What makes a good first snake?

BoidKeeper · 01-23-04, 10:16 PM

I wasn't sure how to set it up as a poll so I'll just ask you to tell the group what you think makes a snake a good first snake. Not what snake you think is a good first snake, but what makes a snake a good first snake.
Is it;
Temperment?
Size?
Care requirements?
Apperence?
Availability of morphs?
Price?
Life span?
Diet?
Let's make a list of characteristics that we think make a snake a good first snake. Then we can make a list of snakes that fit that discription. After that we can have a poll and pick www.ssnakess.com members choice for the number 1 recomended first snake.
Thanks,
Trevor

Tim_Cranwill · 01-23-04, 10:26 PM

Here are my thoughts..

1. Looks - This is what draws a lot of people in. And no one wants an ugly snake.

2. Temperament - Not being able to handle your new snake is a big turn off for most people... Be it musking or biting.

3. Size - Some like 'em big and some like 'em small

.

4. Ease of care/Housing - It <i>should</i> be more important than it seems to be.

5. The "Cool" factor - Some snakes have it and some don't. One of my favorite "uncool" snakes is the Garter Snake. Awesome snake.... just not very cool to most people.

That's what I think is important to most people. Not really what I feel IS most important.

sapphire_moon · 01-23-04, 10:51 PM

It is different to different people. Me and my partner fell in love with the western hognose. But when we would see pics of it, it would look to be like 5ft long. When we started doing research and found out that males usually get to be around 2ft (if not smaller) we were estatic (sp?). And was lucky enough to have a GOOD petshop that breeds their own snakes there, got to see the entire clutch......holy crap, one little hoggie was striking so hard that it nearly knocked it's little cup (like a deli cup, but like 3 times bigger!) off!

Appearance is what draws a person to learn more about the snake. I could care less about the morphs, but I like most of the corn and ball python morphs.

Right now price is kind of a factor becasue we are trying to save up money to get outta here. But sometimes can not resist those cute little snakey faces staring up at us! soooooooooooooo......this little one cost 65 (us dollars) we also went ahead and picked up some frozen mouse pinks (about 4 dollars all together, for 3 of them!) Our little hoggie is about 8 inches, and 6 months old. Does he sound the right size?

For me diet is a main thing to, I can't stand crickets, so to be able to get anything that eats crickets would be bad for the reptile (especilly until we get settled!).....I just can't stand those things, especially the cave crickets that look like a cross between a cricket and a spider *shudders* ECKKKKK, ewww, gross! hate those things!
Our little hoggie came to us guaranteed to be feeding on pinky mice.......

Ok I'm done rambling.

shaggybill · 01-24-04, 12:28 AM

I know what you're talking about, Sapphire, with those spider crickets. I was wondering around in the woods of North Carolina where I used to live a few months ago, and I went into this small cave, and when I turned the light to the walls and ceiling, those things were everywhere. Freaked me out! I got out of there in a hurry. Those are the creepiest looking creatures, ever!

mykee · 01-24-04, 12:41 AM

I believe that price is the number one factor as to which first snake most people get. To the uninformed masses, a $40 baby corn or a $80 baby ball seem like a smart first snake, regardless of housing, heating, or feeding. Temperment I believe would come in a close second. Nobody wants to have to sharpen their reflexes to avoid being bit by a pet, repeatedly. A snake that is easily handled, fairly docile, and a manageable size round out my top 3.

marisa · 01-24-04, 12:57 AM

I also think price is a number one factor for most people when buying a first snake. I certaintly wouldn't have purchased a ETB or GTP as a first

Looks are good too but then again some of the most beautiful snakes in the world aren't great to begin with.

Temperment is very important, this is another reason why I like Ball Pythons as a first choice. A baby corn, its bite might not hurt, but they bite. Most do anyways. They flip and flap all over the place. *Most* BP's are relauctant to bite, and generally stick around during handling and this can be good for a beginner IMHO.

Size I think is super important but look at all the fools who bought a burmese as a first snake only to realize how big 13 or so feet actually is later on.

Those are my thoughts. A poll is a great idea!
Marisa

cmack · 01-24-04, 07:50 AM

This is a great question Trev, I would have to say the number one attraction is appearance but of course with this you face other areas which must be factored in. Most of my students will look at our 50/50 and say anything from "cool look at his colors" to "sweet his eyes are blue!"..... "look at him climbing the plant" The next is a question being "does he bite?"........."Can I touch him?". Observing the reaction from the kids, it seems as if a nice looking snake with a good temperment and personality is a must for a first snake. Don't forget he wouldn't be there if the going price for kings was $800 either, nor would he be there if he were to grow 15ft in size.

Myself, I have my heart set on a BRB and JCP after seeing them for the first time,

Therefore I am going to have to say for a first snake you need the following:

1. Appearance (obviously price and size factored in)
2. temperment & personality
3. housing requirements
4. Diet ( food readily available)

Chris.

Invictus · 01-24-04, 11:46 AM

I think what makes for a perfect first snake is one that will thrive despite common n00b mistakes. This is the #1 reason why I think BPs are terrible beginners, and corns are ideal.

V.hb · 01-24-04, 11:51 AM

exactly what invictus said, animals with minimal requirements to survive.

arachnomania · 01-24-04, 12:16 PM

I'm a tarantula guy but I do have a pair of red tail boa's and plan on getting a fem albino burmese at the feb 22th rept expo. I would therefore have to say that size, price, looks and docile species is what works best for me. I was always a BIG fan of red tails and always fascinated by alb burmese.

SerpentLust · 01-24-04, 12:27 PM

Damn, Invictus always beats me to it

Let's see, from most important to least important:

1. Temperment: Invictus has it right on, you need a docile enough snake that can withstand newbie mistakes. So with that said, Ball Pythons are shy but also sensitive. But on the other hand, you don't want a GTP or something that will be musking and flailing around. So definately a combo of docile but hardy.

2. Size: Well, to me anything up to five feet is a good one. But honestly, I've never thought size is the most important factor. People have had their first snake as a BCI or a Burmese, and have actually done very well. For a beginner who is also young though, five feet and under I would say. Like full grown corns and antaresia.

3. Price: I personally don't think that a first timer should be spending thousands of dollars on a Kahl Strain Albino Boa. However, I also don't think they should be getting like WC Mite Infested "evil" pet store cheapy snakes. So I think they should get a snake from a good breeder but not go over board. So probably in the 100-300$ range.

4. Care Requirements: Care requirements should be an important factor. Especially for cage sizes. If the beginner isn't educated and buys a baby ball with a 15 gallon tank thinking it'll be in it for the rest of its life, bad bad bad. However, I don't think the care requirements are important when CHOOSING a snake, I think it's important for a first time owner to be EDUCATED in the proper care requirements.

5. Life Span: They should purchase a young snake so that they have a long time with them. Like 15 years or so.

6. Looks: Not really that important seeing as how there are SO MANY color variations and different snakes to fit this description. For people who like Pythons and Natural colors, again, go to the Antaresia grouping. For people who like a splash of color, I'm sure they'll find a corn to fit their liking.

Jenn

sapphire_moon · 01-25-04, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SerpentLust [/B]
4. Care Requirements: Care requirements should be an important factor. Especially for cage sizes. If the beginner isn't educated and buys a baby ball with a 15 gallon tank thinking it'll be in it for the rest of its life, bad bad bad. However, I don't think the care requirements are important when CHOOSING a snake, I think it's important for a first time owner to be EDUCATED in the proper care requirements.
[/B]

I'm bad, bad, bad. When I got my first bp (well it was a christmas gift so my mother bought it) she was sold a 10 gal tank with it. I was stupid enough to think that it would be able to live in a 10 gal it's entire life!

Thank goodness that I convinced my mother that I atleast needed the ball python manual. I got a general idea from that.....

But he has been better off since I found this website!

Auskan · 01-25-04, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by marisa
A baby corn, its bite might not hurt, but they bite. Most do anyways.

Marisa, I'm not doubting your experience (which is much greater than mine!) but I have *never* had a corn even strike at me, and that is the type of snake I have the most experience with. I have three and my partner has one. Even when I was in the pet store last week and they had one separated from the others with a big note saying "I bite", I thought "cool - I'd like to see a corn with an attitude", so I lifted off the lid and went to pick him up and he was a docile as could be. I was actually a little disappointed, LOL.

Lisa · 01-25-04, 11:43 AM

I don't know if there's a perfect first snake. I was exposed to a Ball Python first. It just sort of laid there or intertwined in my fingers. If I was exposed to a king first and it musked me I don't know if I would have been so keen on snakes. If I had been trying to feed a BP that was a problem feeder I might have had reservations with snakes all together.

marisa · 01-25-04, 11:44 AM

Auskan- My experience level is far below most of the good herpers people on here, trust me.

I have had one clutch and let me tell you, baby corns do in fact bite. Adults rarely do from what I have seen but those babies, they won't hesistate. One was even able to draw a tiny tiny bit of blood from me before it had been alive a full month. I have noticed pet store animals bite less though. Either because they aren't the greatest health, or because people have been constantly holding them during their stay at the store.

Marisa