Anybody heard of TC Exotics?

TxScarlet15 · 07-27-15, 07:09 AM

I'm trying to decide on my third snake and came across this small business not far from me. Has anyone dealt with them before or heard anything about them? They are supposed to be going to the repticon in Savannah so I'm curious to know more about them and what kind of snakes they sell. Right now I'm trying to decide between a BRB, some type of honduran milksnake morph, or maybe a thayeri king. Those are my top picks right now if anyone wants to chime in on that. Thanks!

**Minkness** · 07-27-15, 07:56 AM

-whispers- western hognoses....

Though a BRB would be very neat and very different from your corns since you would be stepping away from the colubrid family and into the boas. =)

TxScarlet15 · 07-27-15, 08:22 AM

Lol, from all your hog posts lately Mink I have been tempted on that, but I have a select few I'm wanting to choose from right now. I really love the look of BRBs and I kinda want to try something other than a colubrid, however I think I would actually prefer something that is more active during the day, and BRBs are more nocturnal, correct? That and I'm still a bit leery on the size being that I'm on the shorter side and not sure I can handle heavier snakes. I'm used to 4-5 foot max, so I'm not sure if I'm fully committed to getting something that could potentially get to 7 foot. I have found though that I really like the Albino tangerine hondos with wider bands like this one Albino Tangerine Honduran Milk Snakes for sale at Reptiles by Mack, but I don't know anything about that company and I've never dealt with shipping an animal or buying sight unseen. Argh I'm so torn and confused right now!!!

Sylphie · 07-27-15, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TxScarlet15

That and I'm still a bit leery on the size being that I'm on the shorter side and not sure I can handle heavier snakes. I'm used to 4-5 foot max, so I'm not sure if I'm fully committed to getting something that could potentially get to 7 foot.

Uh, I'm the same, maybe I'm not that small, but on the other hand I can't lift up anything heavier than 11lbs (spine problems), so boas and pythons are rather too strong for me

And it would end really bad for me if too big snake will try to push harder out of my grip, or jerked violently.

I would go with hoggies, or thayeri, but it's all up to your taste

**Minkness** · 07-27-15, 08:46 AM

Well, from what I have heard about milks, they are pretty shy, so if you want something active and out during the day might not be the best choice. I'm not terribly familiar with boas and pythons by any means, so no idea what to suggest kn that front. However, vine snakes are active durring tue day and aborial, and so far all but 1 of my hogs are always out and about during the day, and the females seem to be the most active. Not trying to push them, just pointing out that they exibit a behavior you are looking for. Also, a full grown female should get 4 foot or less but still be thicker bodied than a corn, king, or milk. =)

Also, if colors aren't a big deal to you, you can get a color phase normal for under 60$ at repticon. I got my first male for 40$ and he's a red phase normal (a color phase normal is just tue tint in which their normal colors show. There is green, red, and yellow as the more common types) and if you want something a bit pretttier, you can get an albino for under 200$

TxScarlet15 · 07-27-15, 09:23 AM

What do you know about a MBK? I've seen a couple on the forum and they are impressive snakes but I don't know much about how they are activity and personality wise.

**Minkness** · 07-27-15, 09:36 AM

You will alot of awesome things about MBKs! I have one myself and she's pretty cool. I find her to be more active at night and she's pretty shy and still a bit flighty after almost a year. Of having her. Killer feed response, no issues with shedding, no agression or defensive posturing. She did musk alot when she was little, and still tail rattles to this day. Pretty solid for a beginner and you can't beat that amaaaazing jet black color. She has an almost blue shine one most of her body, but her belly is more grey than black and throws rsinbowy shine. She burrows and climbs a bit so if given a tall terrestrial enclosure (longer than it is tall) she would probably use every bit of it. Currently she is just in a tub though as the less see through plastic seems to make her feel more secure. I have yet to see her just out and chilling. If she's out, it's because she's moving from one hide to another. Though she is learning to peek out for food when I oift the lid. =)

SnoopySnake · 07-27-15, 09:41 AM

Just wanted to point out, 6 ft would be big for a BRB, 7 ft would be HUGE. Don't expect them to reach those sizes, and if you're too worried, get a male. Keep in mind that at 6 ft these snakes aren't even as big around as a pop can, probably would take small-medium rats at the largest, and are very manageable due to their slender build. My columbians are actually fairly active during the day, but brazilians may be more secretive. Both are great snakes.

TxScarlet15 · 07-27-15, 09:45 AM

I knew I should have stopped looking at snakes hours ago, but I didn't. I just came across this craigslist ad 2 Corn Snakes for sale / 1 is albino and I think I actually really like that first corn, the one they call an albino. I'm am sighing right now that it's another corn but I really like the coloring and I'm seriously considering shooting an email over. Problem is that it's about 3 hours away from me and I'm not sure I want risk that drive and end up not liking the snake. Help please!!!!

TxScarlet15 · 07-27-15, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnoopySnake

Just wanted to point out, 6 ft would be big for a BRB, 7 ft would be HUGE. Don't expect them to reach those sizes, and if you're too worried, get a male. Keep in mind that at 6 ft these snakes aren't even as big around as a pop can, probably would take small-medium rats at the largest, and are very manageable due to their slender build. My columbians are actually fairly active during the day, but brazilians may be more secretive. Both are great snakes.

How are they strength wise? That's the biggest thing for me right now. I know my 3 1/2 ft. king has surprised me sometimes with how tight she can grip me. I've never held a BRB or any boa for that matter so I'm unsure of what to expect.

eminart · 07-27-15, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TxScarlet15

I knew I should have stopped looking at snakes hours ago, but I didn't. I just came across this craigslist ad 2 Corn Snakes for sale / 1 is albino and I think I actually really like that first corn, the one they call an albino. I'm am sighing right now that it's another corn but I really like the coloring and I'm seriously considering shooting an email over. Problem is that it's about 3 hours away from me and I'm not sure I want risk that drive and end up not liking the snake. Help please!!!!

If you get them, you'll end up with these, plus something else soon. You had already decided you'd like something different. It won't be long before you're thinking that again.

SnoopySnake · 07-27-15, 09:54 AM

They're fairly strong. My CRB is only 3 1/2 ft and has given me a good surprise with his strength too, but its very rare he actually squeezes unless he gets spooked. I know they aren't as pretty but a CRB may be a good choice for you since they stay smaller, less sensitive to temps/humidity, still have the iridescence and same great personality.

**Minkness** · 07-27-15, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eminart

If you get them, you'll end up with these, plus something else soon. You had already decided you'd like something different. It won't be long before you're thinking that again.

This is soooooo true. Get them if you like, but be prepared to end up with that different thing you were first looking for.

TxScarlet15 · 07-27-15, 10:05 AM

Thank you Eminart. Ok, this time I'm seriously going to take a step back and reevaluate what it is I want in my next snake. Thank you guys for putting up with my nonsense.

prairiepanda · 07-27-15, 11:04 AM

Here's my tangerine albino hondo, currently at 3.5ft and still growing:

Cool thing I discovered about this morph is that they turn pink when in shed:

It is true however that they are not active in their enclosures and tend to hide most of the time. Among milk snakes, though, Hondurans are probably the best for handling. Very relaxed and difficult to startle. Other species of milk snakes tend to be more flighty.

If you want to see more activity inside the enclosure, though, all your other options listed tend to be pretty good for that. Sounds like you might want to stay away from the bigger BRB for now until you've gained some more confidence(if there are any reptile expos near you, you might get a chance to handle some larger snakes there to try it out) BRBs aren't very big, but they are quite a bit stronger than what you're used to.

As for buying online "sight unseen"...well, I got all my snakes online but I requested multiple photos of them, and asked loads of questions about their origins, how they've been cared for, and about the seller's experiences with shipping. I also looked online for reviews of each seller.

Think hard about what you really want in your next snake. If you're not sure, you're just going to jump on the first great deal and might regret it. Figure out exactly what you want and look specifically for that, rather than looking for whatever is available and trying to shape your wants to match