Whats a good Intermediate Level snake?

So Im looking to size up a little with a new snake. Ive had a good number of snakes since I was a kid. Corn snake, rosy boa, hognose, and my ball python that I still have and spoil rotten.

But Im wanting to branch out a little into a slightly more advanced snake but I dont really know what I want.

I really enjoy snakes on the bigger side, but live in a smaller apartment and the largest enclosure I can comfortably house is about 65 gals (A modified plastic christmas tree container 53.5 in wide, 21.75 in deep, and 14.75 in tall.) Im looking for a pet, so something that is handle-able but still has a good food response.

My gut is saying boa constrictor, but Im worried that might be too big for my current enclosure size.

if you go boa, you gotta go imperator, along with an island locale, and a male. all those combinations will make it about 5-6 feet. BUT i still dont think that’s enough space for them as theyre semi arboreal and enjoy climbing. what about a giant madagascar hognose?


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Yea, if its not enough space I dont want to go with a boa. Id rather keep something that that size isnt the absolute bare minimum. But Ive genuinely never heard of a giant hognose.

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Originally Posted by JayFireBird

Yea, if its not enough space I dont want to go with a boa. Id rather keep something that that size isnt the absolute bare minimum. But Ive genuinely never heard of a giant hognose.

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theyre a different species than a western, but same look and everything. heres a baby and adukt, they get to about 5ft long https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...1993d9b823.jpg https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...2b2fc33bf7.jpg


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also, whats the dimensions on the tub? rather than just gallons.


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Originally Posted by baldegale

also, whats the dimensions on the tub? rather than just gallons.

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53.5 in wide, 21.75 in deep, and 14.75 in tall

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Originally Posted by JayFireBird

53.5 in wide, 21.75 in deep, and 14.75 in tall

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that should be enough for the hognose. but i will say, they run about ~$400+


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You could keep a boa in there. Not really something like a Peruvian but pretty much anything else would work. Boas grow slow as molasses. My female Suriname is about 3.5 years old and still comfortably lives in a 48x24x15. She is pushing 4 feet. My Longicauda male is in the same size cage and he is a little over 3.5 years old and also about 4 feet.

And if you looked in Central American aka dwarf boas, they top out around 4 feet. Can’t really go wrong with a boa if you are looking for a more social snake. It’s not going to chase a ball or go for a jog with you but it generally isn’t going to try and eat you or run away at top speeds.

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

It’s not going to chase a ball or go for a jog with you but it generally isn’t going to try and eat you or run away at top speeds.

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*laughs in carpet python*


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It sounds like a Tarahumara boa would be a great fit for you! They used to be BCI back in the day, but now they're considered to be Boa sigma. Tarahumaras are all the fun of a full-sized boa in a smaller package. They're one of the few true dwarf boas - as opposed to "dwarfish" or semi-dwarf boas - with females typically maxing out around four feet or so. One could comfortably live out it's life in a 4'x2' footprint enclosure. So, the tree container you have now would work.

If you're interested in Tarahumaras and other dwarf boas, Vin Russo at Cutting Edge Herp is a great guy to go to. The new addition of his book - The More Complete Boa Constrictor - is a great resource for anyone serious about dwarf boas or boas in general. A couple of forum members here keep dwarf and dwarfish boas around here (myself included), so there are a few dwarf boa threads to be found. Good luck!