What type of snake should I get next? :)

MooCow · 06-20-13, 01:43 PM

Hey everyone! Really sorry if I posted this in the wrong place; I'm new here.

Basically I've had a beautiful Ball Python for five years now, and I think I'm finally knowledgable enough to be able to handle another snake. I'm in the process of purchasing two Ball Python morphs (just have to go pick them). But I also want to work with another type of snake... But I'm stuck on which one to get. :P I'm looking for a snake that won't completely hate my guys (Blue Beauty, etc.), is non-venomous, and can be held. I don't really want to get any of the more common pet snakes (corn, milk, king, etc.). I'm ok with the snake being a bit feisty, but I'd still want to be able to hold it without it trying to murder me all the time. xD I'm ok with any length; I have a lot of room. I'm also ok with spending a lot of money. So, any suggestions?

I'm also interested in it being colorful, although honestly I'm not really strict about this. I'd probably fall in love with it even if it has dull colors.

I'm mainly looking for a snake I can handle.

Amadeus · 06-20-13, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MooCow

Hey everyone! Really sorry if I posted this in the wrong place; I'm new here.

Basically I've had a beautiful Ball Python for five years now, and I think I'm finally knowledgable enough to be able to handle another snake. I'm in the process of purchasing two Ball Python morphs (just have to go pick them). But I also want to work with another type of snake... But I'm stuck on which one to get. :P I'm looking for a snake that won't completely hate my guys (Blue Beauty, etc.), is non-venomous, and can be held. I don't really want to get any of the more common pet snakes (corn, milk, king, etc.). I'm ok with the snake being a bit feisty, but I'd still want to be able to hold it without it trying to murder me all the time. xD I'm ok with any length; I have a lot of room. I'm also ok with spending a lot of money. So, any suggestions?

I'm also interested in it being colorful, although honestly I'm not really strict about this. I'd probably fall in love with it even if it has dull colors.

I'm mainly looking for a snake I can handle.

Boa constrictor imperator is the snake you are looking for, very mellow, vibrant colors, have similar requirements to bp's and they reach impressive but not unmanageable lengths. BCI below, that is just one example of there many patterns and colors.

Or you could co with a dumerils Boa, almost the same requirements as BCI's but will be even calmer when handled enough.
Dumeril's Below

These ones aren't too pricey either.

Ourobouros · 06-20-13, 06:03 PM

If I had my pick without financial restrictions I'd take an emerald boa, eastern indigo, leucistic ratsnake, blue racer or neon blue California red sided garter snake. Or all! =D

Terranaut · 06-20-13, 06:20 PM

What is your actual budget. " a lot of money" is a bit vague. Some people think $500 is an expensive snake and some $5000 so please narrow it down a bit.

Starbuck · 06-20-13, 06:21 PM

you're bound to get pointed towards carpet pythons; there is a thread here of a 'german jungle carpet' who is absolutely stunning. They are big, active, impressive, and many calm down and are very tame as adults.

I'd also think about the bull/pine/gopher snake group if youre interested in colubrids... and i know someone who had an adolescent Blue Beauty snake who was a complete angel, she went on lots of education programs etc and was very very well behaved

It all depends on the snake.

Ourobouros · 06-20-13, 07:13 PM

Oooohhh Jamaican boas are really pretty....

Mikoh4792 · 06-20-13, 07:16 PM

That jamaican boa is pretty stunning.

I'd look into dwarf/Island Boa constictors or carpet pythons.

You could also look into carpet pythons..etc. There are just so many to name.

smy_749 · 06-20-13, 07:21 PM

Dominican red mountain boas are pretty. If you have 2000 dollars for a pair, go for it !

Carpets
Boas (scratch the arboreal ones unless you want to get tagged for now)
More balls, you should have atleast 2
corns/kings/milks/garters
Childrens/stimsons

Do your research on the species before hand and stay away from snakes that need redic humidity 85 + (amazons, rainbow boas, etc. ) for now.

Mikoh4792 · 06-20-13, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smy_749

Dominican red mountain boas are pretty. If you have 2000 dollars for a pair, go for it !

Carpets
Boas (scratch the arboreal ones unless you want to get tagged for now)
More balls, you should have atleast 2
corns/kings/milks/garters
Childrens/stimsons

Do your research on the species before hand and stay away from snakes that need redic humidity 85 + (amazons, rainbow boas, etc. ) for now.

If he has an enclosure that is good at keeping humidity and an accurate hygrometer I'd say it's fine.

Ourobouros · 06-20-13, 07:39 PM

Real beauties here

Leucistic reticulated python:

High blue green tree python: (I think?)

Leopard boa:

smy_749 · 06-20-13, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikoh4792

If he has an enclosure that is good at keeping humidity and an accurate hygrometer I'd say it's fine.

And it probably is. But if its only his second snake, a species which is more forgiving with husbandry mistakes is a better option until he has more experience. Back to OP, I would say to get a dwarf boa species if you really don't want a 'common' snake. And Imo they are prob the best with being handled.

smy_749 · 06-20-13, 07:42 PM

@ Ourobouros,

I'm pretty sure thats not leucisitic. I can see the black spots all over him....Just because google images brought it up, doesn't make it leucistic. Also, that retic is in the 20 thousand + price tag range as far as I know, and the GTP is in the thousands as well if its a true blue not hormonal.

Mikoh4792 · 06-20-13, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smy_749

And it probably is. But if its only his second snake, a species which is more forgiving with husbandry mistakes is a better option until he has more experience. Back to OP, I would say to get a dwarf boa species if you really don't want a 'common' snake. And Imo they are prob the best with being handled.

I guess. But he's already been raising a ball python which requires moderate humidity. He could always just have only the enclosure and learn how to keep a constant humidity level inside before placing an animal in it.

I only have experience with two dwarf boas. My Cay Caulker that just passed away and some other Central American bci(I don't know which locale). Both were tame right out of the box.

smy_749 · 06-20-13, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikoh4792

I guess. But he's already been raising a ball python which requires moderate humidity. He could always just have only the enclosure and learn how to keep a constant humidity level inside before placing an animal in it.

I only have experience with two dwarf boas. My Cay Caulker that just passed away and some other Central American bci(I don't know which locale). Both were tame right out of the box.

There is a huge difference between moderate humidity and keeping 90+
People also tend to just make it very wet thinking it means humid and it leads to all kinds of issues.

Mikoh4792 · 06-20-13, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smy_749

There is a huge difference between moderate humidity and keeping 90+
People also tend to just make it very wet thinking it means humid and it leads to all kinds of issues.

That's why I said he could always have just the enclosure for a while and learn how to keep a constant humidity level.

If someone wants to own a green tree python in the future, do you suggest that person keep buying snakes which have incrementally higher humidity level requirements? No one has to go that far. Just research, set up the enclosure and learn how to keep the conditions constant. Once that's done it should be fine with proper maintenance and care.