What kind of snake should my friend get?

I know for sure that it should be one of those beginner snakes, so that's what all the options are. *This snake is availible right now in the store

California Kingsnakes, and Honduran Milksnakes are my favorites remind your friend to check the laws in his state, some states have restrictions, like here in GA you cannot own the following cornsnakes, ratsnakes and a few others on your list.

Does your friend have a favorite, is he looking for something specific as far as size and or color?

Corns and AHS are easily the best starter snakes...AHS are hard to get right now, so that leaves the plentiful corns.

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Originally Posted by GA_Ball_Pythons

California Kingsnakes, and Honduran Milksnakes are my favorites remind your friend to check the laws in his state, some states have restrictions, like here in GA you cannot own the following cornsnakes, ratsnakes and a few others on your list.

Does your friend have a favorite, is he looking for something specific as far as size and or color?

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Dude, most of my friends live in my state (and this friend of mine even lives in the same city as I do) so that's a pretty futile and way-too-cautious precaution in my state as almost any snake from the store is %100 legal (there are nearly NO restrictions). Look at the star thingy (this:*). If it's availible in my local petstore in my local city chances are it's pretty legal. About my friend: he barely knows anything about snake species so I'm sure he won't mind. If I were him I'd get the kingsnake though.

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Originally Posted by WingedWolfPsion

Corns and AHS are easily the best starter snakes...AHS are hard to get right now, so that leaves the plentiful corns.

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What does AHS stand for? And my local petstore currently has only one corn and 6 kingsnakes, so it's really "the plentiful kingsnakes".

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Originally Posted by MechWarrior

Dude, most of my friends live in my state (and this friend of mine even lives in the same city as I do) so that's a pretty futile warning (and in my state almost any snake from the store is %100 legal. There are nearly NO restrictions) Look at the star thingy (this:*). If it's availible in my local city chances are it's pretty legal.

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First not a dude second I was just trying to be nice and remind you of things that some people are not aware off or forget, sorry for trying to be helpful, I guess next time I see your name I will just move along, have a nice evening.

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Originally Posted by MechWarrior

Dude, most of my friends live in my state (and this friend of mine even lives in the same city as I do) so that's a pretty futile warning (and in my state almost any snake from the store is %100 legal. There are nearly NO restrictions) Look at the star thingy (this:*). If it's availible in my local city chances are it's pretty legal.

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I think that she was just trying to help out, hon. She said the ones she thought were nice, then said it's possible that they could be illegal in your state... no need to jump on her for being thorough in her recommendation.

I notice you don't have Ball Pythons on your list--a BP was my first snake and he's been a gem to work with. That said, I've never owned any Colubrids--but if I was going to, I'd go with a Leucy Texas Rat Snake :)

I dont understand why you are making decisions for your friend to buy an animal. But anyway as far as colubrids go why not african house snakes. They are georgous.

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Originally Posted by GA_Ball_Pythons

First not a dude second I was just trying to be nice and remind you of things that some people are not aware off or forget, sorry for trying to be helpful, I guess next time I see your name I will just move along, have a nice evening.

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I'm sure most of your info is helpful but in this case it happened to be entirely useless info. You're also getting me nervous...

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Originally Posted by AzureN1ght

I think that she was just trying to help out, hon. She said the ones she thought were nice, then said it's possible that they could be illegal in your state... no need to jump on her for being thorough in her recommendation.

I notice you don't have Ball Pythons on your list--a BP was my first snake and he's been a gem to work with. That said, I've never owned any Colubrids--but if I was going to, I'd go with a Leucy Texas Rat Snake :)

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BPs aren't on the list because sometimes they have feeding issues. That's not a very good case for a begginer is it?

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Originally Posted by MechWarrior

BPs aren't on the list because sometimes they have feeding issues. That's not a very good case for a begginer is it?

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Any snake that's inappropriately cared for or that is purchased with parasites will have feeding issues... I think that you'll find that most people who buy CBB BPs don't have feeding issues with their animals--because their CBB animals aren't carrying the parasites that some imports carry.

I personally have never had feeding issues with my BP. If you friend gets a CBB BP from a reputable breeder, I doubt he will have a problem. And if he does, the reputable breeder he purchased from should be able to give him tips to get his BP eating. :)

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Originally Posted by MechWarrior

BPs aren't on the list because sometimes they have feeding issues. That's not a very good case for a begginer is it?

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You know you need to work on that attitude of yours!

If you want to be respected here maybe you should start to show respect for others, I am sure it is a new concept for you but you should try.

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Originally Posted by juddb

I dont understand why you are making decisions for your friend to buy an animal. But anyway as far as colubrids go why not african house snakes. They are georgous.

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There are many great things about snakes (they're clean, don't need the entire house to "run" around, silent, usually only eat weekly etc.) so I thought that would be a good pet for him. If you haven't noticed all the snakes listed are usually readily availible, and I doubt a snake from Africa would be readily availible.

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Originally Posted by MechWarrior

There are many great things about snakes (they're clean, don't need the entire house to "run" around, silent, usually only eat weekly etc.) so I thought that would be a good pet for him. If you haven't noticed all the snakes listed are usually readily availible, and I doubt a snake from Africa would be readily availible.

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You didnt understand my ? Why isnt your friend making his own decisions about buying animals, i love snakes too. Also african house snakes are not that hard to take care of, and they are readily available (thanks to captive captive breeding).

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Originally Posted by GA_Ball_Pythons

You know you need to work on that attitude of yours!

If you want to be respected here maybe you should start to show respect for others, I am sure it is a new concept for you but you should try.

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The reason I might seem disrespectful (and that's only for this topic so far) is b/c I'm not exactly getting any useful information here...

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Originally Posted by MechWarrior

I doubt a snake from Africa would be readily availible.

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On a site dedicated to Ball Pythons, you say this (BPs are from Africa, by the by...)?

African House Snakes are Captive Bred, the same as many other snakes from areas around the world.

If you were going to post this just to shoot down all the helpful information, maybe you should have thought twice about asking.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MechWarrior

There are many great things about snakes (they're clean, don't need the entire house to "run" around, silent, usually only eat weekly etc.) so I thought that would be a good pet for him. If you haven't noticed all the snakes listed are usually readily availible, and I doubt a snake from Africa would be readily availible.

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Why are you on ball-pythons.net? Bp's are an african snake, and you are talking about colubrids..... :confused:

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Originally Posted by AzureN1ght

On a site dedicated to Ball Pythons, you say this (BPs are from Africa, by the by...)?

African House Snakes are Captive Bred, the same as many other snakes from areas around the world.

If you were going to post this just to shoot down all the helpful information, maybe you should have thought twice about asking.

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Actually BPs are always at the PS because it's a popular snake. I've never even heard of AHSs because they're never there.

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Originally Posted by MechWarrior

The reason I might seem disrespectful (and that's only for this topic so far) is b/c I'm not exactly getting any useful information here...

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Let's see you ask for choice what did I say in my first post........hmmm Kingsnakes and Milksnakes and yes I added info because even if YOU know everything :rolleyes: some people don't and it is always a good idea to remind people to check the laws that might apply in their state before acquiring or thinking of acquiring a new snake.

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Originally Posted by juddb

Why are you on ball-pythons.net? Bp's are an african snake, and you are talking about colubrids..... :confused:

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Why don't you check the Subforum's title? Isn't it called General COLUBRIDS?

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Originally Posted by MechWarrior

Actually BPs are always at the PS because it's a popular snake. I've never even heard of AHSs because they're never there.

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You do realize that the "PS" isnt the only place you can purchase a snake?

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Originally Posted by MechWarrior

The reason I might seem disrespectful (and that's only for this topic so far) is b/c I'm not exactly getting any useful information here...

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Hi,

The information provided was fine.



dr del

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Originally Posted by MechWarrior

Actually BPs are always at the PS because it's a popular snake. I've never even heard of AHSs because they're never there.

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A pet shop would probably be the last place I would suggest buying a reptile... Your friend would be best served by looking into reputable breeders, no matter what type of snake he may get.

That said, I think you've received quite a bit of useful information from members (including recommendations off of your list), so I'll leave it at that. If your friend has some more specific questions, should he end up choosing a snake as a pet, please send him over to BP.net. We would be happy to answer his questions.

well from my expirences you should get 1 of these a ball python, cal king,or a corn
the ball pythons are cool looking but not very active they can grow up to 5 ft i think(if u do getr a ball get a black 1 thoes are reallllyyyy cool !!) cal king i have 1 myself their cool very active im not sure if all are picky eaters but mine is they grow up to 5 ft (if u get this 1 get a lavenader 1 or and uniqe 1 i forgot the name of it lol but he has black and white and cool stripes) and a corn snake usually when u get a corn they look like worms they can grow up to 4 feet (if u get 1 of these get a white 1 thoes look nice when they are fully grown)

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Originally Posted by bonheki

ft i think(if u do getr a ball get a black 1 thoes are reallllyyyy cool !!)

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A what???? :confused:

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Originally Posted by AzureN1ght

A pet shop would probably be the last place I would suggest buying a reptile... Your friend would be best served by looking into reputable breeders, no matter what type of snake he may get.

That said, I think you've received quite a bit of useful information from members (including recommendations off of your list), so I'll leave it at that. If your friend has some more specific questions, should he end up choosing a snake as a pet, please send him over to BP.net. We would be happy to answer his questions.

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yea thats true thoes herps arent as good keeped as the breeders or the reptile stores im lucky cuz i got to this herp store which is like 15 min away from me and they sell everything

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Originally Posted by juddb

A what???? :confused:

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a black ball python people cross bread them with idk what and they come out like really dark

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Originally Posted by juddb

A what???? :confused:

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My brain fell out, too...don't worry about it.

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Originally Posted by bonheki

a black ball python people cross bread them with idk what and they come out like really dark

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Sounds good buddy!!!

I personally favor kingsnakes as they come in so many different colors and patterns and even some size variation... plus they're easy to feed (readily take prekilled mice) and ultra gentle and calm (at least mine are :D ).

That said, I think the advice given here is really great. The only time I consider buying a snake from a pet store, it's that knee-jerk "must rescue!" emotion (I do the same with birds... always buying the scruffy picked-on finch) but I don't.

Does your friend REALLY want a snake, or is he just wanting a pet in general? And is he ready for all the issues that could come up with a pet store snake (is it bred or wild-caught? Some pet stores either don't know or won't fess up and say they don't know) Can he afford it if the snake needs an emergency vet visit?

I'd agree with the others that if he really wants one, he should look around for a reputable breeder. Then he not only doesn't have to be limited to what the pet store has, he'll have an easier time of it health wise.

First Mech,

I told you about your attitude last night and now you are getting it again from completely different people. Could it just be that with that being the case, you indeed are the problem.

I think you are a kid 14ish to perhaps 19ish and you are at a point were you think you know more then you do. I also think you are making a real effort to fit in here, you are posting a lot and at times seem to be streatching to even find something to post about. That is fine I work with young people EVERY chance I get and I was working with snakes at 8 and handling some hots at 12 so I do remember what it is like to be a kid and not taken completely seriously.

That said you need to get off your attitude or no one is going to bother posting in response to you.

Now in spite of this I am going to give you my opinion.

All the snakes on your list are more then fine for a beginner if the person gets all the equipment that is needed and commits to keeping the animal long term and understands the cost of keeping the animal.

Honestly all the first snake stuff is kind of pointless as long as you stay away from the big stuff. (Boas, Retics, Burms, Condas, etc) and off the stuff with advanced issues (rainbow boas, ATBs, GTPs, etc). The only other caution which is not common in pet stores is staying off the rear fanged colubrids as a first snake such as False Water Cobras, Mangroves, Telescopus, and various cat eyed snakes. They are actually all easy to keep and like Madagascar Cat Eyes are very hardy and very gentle still I don't think even they are good as a true first snake and require some understanding of husbandry you can only get from a practicle application.

You can't go wrong with corns, kings and milks. If you can't manage to keep one of them going then you don't really need to keep any snake. Bulls , Pines and Gophers are also fine for the new person so long as they are willing to provide a bigger viv. Same with all the common rat snakes.

90% of Colubrids could have identical care sheets with the exception of enclosure size so the best first snake is which ever of the easy species that your friend finds is most attractive to them. I would advise NO RUSH, go to a few shops, handle a few snakes and then go home and think about it.

Of course Ball Pythons are also very good beginner snakes, if you get one that is feeding well and provide the right temps they are pretty damn easy to care for.

People are trying to help you dude, chill out, stop and read a few dozen threds and LEARN the way of this forum. A forum is just like any social sceen, you don't come in with attitude you learn the tone of the place and adapt to it,

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Originally Posted by bonheki

\(if u get this 1 get a lavenader 1 or and uniqe 1 i forgot the name of it lol but he has black and white and cool stripes)\

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I think the kings you are talking about are either Banana California, Reverse Stripped, or California Stripped.

As for the question about good beginner snakes I would say king, corn, or ball. Since I don't have a snake yet, I can't say from experience, but I am researching a lot on which snake needs what, other possible snakes, affordability, going to reptile shows and handling snakes that I may get in the future.

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Originally Posted by bonheki

....(if u do getr a ball get a black 1 thoes are reallllyyyy cool !!)....

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Maybe its a Super Cinnamon Bonheki is referring to?

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Originally Posted by Roswell

Maybe its a Super Cinnamon Bonheki is referring to?

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It is, but its just funny the way he words his posts. Like internet sign language or something.... ;)

Corns are a great starter snake. Many morphs are availiable. Kings are good starters also. I don't have a BP yet but plan on one soon. As a side note in Ohio it is illegal to own venomous or any indigenous species without a permit.

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Originally Posted by jjspirko

First Mech,

I told you about your attitude last night and now you are getting it again from completely different people. Could it just be that with that being the case, you indeed are the problem.

I think you are a kid 14ish to perhaps 19ish and you are at a point were you think you know more then you do. I also think you are making a real effort to fit in here, you are posting a lot and at times seem to be streatching to even find something to post about. That is fine I work with young people EVERY chance I get and I was working with snakes at 8 and handling some hots at 12 so I do remember what it is like to be a kid and not taken completely seriously.

That said you need to get off your attitude or no one is going to bother posting in response to you.

Now in spite of this I am going to give you my opinion.

All the snakes on your list are more then fine for a beginner if the person gets all the equipment that is needed and commits to keeping the animal long term and understands the cost of keeping the animal.

Honestly all the first snake stuff is kind of pointless as long as you stay away from the big stuff. (Boas, Retics, Burms, Condas, etc) and off the stuff with advanced issues (rainbow boas, ATBs, GTPs, etc). The only other caution which is not common in pet stores is staying off the rear fanged colubrids as a first snake such as False Water Cobras, Mangroves, Telescopus, and various cat eyed snakes. They are actually all easy to keep and like Madagascar Cat Eyes are very hardy and very gentle still I don't think even they are good as a true first snake and require some understanding of husbandry you can only get from a practicle application.

You can't go wrong with corns, kings and milks. If you can't manage to keep one of them going then you don't really need to keep any snake. Bulls , Pines and Gophers are also fine for the new person so long as they are willing to provide a bigger viv. Same with all the common rat snakes.

90% of Colubrids could have identical care sheets with the exception of enclosure size so the best first snake is which ever of the easy species that your friend finds is most attractive to them. I would advise NO RUSH, go to a few shops, handle a few snakes and then go home and think about it.

Of course Ball Pythons are also very good beginner snakes, if you get one that is feeding well and provide the right temps they are pretty damn easy to care for.

People are trying to help you dude, chill out, stop and read a few dozen threds and LEARN the way of this forum. A forum is just like any social sceen, you don't come in with attitude you learn the tone of the place and adapt to it,

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I'm new here. I'm not exactly used to these forums yet. END OF THIS DISCUSSION about my personality! Lets discuss what this is SUPPOSED to be about.

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Originally Posted by MechWarrior

that's a pretty futile and way-too-cautious precaution in my state as almost any snake from the store is %100 legal (there are nearly NO restrictions).

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Don't assume because your pet store sells it that it's legal for you to OWN it. I'm in GA. They sell corn snakes at Petco - they are illegal to own in GA without a permit.

Take a deep breath and don't get so upset with people who are only trying to help you.

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Originally Posted by tsst

Corns are a great starter snake. Many morphs are availiable. Kings are good starters also. I don't have a BP yet but plan on one soon. As a side note in Ohio it is illegal to own venomous or any indigenous species without a permit.

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If you haven't noticed all the snakes I have listed are non-venomous begginer snakes. If there is a problem with owning a non-native snake, only the Hognose and C. Kingsnake would be a problem (because Garters and Corns are native to my state).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Don't assume because your pet store sells it that it's legal for you to OWN it. I'm in GA. They sell corn snakes at Petco - they are illegal to own in GA without a permit.

Take a deep breath and don't get so upset with people who are only trying to help you.

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This is why I think so many over react to the GA law! So where is the GA DER? Why are they not raiding Petco's and freeing lavender corn snakes?

raber, don't take this personal! I am not being a scarastic menace in response to you personally, it is just that the information you just provided proves my point about GA and corns, kings, etc.

No one from the GA government is comming to your house to fine you for an amel corn snake. Call them and tell them and they MIGHT, call and ask if it is ok to keep them and they WILL and MUST say it is not.

I would not hesitate to keep any snake in GA PERSONALLY. I would keep good documentation and fight any thing that ever came of it.

NOTE - That is not "advice" just my personal view on the matter. The GA law was never intended to ban the sale of captive bred animals, it was poorly written and no one in the GA government currently cares enough to correct it. If I live in GA I would be writing my state officials once a day and that last part is advice,

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Originally Posted by jjspirko

First Mech,

I told you about your attitude last night and now you are getting it again from completely different people. Could it just be that with that being the case, you indeed are the problem.

I think you are a kid 14ish to perhaps 19ish and you are at a point were you think you know more then you do. I also think you are making a real effort to fit in here, you are posting a lot and at times seem to be streatching to even find something to post about. That is fine I work with young people EVERY chance I get and I was working with snakes at 8 and handling some hots at 12 so I do remember what it is like to be a kid and not taken completely seriously.

That said you need to get off your attitude or no one is going to bother posting in response to you.

Now in spite of this I am going to give you my opinion.

All the snakes on your list are more then fine for a beginner if the person gets all the equipment that is needed and commits to keeping the animal long term and understands the cost of keeping the animal.

Honestly all the first snake stuff is kind of pointless as long as you stay away from the big stuff. (Boas, Retics, Burms, Condas, etc) and off the stuff with advanced issues (rainbow boas, ATBs, GTPs, etc). The only other caution which is not common in pet stores is staying off the rear fanged colubrids as a first snake such as False Water Cobras, Mangroves, Telescopus, and various cat eyed snakes. They are actually all easy to keep and like Madagascar Cat Eyes are very hardy and very gentle still I don't think even they are good as a true first snake and require some understanding of husbandry you can only get from a practicle application.

You can't go wrong with corns, kings and milks. If you can't manage to keep one of them going then you don't really need to keep any snake. Bulls , Pines and Gophers are also fine for the new person so long as they are willing to provide a bigger viv. Same with all the common rat snakes.

90% of Colubrids could have identical care sheets with the exception of enclosure size so the best first snake is which ever of the easy species that your friend finds is most attractive to them. I would advise NO RUSH, go to a few shops, handle a few snakes and then go home and think about it.

Of course Ball Pythons are also very good beginner snakes, if you get one that is feeding well and provide the right temps they are pretty damn easy to care for.

People are trying to help you dude, chill out, stop and read a few dozen threds and LEARN the way of this forum. A forum is just like any social sceen, you don't come in with attitude you learn the tone of the place and adapt to it,

---

I'll break it to you that I'm not at that age b/c I'm not that kind of teen. I'm a Yeshiva Bochur (people who aren't like those average teenagers), and I'm sorry (I was a bit frusterated). Please end this discussion about my personality and could you (plural) not completely ruin my reputation on this site by telling everybody about this?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MechWarrior

I'll break it to you that I'm not that kind of teen. I'm a Yeshiva Bochur (people who aren't like those average teenagers), and I'm sorry (I was a bit frusterated). Please end this discussion about my personality.

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Dude! No one has said much about YOU since YOU called an "end to the discussion". Think about that, if you want something to be dropped, you have to drop it too,

It's funny how forums get so off track. I stopped chatting on my kite forums because of political differences. I had no idea that Bush supporters like to fly kites too!!! I suppose it's our differences that make us all unique. Just like our snakes some of us bite too, but we still love them.

Oh, by the way, I think your friend should get a corn snake.

All the best!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jenn

It's funny how forums get so off track. I stopped chatting on my kite forums because of political differences. I had no idea that Bush supporters like to fly kites too!!! I suppose it's our differences that make us all unique. Just like our snakes some of us bite too, but we still love them.

Oh, by the way, I think your friend should get a corn snake.

All the best!

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That I heard, would be a good begginer's snake. You see everybody? I want the responses to be like this.

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Originally Posted by jjspirko

Dude! No one has said much about YOU since YOU called an "end to the discussion". Think about that, if you want something to be dropped, you have to drop it too,

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I sort of did, no?

I was just wondering, how come no one chose hognose or garter snakes? Is there something wrong with them or their avalibility?

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Originally Posted by MechWarrior

You see everybody? I want the responses to be like this.

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Well....see....that's the problem. You don't get to dictate how people respond to you. Heck, even ~I~ can't get people to respond and behave the way I want them to around here...so why should anyone else be able to? :P ;)

The BEST way to get people to respond in a respectful and helpful manner is to be respectful and helpful as well...both in asking the questions and in receiving the answers. Even then, you're bound to get responses that irk you....but that's life in the real world And if you can't learn to let such things roll off your back....to either ignore them or learn from them....then you're in for a very rough road ahead....full of a lot of conflict and little to no respect for you or your opinion on things.

I wish the best to you and your friend in whatever snake you fellas end up choosing. Personally, I think a corn snake would be ideal.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MechWarrior

I was just wondering, how come no one chose hognose or garter snakes? Is there something wrong with them or their avalibility?

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Typically your choices of morphs with the King and Corn snakes will far greater than those for Garter or Hognose snakes. So most people tend to lean toward them as first snakes because of the vast plethora of options that those two species offer.

Hope that helps

I LOVE tricolor hognoses, Alex Hues has so NICE ones I was just shown last night. ^.^

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Originally Posted by MechWarrior

I was just wondering, how come no one chose hognose or garter snakes? Is there something wrong with them or their avalibility?

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Well my guess it this

One, most people here consider hogs to be "venomous" I 100% disagree and think 99.9% of hog bites are SFEs anyway. Hogs are very good first snakes so long as you stick to westens, keeping easterns on rodents is a challange.

Garters are very active and need big cages relative to their sides, some are tough to get and keep on rodents and all crap a lot. They are "easy" to keep but not at the level of corns, kings, bulls, etc.

I think either are very good but not "as good" as more typical first snakes,

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MechWarrior

I was just wondering, how come no one chose hognose or garter snakes? Is there something wrong with them or their avalibility?

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Have you ever smelled your hands after holding a garter snake? Thats reason enough alone not to get one.