BP not good beginner snake - Page 2

iBaman · 01-04-13, 02:17 AM

cause I just got my guy ;D I dunno, I guess because he's not as bad as everyone told me he would be, I figure almost anyone could do it. but, i could be wrong. Babies are also easier to photograph...as my guy grows, he gets increasingly difficult to get good pictures of xD

SSSSnakes · 01-04-13, 03:53 AM

A first snake should not be a baby. A baby Ball can be nippy and a very picky eater. Get a juvenile Ball that has been eating and you know it's temperament. I have seen many baby Corn snakes refuse to eat and starve themselves to death. Again, a juvenile Corn is the way to go. As for a Retic, I have them and I like them, but I would not recommend them as a first snake.

iBaman · 01-04-13, 04:02 AM

why is one snake better than the other for starter? a ball python is nothing like a retic, is nothing like a boa...so why should one get a boa before a retic?

SSSSnakes · 01-04-13, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iBaman

why is one snake better than the other for starter? a ball python is nothing like a retic, is nothing like a boa...so why should one get a boa before a retic?

The only reason I would not recommend a Retic as a first snake, is because of it's size, even a dwarf is to large for a beginner. I also do not recommend Boa constrictors, Burmese, Scrubs, Rocks or Anacondas (green or yellow). Not for a first snake. I think Retics are great snakes myself. I keep them and probably always will.

SnakeyJay · 01-04-13, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iBaman

why is one snake better than the other for starter? a ball python is nothing like a retic, is nothing like a boa...so why should one get a boa before a retic?

That's like saying why not have a hummer for a first car.. The dangers with greater size come with 'tics. Not saying you can't go out n get one as your first, but it's easier to learn basics with something you can hold in your hands.

Gungirl · 01-04-13, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terranaut

Not to sound preachy here but maybe the problem wasn't the snake but was your expectations of the snake. Royals are great first snakes. Easy to handle. Simple needs. Not to big but still enough animal to be impressive. I have boas,gophers, kings and carpets and would recomend a Royal as a first snake to anyone. Everything mentioned is true to the nature of this breed.
They are boring and sit in their hide all day. This is normal.
They are finiky eaters. Not true they just take breaks fron eating for weeks at a time.
They are not very smart. Show me a smart snake. Seriously none of them are smart.
So in my opinion you bought a snake before you researched enough about it.
As far as a retic for a first snake.....ahh no.
In my opinion this is recipe for tragedy 9times out of 10.
Either the owner will give it up and not stay commited or the snake will just be a snake and bite the owner during a feeding mistake. Always exceptions but again I wonder why we see many people with young retics on this site but only a couple with adult retics.

I agree 100%

Lankyrob · 01-04-13, 04:30 AM

There is no such thing imo as a "good beginner snake". There are just too many variables involved, a younger person ( stereotyping i know - sorry) mayforget to check things so a corn could be better than a ball. An older person (sorry) may want something where they have to be pernickety about every part of husbandry and a gtp maybe better than a corn so that they dontget bored etc etc etc

BUT there are a lot of snakes that probably arent suited to a first snake, i would say anything over seven foot as an adult or any hot are probably best not to be starter snakes.

I was informed categorically that i would kill my GTP as i "was not ready", yet he is perrfectly happy and healthy two years later. It is all down to the people and the snakes involved

StudentoReptile · 01-04-13, 06:26 AM

I concur that there can be more than one "good beginner snake." But I also agree that a baby ball python is often not the best choice, for reasons I have stated before.

They are not a good "buy one from the pet shop and stick it in a glass tank" snake. Cornsnakes do great in tanks, kingsnakes do great in tanks, garter snakes, gophers, African house snakes, etc. But in my experience as a pet store grunt for over 10 yrs, baby BPs do NOT do well in this set-up. That is why many new keepers are frustrated with them. And like Terra said, they are one of the most boring snakes you could get. My first snake was a BP...I still have him after 20 yrs, but I can attest that they are very boring animals to keep. I likely will never own another BP again.

KORBIN5895 · 01-04-13, 07:02 AM

Yeah, royals are stupid. Get a boa. They eat anything and are fairly active.

@Dan

Indigos. They are very intelligent from what I hear.

dinosaurdammit · 01-04-13, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KORBIN5895

Yeah, royals are stupid. Get a boa. They eat anything and are fairly active.

Personal opinion flying out, boas are quite possibly the BEST animal on earth. They have great personalities, great to feed, interesting life habits. Ive never had a snake before, in fact the first reptile I ever owned was an iggy back in the day when I was very young, needless to say it didnt work out because they (pet store) told me it would only get as big as the set up and that I didnt need any special lights rolleyes:

I decided on getting a snake now that i am an ADULT and while at the pet store I met jerry rice, he was my birthday present to myself and I hadnt done a whole lot into what they needed but it was easy for me to learn. Humidity, temps, food and a set up and there isnt much else you have to worry about. They are AWESOME. I considered a ball but they /are/ boring. Boas actually cruse around and you do see them a lot more than balls. I never have to worry when feeding a boa either, drop a dead rat in at night, gone by morning. They are also good lap snakes and mine actually seem interested in me and what I am all about.

**lady_bug87** · 01-04-13, 09:06 AM

Its true
I love my boa she is one of my favourites of my collection hands down

Snakeman8 · 01-04-13, 11:11 AM

sometimes i think my ball python kows whats going on in the next room,. she a very smart. not a good beginner snake, king snakes are better.

Loucifer · 01-04-13, 11:14 AM

Meh, Balls are prettier. I'd rather a mellow snake than one I'd have to worry about trying to escape all the time. No short attention span, here. Feeding? Learn about the thing before you dive right in. Husbandry is numero uno.