Second Snake?

[bisc]

hi i got a corn snake about 2 weeksbefore christmas and was thinking about getting another snake around june/july.
What do you think a good snake would be for a second snake?
The ones i was thinking about are:
Male common bci
Hog island boa
Brazilian rainbow boa
Carpet python
Sonoran boa
Blood python
Short tailed python.
If you reply to this post could you say why you like that snake and why not for another snake?
Thanks in advance.

[SerpentLust]

It's all a matter of personal preference to be honest. I personally would do the carpet python or the BCI. But that's my personal preferences for color, temperment and care requirements.

As long as you're prepared then any of those are a fine choice. Obviously read alot of care sheets, thoroughly realize that some of these snakes can get semi-large, especially compared to a cornsnake.

Obviously BRB's have the higher humidity requirements. So just research, research, research and good luck in your choice

[bisc]

cheers for fast reply.
How big would a male bci get on average and what is the VERY largest it can get.also what size cage would an adult need?

[SerpentLust]

For a BCI, most people I find say that a 4' by 2' by 2' is fine, I however have a differing opinion, as some users on here share.

I personally, and I believe Invictus shares my opinion as well as other members, would go with a 6' by 2' enclosure. It never hurts to give the boa more space if you can do it. And for me it works well because I have 3' enclosures for my spotted python and kingsnake, so when I pick up my BCI, it'll have a 6' enclosure and then two 3' enclosures side by side on top.

Anyhoo, back on topic, as far as sizes go, obviously females will get larger than males as is the general rule.

This is from: http://www.reptileallsorts.com/boa_care-cs.htm which is a general boa constrictor caresheet:

Newborn boa constrictors usually range from 14 - 22 inches in length. With the average adult size being an average 8 feet in length. This is quite a general estimation of sizes, adult female boas tend to be longer, reaching maybe 10 feet with the males generally 1 - 2 feet shorter and not as thickly muscled.

The ulimate size that your boas will reach will depend on a number of factors, primarily genetics, temperature and the amount of food eaten by your boa.

Now you also have to be prepared knowing that you'll be feeding this snake large rats when full grown, make sure you have the budget for it.

So you can see why I would choose a 6' cage instead of a 4'. If you get a snake that can generally get 7+ feet no problem, I know I would like to give it the extra floor space.

Jenn

[CamHanna]

Short-tailed Pythons can be temperamental and are big enough that this can make them very difficult to handle.

I think that Spotted Pythons are just about the best beginner snake around. They feed well; they handle well; they don't stress easily; they breed easily and they are very forgiving of minor husbandry problems.

There is another thread on this site discussing Rainbow Boas and Short-Tailed Pythons in more detail (be sure to glance at Linds' posts).

[SerpentLust]

I totally agree with CamHanna on the Spotted Python thing. My Spotted was my first and I adore her. She is above all my favourite snake.

However, I was just working with the list you gave me

Jenn

[HumphreyBoagart]

I know it wasn't on your list, but I personally think you should get the opposite sex of cornsnake that you already have. Maybe a different morph if you want something that doesn't look the same as the one you've already got. There are hundreds to choose from, and they are fairly easy to breed and breedable every season as long as you get their weight back up each time before.
Just my $0.02
Hump.

[rwg]

From your list, male bci. They get about 2 meters. Good temperment, good feeders, easy care requirements, tolerant of variation in husbandry, and common hence cheap to purchase. They make awesome large pets.

[gargoyle]

I would second Humphrey's idea about another corn of the opposite sex, But would also have to suggest another that was not on the list that you may not have looked at African Brown House Snake. They stay small are very personable and make a great little breeding project if you are lucky enough to find a pair. Also they will be very affordable compared to some of the others on your list if cost is an issue!

[corn-u-ko-pia]

Hi thanks for all the replys every one.
I do not want to get a opposite sex corn snake then breed because i do not have the time and space.
Any one else have some ideas from that list?
I am kind of leaining towards hog island boa or common male bci.
Anyone else have an imput on the size of male bci's?
Thanks

[HeatherRose]

I, as always, would recommend a Brazilian Rainbow Boa or another common boa species.

Rainbows are easy if you have the proper enclosure and can maintain the humidity they require (easily done in a rubbermaid).

Boas like Hogs or Colombian boas can be kept in rubbermaids as babies and then moved to nice custom enclosures when they get bigger. I'm looking to get a Hog myself one day in the distant future (if someone will get on it and breed his ) and boas like that have variety like most other snakes, some can be very clean and have a nice pattern, and also the day/night colour change is always neat. You get this with Brazilian Rainbow boas as well.

Male hogs and males of other smaller boa species (like dumerils) will stay smaller than Colombians.

As everyone above has said, it's about your personal preferences and what you feel you can handle.

Good luck

[corn-u-ko-pia]

thanks for reply heather.
are rainbow boas a secretive snake and tempermental(sp?) or are they nice and docile to handle?
I love handling my corn so i'd porbably hold it once a day.
also what kind of rainbow boa do you recommend?
Thanks

[HeatherRose]

I would either recommend a Brazilian or Colombian rainbow for a starter rainbow. They have basically the same requirements, although Colombians need a LITTLE less humidity. Not much less though. The only tricky thing is that as babies they need around 90-95% humidity...once again, easily done in a Rubbermaid.

Babies tend to be a bit nippy, but I've only ever been bitten by my adult rainbow twice, when I was being stupid (I'd been handling mice the first time, and I went at her from above like a scary predator the second time)... Other than that mine is very handleable and calm. All of my rainbows are excellent feeders as well, and are super 'squeezy' when handled. Individuals can vary though.

As for hiding out, my adult Brazilian is in her hide all day and is out and about at night, and her colour change at night is absolutely stunning. The other locales I have are just babies still, and are pretty active in the day. I love these snakes because they have just the right amount of attitude and they're the perfect size for me (5-7 feet, but slender and manageable).

Good luck

[bisc]

thanks for reply heather!
Yes i'm kind of leaning towards a brazilian rainbow boa(nicer colours than colombian rainbow boas ) or a sonoran boa...
Pictures of tanks and snakes would be EXTREMELY useful...Hint Hint lol.
Thanks alot