Beginner snakes?

hi everyone! Im new to this forum and I'm hoping to get into keeping snakes. I've been doing my research and i think snakes would be a good pet for me. I plan to volunteer with my local reptile club to get more experience. I've been looking into species and I love ball pythons but I think that I want something more active. Not to offend anyone but I just don't really like colubrids. Common boas seem to be perfect for me but I don't think I'm ready for something that big as this will be my first snake. I really like brazilian rainbow boas but i've heard they need lots of humidity and aren't very hardy. So what is a good beginner snake that stays around 4-6 feet but still has some body to it and is relatively inquisitive and active? thanks for reading!

What about rosy boas? I also personally love checkered garters, they can be fed fish and worms, but that might not be something you would want. Kenyan sand boas are also small, and great starter snakes.

I always say you can't go wrong with a carpet python. Jungles, IJs and Darwins are some of the smaller species. They're beautiful, easy to care for, and they make great display animals. I know you said you don't like colubrids but have you looked at some of the beauty snakes, rat snakes, or Pits (bull, pine & gopher snakes)? What about a dwarf boa?

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Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

I always say you can't go wrong with a carpet python. Jungles, IJs and Darwins are some of the smaller species. They're beautiful, easy to care for, and they make great display animals. I know you said you don't like colubrids but have you looked at some of the beauty snakes, rat snakes, or Pits (bull, pine & gopher snakes)? What about a dwarf boa?

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I love the colours and patterns of the colubrids I just like a bit more girth size. I definitely have considered Carpets but aren't they a bit more difficult with housing as they are semi arboreal? Also, do they get thicker? I've mostly only seen juveniles. Dwarf boas definitely sound like a good choice, how long do they get?

While nothing beats good old experience, there is so much good info out there on so many diff species these days. If you do your homework and listen to those with experience you can pretty much handle anything within reason. There is as much bad advice as good advice out there but chances are you can find a care sheet for just about anything. I think this is one of the best communities out there and can pretty much handle most of your needs. Based on your description of what you want, a kingsnake might be a good choice. They are hardy, they feed well and aren't overly demanding in the husbandry department.

@ Storm- There are lots of boas that fall in the 5-6 ft range. I don't keep boas but I did some research when I was looking for a new critter. As far as carpets are concerned I'd consider them medium sized snakes. They're not as girthy as a boa with the exception of maybe a Bredli, but they're thicker than kings or corns. I think they're really easy to keep. I keep mine just a few degrees warmer than I keep my colubrids. They appreciate and will use any vertical space you give them but they don't require much height with their enclosures. Some folks keep them in tubs but I prefer to keep mine is display enclosures. You should take a look at bull snakes too. They're one of the larger colubrids. I have a pair and I love them. My female is about 7ft and as thick as my wrist. My male is 6ft but not as thick as the female. Their husbandry is pretty much foolproof. 84 degree warm spot and ambient temps for the cool side. They can come with a little attitude but they settle down fairly quickly and mine eat like pigs.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...psrmrwv67e.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...psjiiiloeq.jpg

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Originally Posted by AstralStorm

hi everyone! Im new to this forum and I'm hoping to get into keeping snakes. I've been doing my research and i think snakes would be a good pet for me. I plan to volunteer with my local reptile club to get more experience. I've been looking into species and I love ball pythons but I think that I want something more active. Not to offend anyone but I just don't really like colubrids. Common boas seem to be perfect for me but I don't think I'm ready for something that big as this will be my first snake. I really like brazilian rainbow boas but i've heard they need lots of humidity and aren't very hardy. So what is a good beginner snake that stays around 4-6 feet but still has some body to it and is relatively inquisitive and active? thanks for reading!

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BRBs are a fabulous choice . They are nocturnal of course .

I had no trouble at all keeping them and I'm far from being an expert .

Look great in daylight with their iridescent look and even nicer in the evening when they they change colour quite dramatically and get white on their lower third of the body !!

Humiduty is easily controlled with a bit of research.

A stunning Dwarf SunGlow boa ( like mine ) will be nice (even Dwarf Albino Boa ). Hoping mine tops out at 5' to 6' like his parents
I'd also suggest Woma pythons as well or Black headed pythons if funds will stretch .
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Originally Posted by AstralStorm

I love the colours and patterns of the colubrids I just like a bit more girth size. I definitely have considered Carpets but aren't they a bit more difficult with housing as they are semi arboreal? Also, do they get thicker? I've mostly only seen juveniles. Dwarf boas definitely sound like a good choice, how long do they get?

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Carpets are pretty forgiving when it comes to temps and cage design. Keeping them happy, as far as their arboreal habits go, is as easy as adding a perch or shelf to your enclosure. While youngsters are on the more slender side, as they reach adulthood most get a fair sized girth to them. My 21 year old boy is as thick as my thickest bull snake. You might want to look further into them and as Ziggy suggested, bull snakes definitely fill the bill in the girth and active/inquisitive department. They have a bit of a reputation for being more aggressive but 90% of it is bluff and with a little work most can get as calm as a corn snake. While you're at it, you might want to just check out the whole Pituophis genus - some of the pines can be super impressive too in regards to girth.

Here are a couple examples of adult bull snakes(sayi):
http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/z...psyoxugqrt.jpg

http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/z...psuair7jkv.jpg

A couple adult jungle carpet pythons(cheynei):
http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/z...pset9sajc1.jpg

http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps1xcepxta.jpg

I don't know a whole lot about them, but what about a white lipped python? From what I understand Northerns top out around 7-8 feet and Southerns get closer to 10 feet. The Northerns appear to be at the top of your size preference, but after a very quick glance around the web they might be something you'd be interested in. Maybe check them out and do some homework?

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I don't know a whole lot about them, but what about a white lipped python? From what I understand Northerns top out around 7-8 feet and Southerns get closer to 10 feet. The Northerns appear to be at the top of your size preference, but after a very quick glance around the web they might be something you'd be interested in. Maybe check them out and do some homework?

Considering how long a snake can live I would not get a species just because you are new to the hobby and people tell you that species is easier to keep.
Find a species you are passionate about, do your research and set up the enclosure first so you can get it dialed in. You will then know you can meet its needs. Then find a reputable breeder so you know you are getting a healthy animal.
I would not write off all coulbrids either, some are diurnal as well as active and meet the size requirements you are talking about. Other suggestions to look into would be woma pythons, spotted pythons, childrens pythons to name a few.
I highly recommend going to one of the many large reptile shows so you can see these snakes in person. Sometimes pictures do not do justice and sometimes it helps to talk to people in person who are passionate about the species you are interested in.