newbie snakes - Page 2

NennaMeerkat · 04-12-11, 11:49 PM

Yay more questions

$80.00 a good price for a captive bred male het western hognose

Yeah I would say so, though keep in mind males are not as big as females. For my female I paid 75.00 Remember also that if you are getting it online from a breeder that would have to mail you the snake it will cost extra! And you won't have the benefit of a breeder nearby in case something is wrong with the snake.

and also what does "het" mean lol is it like a color morph or something?

Not sure. Guess would be it is a carrier of special colors/morph. Wherever you are seeing the information from needs to have a picture of your snake that you want. Then that will show you what, if anything, is different about your snake. Considering the price...probably just a carrier of special colors/morph.

would have to put a heat lamp on my tank? i live in florida and it is fairly warm for almost the whole year. i think the coldest it got here last winter was like 32F lol i know im going to need a heat mat

You will need a mat under your tank for the "hot side" of it. They come in different sizes for different sized tanks. If you split the tank in half (which for a 40 gallon I suggest you do) then you will want to get a 10 gallon sized mat. If you don't split the tank then you want a 20 gallon sized mat. You are also going to need a in tank thermometer that will show you what the temp is in the tank. Many different kinds out there. But basically you stick it to the inside of the tank in the middle (if you split the tank in half then put it in the middle of the half you are using). Since you like in Fl. the only time you are gonna need a heat lamp is in the winter. I live in Texas and I use one as a precaution. Ceramic lamp with a low wattage bulb.

Oh! And the under the tank mat will need to be on a "dimmer switch" so you can control how hot it is. Those mats get really hot and can burn a snake if you don't watch it. Basically if you can put your hand on the glass where the mat is under for 10 seconds without any discomfort then it should be okay for your snake. If you feel uncomfortable lower the "dimmer switch" and try the hand test again in about 10 min.

also i read that you shouldnt put your tank near a window? why is that?

This goes for anything ANYTHING in a tank. The sun will make your tank into a microwave basically and will literally bake whatever is inside of it. So no window sill sitting for any tank. In fact I wouldn't have the tank anywhere that gets direct sunlight. Don't wanna risk that hot FL. sun right?

Max713 · 04-13-11, 02:02 AM

Just a heads up, that tank comes out to 50.4225 gallons

I know nothing about hoggies, but I don't think I would consider a snake that is known to be a finicky eater, as a beginner snake. But that's just me, like I said I don't know hoggies. Cute little guys though!
I wish you the best of luck with whatever direction you choose to go!

NennaMeerkat · 04-13-11, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max713

Just a heads up, that tank comes out to 50.4225 gallons

I know nothing about hoggies, but I don't think I would consider a snake that is known to be a finicky eater, as a beginner snake. But that's just me, like I said I don't know hoggies. Cute little guys though!
I wish you the best of luck with whatever direction you choose to go!

Honestly it is the only off thing about them...and even that doesn't happen all THAT often. Just something you have to be aware of if you get one.

And if that tank is 50 gallons he is DEFIANTLY gonna have to cut it in half for a baby/juvenile hognose! Cause that is far far to large.

blindfireak40 · 04-13-11, 08:24 AM

You could probably split it in half permanently and get 2 hoggies with a tank that size, could you not? Doesn't seem like they'd need anything bigger than a 20 Long.

NennaMeerkat · 04-13-11, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blindfireak40

You could probably split it in half permanently and get 2 hoggies with a tank that size, could you not? Doesn't seem like they'd need anything bigger than a 20 Long.

Ooooo now I wish I had a 50 gallon LOL Cause you could EASILY do that!

thomas1123 · 04-13-11, 03:27 PM

wow i didnt know that it was 50g lol i think im going to get a ten gallon and put him in that until he gets bigger. i would like two have to but i dont think i would have enough time to hold them both and tame them down if they are mean babies and they would both be males so wouldnt they fight? and the 50g tank i would be putting them in has to front doors that open out side ways so i think it would look awkward just being halfed off lol but idk ill think about it. that is a pretty good idea about getting two and just halfing off the middle and they would both have 25gs to themselves lol how would i half the tank? lol

mistersprinkles · 04-13-11, 06:06 PM

Any snake should be kept with a hot spot and a cool spot and a hide on either. Arboreal snakes are different but you're not considering those. You'll need a heating pad and/or a ceramic heating element for the snake, depending on the species and setup. You'll want to get decent digital thermometer and hygrometers as well. Analog is ok but not as accurate.

I wouldn't buy your first snake on the internet. Buy from a local breeder. There's always somebody on craigslist or your local buy and sell. Or go to a reputable pet shop or reptile show.

I don't recommend hognose as a beginner snake. It's a bit unpredictable and fragile and can go off food if mistreated accidentally. When I say unpredictable I don't mean that it's going to bite, not that it would matter as no snake that size even registers on the "i felt that" meter when it strikes-- but because they can be very odd. They go from calmer than a doorknob to flighty to posturing to calm again for no visible reason sometimes. It could fall, etc. You want a more reliably tempered sort of even keel snake that isn't likely to go off food.

Good beginner snakes:

Garter snake (lots of really nice ones don't write it off)
California king snake
Corn snake

Less good beginner snakes:

Ball Python
Hognose
Green snake
Milk snake

Garters and corns-- garters especially, are extremely forgiving of mistakes. When I go to a new kind of pet, whatever it is, bird, fish, whatever, I pick the hardiest easiest to care for species. I wouldn't buy a 1000cc 4 cylinder motorcycle as a first bike.

.

belovedboas · 04-13-11, 07:49 PM

I agree with Mister sprinkles accept for the kingsnake part...I have owned quite a few kings and they tend to be quite mean if not handled frequently. Also not a good idea to keep near other snakes as they tend to stay aggressive..

mistersprinkles · 04-13-11, 07:55 PM

Oh yeah they're horrible 'holding' snakes. They're more 'Fer lookin' at' snakes. I didn't know that was something that we were taking into consideration. I was just going on ease of care, setup, forgiving of mistakes, affordable... But yes if you want to pet it, that's not a good call. They tend to bite. I would have included a bunch of ratsnakes but didn't because they'll even bite you when you clean their cage and don't try to pick them up. The green snake, also, objects strongly to human contact and will try to escape. Again though great for looking at. I'd look more at the corn snake if you want to hold it. Or a garter. There are a lot of nice ones. They become surprisingly tame- even if they start out mean. They just get bored of being mean once they realize you're not there to eat them. There are albino, fully black, and red striped garters. Check em out.

Max713 · 04-13-11, 07:55 PM

Just curious, why don't you think balls make good first snakes? They are most definitely the most common python, and have to be in the top 5 most popular of all snakes.
I've read in some cases they can be picky eaters, but usually remedied pretty easily. I often recommend a ball as a good first time snake, just curious on you take on them?

*Sorry for the slight derailment*

belovedboas · 04-13-11, 07:58 PM

some kings will bite while just changing there water....but yes care wise very simple in my opinion

and balls are a good beginner snake too just a lil more work in the husbandry department If done properly.

NennaMeerkat · 04-13-11, 11:33 PM

I don't recommend hognose as a beginner snake. It's a bit unpredictable and fragile and can go off food if mistreated accidentally. When I say unpredictable I don't mean that it's going to bite, not that it would matter as no snake that size even registers on the "i felt that" meter when it strikes-- but because they can be very odd. They go from calmer than a doorknob to flighty to posturing to calm again for no visible reason sometimes. It could fall, etc. You want a more reliably tempered sort of even keel snake that isn't likely to go off food.

I REALLY have to disagree! I have never had a hognose that would be as unpredictable as you are describing! The reason most people get hoggies are because they are generally mellow and VERY predictable. I would personally like to ask you where you got this information or if it is personal extensive experience.

This guy as well as most other beginner individuals could handle a hognose with no problem. Once you get their environment setup then in all honesty they are not a problem. True you CAN have them go off feed but that goes for any snake if mishandled. If you treat them like any other snake and follow the directions of the breeder then you will be fine.

And this is coming from a hognose owner as well as one who has helped care for several in the past.

As quoted from TheHognosesnake.co.uk- care sheet, description, breeding and more

They have a relatively docile temperament and can be easily tamed. They are energetic and inquisitive and make very interesting pets. They are easy and safe to handle, growing to a manageable size and make a good choice for people who are new to snake keeping.

Hognose Snakes are quite active snakes and will appreciate time outside the vivarium to exercise. Hognoses have been known to be a bit huffy, but regular handling should calm your Hognose Snake down in time. They are quite fast little movers, so care should be taken to ensure you do not drop them while being handled.

Nothing about being "unpredictable" in there and that is a site dedicated to specifically hognose snakes.

mistersprinkles · 04-14-11, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NennaMeerkat

I don't recommend hognose as a beginner snake. It's a bit unpredictable and fragile and can go off food if mistreated accidentally. When I say unpredictable I don't mean that it's going to bite, not that it would matter as no snake that size even registers on the "i felt that" meter when it strikes-- but because they can be very odd. They go from calmer than a doorknob to flighty to posturing to calm again for no visible reason sometimes. It could fall, etc. You want a more reliably tempered sort of even keel snake that isn't likely to go off food.

I REALLY have to disagree! I have never had a hognose that would be as unpredictable as you are describing! The reason most people get hoggies are because they are generally mellow and VERY predictable. I would personally like to ask you where you got this information or if it is personal extensive experience.

This guy as well as most other beginner individuals could handle a hognose with no problem. Once you get their environment setup then in all honesty they are not a problem. True you CAN have them go off feed but that goes for any snake if mishandled. If you treat them like any other snake and follow the directions of the breeder then you will be fine.

And this is coming from a hognose owner as well as one who has helped care for several in the past.

As quoted from TheHognosesnake.co.uk- care sheet, description, breeding and more

They have a relatively docile temperament and can be easily tamed. They are energetic and inquisitive and make very interesting pets. They are easy and safe to handle, growing to a manageable size and make a good choice for people who are new to snake keeping.

Hognose Snakes are quite active snakes and will appreciate time outside the vivarium to exercise. Hognoses have been known to be a bit huffy, but regular handling should calm your Hognose Snake down in time. They are quite fast little movers, so care should be taken to ensure you do not drop them while being handled.

Nothing about being "unpredictable" in there and that is a site dedicated to specifically hognose snakes.

I'm an old person. I may have been keeping hognose back when they were still heavy in wild blood. They were prone to false cobra-ing, going off food, tail rattling, and generally becoming flighty without warning.

As far as BPs not being a good first snake, there are a lot of reasons:

They are clumsy
They are susceptible to mouthrot and breathing issues more so than most colubrids
They have more sensitive skin

All of those things require more careful consideration as to the snakes environment IMO than, say, a garter snake, which is a better first snake. A Ball Python is a third snake IMO.

A rainbow boa would be a fourth, then possibly moving on to arboreal tropicals like green tree pythons as a fifth.

mistersprinkles · 04-14-11, 10:39 AM

Just found this thread

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/heter...tml#post598701

Looks like some western hognose are still a bit jerky.

NennaMeerkat · 04-14-11, 10:49 AM

I'm an old person. I may have been keeping hognose back when they were still heavy in wild blood. They were prone to false cobra-ing, going off food, tail rattling, and generally becoming flighty without warning.

Honestly they might be flighty when they are longer but I don't know any young snake that will just sit completely still when brought from their home. As for the reacting *shrug* in little snakes I see it, in a full grown snake used to being handled they are like any other snake...the more and longer handled the more "tame" they become. That I honestly believe can be said about any snake or any animal for that matter. The younger they are the more "spunky" they will be.

Case in point. My girl I have used to poo and hiss every time I tried to pick her up. That was in February. Now with me carefully handling her once a week she now does not poo or hiss at me at all. True she might try to "escape" me initially but after a few moments she settles down.

It doesn't make them non-beginner snakes though. Non-beginner snakes are ones that are bitey or require a very precise environment ect. Not the fact that they like to move and are "inquisitive" or "adventurous".