If not a Burmese python...

[Bluebonnet Herp]

I'm curious as to what any of you have to say to my subject here. I'll start with saying Burmese pythons are just about my favorite snakes. I love everything about them. I love their large size, followed with a calm demeanor, as well as their beautiful "paint-blotched" pattern, and their head shape, as well as their bulky appearance. I also love how some, such as wild types and granite morphs (among others) with their dark matching colors and pattern would just make one refer to them as very prehistoric in appearance. However, now I would probably never consider owning one while I reside here in the United States. The problem lies in the fact of their legal controversy. With laws enacted on banning and regulating them constantly and a new federal law passed back in March highly crippling the market and ownership of them, this has, in my opinion, gone too far for me to keep one within my ownership. Life is unpredictable. I'll never know when I'll have to move out of state. But if I ever move, I'll definitely want my pets to come with me. Furthermore, now the local markets differ drastically for this species. In some states, one normal might be sold for $40 while others, maybe for $400! To some extant, availability has been struck by this.
So, in light of this issue, I'm here to ask any of you as to what you would say is the species that would fit as the "next best thing" and isn't plagued with as much legal troubles. (This mean African rock pythons are invalid as well.) Morph-wise, I could hardly care. I like snakes that are on the cheaper side of the scale, and appear more natural. And like I said earlier, I love any snake that would appear like it belonged in Jurassic Park. (The rock pythons were good at this.) I don't mind live bearers either, so if no python comes to mind, I'm open to boa ideas as well. Do any of you have any good snakes in mind?

[I-KandyReptiles]

Reticulated pythons?

[carlson]

Reticulated pythons?

X2 retics are such cool snakes I know a guy with one and I love seeing it

[kevinb]

Tics are about my all time favorite snake. They can be nippy when young, but do calm down with handling from what I've read. I would suggest a male though if its just you. I know I wouldn't want to be working with a fat female over 18' by myself.

[PorcelainxDoll]

He could also go with a dwarf or super dwarf that dont get as big.

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[kevinb]

True, true. There is that option. But super dwarfs tend to be a little pricier.

[Tfpets]

I also love retics, but they are quite the opposite of a burm. They like to move, alot! They can be friendly with regular handling, but they like to move, alot! I own a dwarf that is just over a year old, he can be nippy at times, but he likes to move, alot! I have personally handled a 12' that was like handling a HUGE corn snake!
I would say if you want something modestly large, a well fed colombian red tail boa female can get close to (or beyond) 10'. They are cheap and easy to come by. They are usually super tame with minimal handling and they don't move much when they are out.
Also, if you really wanted a burm, you could call it a retic when it came time to move to another state!

[ewaldrep]

I'm not sure if a "dwar" would be recognized by the state legislators as a legal pet or if it would fall under the category of "burmese" or "retic" and be categorically ruled out. I would suggest a Bao, BCC. The temperment is great, I personally love the colors of the original breeds but there are a great deal of morphs that are available as well. In most states, they are not restricted so even if you get a BCC female, it may be able to grow to 10'+ under the radar of regulations and kind of give you the best of both worlds. Good luck and please keep us posted on your decision.

[S.I.R.]

Depends on the size you want to go with. I would either go with a retic if you want really big or go with a Red Tail Boa for a medium/large snake. Hope this helps.

[JaGv]

I also love retics, but they are quite the opposite of a burm. They like to move, alot! They can be friendly with regular handling, but they like to move, alot! I own a dwarf that is just over a year old, he can be nippy at times, but he likes to move, alot! I have personally handled a 12' that was like handling a HUGE corn snake!

you forgot to mention that they move alot lol.

anyways yeah rectics are nice. have any of you guys seen bob clark's rectic fluffy that won the guiness world record for the biggest snake at 24' i believe. anacondas are cool too, im just not a big fan of owning big snakes myself.