Been away for a while...Thoughts?

Kagia · 01-13-17, 09:59 PM

Ugh...

So it's been probably a good ten years, give or take, since I got rid of my collection.

I had some kingsnakes, ball pythons, and carpet pythons. The plan was to eventually start breeding them and basically become a snake breeder. I eventually lost interest in the project, and due to my situation at the time, I decided I would be better off just getting rid of them.

I didn't plan on getting back into it any time soon, but have been thinking about it a fair bit lately. While having an actual collection of snakes, and starting a breeding program of any kind is something I have absolutely no interest in anymore (yeah yeah I know, but I'm serious,) I'd love to get...something.

I'm thinking just one, maybe two display enclosures for my living room. What I'd like are some suggestions as to what species to get.

Colubrids have always been my favorite, with Lamps and Pits being at the very top of the list, but I think they,re going to be out of the question this time around.

My Criteria is pretty simple...

Nothing big.

Preferably something that isn't too shy, but that's not a deal breaker.

What I would really, REALLY love is a species that can be housed with one or two other snakes of the same species. I'm aware that this is never advisable with most species, but are there any that do well when housed together?

Difficulty level is not really a concern, as I am experienced, and confident that I can provide the proper conditions regardless.

Temperment isn't really an issue, as I won't be handling them, with the exception of enclosure maintenance, etc.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Cricket1234 · 01-13-17, 10:28 PM

I know that you said no colubrids...but maybe Garter Snakes? They are normally able to be housed together. If not, maybe Ring-Necked snakes and Children's Pythons. However, all snake species must have appropriate hides and should be fed seperataly. Good luck with whatever snakes you get, awesome to see you are getting back into the hobby!

Kagia · 01-13-17, 10:46 PM

Lol Where I've lived all my life, the only snakes you ever really see are garters. I have nothing against garters, and I know there are some subspecies which are stunning to look at, but I was hoping for something a bit different. I definitely won't rule them out just yet though.

I will also keep the ringneck and children's pythons in mind.

Thank you for the suggestions!

Kagia · 01-13-17, 10:48 PM

What about Kenyan sand boas? Always thought they looked pretty cool. Would it be a bad idea to house them together? Do they pretty much stay buried all day?

Rosy boas?

Something arboreal maybe?

PsychoSnake · 01-13-17, 10:59 PM

For cohabitation I think rubber boas would be a good place to start researching as they naturally cohabitate. But it's very difficult to find information on them, especially current.

Rosy Boas have been known, like most snakes, to eat each other. In my experience with rosies, it depends on the temperament of the individual rosy. I have some that would it would appear to never occur to them but I have others where they will attempt to eat anything that moves.

I've heard some sand boa pairs can cohabitate.

Kagia · 01-13-17, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PsychoSnake

For cohabitation I think rubber boas would be a good place to start researching as they naturally cohabitate. But it's very difficult to find information on them, especially current.

Rosy Boas have been known, like most snakes, to eat each other. In my experience with rosies, it depends on the temperament of the individual rosy. I have some that would it would appear to never occur to them but I have others where they will attempt to eat anything that moves.

I've heard some sand boa pairs can cohabitate.

Thanks.

Unfortunately, rubber boas are native to the province in which I live, so it isn't legal to keep them. That's the one one species I've still never encountered in the field. I know a couple people who have, and I'm very jealous! Neither of them are into snakes or even had any idea what they were. I'd just get a text message with a pic of a rubber boa, "What kind of snake is this?"

So I guess rosies are out, and I'll have to look into the sand boas a bit more...

PsychoSnake · 01-13-17, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kagia

Thanks.

Unfortunately, rubber boas are native to the province in which I live, so it isn't legal to keep them. That's the one one species I've still never encountered in the field. I know a couple people who have, and I'm very jealous! Neither of them are into snakes or even had any idea what they were. I'd just get a text message with a pic of a rubber boa, "What kind of snake is this?"

So I guess rosies are out, and I'll have to look into the sand boas a bit more...

Damn. I have a similar problem in my state but there is a loophole. I can't touch rubber boas in the wild but I can keep captive bred ones from out of state (I've seen them sold in Nevada). And yes they are notorious for their secrecy! They are supposedly native to my hometown but I've never seen one. Only pictures....

Kagia · 01-13-17, 11:36 PM

Lol man...

I've spent an embarrassing ammount of my free time over the years just wandering around the southern half of this province looking for snakes and never seen a rubber boa. The one guy I know actually stumbled *** backwards into TWO. One on a construction site in a fairly urban area, and the other in a rural area near the river. The other guy found one in a remote river valley a few hours away while fishing.

Kagia · 01-13-17, 11:40 PM

Anyway, the more I think about it, the more I figure I probably won't bother trying to keep multiple snakes together. Just doesn't seem like a good idea.

Still open to snake suggestions though.

**Tsubaki** · 01-14-17, 12:29 AM

What about hognosed snake? Small but stout, they have a rough look to them. Some are shy, the ones I've kept usually went out exploring regularly. The one I have now just.. stares down everything that moves. Quite funny. Rough greens snakes are also pretty cool, they are a lot of work to keep properly but it's not impossible. Trinket snakes are also really nice! Small and pretty, lovely pattern. Afrikan house snakes stay small, especially males. Dione's rat snakes, kept one of these in the past. Incredibly inquisitive!

For other suggestions..Question is, when do you find a snake big? Because milks/kings imo are also small snakes, some smaller size than children's pythons.

trailblazer295 · 01-14-17, 06:59 AM

When you say nothing big what would be a max adult size? Or max cage size?

Thatjanelady · 01-22-17, 05:52 PM

Depends if you want a challenge or not. If you're looking for something a little challenging, I would try an Asian Vine Snake. They're hard to come by because of their lizard diet. They do get longish at 6ft but they're skinny. Pretty snakes for a display.
Otherwise, maybe some amazon tree boas? Not the nicest of snakes but can have vivid colors and are good for displays while not needing such a unique diet.

LISA127 · 01-27-17, 05:32 AM

I was going to suggest hog nose. I've always wanted one but have yet to get any. Cute little guys!