Next snake?

VI Reptiles Snr · 01-30-05, 10:38 PM

Hi, my son has proved to me that he could keep a ball python and if anything went wrong help it back to being healthy. He has decided he wanted a borneo short tailed python and hes willing to do anything to keep it healthy and if not healthy get it back to its healthy self. This is a poll and you can either pick Borneo Short Tailed Python, Burmese or a Brazilian Rainbow Boa. Neither is not an option, sorry. depending on the verdict he will research one of these snakes and buy one. We do not want to build a terrarium longer then 5 ft, nothing more then 3 ft tall and nothing wider than 4 ft but this all depends if the situation changes.

Thanks
Shari

CamHanna · 01-30-05, 10:51 PM

The Burmese python option is nothing but shear idiocy (so I HAD to vote for it). These snakes can grow to 20+ feet and cost a tonne to feed; more than those vet trips that seemed to be such a concern. They are big enough to be dangerous in the care of an inexperienced keeper and require a big enclosure.

Rainbow boas and Short-tailed pythons both have more complicated humidity requirements then ball pythons, which obviously proved too difficult for your son.

If you are confident that he is ready for another snake then I would suggest a corn snake, a king snake, a spotted python, a CAPTIVE BRED ball python or some other low maintenance beginner snake.

Good Luck to the pair of you.

Cam

Tim_Cranwill · 01-30-05, 10:57 PM

Why do you care what we think? Research them and get whatever YOU want. I would vote "niether" but as you stated, that's not an option. Get him a cornsnake.

BTW, my next poll will be titled "Which shirt should I buy for my wife, the red one or the pink one?". That way, I don't have to make a decision for myself... or even let HER decide which she prefers.

Linds · 01-31-05, 12:13 AM

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/showt...threadid=59689

That being said, I would have to agree with the others. If you have any concern for the welfare of the lives in question, both the animal and your son, you will reconsider the 'neither is not an option' standpoint. If another snake is in sight, none of the snakes included in that poll should even be considered. Corns are very hardy, and can thrive in a broad range of conditions.

BRB are very unforgiving of husbandry errors, and the reasons for not getting one have already been discussed in the above thread.

Short-tailed Pythons are definitely not for a novice keeper. Their sheer strength and speed can be a challenge (all the research in the world cannot prepare you for it), and dangerous in incapable hands, as well as they require a more specialized environment. Even some long-time experienced herpers prefer to pass on this species.

Burms also require careful handling, and can prove dangerous in the wrong hands. These snakes are on of the most commonly 'dumped' or abandoned snakes in the hobby. They require a lot of space and larger meals can become expensive.

Both Burmese and Borneos seem to be hit harder than most snakes if illness does hit. Even with optimal care, they can sometimes have trouble recovering and even become chronic.

HeatherRose · 01-31-05, 12:16 AM

You son already has a 30 foot Afrock, I'm sure he can take care of all three of those.

Otherwise, I agree wholeheartedly with everything Linds has said.

Quote:

That being said, I would have to agree with the others. If you have any concern for the welfare of the lives in question, both the animal and your son, you will reconsider the 'neither is not an option' standpoint. If another snake is in sight, none of the snakes included in that poll should even be considered. Corns are very hardy, and can thrive in a broad range of conditions.

In the best interest of the critters.

JAdkins2451 · 01-31-05, 12:35 AM

I think everyone here is just looking out for the best intrest of the animals in question.. Iam sure if you did a search on these forum you could find a couple good reasons why you should not get any of the following snakes. And also I dont see any reason why you should "Rush" to get another snake. Your soon is only young and could possibily still have many years to get any of them. What he is doing is relaying on his impulse, he sees somthing he likes and thats what he want s now. So I think you should just have a chat with him and maybe hold off for a year or so..

Just my opinon

Jamie

HumphreyBoagart · 01-31-05, 12:41 AM

This is probably one of the most ridiculous posts I've ever read. Not trying to be rude, but if he can't take care of a ball python what makes you think he can take care of any of the above? And you say that you'll take care of it if he can't, So you might as well change the poll to "what kind of snake should I get?"
Because I'm willing to bet he won't be able to take care of it either, and you'll have a new snake. I'm not trying to sound like an @$$#()!e, but that is the worst idea I've heard in a long time.

Crannie- LOL!!! Go with the pink one, it's a very calming colour!

thunder · 01-31-05, 01:40 AM

when the snake that you have now is set up properly, and has recovered completely, and your son has started to show some responsibility, and both you and your son have shown the slightest inkling of willingness to accept advice from those more experienced than you, and the two of you become willing to do all of the time consuming research and spend all the money required to care for an animal appropriatly, then start thinking about getting another snake. what you dont seem to realize is this: when you buy an animal, you are making a commitment to that animal. you are committing yourself to give that animal all of the care, attention, and reasources it needs to lead a healthy life. the fact that you would even consider getting a giant python as your sons next snake, even though you dont want a vivarium more than 5 feet in length, suggests to me that you have done absolutely zero research, and expect the good people of this forum to do it for you. your unwillingness to even consider another option suggests to me that it doesnt matter what we suggest, you will do what you want anyway. im not going to address the specific reasons why none of the species above are unsuitable, because im sure that others will and i dont think that it is ethical to spend money on a new animal until you are taking care of the one you already have. it is not ethical to purchase an animal before you have done research and then "get it back to being healthy," even if you are successful in these efforts. why dont you wait a few monthes to make sure your snake is ok, and then, if your son is still interested, do some reading on the requirements of these animals.

bighillreptiles · 01-31-05, 12:01 PM

I woud go with what he has at hart and only after ton's of research ,some one wonce said if you love what you do and have then one is more apt to look after it ,I would have to say if he has his hart set on a larger snake i would get a bci

VI Reptiles Snr · 01-31-05, 12:04 PM

I told him he should get a corn snake,kingsnake or a milksnake but he sais he doesnt like how they look. He likes the python look I guess. I'l tell him to cross out the idea of the a burmese. Just so you guys know, we fixed the scale rot so that is over and we got the snake set up and is doing great. My son has been caring for his animals not me. He has showed he could fix something if something went wrong and he would spend as much money it would take to get the reptile back on track. If any of you are into large boids what did you first buy as an animal to get used to.

Thanks
Shari

HeatherRose · 01-31-05, 12:17 PM

If your son is looking to get into slightly larger boids, I would go with some kind of boa constrictor. Several species of boa do not exceed 6 or 7 feet, such as hog island boas and dumeril boas. These 'dwarf' species of boa constrictor have many different colours and patterns to choose from. If he wants something a little larger, a Colombian boa constrictor might be an option. Either way, a male of these species will generally come out at the lower end of the size scale.

Whatever your son or yourself choose to go with, making sure it is captive bred is imperitive. While captive bred snakes have less problems, they can still become sick or injured and this must be taken into consideration.

Research is a must, and starting out in the FIRST place with a proper cage/enclosure for these creatures will benefit them more than anything else I can think of.

Regardless of what your son chooses, he is young (this isn't a bad thing, I'm a youngin' myself) and I would seriously recommend you keep an eye on the situation, as it is under your roof. I do not know your son, but I feel I know enough from his recent attitude on our forums.

VI Reptiles Snr · 01-31-05, 01:48 PM

Ok, he does not see the difference if he gets a BCI that gets 6-7 ft or a borneo short tailed python that gets 4.5 ft - 6ft except that the borneo is more bulky and weights more.

Thanks
Shari

Matt_K · 01-31-05, 02:04 PM

BCI's tend to be more calm and docile.. Borneo's aren't known for their 'friendliness'.. Also, BCI's tend to be a bit more forgiving when it comes to husbandry issues, on the other hand, Borneo's are NOT..

My opinion (and yes, you asked for it) is that your son isn't ready for any of the three species listed above (as everyone has said). Your son needs to read up as much as he can on ALL of the species that he's interested and choose what one he thinks best suits HIM.. Not what we think would best suit him.. I think the decsion, if based on our opinions would end up in him not owning anything..

You said that he's ready and capable of caring for these anaimals.. IM glad he's proved that to YOU, cause he sure as $h!t hasn't to us.. He's created countless threads asking what he should do about his ball python.. Countless more threads saying that he doesn't want it anymore because it's costing him too much to feed.. And then, on the other side of his world, he's telling everyone he owns a 30' rock python.. You yourself have talked to me in private and told me that this isn't true.. Instead, you said that it's 23' and he was just trying to get a 'rise' out of the members.. Something's not right here and I think you BOTH need to get your stories/issues worked out..

-Matt

snakehunter · 01-31-05, 02:11 PM

I was thinking the same thing Matt; JUST because you can doesnot mean you should expand your collection, from my point of veiw I would wait till you two are a bit more experienced be fore you throw another snake in the mix. OR if you are set on another snake, why not get a mate for your ball, husbandry would be the same , and would be 'less' intensive than setting up a second DIFFERENT environment for a new animal.

VI Reptiles Snr · 01-31-05, 03:41 PM

I will let it to him to chose what he likes and then I will make sure he has researched it enough to own one like you said Matt. Are you saying that theres no such thing as an aggressive BCI or a docile Borneo Shor Tailed Boa? He sees short tails with alot of potential in the future as they are just developing with a couple morphs where ball pythons are developing with probably up to 30 morphs.

Thanks
Shari