Best small snake

gregandsarah · 05-14-04, 07:51 AM

I am debating over a corn or a ball but am open to other suggestions.

Any other thoughts. I want a smaller snake. I understand husbandry and feel that a 20-40 year commitment to an animal deserves the right animal not a beginer animal. I have access to all sorts of help. So....what is the most interesting and best small pet snake in your opinion. Let me know.

daver676 · 05-14-04, 08:04 AM

Corn.

anders_240sx · 05-14-04, 08:16 AM

Since I have never had a corn ..I am partial to Ball Pythons .... My first and only bp has never gone off food since I got it in september, and I have never had a problem with the rat switching situation ...which I hear can be a pain..... I also prefer bps cause of their body structure... easier to handle IMO. Best of luck ... Herpz03 has a nice young one with enclosure and a month of food for $70 ...email him at Flip4Life_03@hotmail.com for pics

I am not trying to force a sale .... I was interested in that bp ..but had to back out for personal reasons... but the pics are nice ...so I thought I would help a fellow member out

thanks
Anders

daver676 · 05-14-04, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by anders_240sx
Since I have never had a corn ..I am partial to Ball Pythons .... My first and only bp has never gone off food since I got it in september, and I have never had a problem with the rat switching situation

Your one of the lucky ones.....

Vengeance · 05-14-04, 08:48 AM

What about Rosy Boa or Childrens Python? Those are both good small snakes.

lolaophidia · 05-14-04, 08:59 AM

I've kept both corns and ball pythons and they both have there positives and negatives. I prefer a more active (to me more interesting) snake so between those two, I'd pick a corn snake. The positives for corns are tons of reasonably priced color variations that are readily available. Other good snakes for beginners would include, -and can you tell I like rat snakes?- Black rat snakes, Yellow or Everglades rat snakes, Grey rat snakes, Mexican Black Kingsnakes, African House snakes (something a little different), and Children's or Spotted pythons. Ball pythons when feeding are nice snakes- but sometimes will go off feed for months at a time. Which ever you choose, get a captive bred animal. They tend to do better with feeding regularly and you'll have less worries about parasites.

sapphire_moon · 05-14-04, 09:42 AM

rosy boas, sand boas, western hognose, corn snake, king snake, rat snake, childrens python, spotted python, ball python, If money isn't an issue, hog island boa.

I personally would suggest the corn, w.hognose, and one of the pythons, not really a ball, because even if you get a captive bred one, it is still likely to go off feed. My male who had never refused a meal in 2 years went on a 9 month fast! He was CB. But if you have the patience to deal with it, go right ahead. Just do RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH!

foman · 05-14-04, 10:04 AM

Kingsnakes are my call, they are awesome snakes, They come in alot of different colours and patterns and are also great eaters.

vanderkm · 05-14-04, 10:08 AM

Consider the variable kingsnakes - a bit smaller than corns at maturity, not quite as common so cost a bit more, but exquisite snakes and one of the nicest pets I think. Ours are out cruising the cage through most of the day, bask a lot where our corns are more reclusive. They are very curious and have incredibly cute faces. They are also virtually totally dependable when it comes to temperament - calm to hold, show no aggression and are really great feeders (maybe a bit prone to chubbyness!).

Our variable

and closely related Durango Mountain version

They also come in pure black, darker shades of grey and can be tri-color banded - more like a milksnake. Great snakes under 3 feet long - wish I had more of them.

mary v.

Simon · 05-14-04, 10:14 AM

Either a corn or rosy boa for sure!

Vengeance · 05-14-04, 10:27 AM

A kingsnake, calm to hold? Good Tempermant? Tell mine that, lol! MY guy goes nuts when I pick him up, when I enter his cage he immediatly starts to rattle his tail. He has tried to srike at me a couple of times but hasn't tagged me yet. But he eats like a friggin champ!

vanderkm · 05-14-04, 12:41 PM

Ah but a cal king is a whole different beastie from a variable king - different species entirely and totally different attitude! Our male cal king is an absolutely crazy snake even at 3 years old, but some of them do grow out of it - we have an old female that might as well be a garden hose - she is so mellow, will just lay there in your hands - will even play dead if you roll her on her back and stroke her chin.

The variables, san luis potosis (mexmex) and Durangos are pretty mellow kings - honest!

mary v.

condabroad · 05-14-04, 12:55 PM

I like ball pythons myself but as earlier said they do quit eating and that can get frustrating as a new snake keeper. They also escape enclosures but are very gentle. I will admit I am not the biggest fan of corns or kingsnakes but I don't know that much on them either so I can't tell you anything on them. There are great people on the site with info on them though.

daver676 · 05-14-04, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by condabroad
I like ball pythons myself but as earlier said they do quit eating and that can get frustrating as a new snake keeper. They also escape enclosures but are very gentle.

The escaping part would be YOUR fault, not the snake's.