Hello :)

Splashstorm · 08-16-12, 01:06 AM

I have never owned a pet snake before, and quite honestly, I had an extreme fear of snakes before I decided I was going to get one to get over my fear!

Since then, I have been exposing myself to snake pictures, videos, and articles, and so now I no longer fear them

I have joined these forums to get even more information on them. I can't wait to get my first live snake.

alessia55 · 08-16-12, 06:05 AM

Welcome to the forum! Please read our sSNAKESs forum rules.

Rogue628 · 08-16-12, 06:55 AM

Welcome to the forum! I was just like you many years ago. I purchased a snake in order to get over my fear of them (did the same thing with a tarantula lol). Since then, I have fell in love with these animals.

I still remember how 'scared' I was the first time I held one lol.

Kudos to you for trying to face a fear. There's not many people who do this. Instead, they listen to 'horror' and well over exaggerated stories and myths about them. In my own experience, they're nothing like what I thought they'd be at all.

And education is the key! So do your research, talk to others and pick their brains. There are many experienced keepers here with all kinds of snakes. There are many good starter snakes, depending upon your level of comfort and confidence. You'll find that, for the most part, they're easy animals to keep and can be very rewarding.

Wildside · 08-16-12, 07:29 AM

You will need to start with something small. For you I think I'd suggest a Cornsnake.

jtfife · 08-16-12, 09:15 AM

Hello and welcome!

UwabamiReptiles · 08-16-12, 09:59 AM

Welcome to the forum!

infernalis · 08-16-12, 10:02 AM

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Hurrok · 08-16-12, 10:58 AM

Welcome! That is so great that you are facing your fear, and I promise it will work out well for you

For a first snake I recommend a Corn snake or of course, a Ball Python. Corns are more active and sometimes can be a bit flighty when they are young but are great eaters and are relatively cheaper to buy even for some really awesome "paint jobs". Ball Pythons are more "lap" snakes since they generally just like to hang out but that is not always the case, as some are very social and curious which is never a bad thing

Don't be afraid to ask questions, we are a great group here.

snake man12 · 08-16-12, 11:16 AM

Welcome to the forum!!

Donnie · 08-16-12, 11:17 AM

Hello and welcome

exwizard · 08-16-12, 11:29 AM

You made my day with this post. I second the kudos as well as the Corn recommendation. You will find snakes to be not only rewarding but soothing as well.

Welcome to the forum. May you find your time here pleasurable as well as educational.

Splashstorm · 08-16-12, 11:29 PM

Thanks everyone ^_^ I was thinking of a Corn for a while, but I'm deciding on a Dumerils boa instead, as I heard they don't get too-too big and are also great beginner snakes! c:

Rogue628 · 08-17-12, 01:02 AM

What research have you done about them and how did you come to this decision? Just curious...

Dumerils can make a good first snake. Their husbandry requirements are easy to maintain, they're good eaters, docile, and if you get a hatchling (which will be suggested by everyone if you decide to go this route), you will grow in experience as it grows, so by the time they get a nice size, you'll have grown with it and used to it. They're pretty slow growers so it's not like it's going to grow quicker than you should be comfortable with.

Splashstorm · 08-17-12, 06:47 PM

Well, at first I looked up "best beginner snake" and found the Corn snake. I absolutely did not want a snake that would be any harder than "THE" beginner one XD Lol! After a while, as my fears began ebbing away, I realized a Corn snake was actually quite small despite being able to grow up to 5 ft (which was HUGE for me) and I couldn't figure out why other snakes that were 5 ft looked so much bigger. It hit me that they were constrictors and corns were rat snakes. I never got what the difference meant until then. When I realized that, I realized (now that my fears were pretty much all gone) that I could cope with a larger snake, and since the Dumerils happened to be a docile large snake (but not too big), I figured that was the perfect one for me

I wanted to get an adult Corn, but once I saw the size of those Dumerils, I knew I HAD to get one as a baby xD !! I would not feel comfortable with a snake that large lunging for it's food O_O That would startle me and I'd get a heart attack even if I was ready. I also figured that since growing was such a gradual process, I'd be able to adapt and bond, and by the time my snake was all big, I wouldn't be afraid of it. Perfect plan, hehe *_*

exwizard · 08-17-12, 07:00 PM

That's about the best explanation I have heard on what led you to your decision. Dumeril's are easy to take care of, are very docile and also are great eaters. I have 7 of them and they are each unique from each other. It sounds like you have thought this through and I do believe that a snake like this will go a long way toward overcoming your fear of snakes.