What snake is right for me?

[ThatPetPerson]

Hi everyone! I'm new to the snake world and I'm looking into getting a snake (not for quite a while but I want to be prepared) and so far I've narrowed down the snakes that I could possibly get to ball pythons and corn snakes but I'm open to other options. I feel like this would be easier for you to help me if I tell you what I'm looking for.

I like the thick, solid snake feel and look

I would like a snake that could just chill with me on the couch but will also tolerate handing and be somewhat active

Not too big. I would say 6 feet max

Good with kids (one girl I babysit comes to my house and always want to see my pets)

Not nippy

Lives 15-25 years

Not too complicated heating.


Thanks for reading!!

[mistersprinkles]

I think you should get a Ball Python. Make sure you read up on modern care methods, as keeping them, and many other kinds of snakes, in an aquarium type enclosure with a mesh lid is no longer recommended. Once you pick a snake, make sure you ask a lot of follow up questions and get a good understanding of what is required hardware and setup wise, then set the enclosure up and get your temperature ranges and humidity where they should be before you bring the snake home.

I've had cornsnakes and ball pythons. I find that with captive bred BP's, the odds of getting a nippy snake are quite low. It's not a nippy species. They prefer to flee or ball up versus getting aggressive. Corns on the other hand can have temper tantrums. What corns have to pass for teeth really doesn't do much damage if they do bite you, and since, like any snake, they have no muscles to actually clench their jaw and apply bite force, there is really no pain either. I'd be more concerned about the snake doing the biting, than about the person getting bitten. That's because people who are inexperienced with snakes always do the same thing the first time they get bitten- drop the snake. In the case of a fat bodied, heavy snake like a ball python, a 6 foot drop onto a hard floor like ceramic tile could break ribs and possibly fatally injure the snake.

If you do get a ball python, look at some of the other morphs out there besides the vanilla ones- unless the normal pattern is attractive to you. I always liked the high yellow albino ones myself. Piebalds are very nice too.

[EL Ziggy]

I'd consider a black milk snake. They're beautiful, easy to care for, and max out around 6ft. I've also heard they're usually very docile and nice to handle. I have king snakes and bull snakes, and they're all really sweet, but they're still a little flighty when you hold them, and they can sometimes be a bit nippy when they're young. Welcome to the forum and best wishes with whatever you choose.

[Dcuccio742]

Deffinetly go with an eyelash pit viper !

[toddnbecka]

Corn snakes aren't likely to chill with you on the couch, they're generally quite active when out of the enclosure IME. I'd suggest the Dominican red mountain boas if you can find them, no clue what's available up North. About the same body size/weight as a corn but with a disposition more like a red tail boa. Never strike or bite as far as I've seen myself or heard from anyone else.
Here's a couple pics of 2 sub-adult males I just picked up, a bit over 4'.
Color is variable, even between day and night. This one is more brown than red:


Becka and I also like "friendly" snakes:

[ThatPetPerson]

Thank you all! I'm leaning towards a ball python. So if snakes shouldn't be houses in glass tanks, then what are some housing options? Could you please compare the snakes? Like list of pros and cons, similarities and differences. Thank you!

[sharthun]

Another vote for black milk snakes. Very docile, great eaters and males can get up to 6 foot mark. Plus the color change.

[mistersprinkles]

Originally Posted by ThatPetPerson

Thank you all! I'm leaning towards a ball python. So if snakes shouldn't be houses in glass tanks, then what are some housing options? Could you please compare the snakes? Like list of pros and cons, similarities and differences. Thank you!

General Enclosure Discussion - sSNAKESs : Reptile Forum

^Post in this section of the forum. Indicate the amount of space you have and what budget you have for an enclosure and people will suggest the equipment you should buy. Remember to have the enclosure set up and the parameters correct before you bring a snake home. You also need to find a reliable supply of food. Most people these days feed frozen rats/mice which they thaw out to give to the snake. Some snakes won't take dead prey if they were raised on live prey though, so you have to make sure you get a young snake that has been raised on dead prey.

I don't suggest getting your frozen rats/mice delivered via the internet as I have heard stories of these arriving thawed and it's not good to thaw and refreeze them as bacteria can develop. I suggest getting a cooler and taking it to a petshop/supplier of frozen rodents in your local area and bringing them home that way, the same way you'd bring home a ice cream.

Even if you are not buying a snake for handling so much as "looking at", you should still learn proper handling techniques as you will need to remove the snake from the enclosure for cleaning, at very least. Always pick a snake up with both hands, and support the entire body. Never pinch the snake, always lift it from underneath.


No!


No!


Yes!

I agree with you on your choice of a ball python. They are docile, calm snakes. Except at night, as they are nocturnal. This is a good time to let them out for some exercise. But don't let the snake get cold.

If you are in a cold climate and will be bringing the snake home in the winter, bring a low threadcount pillow case with you and put the snake in the pillow case, then keep the pillow case under your shirt next to your body on the way to your car and on the way home, as your car will probably be cold too. When the snake is out of its enclosure, it is best to have the snake around your shoulders or on your hands, as you are warm, and the snake won't get cold that way. Remember the Ball Pythons come from places like Ghana and Togo which are pretty close to the equator and they never get cold where they come from. They aren't built for it. And never handle your snake after it eats. This can cause major digestive upsets and even vomiting. Leave the snake alone for atleast 48-72 hours after it eats. Remember, a ball python taking a rat is like you taking down a whole duck that's bigger than your head without chewing it. You'd want to lie down for awhile after that.

And watch out for constipation. Your snake should poop a few days (5 or so in my experience) after a meal. It should be a sizeable and full, solid looking log if you have a ball python. If the snake doesn't poop, don't shove meal after meal after meal into it as that can cause impaction and serious problems. Constipated snakes can be placed in warm water for an hour (not too deep, NO SOAP!) to see if it loosens their stool. It often works. If it doesn't you should go to a vet. Make sure you set aside a bit of money in case of vet visits, as they are sometimes necessary, even for snakes. My Corn snake I had when I was a kid developed an eating disorder around 2 years of age and needed medication to correct it.

Just keep an eye on your snake at all times when it is not securely in its cage because you'd be shocked at the kinds of situations they can get themselves into. They can get lost in your house too.

One last tip I have is don't try to touch or handle your snake while there is a prey item infront of it, as it will smell rodent, and anything warm and moving in the vacinity could be considered a rodent. Snakes may be interesting, but they are dumber than a mushroom.

[D Grade]

As pro Colubrid as I am, Id have to say go with a BP if you want a snake that will remain still during long handling. Milks and Corns can be flighty (especially young) and Kings will move determined as they are extremely curious when out and about from their enclosure. Not that they are bad handling snakes at all, but they will move around and explore in just about any species of Colubrid you choose.

[D Grade]

Originally Posted by ThatPetPerson

1. I like the thick, solid snake feel and look

2. would like a snake that could just chill with me on the couch but will also tolerate handing and be somewhat active

3. Not too big. I would say 6 feet max

4. Good with kids (one girl I babysit comes to my house and always want to see my pets)

5. Not nippy

6. Lives 15-25 years

7. Not too complicated heating.


Thanks for reading!!

On another note, if you wanted to go Colubrid then I would suggest going with a King. They pretty much fit your bill but Ill respond to your questions in specifics.

1. Kings are probably the thickest and most girthy of the Colubrids. While Milks and Corns usually get a bit longer, Kings will get more girth.

2. Read previous comment regarding this.

3. Kings typically get 4'-4.5' with the biggest of them getting to 5'-6'. Milks and Corns will be more inclined to get to 5'-6' because they are typically longer than Kings.

4. My King is extremely good with my wife and daughter. It has never attempted a strike or musked outside of his terrarium.

5. This is the only grey area, as Snakes in general have different temperaments (especially Colubrids). Most are sweet, extremely docile, and tame from day one. Mine has shown cage defense on a few occasions and I also took one feeding response bite a few weeks ago. On this note my King is only about 7 months old and this can be expected from younger Kings (most will never do this). Again, this has only happened when attempting to remove him from his home for handling. Most of the time hes extremely tame and docile and again, hes never attempted a strike outside of his terrarium.

6. Check! Kings, Corns, and Milks typically live 15-20 years

7. Check! Kings require an 80F-86F hot spot with an ideal cool spot of about 70F (as long as there is a prevalent heat gradient, thats the most important thing). Colubrids in general need very little sustained humidity, what they do need is usually achieved via water evaporation in their water dish. They also do just fine with an underside heat pad (Im personally against heat lamps unless the snake requires it which Kings do not).

[ThatPetPerson]

Thanks so much! I'm don't think a ball python would be right for me right now. Don't get me wrong I adore them and I would love to have one in the future just I don't want to have to worry about all the humidity and such. I really like the king snakes! I read that hog nose snakes are good, what are your opinions on them?

[mistersprinkles]

Originally Posted by ThatPetPerson

Thanks so much! I'm don't think a ball python would be right for me right now. Don't get me wrong I adore them and I would love to have one in the future just I don't want to have to worry about all the humidity and such. I really like the king snakes! I read that hog nose snakes are good, what are your opinions on them?

Hognose are not a great beginner snake. They can be finnicky eaters among other things. I would suggest going with one of the species that has been suggested.

If you want to absolutely not worry about humidity at all and be able to keep your snake in a cheap glass tank with a cheap mesh lid look no further than a kenyan sand boa. There's another option for you.



They're not the fastest and they're not the meanest
They're sand boas
The snakes that look like a p3nis!

[Jrich]

Kenyans are pretty good beginner snakes. If you get an undertank heater and plug it into a Thermostat and monitor the temp, keeping correct temperatures is easy. Every care sheet or website varies a little with the appropriate temperatures for a Kenyan sand boa but I keep the hot spot at a constant 95 and it drops a little during the night. I've gotten those three things for less than $60bucks off amazon. Although I would recommend getting a snake hook to fish out the sand boa from the substrate since they burrow. They tend to have a strong feeding response when initially disturbed inside their enclosure but once they're out they're pretty calm. Individuals do vary with temperament. I've had my Kenyan sand boa for a few years and I absolutely love him. Such a goofy looking snake.

[ThatPetPerson]

Hmm now I'm looking at Kings and Kenyans. This is so hard! Which one do you think would meet my requirements/preferences? Sorry Corn snake lovers I'm just not a huge fan of them, I like the thicker snakes. I do find them very beautiful I just don't think they're for me.

[shaunyboy]

a Carpet Python....

easy to keep

hardy species

come in all sorts of colours and patterns

great feeding responses

most days out hanging off a branch,interesting to watch,so make great display snakes

girth wise,roughly the same as a coke can



cheers shaun