first snake

[Pixie]

I too recommend a corn snake for a first snake but I think someone who is well read on BP's and has patience could handle a ball as a first snake.

They are different in terms of handling, I prefer handling my ball but I love the different color morphs of my corns.

Decisions, decisions!

Pixie

[P.curtus]

I think corns are great snakes although babies are very small and sometimes difficult to get feeding, for a beginner I would say a pine snake or anything of the pituophis genus. They are very hardy and easy to care for as well as docile. As far as boids go there aren't many I would reccomend for a first snake. Balls aren't too bad if they're cb, and just because the person selling you the snake says it's cb doesn't always mean it is, but even then you can run ito some pretty difficult problems. Common boas are pretty low maintenence, but get very big and really strong song caging must be spacious and good quality. Overall I reccomend Pines.

[Dunner]

i'm going to have to agree with linds on this one, definatly a rosy boa! ball pythons are also good, but i don't know how many times on forums i've seen,. "my ball stoppd eating" or, "i can't get my ball to eat" i'm going to have to say rosy...or cornsnake, again i'm in the same boat as linds, i'm not a fan of colubrids, so go with the rosy, they're better looking

[Scotty Allen]

There are so many healthy, captive bred species available now that I think the "best" (don't like that word but it's all that comes to mind) answer for you is to pick a species (harmless of course)that you think you might like, do some research (lots of it, on forums like this, and there are plenty of good books) and then make up your own mind. You'd be surprised how many "beginner" species you come up with, you'll probably end up with a bunch. Careful, snake keeping can become an expensive though rewarding addiction.

i would have to say corn......or a ball python.........or a rosy boa.....all are great snakes!

[silke]

ok ok
DING DING
everyone to your corners

since we can't seem to agree, I have come to the conclusion that you need:
1 corn snake and 1 rosy boa and 1 ball python

[hip]

Don't forget spotted pythons or african house snakes or great plains rat snakes or russian rat snakes. These are also easy to care for docile as snakes go don't get too huge and are good feeders on frozen thawed rodents just by captive bred and captive born good luck Hip

[Edwin]

I agree with hip, african house snakes, balls or corns would make good starter snakes. I started with a ball, and have never had any of the feeding issues that plague other ball owners. House snakes are fairly docile as well and dont grow too large. I am not a huge fan of corns, but they are fairly low maintenance as well. Whichever snake you get, remember to get a CB (captive bred) specimen, as this will save you a lot of potential hassle (mites, parasites, etc). Also, do a bit of research before purchasing the snake and you will be just fine.

Hope this helps.

[Linds]

I disagree. There is no guarantee that you wont get a snake plagued with mites and internal parasites just because it was captive bred. That's why many of us shotgun treat our animals for both internal and external parasites just to be sure that our animals are clean. That's why the attention should also be paid to the source of where you are getting your animal from

[hip]

Once again linds has hit the nail right on the head.I have in the past received snakes loaded with mites and other bugs. Be sure to look around before you buy a snake and ask people here where the best place to buy the snake you choose to purchase is.As in any busness there are good ones and not so good ones so be care full get a fecal done look for mites and treat the problems with the right meds if required.Once again best of luck in your quest. Hip

[Sean_.E.]

I like solomon Island Ground boas ....BUT everyone knows im obsessed with them. They are a good begginer snake and are good pets. They dont grow very big (usually 3-4 feet) and are different. They kind of have a venomous look to them also.

Sean