Hello!!!

mikeneezy · 09-26-18, 04:09 PM

Hello future snake owner here,

I've been doing my research on the internet off and on for the past few years. This year will finally be the year where I purchase my first pet snake. I've bought the necessary items and have it setup. I will keep it on for a week and take note of my temps and humidity before I make the purchase. I just wanted to introduce myself and say hello.

Mike from SoCal.

**EL Ziggy** · 09-27-18, 09:34 AM

Hi Mike,

Welcome to the forum and best wishes with your new critter. Which snake did you choose for your first?

Scubadiver59 · 09-27-18, 09:53 AM

Welcome, Mike!

mikeneezy · 09-27-18, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EL Ziggy

Hi Mike,

Welcome to the forum and best wishes with your new critter. Which snake did you choose for your first?

BCI. I know its not a corn or a ball python but its what caught my eye. Also, its partly the reason why I've been on/off for the past few years. The timing needed to be right.

mikeneezy · 09-27-18, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scubadiver59

Welcome, Mike!

Hello Scubadiver59!! Thank you!!

mikeneezy · 09-27-18, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scubadiver59

Welcome, Mike!

Hello Scuvadiver59!! Thank you!!

ClockwerkBonnet · 09-27-18, 11:57 AM

Welcome to the forum, Mike! We're glad you're here.

mikeneezy · 09-27-18, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClockwerkBonnet

Welcome to the forum, Mike! We're glad you're here.

Thank you ClockwerkBonnet!

mikeneezy · 09-27-18, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scubadiver59

Welcome, Mike!

Thank you Scubadiver59!!

mikeneezy · 09-27-18, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EL Ziggy

Hi Mike,

Welcome to the forum and best wishes with your new critter. Which snake did you choose for your first?

BCI. Is this too much for a first snake? People and the internet tell me to start with a corn snake or a BP. A friend of mine from work showed me her BCI and I completely fell in love with it.

craigafrechette · 09-27-18, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeneezy

BCI. Is this too much for a first snake? People and the internet tell me to start with a corn snake or a BP. A friend of mine from work showed me her BCI and I completely fell in love with it.

Welcome to the forum and the wonderful world of snake keeping!!!

If a BCI is the snake you want, go for it. Don't let others persuade you to go for a "beginner" snake. If you've put in your due diligence and can provide a proper enclosure and equipment for a BCI pick the snake YOU want. It'll be your snake for the next 20+ years, so no sense getting one you don't want.
Depending on locality and sex of the animal you choose you may be looking at a good size animal though. Be prepared for a powerful snake which requires a big enclosure and some decent sized meals.

Good luck, ask all the questions you need to.

mikeneezy · 09-27-18, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craigafrechette

Welcome to the forum and the wonderful world of snake keeping!!!

If a BCI is the snake you want, go for it. Don't let others persuade you to go for a "beginner" snake. If you've put in your due diligence and can provide a proper enclosure and equipment for a BCI pick the snake YOU want. It'll be your snake for the next 20+ years, so no sense getting one you don't want.
Depending on locality and sex of the animal you choose you may be looking at a good size animal though. Be prepared for a powerful snake which requires a big enclosure and some decent sized meals.

Good luck, ask all the questions you need to.

I've saved for a few months. I bought a bunch of stuff from Reptile Basics. Is it true that Boas are OK with big enclosures as babies, unlike BPs? I picked up a 4x2 cage and a VE300 and a couple of other things. I'm waiting for my accurite humidity gauge from amazon to come in so I can keep track of my humidity.

I'm looking at a Central American Boa from LLLReptile as I hear they're a little bit smaller? Theres also a hypo colombian bci I was looking at. This all depends if they have males in stock.

I set the VE300 at 93F, night drop of 5F on a 12hr cycle set to pulse. I have a temp gun and have been keeping mental notes of the last few days of my temps. Hot spot is fluctuating from 89-92F, cool side is 79-80F.

craigafrechette · 09-27-18, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeneezy

I've saved for a few months. I bought a bunch of stuff from Reptile Basics. Is it true that Boas are OK with big enclosures as babies, unlike BPs? I picked up a 4x2 cage and a VE300 and a couple of other things. I'm waiting for my accurite humidity gauge from amazon to come in so I can keep track of my humidity.

I'm looking at a Central American Boa from LLLReptile as I hear they're a little bit smaller? Theres also a hypo colombian bci I was looking at. This all depends if they have males in stock.

I set the VE300 at 93F, night drop of 5F on a 12hr cycle set to pulse. I have a temp gun and have been keeping mental notes of the last few days of my temps. Hot spot is fluctuating from 89-92F, cool side is 79-80F.

Sounds like you're off to a great start!!!

Have you checked out morphmarket.com? Awesome site with lots of reputable breeders. Tons of choices. I can't speak directly about LLL, but I have heard mixed reviews on them.

Kingsnake.com and faunaclassifieds.com also have lots of options. You'll be able to research breeder and find the right animal for you.

...and I may be mistaken with this since I dont keep boas (yet), but I believe that hot side temp could come down to 89-90. But again, I may be mistaken.

Keep up the good work!

mikeneezy · 09-27-18, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craigafrechette

Sounds like you're off to a great start!!!

Have you checked out morphmarket.com? Awesome site with lots of reputable breeders. Tons of choices. I can't speak directly about LLL, but I have heard mixed reviews on them.

Kingsnake.com and faunaclassifieds.com also have lots of options. You'll be able to research breeder and find the right animal for you.

...and I may be mistaken with this since I dont keep boas (yet), but I believe that hot side temp could come down to 89-90. But again, I may be mistaken.

Keep up the good work!

Thanks for the heads up. I will definitely check out those sites. As far as temps go I set the thermostat to 93 but the surface stays around 90-91. I can kick it down a notch.

**EL Ziggy** · 09-28-18, 01:23 AM

I agree with Craig. As long as you've done your research a BCI can be a great first snake. I just got a couple of boas recently too and I love them. I also agree with Craig on bringing your warm side temps down a bit. I keep mine right around 88F. Please share pics of your critter and setup when you can.