Just wondering....

[BlkMambaVenom]

Like i said back in the "new to the forums" section that i dont have a snake yet. I am hoping to con my parents into letting me have one......i figure i might be able to talk them into it. I was just curious though , what kind of snakes could i keep in a 20 gallon tank? I dont really have room for anything much bigger then that. It is bad enough that if i get a snake, i will have to make room for the 20 gallon one. Also where would you recomend to get the snake at a good cost (preferably a healthy snake too)? I do not know anyone around the Toledo, Ohio area with snakes. Any replies are appreciated. thanks
Brittany

[munchy]

welllllll...IMO a 20 gallon tank is a pretty small enclosure but i suppose technically you could house a corn snake in there. maybe a mexican milk snake or try some garters. just build a nice enclosure for cheap and stick it on a shelf in your room or something.

[Simon R. Sansom]

Hi Brittany, and welcome!

There are myriad types of captive-bred snakes available these days.
As you are a new-comer, I would just like to stress one VERY important point (and please don't think I'm being "preachy"); When you're starting out, please do yourself a favour and be sure to purchase a CAPTIVE-BRED animal. Please don't be tempted by cheap wild-caughts. You'll save yourself a LOT of possible heartache.
There are many breeders of very high quality animals. Check the "classifieds" section of ssnakess.com and you'll start to get some ideas.

What type of snake interests you?

Let us know and perhaps we can offer suggestions for housing, etc.

Regards,

Simon

[BlkMambaVenom]

Well being i have yet to really have much conctact with snakes, i was thinkin of something like maybe a corn , milk, or kingsnake. I am lacking room for a big snake so just something small....one that can live in a 20-29 gallon tank would be cool. If you have any other snake suggestions that would be cool with me. thanks
Brittany

[Simon R. Sansom]

Well Brittany, it sounds as though you've already been doing some research, and you're definitely on the right track with regard to suitable species.

In my humble opinion, the best bet for a first-timer would be a Corn Snake. I personally would not recommend a Milk Snake because they tend to be quite secretive and can be a bit "spastic" when handled.

There are so many current colour and pattern "morphs" of Corns, ranging from quite inexpensive to very pricey, that I'm sure you'll be able to find something that appeals to you. I notice that you live in Ohio - I believe that you should be able to find a reptile show there somewhere fairly soon. If you can attend one of these shows, you'll be able to see many types of snakes and you can talk to the breeders/dealers and get some great information.

Simon

[Invictus]

Hi and Welcome Brittany.

If you ask about getting a colubrid as your first snake, I think you'll find an overwhelming majority of the people here will say Corn. This isn't just a trend - there are very good reasons why corns are the IDEAL first snake.

- They don't get too big. I have a gargantuan male at 6', and even he doesn't seem that big. Most will only get to 5' though.
- They are very adaptable to environment. Keep 'em warm with a good temp gradient, that's about all you need. They don't require additional humidity.
- FABULOUS temperament. They are curious to the point of being social. Many of them, once they are used to you, will come right to you when you take the lid off of their terrarium.
- Over 120 patterns and colors to choose from, most of which can be had for under $100.
- (This one is a major kicker) THEY FEED LIKE MACHINES. A corn that has feeding problems is VERY rare.
- Bets of all, a 30 gallon tank will house one for its whole life.

I'd say check out corns. I am NOT by any means a novice with snakes, and I just bought 5 more corns. So as you see, they aren't just beginner snakes. They are some of the best snakes to have, period.

[BlkMambaVenom]

Simon , your right there are some reptile shows coming up in ohio soon. I may attend the one in Dayton on the 26th of Sept. but that all depends on if i have money to go to a concert with my friend that same day. I live in Toledo , so it would be easier to go with her. If i get to go (hopefully it all works out), I will check out their Corn snakes there. I have a 20 gallon tank now , how long do you think itd be before id need a bigger tank? Or should i just buy a different tank to start off with like the 30 gallon that was mentioned? Thanks for all of the imput though!
Brittany

[marisa]

It depends on what size corn you will be buying.

A hatchling corn may feel freaked out and stressed in a 30 gallon tank. They need time to get a little larger. Although there are always exceptions. If you buy a juvi (year old or so) or an adult a 30 gallon would be alright...although 40 would be better. LOL.

Anyways you can always purcahse a 5 dollar rubbermaid and use that if you get a hatchling. Keep him in there until he has eaten a few times and you can put him in a larger tank. If he doesnt like the larger tank, you'll always have the cheap rubbermaid to fall back on.

Marisa

[Sean_.E.]

I know this is the colubrid forum but have you thought about rosy boas, kenyan sand boas, childrens pythons, etc? They make awsome captives and can live in a 20-30 gallon easily!

If you are only interested in colubrids you could always go for something a little different like a hognose snake. African house snakes are another fantastic species!

[BlkMambaVenom]

I am just lookin for a good beginner snake......that doesnt need a very large living space. The snake can be a colubrid but it doesnt have to be, im sure. As cool(interesting experience) as it would be to have one, no venomous snakes. LoL
Brittany