My next snake.. What should it be?

Awaiting Abyss · 09-05-13, 01:14 PM

I had my heart set on getting a corn snake as my next snake (it will be my second snake), but I'd like to explore my other options before ruling them out.

There are many things about ball pythons that I like. For example, I like that they are calm so I could take her/him out and she would just sit there.

My fiance really wants a snake that will wrap around his fingers and arm. He was a bit disappointed when I told him the hognose (our current snake) isn't a climbing snake, so it won't exactly do that. lol

I'd like a friendly snake that can live off of mice their whole life; even if it requires feeding multiple mice. I don't want to breed rats, and I don't like buying frozen from other places since I'm not sure how those rodents were cared for while they were alive.

What do you all recommend as my next snake? And it isn't necessarily between a corn snake or a ball python. I'm open to explore other options as well, but I do not want a giant snake.

Mikoh4792 · 09-05-13, 01:17 PM

Gtp's can live off mice their whole life. While not a beginner snake, once you get the husbandry down before the snake is in it's enclosure you should be fine.

If you don't want to go there then I'd suggest something like a carpet python, new world/old world ratsnakes, spotted pythons?

If you check out all the categories in kingsnake or fauna classifieds you should see a few species you like.

UwabamiReptiles · 09-05-13, 01:45 PM

I have a pair of Japanese rat snakes that are awesome. They are semi arboreal so if you set them up in a cage with some height and branches they will make use of them. My pair is awesome as far as temperament goes. But they are colubrids so they won't just sit there when you hold them. They are always on the move.

If you want something a little more calm. I'd suggest you look into spotted and children's pythons like Mikoh suggested. They stay small in the 3-4ft range, they can eat mice there whole lives and the ones I've interacted with have had great temperaments. Another python that stays small are the savu pythons. I've never held one but they do seem interesting. They seem to be a little more spunky from what I've read. Just putting some options out there for you.

Charis · 09-05-13, 03:24 PM

Another option for a slower moving, smaller snake would be Rosy boas.

Starbuck · 09-05-13, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charis

Another option for a slower moving, smaller snake would be Rosy boas.

I would second the rosy boas! Mine is so cute and the best :-)

sharthun · 09-05-13, 03:35 PM

I have to suggest a Mexican Black King Snake. By far my favorite out of my 3 snakes.

**EL Ziggy** · 09-05-13, 03:40 PM

I think kingsnakes are awesome. They come in beautiful colors, they're pretty docile, and they're great eaters that can feed on mice their entire lives. They don't get too big either, with 4-5 ft. being the average. I have a banded Cal King and a MBK that I love to pieces.

Mikoh4792 · 09-05-13, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

I think kingsnakes are awesome. They come in beautiful colors, they're pretty docile, and they're great eaters that can feed on mice their entire lives. They don't get too big either, with 4-5 ft. being the average. I have a banded Cal King and a MBK that I love to pieces.

To be honest, I have a phobia of california kingsnakes. Every one I've gotten would bite me in a feeding response out of nowhere during handling. Never a defensive bite, but always a feeding response bite.

smy_749 · 09-05-13, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

To be honest, I have a phobia of california kingsnakes. Every one I've gotten would bite me in a feeding response out of nowhere during handling. Never a defensive bite, but always a feeding response bite.

I rather enjoy the feistyness of cal kings. Once you get used to the bites, its sort of entertaining how crazy they go during feeding. A lot more fun to feed a cal king than a BP or something thats for sure.

Mikoh4792 · 09-05-13, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smy_749

I rather enjoy the feistyness of cal kings. Once you get used to the bites, its sort of entertaining how crazy they go during feeding. A lot more fun to feed a cal king than a BP or something thats for sure.

True. Most favorite snakes to feed are arboreal ones that will strike and eat while hanging from a perch. Plus no worry of impaction from loose substrate.

smy_749 · 09-05-13, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

True. Most favorite snakes to feed are arboreal ones that will strike and eat while hanging from a perch. Plus no worry of impaction from loose substrate.

They won't get impaction usually. Only worries I can think of are eating paper towels or having aspen chips stuck in the mouth which isn't good.

**EL Ziggy** · 09-05-13, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

To be honest, I have a phobia of california kingsnakes. Every one I've gotten would bite me in a feeding response out of nowhere during handling. Never a defensive bite, but always a feeding response bite.

Neither my Cal king nor MBK have ever struck at or attempted to bite me. Granted they're only 11 months and 5 months old. They do go into a bit of a frenzy at feeding time but they've never bitten the hand that feeds them (with long tongs).

Mikoh4792 · 09-05-13, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

Neither my Cal king nor MBK have ever struck at or attempted to bite me. Granted they're only 11 months and 5 months old. They do go into a bit of a frenzy at feeding time but they've never bitten the hand that feeds them (with long tongs).

Lucky you and anyone else that has the same experience lol. It doesn't even have to be feeding time for me. My king will be crawling through my hands and the second I feel her nose rub against my skin I know she's going to open her mouth and start gnawing on me. I don't mind the bite, but the thing is she doesn't let go and chews! My albino cali king I used to own several years back used to be worse.

sharthun · 09-05-13, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

Lucky you and anyone else that has the same experience lol. It doesn't even have to be feeding time for me. My king will be crawling through my hands and the second I feel her nose rub against my skin I know she's going to open her mouth and start gnawing on me. I don't mind the bite, but the thing is she doesn't let go and chews! My albino cali king I used to own several years back used to be worse.

Wow

Did you hook train them? The cali is definitely on my list. Another underrated king is the prairie king. I've kept several prairie 's and all have been very laid back.

drumcrush · 09-05-13, 05:18 PM

kiingsnake all the way! you could also get a garter snake

babies would have to start out on nightcrawlers tho. You can convert them to pinkies when they are big enough. Other than that, they are great snakes. females can typically get up to 3 ft. Sometimes even 3.5 ft. Males generally stay smaller and range from 2 ft. To 2.5 ft. They are active and always out. Some people think that they are a trash snake because of how common they are but they really aren't. so I suggest a garter snake or a kingsnake