General Questions: Different Genera of Snakes - Page 2

ngav3 · 02-13-16, 01:05 PM

+1 to hognose. They have a bluff, too, but they dont bite unless they smell food. Fun little snakes.

macandchz · 02-13-16, 01:45 PM

dear stiglitz i can only give my opinion on a bp but if you want a nice docile snake that seems to like to be handled and doesn't get too large, and doesn't take much maintenance, i'd suggest an albino ball. i've only had a few feeding problems, no problems with sheds, and believe me i am a beginner.

**Minkness** · 02-13-16, 02:07 PM

Sheds are easy to get right. Just put some coco or cypress down and keep it moist at one end. Mine don't even have substrate since I keep them on antibacterial rubber shelving liners and I get consist sheds.

Also, 1 bad shed won't kill a snake. Several bad sheds around an important body part (like the neck) could cause death...but not one or even 2. I got a rescue BP that had a bad shed and like 4 stuck eye caps and once I got her cleaned up from shed and caps, I have NO ither issues with her! From the same pwrson I got her from, I got a female hoggie who was so dehydrated her skin felt like sandpaper and she took like 3 MONTHS to finally shed. Ince she did, her scales felt like butter!

So, BP or hognose is my vote. They are great pets, require little maintenance, and if you mess up, they are hardy and forgiving.

Stiglitz · 02-13-16, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ngav3

So you like earthly colored snakes huh? Im the same, i really like the more natural colors. If you dont mind the size, look into boa constrictors. If the size is an issue, look into dwarf boas such as hogg island or Nicaraguan, but be aware the dwarf boas tend to be a little more nippy as babies than a common boa (boa constrictor imperator). They do tame out as adults however, especially with handling.

Wow, I had no idea that a dwarf boa existed... Boas turned me off because of their large size. But a dwarf boa that only gets around 6 feet? That's awesome! I really love boa eyes. I'll definitely look into this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minkness

Sheds are easy to get right. Just put some coco or cypress down and keep it moist at one end. Mine don't even have substrate since I keep them on antibacterial rubber shelving liners and I get consist sheds.

Also, 1 bad shed won't kill a snake. Several bad sheds around an important body part (like the neck) could cause death...but not one or even 2. I got a rescue BP that had a bad shed and like 4 stuck eye caps and once I got her cleaned up from shed and caps, I have NO ither issues with her! From the same pwrson I got her from, I got a female hoggie who was so dehydrated her skin felt like sandpaper and she took like 3 MONTHS to finally shed. Ince she did, her scales felt like butter!

So, BP or hognose is my vote. They are great pets, require little maintenance, and if you mess up, they are hardy and forgiving.

Hognoses do look like cute little guys. I do prefer a slightly larger snake, but hognoses are just too cute to look over.

Do you suggest any websites, videos, or articles that focus specifically on BP (or general snake) humidity and shedding?

Stiglitz · 02-13-16, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macandchz

dear stiglitz i can only give my opinion on a bp but if you want a nice docile snake that seems to like to be handled and doesn't get too large, and doesn't take much maintenance, i'd suggest an albino ball. i've only had a few feeding problems, no problems with sheds, and believe me i am a beginner.

That makes me much more confident hearing that from a beginner. From my understanding, female ball pythons get to a much larger size than males right?

ngav3 · 02-13-16, 02:22 PM

While boas can reach sizes of 7 foot+, it really doesnt happen that often. Most common boas top out at about 6', and the dwarfs around 4-5'

Stiglitz · 02-13-16, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ngav3

While boas can reach sizes of 7 foot+, it really doesnt happen that often. Most common boas top out at about 6', and the dwarfs around 4-5'

Oh, so in reality common boas average about the same length as a maxed out adult Honduran milk snake? That's good to hear.. And from your experience the commons aren't very nippy?

Lefitte · 02-13-16, 03:55 PM

You might also be interested long tailed boas. They stay smaller and are very docile. They have very natural colors as well. However, they arent as common and may be a little hard to find especially if you dont want to ship the snake.

ngav3 · 02-13-16, 04:00 PM

My common boa is the most docile out of all my snakes. Snakes are never tame, but this guy is about a year and a half old and has never even threatened to bite once. Although the length may be the same of a honduran, boas are much more muscular and heavier bodied than a colubrid.

Stiglitz · 02-13-16, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lefitte

You might also be interested long tailed boas. They stay smaller and are very docile. They have very natural colors as well. However, they arent as common and may be a little hard to find especially if you dont want to ship the snake.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ngav3

My common boa is the most docile out of all my snakes. Snakes are never tame, but this guy is about a year and a half old and has never even threatened to bite once. Although the length may be the same of a honduran, boas are much more muscular and heavier bodied than a colubrid.

Cool, thanks guys! After some quick 10 minute research, it looks like dumeril's boas and rosy boas seem like the best fit for me.. I'm given the impression that they are very docile, respond to handling well, and are a bit smaller than the common boa. Any thoughts in regards to whether or not they're a good boa to start off with as a beginner?

ngav3 · 02-13-16, 04:11 PM

Both are great.

I think its best that you go out and handle an adult boa before you get one, however, so you can get a firsthand feel of how your snake will be at adult size.

**Minkness** · 02-13-16, 04:14 PM

Rosy boas are tiny. Keep that in mind.

Also, all of them have vastly different looks. Find one you like the look of. I'm personally not a fan of how rosies look. So it is something tokeep in mind.

ngav3 · 02-13-16, 04:18 PM

^exactly. Rosy boas dont even come close to the size and strength of an adult dumerils

Stiglitz · 02-13-16, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ngav3

Both are great.

I think its best that you go out and handle an adult boa before you get one, however, so you can get a firsthand feel of how your snake will be at adult size.

Yeah, I handled a juvenile pueblan milk before, and even though it was a juvenile, I realized how squirmy the little guys can be.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minkness

Rosy boas are tiny. Keep that in mind.

Also, all of them have vastly different looks. Find one you like the look of. I'm personally not a fan of how rosies look. So it is something tokeep in mind.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ngav3

^exactly. Rosy boas dont even come close to the size and strength of an adult dumerils

I'll do some further research. What are your guys' opinions on water for a rosy? Some websites say they place a dish of water in their cage for only one or two days out of the month, some disagree and keep a dish of water every day, but still making sure the humidity is low.. It's as if this snake's humidity requirements are the complete opposite of a BP!

Lefitte · 02-13-16, 04:26 PM

I held a juvie dumeril's boa in preparation for my brb and totally loved it!