What herp after a BP?

I'm still fairly new to "herping," as I've only had my ball pythons and leopard geckos for under a year... I did have lizards (leos/iguanas) and a turtle when I was younger, but that was a pretty long time ago. So if you had only owned BPs and leos thus far, what would be a good next step? I'm thinking some kind of boa, colubrid, hognose, or maybe another small lizard. I would like something around the same size or smaller than a BP, nothing that requires super complicated husbandry, and of course it should be pretty. :) I also like to handle my reptiles fairly often, so prefer one that isn't really jumpy and/or aggressive.

I added a poll with the ideas I've had, but feel free to suggest anything else! Just thinking ahead at this point, no immediate plans to actually buy one yet... ;)

Oops... I took too long setting up the poll, so now it won't let me. :D Here's what I had on it:

- Red-tail Boa
- Western Hognose
- Pueblan Milk Snake
- Corn Snake
- Carpet Python
- Bearded Dragon
- Chameleon
- Other?

Im pretty much in the same boat as you are. I've been looking at green tree pythons lately. Might be an idea..

If you want something that is loving and needs lots of attention I would suggest looking into a bearded dragon. They are like dogs or kids, they just LOVE cuddling and interacting with humans, though when they are young they can be a bit jumpy. :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by nicktreb

Im pretty much in the same boat as you are. I've been looking at green tree pythons lately. Might be an idea..

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I LOVE those, but thought they were more of an "intermediate/advanced" snake... and how big of an enclosure do they require?

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Originally Posted by Lupe

If you want something that is loving and needs lots of attention I would suggest looking into a bearded dragon. They are like dogs or kids, they just LOVE cuddling and interacting with humans, though when they are young they can be a bit jumpy. :rolleyes:

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Beardies are so cute. :) When I got my first BP (Delilah), I was torn between that or a bearded dragon... the guy at the vivarium talked me out of the beardie, because he said they were "high maintenance" pets. Is that true? I already have quite a menagerie to care for, so that's not a big deal - but I do appreciate how easy my BPs are, or I wouldn't have 7 of them. There's a reason I only have one dog, LOL. :rolleyes:

Well they do eat a lot of insects (a few times daily) and they also eat greens daily. The need baths a few time a week and the females do tend to lay eggs even if you don't breed them (they're infertile and there is the risk of them becoming egg-bound)
a good site to read about beardies is www.beardeddragon.org it is the beardie version of this site :) I think you can find good care sheets and get a general idea of what you need to invest to keep a beardie healthy.

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Originally Posted by Lolo76

I LOVE those, but thought they were more of an "intermediate/advanced" snake... and how big of an enclosure do they require?

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My understanding is that yes, GTPs are a bit more advanced. Not necessarily hard to take care of, per se, but they do have "tighter tolerances," as it were. They won't tolerate husbandry mistakes as well as BPs and leos, and most, though not all, of them do not tolerate much handling, and can be quite willing to bite. They're really more of a display animal than something you can interact with on a regular basis. That said, they certainly do make a beautiful display, so the higher effort and lower interaction may be worth it to you. Above all else though, whatever animal you decide on, be absolutely sure that you know and can handle its husbandry requirements.

Edit: As far as enclosures go, young ones can be kept in small tubs with perches mounted in them; larger snakes typically are kept in anything between a 2x2x2 foot cage up through 4x2x2, depending on size of snake and owner preference. (Note that I do not keep GTPs myself; this is information as I recall it from having read about them, and therefore if someone with actual experience comes along and contradicts what little I've said, I'll immediately bow to their expertise.)

Pets I would want after a Ball in order of desire:

Ferret
Giant Centipede
Boa

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Originally Posted by Oxylepy

Ferret

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Super cute, but illegal in the state of California... :(

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Giant Centipede

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Ummmmmmm.... ew? :D

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Boa

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What type of Boa would you pick? I think my favorite based on appearance is the BRB, but I know that's a little over my head right now... some day, though.

If you are used to keeping snakes, then yes, a beardie is high maintenance. Much more work than a ball python, but also very rewarding. They are very inquisitive and funny to watch.

When it comes down to it, it's about what you like in an animal! Everyone is different in what they like about herps. Also, make sure whatever you get is a responsibility you can handle. For example, bearded dragons need to be fed multiple times a day, poop cleaned every day, and veggies prepared daily, so you have to make sure you have the time to invest in the animal before you buy it.

My personal vote, as usual, is for corn snakes. Out of all my snakes I think my corn is my favorite. (Shh, don't tell my BP's!)

After I purchased my second BP, about a month or so later I got a Western Hognose and still lovin' him to death. Though, now my next step to take, other than a different BP morph, is purchasing a Borneo Short Tail python. Here's a list of the snakes I think are good steps to take after a BP:

-Brazilian Rainbow boa
-Borneo Short Tail python
-Common boa
-Red Tail boa
-Carpet python (Bredli, Coastal, Jungle, Jaguar, etc.)
-Dumeril's boa
-Rosy boa
-Kenyan Sand boa
-Childrens, Spotted, or Stimson's python

Those are the constrictors that wouldn't be a bad next step, here are the colubrids:
-Hognose
-Kingsnake
-Milk snake
-Rat snake
-Garter or Ribbon snake

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Originally Posted by icygirl

If you are used to keeping snakes, then yes, a beardie is high maintenance. Much more work than a ball python, but also very rewarding. They are very inquisitive and funny to watch.

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Yeah, I think they're just adorable! Check out this photo I took at East Bay Vivarium a while back... the guy on the far right kills me. Looks like he's saying "Yo, wazzzzup?" :D

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/IMG00764.jpg

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When it comes down to it, it's about what you like in an animal! Everyone is different in what they like about herps. Also, make sure whatever you get is a responsibility you can handle. For example, bearded dragons need to be fed multiple times a day, poop cleaned every day, and veggies prepared daily, so you have to make sure you have the time to invest in the animal before you buy it.

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One thing I love about herps is how easy they are... at least compared to my dog and cats, who are almost as demanding as human children. :rolleyes: So if beardies require that much care, it's probably not the best match for me - I'm perfectly capable, just not looking for another high-maintenance pet right now.

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My personal vote, as usual, is for corn snakes. Out of all my snakes I think my corn is my favorite. (Shh, don't tell my BP's!)

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Corns are definitely at the top of my list, at least until I'm more experienced. I think it's tied between them and hognoses, based on what I've heard & read so far.

Btw, I have a 15gal wood/glass tank that might be available for another herp. It has been housing my "female" leopard geckos, but I recently discovered one is a boy & had to separate them... my roommate is adopting the boy, since he was looking for one anyway, and the girl is now in a 15qt Sterilite tub. She seems much happier in the tub (less intimidating I suppose), so I was thinking of just leaving her in there.

I love this terrarium, and paid a pretty penny for it... rather than selling it, might as well just get another reptile! :D Would this be suitable for something like a corn snake or hognose? Fyi, it has a built-in light socket with a ceramic heat bulb, since the bottom is just too thick for an UTH heater. It maintains really well, though, and keeps perfect temps & humidity with little effort.

(I've since replaced that red lamp with a ceramic)
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/DSCF6663.jpg

Just having checked some care sheets, it looks like that cage would be fine for a hognose for its entire life, but a bit small for an adult corn (the sheet I saw recommended 20 gal minimum, with 30+ being better - you could of course house a juvenile corn in it just fine).

Edit: Obviously make sure to clean & sterilize it before any new occupant takes up residence; you don't want it catching anything your geckos may have had, however unlikely that may be.

If you want something that is easy to take care of and will get the most looks of you collection get a Leachie. (Rhacodactylus Leachianus) The largest Gecko out there. They dont require any extra heating and they eat a powdered diet that is pretty cheap to buy. They all have different personalities and are fun to interact with.
By far the easiest pets i've ever had. They are also easy to breed. In just a few years i Ended up with over 20 of them And i only started with 4.