Need suggestions for my next snake

badgers034 · 11-11-14, 07:17 PM

Hey guys, I am going to be graduating college soon and am looking to buy another snake. Currently I have a year old healthy corn snake and I am looking to get something new. I have been doing a lot of research lately and can not decide on what I want next.

Here's what I am looking for:

Mild mannered. I do not want to deal with an extremely nippy snake. I realize that some snakes are nippy as juveniles, but I would prefer one that is "puppy dog tame. I am also aware that snakes' temperament is typically a case by case basis and there is always a chance that I will get an aggressive individual.
Under 10 feet full grown. Preferably in the 6-8 foot range
Not a pet rock. I want a snake that is somewhat active
Somewhat easy to care for. I am ready to take on a challenge, but I like the fact that snakes are somewhat low maintenenace pets and would like to keep it that way

And here are the snakes I have been researching:
BCI - Seems like a great option, however adults seem to get a bit bigger than I would like. Still completely open to the idea however.
Carpet Python - Love the idea of getting one of these. They are absolutely beautiful and would definitely make a great snake to show off. However, I read their temperament is pretty hit or miss and they are nippy as juveniles.
Dumeril's boa - I like the fact that their temperament is pretty tame, however the downside is that they are ambush predators and I think it might be a little boring, besides handling it.
Some of the bigger Colubrids - Havent really done much research on these, but I am keeping my options open.
Ball pythons - Not really interested in these. They seem pretty boring.

I have also considered getting something smaller that is active and use it as a display snake. I've always liked the idea of a "live" vivarium with live plants and branches, and it would be really cool to have a cool snake that would slither around the tank.

I know with the above criteria it seems like the obvious choice is a carpet python, however I feel like there's gotta be other options that I haven't looked into.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am definitely not going to rush into this purchase, and want to find the type of snake that is perfect for me.

**Tsubaki** · 11-12-14, 02:10 PM

There are quite a lot of BCI's that stay a lot smaller than average, and you could always go for an animal known to be docile to be more sure of their disposition. My Dumerils were always in plain sight, and the male i had was actually pretty active. They however, were quite big! The female was the size of a Large bci. You could check out Antaresia pythons, or Rainbow-boa's, both stay relatively small and are not known to be very aggressive.

Obsidian_Dragon · 11-12-14, 02:25 PM

Man, do I have to head up the Mexican Black Kingsnake Fan Club now for these threads?

Mine is very mild mannered, even as a baby. A few rattlesnake tail warnings and that's about it. They're possibly a little smaller than the 6-8 range you're looking for--6 is on the bigger end, iirc. He's more active to handle than he is in his enclosure, but I do catch him out and about, so not a pet rock.

My suggestion for a smaller display snake: a garter. My little bugger is often out and about, clambering all over. Doesn't care for being HANDLED, but he's also only a baby and may yet grow out of it. Definitely interesting to watch, though.

They can also come in some fantastic colors and patterns.

I myself am looking for a Russian Rat Snake as my next one--the hope is it'll be a combination of my two existing snakes, in that it'll be out and about and neat to watch while tolerating being touched. :P They could be a neat one for you to consider as well! They're semi-arboreal, so they need a larger enclosure, but their care isn't difficult at all. Fits your other criteria as well.

**EL Ziggy** · 11-12-14, 02:26 PM

Welcome and best wishes badgers. I love the carpets. That's definitely my next snake. Have you considered kings? They're great animals to keep. If you want a larger colubrid check out the pituophis species of bull, gopher and pine snakes. I have (2) bulls that are AWESOME! Let us know which one you go with.

sharthun · 11-12-14, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

Welcome and best wishes badgers. I love the carpets. That's definitely my next snake. Have you considered kings? They're great animals to keep. If you want a larger colubrid check out the pituophis species of bull, gopher and pine snakes. I have (2) bulls that are AWESOME! Let us know which one you go with.

I agree, bulls, Kings, and the Black Milk snake are good choices for colubrids.

IW17 · 11-12-14, 04:38 PM

Taiwan beauty snake. 7-8' full grown, active, beautiful, eats like a pig, and available enough that you won't look forever and spend a fortune, but uncommon enough to be unique.

**Tsubaki** · 11-12-14, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IW17

Taiwan beauty snake. 7-8' full grown, active, beautiful, eats like a pig, and available enough that you won't look forever and spend a fortune, but uncommon enough to be unique.

Around here there is not one beauty snake known for even having a slightly friendly disposition, they can be really feisty

i had a couple about 8 years ago, the male was one nasty little bugger.

IW17 · 11-12-14, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tsubaki

Around here there is not one beauty snake known for even having a slightly friendly disposition, they can be really feisty

i had a couple about 8 years ago, the male was one nasty little bugger.

I've heard that from quite a few people in Europe actually lol. Funny cause over here almost every one iI've come across is pretty chill. A little flighty when first taken out, but not defensive at all. I wonder if different bloodlines have any impact on this? Also years ago a lot of keepers kept them hot. Like 90 on the warm side. I think that had somethi ng to do with it also. I keep my warm side around 82 degrees and that seems to be the ticket. I got taste tested one time when he was tiny, but that was it. And a local breeder I talk to quite often has several beauties I'm always holding and have never had any problems with them either.

Now blue beauties and cave racers/ridleys beauties on the other hand, I've definitely found more than a few angry specimens lol.

Derek1 · 11-12-14, 08:43 PM

I would go King. Had mine 3 months and she still rattles as Obsidian_Dragon says, but I just reach in grab her and she's cool as can be.

kwhitlock · 11-13-14, 10:16 AM

Have you looked into BRB's or CRB's? They stay on the smaller side (feet being on the big side) mine is incredibly docile and relatively easy to take care of. Some of the bigger colubrids would be awesome too.

badgers034 · 11-13-14, 11:34 AM

Alright guys, thanks for all the replies. After reading through and weighing out my options, I think the final decision is between a Carpet Python and a smaller BCI. Besides Hogg Islands, which locale of BCI stays on the smaller side?

**Tsubaki** · 11-13-14, 02:45 PM

Small: Hog island, Corn island (Nicaragua), Nicaragua, Honduras, Honduras (La Bahia), El Salvador, Maybe even Ecuador, those can reach 6F though.

Really small: Tarahumara (Mexico), Tamaulipas (Mexico), Cay Caulker, Ambergris (Belize), Crawl Cay (Belize)

The 'Small' ones, can still pass 5 feet or more, i hope i did not forget any..

I have owned, Tarahumara, Hog Island, Corn island, Nicaragua, And Hondurans personally.

badgers034 · 11-13-14, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tsubaki

Small: Hog island, Corn island (Nicaragua), Nicaragua, Honduras, Honduras (La Bahia), El Salvador, Maybe even Ecuador, those can reach 6F though.

Really small: Tarahumara (Mexico), Tamaulipas (Mexico), Cay Caulker, Ambergris (Belize), Crawl Cay (Belize)

The 'Small' ones, can still pass 5 feet or more, i hope i did not forget any..

I have owned, Tarahumara, Hog Island, Corn island, Nicaragua, And Hondurans personally.

Based on what you have owned, do you have any preference? Have you noticed any different temperaments based on your own snakes?

edit: Any suggestions on where to buy one online?

Mikoh4792 · 11-13-14, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badgers034

Based on what you have owned, do you have any preference? Have you noticed any different temperaments based on your own snakes?

edit: Any suggestions on where to buy one online?

If you are buying locality, get one from a reputable breeder and not from a retail store. You can never know if what you have is actually pure without lineage.

A good breeder off the top of my head is Vin Russo from cuttingedgeherp.com. Gus Rentfro was another one, but I think he recently stopped breeding boas.

If you want to know more about the different subspecies, get the book "The Complete Boa Constrictor" authored by both of the breeders mentioned above. You can find this book on amazon.

David VB · 11-13-14, 06:06 PM

Since i'm not into colubrids, i would surely go for a carpet python. I have one which is super tame and very active, even during day time. And they are absolutely gorgeous, with plenty of choices in length and colours.