border
sSNAKESs : Reptile Forum
 

Go Back   sSNAKESs : Reptile Forum > Community Forums > General Discussion

Notices

View Poll Results: Which snake for my first/only snake?
Western hognose 4 12.90%
Mexican black kingsnake 16 51.61%
Dekay's brown snake 0 0%
Baird's rat snake 3 9.68%
Gray-banded kingsnake 1 3.23%
Thayeri kingsnake 2 6.45%
Miami phase corn snake 5 16.13%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 31. You may not vote on this poll

Closed Thread
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 01-18-15, 08:24 PM   #1
Guy
Member
 
Join Date: Jan-2015
Posts: 9
Country:
First/only snake poll

Hi All,

I'm a new member who has considered getting a snake off and on for a few years. I registered here in order to do more research; I'm probably not that close to taking the leap yet.

I'm torn about what snake I like best. (I've never had a snake.) I can only get one (personal choice due to other pets/budget), so I want to make the right choice. I'd like something not too large that is docile and active/a good display animal. I don't want something that's going to hide all day. Also want something with "personality."

I've really fallen for the western hognose and the Mexican black kingsnake. I like their looks and suitability for beginners. I've looked through some posts, but what do you like best about these?

I've wondered one thing about the hognose: Can they be trickier to handle because of their small size? I see how kingsnakes and corns wrap around an arm.

I also really like these snakes:

Dekay's brown snake
Baird's ratsnake
Gray-banded kingsnake
Thayeri kingsnake
Miami phase cornsnake

Thanks.
Guy is offline  
Login to remove ads
Old 01-19-15, 03:29 AM   #2
Minkness
Forum Moderator
 
Minkness's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec-2014
Location: middle tn
Posts: 4,269
Country:
Send a message via Skype™ to Minkness
Re: First/only snake poll

Both are great choices! I have an MBK that is my first, and supposed to be my only. She is a dream to handle and moderately active I'd say. My reasons for going with an MBK as my first was it's temperment, looks, size, ease of care, good eater, and price.

That being said, I will be adding a western hognose in a fee months. Probably a female as they get a bit larger and thicker than the males where ad MBKs are basically the same size male or female. As I do not yet have experience with a hoggie, I will only tell you what I have heard of them. Much like the MBK they are docile and a good size with easy care. The drawbacks I have heard of so far is that some may stay burrowed and hide alot, but others may be more active and that they can be a bit more of a finicky eater, especially when young.

I'm sure someone with far more experience will be better help.

Welcome to your new addiction!
Minkness is offline  
Old 01-19-15, 08:06 AM   #3
Aaron_S
Forum Moderator
 
Aaron_S's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov-2002
Location: Toronto
Age: 39
Posts: 16,977
Send a message via MSN to Aaron_S
Re: First/only snake poll

MBK's are pretty awesome. However I think the corn snake is the ultimate "first time", new keeper, beginner snakes. It has no down sides!
Aaron_S is offline  
Old 01-19-15, 08:13 AM   #4
Jim Smith
Member
 
Join Date: Sep-2013
Location: Conyers
Posts: 1,298
Country:
Re: First/only snake poll

To Aaron's point, Corn snakes do make excellent first time snakes, however you need to check to make sure it is legal to keep them in the state you live in. For example here in Georgia, it is illegal to keep corn snakes no matter what morph it is, because they are indigenous to the state. Also, you might want to add Honduran Milk Snakes to your list of possible first time/only snakes as they are readily available, not too expensive, easy to care for, great attitude and come in a wide variety of beautiful morphs. Just a thought...
__________________
JSmith
Jim Smith is offline  
Old 01-19-15, 10:19 AM   #5
Guy
Member
 
Join Date: Jan-2015
Posts: 9
Country:
Re: First/only snake poll

Thanks for all of the great feedback! Minkness, we are kindred spirits! Good luck with your second acquisition.
Guy is offline  
Login to remove ads
Old 01-19-15, 11:24 AM   #6
reptiledude987
Member
 
reptiledude987's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov-2014
Location: Kitchener Ont
Posts: 1,508
Country:
Re: First/only snake poll

I had to go with the grey banded king as it was my first snake I bought and she was great and will always hold a special place in my heart. Found her to be easy to care for as well and never had any feeding issues.
reptiledude987 is offline  
Old 01-19-15, 11:49 AM   #7
Aaron_S
Forum Moderator
 
Aaron_S's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov-2002
Location: Toronto
Age: 39
Posts: 16,977
Send a message via MSN to Aaron_S
Re: First/only snake poll

Jim is absolutely correct! First thing in being a responsible reptile keeper is knowing, respecting and following your State, municipal and federal laws/bylaws.

Once that's done here is the list of reasons why corns are awesome.

Husbandry difficulty? Easy and very forgiving of mistakes.
Temperment? Calm.
Feeding? Great eaters.
Options? Many colour and patterns.
Expensive? Can find one within your budget in many colours and patterns.
Breeding? Easy.

Has all the facets of what makes a great first snake.
Aaron_S is offline  
Old 01-19-15, 11:51 AM   #8
drumcrush
Member
 
drumcrush's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun-2013
Location: Fort Wayne
Age: 28
Posts: 2,499
Country:
Re: First/only snake poll

MBK was my first snake and I do not regret it, I love my girl to death! She is super chill. Join the MBK club!
__________________
0.2 Leopard Gecko(Zadna & Allister) | 0.1 Mexican Black Kingsnake(Ammit) | 0.1 Albino Checkered Garter Snake(Mrs. Buttercup) |1.0 Betta (Alfred) |0.0.1 Green Sunfish| 1.0 Green Terror Cichlid
-Kyle
drumcrush is offline  
Old 01-19-15, 11:56 AM   #9
drumcrush
Member
 
drumcrush's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun-2013
Location: Fort Wayne
Age: 28
Posts: 2,499
Country:
Re: First/only snake poll

Oh I'd also consider a garter. My lil albino is packed full of energy! She is always out and about! Very curious she is super chill when handling, I'm hoping for her to get at least 3 ft. Males typically stay stay smaller around 2(ish) ft. Depending on the species of garter
__________________
0.2 Leopard Gecko(Zadna & Allister) | 0.1 Mexican Black Kingsnake(Ammit) | 0.1 Albino Checkered Garter Snake(Mrs. Buttercup) |1.0 Betta (Alfred) |0.0.1 Green Sunfish| 1.0 Green Terror Cichlid
-Kyle
drumcrush is offline  
Old 01-19-15, 12:08 PM   #10
Guy
Member
 
Join Date: Jan-2015
Posts: 9
Country:
Re: First/only snake poll

Thanks for all of the great feedback.

Reptiledude987, I really see the appeal of the gray-banded. What a neat snake.

Aaron, 10-4. The corn snake is legal where I live (Minnesota). I really do like everything I read about it, and I love the look of the Miami phase.

Drumcrush, that's good to hear about how chill your snake is! I've read a lot about how king snakes can be a bit feistier than other species, although I've also read that MBKs are mellower than other king snakes. I've considered the garter, too, as I like the idea of a smaller snake in a larger, more naturalistic vivarium. That's one reason why the Dekay's is high on my list. But am I the only one who thinks garters always look so angry because of the way their eyes/faces are built? Haha.
Guy is offline  
Login to remove ads
Old 01-19-15, 01:04 PM   #11
Derek1
Member
 
Join Date: Sep-2014
Location: DFW Texas
Posts: 416
Country:
Re: First/only snake poll

For ease of care, display, and size Garter is tough to beat. My Garter is by far my most active as he rarely is not crawling around. No special heating only ambient temps and a great eater of pinkies, fish and worms.

That said my Cal King is my favorite. Very docile, great eater, and easy to care for just not as active, but she's still very young only about 8 months old, and she's getting more active. I'll be getting another King at the next Reptile show in February.
Derek1 is offline  
Old 01-19-15, 01:13 PM   #12
Minkness
Forum Moderator
 
Minkness's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec-2014
Location: middle tn
Posts: 4,269
Country:
Send a message via Skype™ to Minkness
Re: First/only snake poll

A garter is totally going to be my 3rd snake. Going to do a bioactive like Derek and probably not do too much handling (so I say now lol).

While good looking and active, it's hit or miss if one is flighty or docile it seems. Also, from what I have heard others talk about, the females are easier to handle than the males wjile both stay fairly active in the enclosure. =)

Seriously though, for a one and only, I'd still say that a MBK is the way to go if you find their shiny, raven blackness as awesome as a more patterned snake. That was one of the reasons I went with an MBK as well...my faaaaavorite color is black. ^_^
__________________
"THE Reptiholic"

I stopped counting at 30....
Minkness is offline  
Old 01-19-15, 03:47 PM   #13
Guy
Member
 
Join Date: Jan-2015
Posts: 9
Country:
Re: First/only snake poll

Quote:
Originally Posted by Minkness View Post
A garter is totally going to be my 3rd snake. Going to do a bioactive like Derek and probably not do too much handling (so I say now lol).

While good looking and active, it's hit or miss if one is flighty or docile it seems. Also, from what I have heard others talk about, the females are easier to handle than the males wjile both stay fairly active in the enclosure. =)

Seriously though, for a one and only, I'd still say that a MBK is the way to go if you find their shiny, raven blackness as awesome as a more patterned snake. That was one of the reasons I went with an MBK as well...my faaaaavorite color is black. ^_^

Yeah, I also really love the sleekness of solid coloration, especially black.
Guy is offline  
Old 01-19-15, 04:06 PM   #14
drumcrush
Member
 
drumcrush's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun-2013
Location: Fort Wayne
Age: 28
Posts: 2,499
Country:
Re: First/only snake poll

Male garters are typically the flighty ones. but they're all flighty as babies. Mine grew out of that pretty fast. One day as i was exchanging her water, she came up to my hand and drank water off of it. It was really interesting.

but MBKs jet black, glossy color is hard to beat. I eventeventually want to get a pure white snake just to balance it lol
__________________
0.2 Leopard Gecko(Zadna & Allister) | 0.1 Mexican Black Kingsnake(Ammit) | 0.1 Albino Checkered Garter Snake(Mrs. Buttercup) |1.0 Betta (Alfred) |0.0.1 Green Sunfish| 1.0 Green Terror Cichlid
-Kyle
drumcrush is offline  
Old 01-19-15, 04:37 PM   #15
Minkness
Forum Moderator
 
Minkness's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec-2014
Location: middle tn
Posts: 4,269
Country:
Send a message via Skype™ to Minkness
Re: First/only snake poll

Drum, I have totally had that idea myself, and thought about getting a lucistic Texas ratsnake. However, after researching other kinds and putting color aside, can't beat a hoggie or garter lol. I have seen pics floating around of a lucistic hoggie, but not seen any for sale yet. Even if they were though, they would be well outside of my price range lol. My fave hoggie morph is the red or axantic supercondas. Loooove me some patternless snakes lol.
__________________
"THE Reptiholic"

I stopped counting at 30....
Minkness is offline  
Login to remove ads
Closed Thread


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:37 PM.

Powered by vBulletin®
©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © 2002-2023, Hobby Solutions.

right