What herp after a BP?

[Lolo76]

I'm still fairly new to "herping," as I've only had my ball pythons and leopard geckos for under a year... I did have lizards (leos/iguanas) and a turtle when I was younger, but that was a pretty long time ago. So if you had only owned BPs and leos thus far, what would be a good next step? I'm thinking some kind of boa, colubrid, hognose, or maybe another small lizard. I would like something around the same size or smaller than a BP, nothing that requires super complicated husbandry, and of course it should be pretty. I also like to handle my reptiles fairly often, so prefer one that isn't really jumpy and/or aggressive.

I added a poll with the ideas I've had, but feel free to suggest anything else! Just thinking ahead at this point, no immediate plans to actually buy one yet...

[Lolo76]

Oops... I took too long setting up the poll, so now it won't let me. Here's what I had on it:

- Red-tail Boa
- Western Hognose
- Pueblan Milk Snake
- Corn Snake
- Carpet Python
- Bearded Dragon
- Chameleon
- Other?

[nicktreb]

Im pretty much in the same boat as you are. I've been looking at green tree pythons lately. Might be an idea..

[Lupe]

If you want something that is loving and needs lots of attention I would suggest looking into a bearded dragon. They are like dogs or kids, they just LOVE cuddling and interacting with humans, though when they are young they can be a bit jumpy.

[Lolo76]

Im pretty much in the same boat as you are. I've been looking at green tree pythons lately. Might be an idea..

I LOVE those, but thought they were more of an "intermediate/advanced" snake... and how big of an enclosure do they require?

[Lolo76]

If you want something that is loving and needs lots of attention I would suggest looking into a bearded dragon. They are like dogs or kids, they just LOVE cuddling and interacting with humans, though when they are young they can be a bit jumpy.

Beardies are so cute. When I got my first BP (Delilah), I was torn between that or a bearded dragon... the guy at the vivarium talked me out of the beardie, because he said they were "high maintenance" pets. Is that true? I already have quite a menagerie to care for, so that's not a big deal - but I do appreciate how easy my BPs are, or I wouldn't have 7 of them. There's a reason I only have one dog, LOL.

[Lupe]

Well they do eat a lot of insects (a few times daily) and they also eat greens daily. The need baths a few time a week and the females do tend to lay eggs even if you don't breed them (they're infertile and there is the risk of them becoming egg-bound)
a good site to read about beardies is www.beardeddragon.org it is the beardie version of this site I think you can find good care sheets and get a general idea of what you need to invest to keep a beardie healthy.

[olstyn]

I LOVE those, but thought they were more of an "intermediate/advanced" snake... and how big of an enclosure do they require?

My understanding is that yes, GTPs are a bit more advanced. Not necessarily hard to take care of, per se, but they do have "tighter tolerances," as it were. They won't tolerate husbandry mistakes as well as BPs and leos, and most, though not all, of them do not tolerate much handling, and can be quite willing to bite. They're really more of a display animal than something you can interact with on a regular basis. That said, they certainly do make a beautiful display, so the higher effort and lower interaction may be worth it to you. Above all else though, whatever animal you decide on, be absolutely sure that you know and can handle its husbandry requirements.

Edit: As far as enclosures go, young ones can be kept in small tubs with perches mounted in them; larger snakes typically are kept in anything between a 2x2x2 foot cage up through 4x2x2, depending on size of snake and owner preference. (Note that I do not keep GTPs myself; this is information as I recall it from having read about them, and therefore if someone with actual experience comes along and contradicts what little I've said, I'll immediately bow to their expertise.)

[Oxylepy]

Pets I would want after a Ball in order of desire:

Ferret
Giant Centipede
Boa

[Lolo76]

Ferret

Super cute, but illegal in the state of California...

Giant Centipede

Ummmmmmm.... ew?

Boa

What type of Boa would you pick? I think my favorite based on appearance is the BRB, but I know that's a little over my head right now... some day, though.