What is everyone's opinion of "beginner snakes" vs "intermediate snakes" and so on

[karma279]

I've read on this forum that good "beginner" snakes are anything from balls to corns to kings to rosys to pines to bulls and gophers etc.
What do people consider more advanced? Species with more involved husbandry and the more "nippy" species? Large constrictors? Racers? Hots?

I'm fairly new to keeping.... but have close friends that work in the field and keep hots and everything in between. I've always been under the impression that what's labeled as a "beginner" is anything hardy with a docile nature.

Just wondering what people's opinion is on the subject of beginner vs other.

[FIEND_FO_LYFE]

novice: most colubrids
intermidiate: smaller snakes... [not larger than 10 foot]
expert-ish: retics, burms, anacondas, large constrictors, gtp's and harder to take care of snakes. also hots.

[Argentra]

Most of the time, these labels are focused on CARE levels, rather than the typical disposition of the snake...though that comes into play as well.

'Beginner' snakes are for those with little to No experience caring for a snake of any kind. Snakes in this category should have simple needs, a wide acceptance range for temperatures, and stay small to 'reduce the amount of space they take up'. Of course, keep in mind that no snake should be a 'baby pet', and any gotten for kids under 12 should be the full responsibility of the parent while the child watches and learns.
These, to my mind, would include Gaters, Ribbons, Water snakes, and most of the small colubrids like kings, rats, corns and milks.

'Intermediate' snakes are for people with some experience, who know the special differences and rules about snake keeping (like escape-proof enclosures and feeding schedules). Snakes here would still be 'easy' to care for but would now need things a bit more stable and would require a higher output of money as well.
Ball Pythons, to me, are here along with Boas (RTB, Rosy, Sand) and Hognose snakes and the like. (It's early, complete lists aren't coming to me)

'Expert' snakes are the ones for people who have learned well about snake keeping, have done it for a while and are ready for a challenge. In one way or another, these snakes need advanced care...be it a large amount of space, special diets, or special handling/permits.
The Giants (Burms, Retics and Condas) would be here along with GTPs and all Hots.

There's my take on it, at least.

[Rapture]

Here's how I personally break it down...

Beginner snakes are the most forgiving when it comes to husbandry mistakes. I also would not put any giant species in this group, and perhaps only snakes that don't exceed 7 feet or so. Even a large boa constrictor can be hard to handle if you have no previous experience.

Intermediate species would include larger snakes, but still not giants, and snakes that need more particular care to survive. For example a specific enclosure type, humidity levels, and temperatures. These snakes are also typically more difficult to successfully breed year after year.

Expert species would include hots and giants and any other snakes that have even more specific care and breeding requirements than the snakes in the intermediate level.

Temperments could be included in the levels as well but in my experience many times it is the individual animal, not an entire species, that have a certain temperment. That being said, there are some species that are just prone to biting and striking than others.

[littleindiangirl]

Good posts, I agree with both Adriana and Diana completely. I base it more on the care level pertaining to husbandry and possible threats.

[ncbloods]

Yea, Adriana and Diana summed it up pretty well.

[frankykeno]

Nice thread with some great responses in it!

For me, this would be one of the snakes in our collection I'd consider a "beginner" snake....



That's an Albino Nelson's Milksnake and they have very basic and very easy care requirements, easily managed by a responsible child with some parental supervision.

Compared to say this.....



An almost 9 foot boa constrictor isn't for the inexperienced snakekeeper and I would rate Tequila for the intermediate to expert type of keeper just due to the safety issues of managing a snake her size.

A male boa like Severus here....



would be more of an beginner/intermediate snake as he won't grow anywhere near Tequila's size and his husbandry is quite simple. They are also a snake that handles stress far easier than say a ball python which is often considered a "beginner" snake. I don't completely agree with that as BP's tend to have pretty specific care needs and stress fairly easily so as a first snake they can be a challenge unless they come from a good source and the new keeper has done their homework.

I think when you judge a snake as a certain thing you have to also take into account the person who will own it. What might be a beginner snake for an adult, might not work as well for a 12 year old (but then I know some 12 year olds a lot smarter and with more common sense then some 35 year olds LOL).