+ yrs. They don't magically turn into a different snake after you get the feel of owning a snake. Just get what you like- you will be happier and your snake will end up better taken care of.

sharthun · 08-06-14, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by franks

Honestly, whichever one you like more. Research the animals thoroughly and whichever one captivates you, that is the best beginner snake. You will have no problem caring for either. Niether species are "advanced" and the notion to get a super easy snake to begin with is a silly one. Pick an animal you enjoy and want to invest time into. Snakes are not like training wheels- they can live for 20+ yrs. They don't magically turn into a different snake after you get the feel of owning a snake. Just get what you like- you will be happier and your snake will end up better taken care of.

Great advice!

NewSAHSnakeMom · 08-06-14, 08:52 PM

I'm a newbie and we were planning on a corn and ended up with a milk. Guess that's what happens when a 5 yr old picks the snake! Although I did have to tell her no on the anacondas. We just didn't have the room! Lmao!

sgtsnake · 08-06-14, 10:37 PM

Get a Boa..they are great snakes...good eaters and easy to maintain. But as stated research research research

pinefamily · 08-07-14, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by franks

Honestly, whichever one you like more. Research the animals thoroughly and whichever one captivates you, that is the best beginner snake. You will have no problem caring for either. Niether species are "advanced" and the notion to get a super easy snake to begin with is a silly one. Pick an animal you enjoy and want to invest time into. Snakes are not like training wheels- they can live for 20+ yrs. They don't magically turn into a different snake after you get the feel of owning a snake. Just get what you like- you will be happier and your snake will end up better taken care of.

This advice should be pinned/stickied at the top of the forum. If someone has their heart set on a particular snake, then research what it it takes to look after it, and go for it. As stated above, a snake is a long term investment.

natsirtremraf · 08-07-14, 01:41 PM

I am fairly new the snake side of a hobby... about a year and a half now. I'm starting with Boas. I love their head shape, temperment, paint jobs, and I think they're size is like a big snake but managable by one person for the most part. First, I got 2 Central American Boas, they tend to be on the smaller side of the boa spectrum. Although now I have 2 Argentines which are on the bigger side of the spectrum lol.

As stated though, pick the animal you will have a passion for, for the rest of its life. Then research the hell out of it. Then make sure you can afford to care for it. Also, remember we all make mistakes and thats how we learn.

**EL Ziggy** · 08-07-14, 04:20 PM

I concur with the others that you should choose the snake that appeals to you the most. If you're definitely stuck on a python I'd go with a carpet over a BP.

UwabamiReptiles · 08-08-14, 09:16 AM

My first snake was an IJ carpet. I just really liked carpets from the beginning. I have never really understood the thought process of getting a "beginner" snake just so you have some experience for the snake you really want. With all the information out there now, there is no reason someone can't get the snake they want after they have researched and learned everything they can about the snake they want.

That being said, make sure you are ready for an adult of whatever snake you chose. A coastal carpet can get pretty big so if you decide to go the carpet route, I would advise an IJ just because they are a little smaller.

Hmmm · 08-13-14, 09:26 PM

I have decided that I am going to get a carpet python. Might be a jungle or an Irian Jaya, i'm leaning more toward the jungle. Next thing now is to figure out an enclosure for them. I was thinking of building my own cage for him and have been researching building cages.

StudentoReptile · 08-14-14, 06:22 AM

Our society just had a presentation on "Beginner Herps." In fact, that is why I created 4 different threads (lizards, turtles, amphibians, snakes), just because I wanted to see what people would say. In short, I think it is hard for us veteran herpers to step outside the box and evaluate what would really be the best starter ______, because we've kept most of them, and know (or think we know) everything about them.

A beginner coming into the hobby, we have to assume, knows nothing. That's not an attack on anyone personally, but its the truth. We can say "Well, if you do your research, ____ would make a good choice." Well, that's kind of an oxymoron. Most beginners do NOT do any research before getting the animal, so that really narrows down the choices. You want to suggest something simple, that few people can screw up.
---
I was very surprised on how many people suggested carpet pythons for beginners. In short, they do get fairly large, and they can be snappy (or at least cage-aggressive).

I recommend something native to the OP's area, and easy: a ratsnake, cornsnake (do they have corns in Michigan?) or a kingsnake. The reason I suggest this is because: exit strategy. If you get bored with it, you can let the thing go. No "I gotta rehome this because of ____. I need it gone asap!" etc etc etc.

I also suggest getting the beginner herp, keep it for a year and don't get anything else. We all know herps are addicting, but this mentality often leads to a mini-hoarder situation. We've all done it. We get something, but every trip to the reptile show, we bring home more, and within a matter of months, you got a roomful of herps. Many people get overwhelmed shortly after, and those herps start popping up on local classifieds ads. Get ONE snake, keep it for a year to show you are dedicated to it.

Some of you scoff, and are probably rolling your eyes, but our rescue group, and several foster homes are filled with ball pythons, corn snakes, carpet pythons and boas....all of which were "beginners" where the previous owner only had for a few months.

Mikoh4792 · 08-14-14, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

Our society just had a presentation on "Beginner Herps." In fact, that is why I created 4 different threads (lizards, turtles, amphibians, snakes), just because I wanted to see what people would say. In short, I think it is hard for us veteran herpers to step outside the box and evaluate what would really be the best starter ______, because we've kept most of them, and know (or think we know) everything about them.

A beginner coming into the hobby, we have to assume, knows nothing. That's not an attack on anyone personally, but its the truth. We can say "Well, if you do your research, ____ would make a good choice." Well, that's kind of an oxymoron. Most beginners do NOT do any research before getting the animal, so that really narrows down the choices. You want to suggest something simple, that few people can screw up.
---
I was very surprised on how many people suggested carpet pythons for beginners. In short, they do get fairly large, and they can be snappy (or at least cage-aggressive).

I recommend something native to the OP's area, and easy: a ratsnake, cornsnake (do they have corns in Michigan?) or a kingsnake. The reason I suggest this is because: exit strategy. If you get bored with it, you can let the thing go. No "I gotta rehome this because of ____. I need it gone asap!" etc etc etc.

I also suggest getting the beginner herp, keep it for a year and don't get anything else. We all know herps are addicting, but this mentality often leads to a mini-hoarder situation. We've all done it. We get something, but every trip to the reptile show, we bring home more, and within a matter of months, you got a roomful of herps. Many people get overwhelmed shortly after, and those herps start popping up on local classifieds ads. Get ONE snake, keep it for a year to show you are dedicated to it.

Some of you scoff, and are probably rolling your eyes, but our rescue group, and several foster homes are filled with ball pythons, corn snakes, carpet pythons and boas....all of which were "beginners" where the previous owner only had for a few months.

Good advice. I guess sometimes we pass these snakes off as "too simple" to care for by saying things like "they're not hard at all!...etc". Sometimes that mentality dismisses the fact that these animals have unique needs and characteristics compared to eachother.

David VB · 08-14-14, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by franks

Honestly, whichever one you like more. Research the animals thoroughly and whichever one captivates you, that is the best beginner snake. You will have no problem caring for either. Niether species are "advanced" and the notion to get a super easy snake to begin with is a silly one. Pick an animal you enjoy and want to invest time into. Snakes are not like training wheels- they can live for 20+ yrs. They don't magically turn into a different snake after you get the feel of owning a snake. Just get what you like- you will be happier and your snake will end up better taken care of.

Amen!!! Exactly what i would type