Bull, Ball or Garter

So I want to get my first snake and I have started a few threads asking about good beginner snakes and this is the list I've come up with. Now I must decide between a Ball Python,A Bull Snake or a Garter Snake. I've done my research and will continue to do more before and after I decide. I also understand all animals are individuals and some don't adhere to the general species characteristics. Does anyone keep these? What would you recommend? :snake:

Learn the typical behavior of the species in question. Check out the husbandry requirements for each. Find out how long they live and how big they get. Only you can decide what works for you. When I was young I kept rat snakes. They had requirements I could easily provide. Now I keep balls. Their requirements do not conflict with my lifestyle. Think of it like buying the right dog. If you live in an apartment in the city you really shouldn't buy a hunting dog.

List out what you like, what you can provide, and the particulars of the different species. Where the items all come together is where the answer is.

Garters can be a bit musky and/or bitey. If you go that route, definitely research the differences and choose a species that best fits your expectations as a keeper. Bulls can be intimidating if you're not used to big and loud threat displays - most chill out naturally as they get more accustomed to their keepers or, if you work with them a bit, they typically calm down real quick. Ball pythons require more specific care guidelines and their fasts can be worrisome for new owners. Out of the 3 you listed, bull snakes will probably handle keeper errors and stress the best so they get my recommendation.

I have Balls and Garters. Of those two, the Balls require more for husbandry. They also hide a lot more and can be picky when it comes to eating. But they are much more tame and less erratic. I can put them on the ground outside and don't have to worry about them taking off.

I had Garters as a kid and I remember those being tame. I have two now (I'm 40) and they do not like being handled; they've never bitten but they will musk. But they have a great food response and are easy to maintain. They also eat a variety of foods. I typically give mine nightcrawlers, tilapia or pinkies and will add calcium. They are also nicer for display since they'll hang outside of their hides during the day. All depends on what aspect is most important to you. Nowadays Garters seem harder to find. Unless you get some nice morph, you end up paying as much for shipping as you do for the snake.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'll throw one more into the mix. Have you looked at gopher snakes? Close relative to the bull, same husbandry, and they seem to be a little less huffy...

My garters don't mind being handled mostly and have never musked. I bribed them with worms after handling occasionally to get them used to it faster. They're still fast and wiggly though as that's just their nature. Most of the time they'll pretty calmly wind through my hands. Ball pythons and garter snakes are really different experiences (don't have a bull snake personally, do have the other two) - if you're looking at things that are so different, you might want to take some time to think about what you really are looking for. If you are anywhere near one, maybe go to a reptile expo and hold the different species for a bit.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JodanOrNoDan

List out what you like, what you can provide, and the particulars of the different species. Where the items all come together is where the answer is.

---

I'm definitely leaning towards Bulls because of easy care and bigger size. I have read that they are more huffy and if you just work with them they should mellow out. I plan on having a separate feeding cage for any snake I buy. I've done lots of research on all of these snakes and will continue to do more. I'm kind of leaning away from Garters though. And I am also considering Gophers also.

A garter seems pretty far off from what you mentioned in your other threads....

FWIW- There's no need for a separate feeding cage for snakes. It just adds stress for the snake and the keeper. I feed all my snakes in their enclosures.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BallPythonWannaBe

I'm definitely leaning towards Bulls because of easy care and bigger size. I have read that they are more huffy and if you just work with them they should mellow out. I plan on having a separate feeding cage for any snake I buy. I've done lots of research on all of these snakes and will continue to do more. I'm kind of leaning away from Garters though. And I am also considering Gophers also.

---

I would strongly advise against a separate feeding tub. Feeding in the enclosure is the preferred method among most experienced snake keepers.

Okay so no separate feeding tank. And yes,Garters are quite different than what I've mentioned in my other threads but I've always liked Garters:P I'm kind of leaning away from them though and I did make a thread about maybe getting a constricter as a first snake

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BallPythonWannaBe

Okay so no separate feeding tank. And yes,Garters are quite different than what I've mentioned in my other threads but I've always liked Garters:P I'm kind of leaning away from them though and I did make a thread about maybe getting a constricter as a first snake

---

There are some beautiful garters out there, awesome snakes. I was just surprised you were considering one compared to the others you mentioned.

FWIW, I was a non-snake person before getting one for my 8 year old daughter last November. A super pastel ball python. It was perfect from the beginning. As in, even as a baby it seemed like an impressive snake. Then my 5 year old son got a baby banana morph and I soon picked up a Bredli. The BPs have been so easy to enjoy and the Bredli has been a nice change.

I feel good about providing a nice environment for them but I don't feel the husbandry requirements are difficult at all. I can't speak to the other snakes you have looked at but a BP, either normal or a morph, is alot of fun to take care of and they seem to be able to enjoy a good amount of handling. They have been very easy to show off to others who are interested in a way that the Bredli is not.

Also, they have grown alot and now seem even more impressive.

OP - you may want to make a list & set priorities from high to low (size, temperament, handling, caging/husbandry, activeness, cleanliness, smell, prey, feeding schedule/response, etc.) and list the snakes your research proves best under each category/priority.

Prior to buying my kids their first snake I made a similar list and a Dumerils Boa seemed like a winner; however, caging size was one of my top priorities and I didn't want to go bigger than a 3'x2', so we ended up with a male BP. Although he's been great I think the play-doh snakes my kids make move more... And in hindsight I think a BP makes a better 2nd or 3rd snake, at least for me because I hate throwing away F/T prey & wish I had also had a hungry Kingsnake or other to take refusals (should there be a BP hunger strike).

Good luck.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by vikingr

OP - you may want to make a list & set priorities from high to low (size, temperament, handling, caging/husbandry, activeness, cleanliness, smell, prey, feeding schedule/response, etc.) and list the snakes your research proves best under each category/priority.

Prior to buying my kids their first snake I made a similar list and a Dumerils Boa seemed like a winner; however, caging size was one of my top priorities and I didn't want to go bigger than a 3'x2', so we ended up with a male BP. Although he's been great I think the play-doh snakes my kids make move more... And in hindsight I think a BP makes a better 2nd or 3rd snake, at least for me because I hate throwing away F/T prey & wish I had also had a hungry Kingsnake or other to take refusals (should there be a BP hunger strike).

Good luck.

---

My King is always happy to take any refusals from any of my snakes. He'll eat anything, any time.

I really like Dumerils Boas...I would just have to convince my mother that they couldn't kill me :/

It is starting to sound to me like you and your mother need to have a long, serious, reality based discussion. There is plenty of factual information to be found about the the capabilities of the various species danger wise. The only two species known to eat humans as far as I know, and these are very rare cases, are green anacondas and reticulated pythons and your are not talking about these guys. Your mother's cat could be in danger from a larger boa. Other than that the animals you are considering are not really capable of causing any great harm beyond a nasty bite and most of the species you have discussed are not even capable of that.

If your mother is unwilling to consider facts beyond unfounded fears, there is not a lot you can do. Some people are just afraid of things and there is very little you can do to talk them into anything. Mom's house. Mom's rules, whether you agree with them or not.

I think most of it is from the name, some people hear "Boa" or "Python" and think "Dangerous squeezy Thing". I've convinced her Ball Pythons are okay so maybe if I just present her with a few articles about how they cannot kill you and how they don't pose a danger to humans, she might be okay with it in time? If not I like Ball Pythons slot and she was actually pointing out BPs she liked on MorphMarket.

Try something like this

http://www.worldofballpythons.com/morphs/lesser-mojave/

Many who are afraid of snakes are not real intimidated by a white blue eyed one.

Or show her this (my five year old with the nastiest animal in my collection) She has no problem controlling it. It is a butt ugly animal but she just had to have it.

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...1/img_0842.jpg

awesome picture Jodan!!!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by craigafrechette

awesome picture Jodan!!!!

---

Thanks, I have to find a picture of her lugging around one of my big ones. It is quite funny. This girl is afraid of nothing.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JodanOrNoDan

Thanks, I have to find a picture of her lugging around one of my big ones. It is quite funny. This girl is afraid of nothing.

---

She's a cutie, and clearly comfortable and happy handling snakes

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JodanOrNoDan

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...1/img_0842.jpg

---

just popping in to say this is a beautiful photo and your daughter is beautiful, too!!! 💜

I do love BPs especially the banana,Ivory and Lucy morphs :P

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BallPythonWannaBe

I do love BPs especially the banana,Ivory and Lucy morphs :P

---

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...age_391255.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...age_624012.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...ge_297824.jpeg

Oh,such pretty Bananas! Are they yours?

Yes, same banana with my kids. First pic, when we got him in November and the last one about two months ago when I was working on his enclosure.

He is a male and has an incredible feeding response. He has never missed a weekly meal and has gotten big quickly.

Any particular reason you ruled out king snakes and corn snakes? Just curious. I have corns, ball pythons, and a rainbow boa. One day I may also get San Francisco garters- they're gorgeous. Good luck with whatever you choose: snakes are great pets!

No,not really. I just don't like Corns and Kings as much and I need to narrow down my list :P

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BallPythonWannaBe

No,not really. I just don't like Corns and Kings as much and I need to narrow down my list :P

---

Have you talked with your mom about everything you're considering? Is she going to let you have a dumeril's, bull, or boa constrictor?

I think getting her approval on any of these specific species is actually first priority, being that you live with your family, before going back and forth on the decision on your own. As a first step, her approval is what matters.

I have and she has ruled out those three :( But she is okay with Garters and BPs. So now I'm just thinking about these two :)

In the pic with your daughter is that snake a Spider or some other morph?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BallPythonWannaBe

In the pic with your daughter is that snake a Spider or some other morph?

---

That is what a low end pastel looks like when they get old. So the top is brownish and the yellow has all turned white. She is so faded I originally thought she was axanthic, but she is just a pastel.

Oh. I thought she Axantic something :D
I really like normal too for some reason :P I like dark morphs and light morphs

I'm also looking at red sided Californian Garters but I don't know where to find a good breeder who has good prices