What snake should I get?

SnakeySnake · 06-18-17, 09:25 PM

Need help. I either want a sand boa, corn snake, or ball python. It is going to be my first snake and I am really unsure on which to get so I hope someone can help me out.

Fowlertoad · 06-19-17, 10:17 AM

Many people's first snake is a ball python. It was mine. there is a lot of straight forward information about how to keep them and a lot of people who could answer questions about about problems or concerns that may come up. Given proper conditions they can be quite Docile and almost friendly. They are very strong and good at pushing up a improperly secured lid, but every snake is an espace artist given the slightest opportunity. They will hide most of the day and rummage around at night. If you use a infrared light you'll beable to see it at night without disturbing it. They are good first snakes. Very low maintenance aside from changing the water daily. And remember you need a hot side and a cool side each with hiding places. I find using a small 50 watt basking bulb and a undertank heater on a thermostat with the probe directly in the hide is sufficient for the warmside and at night the undertank heater is usually enough. Sometimes in the winter you may need a infrared light or a ceramic heater. The wattage is usually a little different for everyone. It depends on the tempatues in your house through summer and winter and the size or the tank and how high the lights are. It's good to set your tank up and let it run for atleast a week before hand to make sure you have your tempatures and humidity right.

**EL Ziggy** · 06-19-17, 11:09 AM

Of those 3 options I'd probably go with a corn snake. They're easy to care for, come in some really cool morphs, don't get too big, and are usually reliable feeders.

StevenL · 06-19-17, 11:59 AM

Of the three listed ball python.

RAD House · 06-19-17, 01:25 PM

Without knowing what you are looking for in a pet snake, I cannot reliably make a suggestion. If you have not considered this yet, I would recommend you spend some time looking into it.

richardhind · 06-19-17, 03:30 PM

You could always look for a local reptile group that meets regular,that way you would get to talk face to face and probably handle a few ,it's a bit different when there little ,at least if anyone brings any adults you can see wether you think your capable of handling an adult snake ,that might make your
Mind up a little easier

SerpentineDream · 06-19-17, 11:41 PM

For a first snake I almost always suggest a corn. They are the air ferns of the snake world: usually very good-natured, steady frozen / thawed mouse feeders and they come in hundreds of morphs. They're neat enough to hold my interest.... 14 of my snakes are corns. Even though I've branched out into other, more exotic species I always come back to them.

Ball pythons aren't a bad choice. I love my BPs. But they are a more sensitive species in terms of humidity requirements if you live in an arid climate. They can be fussy eaters and take rats, which are more expensive than mice. They are less active and wriggly to handle than corns, which can be good or bad depending on your preference.

Sand boas are cute but they disappear under the substrate and you don't see them much.

What kind of snake do you want? Bigger or smaller? Active or "pet rock?" Can you spare the extra money for rats or do you have a tight budget? That will help.

**Andy_G** · 06-20-17, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EL Ziggy

Of those 3 options I'd probably go with a corn snake. They're easy to care for, come in some really cool morphs, don't get too big, and are usually reliable feeders.

I second this.

TRD · 06-20-17, 02:51 PM

1st of all, get a snake that you like, that YOU find interesting. If you get a snake you don't like, you're less likely to take interest in it. Snakes live a long time and there's nothing to win by either you or the snake if keeping the snake becomes "dropping in a mouse every week and cleaning it every month". It will add no value to either your or the animal's live.

There are many more snakes that remain small, and generally stay calm. Why is it only sandboa, ball python, and cornsnake?

1. Sandboa you will barely see, if ever. They don't take well to handling. unless you REALLY like the species, I would advise against it.
2. Ball Python people generally see as a "pet rock" however it only forms this "rock" as a defensive posture. It's not fun for the animal. They are pretty shy.
3. Of the species you listed probably the cornsnake would fit your bill best. Very easy going snake, at least in general.

So what are you looking for. Snake to watch? Snake to handle? Do you want to build a sub tropical or desert vivarium? What space do you have? Do you want to see your snake, or you don't mind to see him sometimes? Which food items can I get easy access to? etc.

Scubadiver59 · 06-20-17, 03:26 PM

Put any amount of substrate in and you won't see the following snakes:

King snake
Corn Snake
Hognose Snake
Pine Snake

All my juveniles, consisting of the snakes above, are subterranean 95% of the time.

At least you might see the eyes of the Sand Boas to know that they're still there!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRD

1st of all, get a snake that you like, that YOU find interesting. If you get a snake you don't like, you're less likely to take interest in it. Snakes live a long time and there's nothing to win by either you or the snake if keeping the snake becomes "dropping in a mouse every week and cleaning it every month". It will add no value to either your or the animal's live.

There are many more snakes that remain small, and generally stay calm. Why is it only sandboa, ball python, and cornsnake?

1. Sandboa you will barely see, if ever. They don't take well to handling. unless you REALLY like the species, I would advise against it.
2. Ball Python people generally see as a "pet rock" however it only forms this "rock" as a defensive posture. It's not fun for the animal. They are pretty shy.
3. Of the species you listed probably the cornsnake would fit your bill best. Very easy going snake, at least in general.

So what are you looking for. Snake to watch? Snake to handle? Do you want to build a sub tropical or desert vivarium? What space do you have? Do you want to see your snake, or you don't mind to see him sometimes? Which food items can I get easy access to? etc.

Jim Smith · 06-20-17, 07:28 PM

Also, depending on which state you live in, you may not be able to legally own a Corn Snake since they are native to many states that outlaw owning any native species. I would check with your DNR before buying a Corn Snake. Just a thought...

**EL Ziggy** · 06-20-17, 08:24 PM

You're right Jim. GA is a good case in point.

SerpentineDream · 06-20-17, 08:34 PM

IIRC New Jersey allows corns but they must have red eyes so it's readily apparent that they are not native corns?

TRD · 06-21-17, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scubadiver59

Put any amount of substrate in and you won't see the following snakes:

King snake
Corn Snake
Hognose Snake
Pine Snake

All my juveniles, consisting of the snakes above, are subterranean 95% of the time.

At least you might see the eyes of the Sand Boas to know that they're still there!!

My kingsnakes (all of them) are always out and about and only hide away when going in shed... they never burrow for me, even the juveniles. But I keep only getula of the kingsnakes as they are much more bold then most if not all of the others.. not sure which you are keeping. I have other milksnakes, and they will indeed not show themselves that often..

The pinesnakes that I have contemplated often in getting are also consistently out and about with the person who has them now. But those are sub-adults. Not sure about their juvenile behavior.