Best Starter Snake

Whats the best large snake to start off with? By large I mean 5 feet and up.

I'd vote for a BCI.

Id say a BCI, or even a carpet. But BCI's are really easy as husbandry goes and really easy to handle. They usually aren't flighty like say an SD tic may be. Carpets make great pets too. Slender build so even an 8 foot snake won't really seem too big. Goodluck with your search.

I <3 my BCI. I have not been bit yet by any of my snakes, but my Peruvian is very tolerant of noises, hand movements, not head shy at all...I don't feel uneasy at all when my daughter handles her.

I just got a ball python a week ago and have had great experience with him so far. Only about 1ft 6 inches at the moment. I have always had some love for boas though. If I could do it again, I may have gotten a boa.

BCI, Dumeril's, Hogg Island

So how do you house a BCI? Can anyone post a picture of their setup please.

So BCI's aren't nippy? I'm scared about getting a snake that's going to bite, as I'm still young so the ball is my first snake and I have had great luck with him. I know having any snake there's a risk but I'd rather stay with the ones that are known for not biting typically. I'd like to stay away from hard core snakes like that...for now that is :)

BCI or Hogg. They typically have a great feeding response!

BCIs typically are not aggressive. They truly are the "gentle giants" of the snake world. I've had a female for 2 years, got her as an adoption when she was 5 and she's an absolute sweetheart.

My girl is currently in a 40 G. She's about 4.5' now and she'll need an upgrade soon. Well I guess she doesn't NEED it yet, but I'm anticipating it early.

X5 on the BCI but a common columbian or main land type, BCI covers umpteen locales and the island or central animals are a wee bit more uppity..

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I <3 my BCI. I have not been bit yet by any of my snakes, but my Peruvian is very tolerant of noises, hand movements, not head shy at all...I don't feel uneasy at all when my daughter handles her.

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Peruvians are BCC's if im not mistaken.

But for the OP. I got my first BCI and the white plains show, which is my albino male. He is perfect. He has never hissed, struck, coiled or anything towards me. But on the other hand I just got in a hypo het albino from Rich Ihle that wasn't as happy to see me as i was to see her. She's an 08 so around 4 foot. As soon as i tried to grab her the striking started. She had been shipped around so I would be a little pissed too. Ive had her about 3 weeks and she is still pretty sketchy. When i put her in a holding tub while i was cleaning her cage she wasnt very happy, and on the way out she tagged me. But man is she beautiful. :D

It really all depends on the individual. There are BCI's that are nippy but there are nippy ones of all species. Im sure I will calm her down over the next few months.

SD tics are a smaller snake, much smaller than BCI's since they are very slender. The only thing is they can be very nippy. I had an SD tic for about 6 months and he tagged me probably once a month. Only two of those times did he coil though.

The thing about snake bites is they dont usually initially hurt, until you start getting into the bigger snakes. Some people say a tag from a blood makes you feel like you had a broken hand from the impact.

I would say get a male hogg island. If your still afraid of getting bit, then stay with the smaller snakes until you realize it isn't that bad. You said you were young so an adult female BCI may be a little much, even males will hit 6-7 feet. You may think its pretty small, but even at that size they have alot of power.

Id say the best thing for you and what it seems you want would be a male hogg. Some people will tell you they are nippy, but now with more and more CBB animals, that is going away. Just try to find an animal that is younger so you can grow with it. And get it from a reputable breeder. Im sure you'll be fine with what you choose.

And the addiction is getting worse isn't it? :rofl:

IMO, a male Columbian BCI.

I house my adult BCIs in 4x2x1 and 4x2x2 plastic cages. I have Reptile Basics and Repti-Racks cages. I use 80 watt RHPs for heat.

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Originally Posted by redstormlax12

And the addiction is getting worse isn't it? :rofl:

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unfortunetly, and my mom said no more pets :tears: Oh well, one and a half more years i'll be 18 and I can get whatever I want :D but its always helpful to start researching early :)


Thanks everyone for your helpful information!

Cay Caulker Boas are excellant. Also, I hear that Woma Pythons are very under-rated snake. But I'm not speaking from experience.

A Hoggy would be my suggestion. Hogg Island Boa.:banana:

Jim Smith