Smaller snakes- Beginner to Intermedate Levels

I have a freind who is looking for her second snake. She currently owns a 6 year old ball python and is looking for small snake species that are a little diffrent. She is lacking a bit of space so nothing over 7 feet. Any advice I can pass on would be great!

Sand boa would be a better fit than a colubrid smaller species female a little over 2 feet and mellow even when young unlike small colubrid species.

With most colubrid they will be flighty for the first year (and fast) more prone to musk and or bite depending on the species.

Of course getting an adult would solve that problem but most people will want to raise the animal from hatchling.

Corn snakes are usually pretty calm and usually don't get over 5 or 6 ft.

Hognose stay small, and as long as you get a female you shouldn't have too many feeding issues.

Spotted pythons are small and easy, and most I've met have been calm.

African house snakes are small, good feeders, and most are fairly calm.

Savu python, Tarahumara dwarf boa, male king, milk, or corn snake, male Brazilian rainbow boa...

Which snakes would be better display snakes? She wants to have a more naturalistic setup.

King snakes come out a lot, and cali kings and Mexican kings don't get over 6ft. Mine are out and about at all hours. I highly recommend them, only downside is that they sometimes can musk, and are very food driven.. that can be both good and bad. Lol

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Originally Posted by Alter-Echo

King snakes come out a lot, and cali kings and Mexican kings don't get over 6ft. Mine are out and about at all hours. I highly recommend them, only downside is that they sometimes can musk, and are very food driven.. that can be both good and bad. Lol

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It would be weird for me having a snake that is prone to musking and is very food driven. My young ball python eats every time but he isn't overly enthusiastic about. My freinds Ball Python is very food driven and has tagged her before.

A male Boa Constrictor. They grow slow and don't get huge like the females can. By the time they could be big she might she might not mind anymore. They are super inquisitive and mobile compared to a ball.

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Originally Posted by BallPythonWannaBe

I have a freind who is looking for her second snake. She currently owns a 6 year old ball python and is looking for small snake species that are a little diffrent. She is lacking a bit of space so nothing over 7 feet. Any advice I can pass on would be great!

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My 'name' should say it all: a Trans Pecos rat snake! They aren't that common, they are gentle & curious (with wonderful big eyes!) & stay about 4'. Each of mine are housed in 40 gal. tanks w/ screen tops, naturalistic with branches...they love to climb & will even snooze in a basket suspended in the branches. They are desert species so humidity is a non-issue, & temps. can vary with a UTH under one area (warm and cool hides a must, of course). These are mellow snakes, & btw I disagree about most rat snakes musking when handled respectfully, but in that group, these are the least likely (to musk) or bite...they're sweethearts. There's a few color versions too, personally I love the normals best but never met one I didn't like. They are nocturnal but very graceful & not pushy snakes ever...you could probably sleep in the same room without them ever waking you up. She couldn't find a better pet, IMO.

These are easy reliable feeders too, on f/t, also. Sorry, but I can't think of a single negative thing to say about them, lol. :snake:

This was posted under "colubrids" or I'd also have suggested an Australian spotted python. They stay small (3-4') and love to climb & bask in branches...I've had
mine for about 10 years, never a bite (same for Trans Pecos) but amazing response to food (f/t)! Easy, curious, small constrictor, needs consistently warmer cage
than Trans Pecos though (<temps. in the desert where they're from are more variable, esp. at night), and also the spotted pythons NEED a humid hide...they're
Aussies but apparently more coastal, not desert. Another excellent pet choice IMO.

And in case you're wondering, I don't sell either kind, or any other, nor do I breed any snakes any more. I just enjoy them as pets...as family members.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

This was posted under "colubrids" or I'd also have suggested an Australian spotted python. They stay small (3-4') and love to climb & bask in branches...I've had mine for about 10 years, never a bite (same for Trans Pecos) but amazing response to food (f/t)! Easy, curious, small constrictor, needs consistently warmer cage than Trans Pecos though (<temps. in the desert where they're from are more variable, esp. at night), and also the spotted pythons NEED a humid hide...they're Aussies but apparently more coastal, not desert. Another excellent pet choice IMO.And in case you're wondering, I don't sell either kind, or any other, nor do I breed any snakes any more. I just enjoy them as pets...as family members.

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I just posted under coulubrids as I figured most of the responses would be for colubrid snakes. I was not sure where else to put it. Any kind of snake you would like to add is welcome.

I have a Children's Python. Smaller than a Spotted but similar in looks. The head looks amazing with those cat eyes, and I love the scales that are iridescent when sunlight hits them. They are known to be nippy as babies and mine proved it true. Although many recommend CP as beginners, I don't and see them as intermediate because they move FAST: they can be calm for a second, get scared or upset quickly and strike. No hissing, sometimes no S shaping. If she has time to tame one, and likes a challenge, CP are good to go. They eat very well and their husbandry similar to a king. They are not as active as kings but mine has a very peculiar behavior where he would poke his head out of the hide, sees me and comes out to see if I have food. He won't do that with anyone else.

Stimpson python is also related to Spotted and Children with similar looks. They are much smaller than its cousins. But they are not as commonly found and I cannot confirm for their temperament or husbandry.

I have a Cali king and I think they need more space than most recommended. Mine is house in a 48 inch tank and she uses every inch of it. Mine do not musk, hiss or bite, so if your friend wants one, get an adult instead so she gets what she sees. Not all kings are like that, even though they are gluttons.

As far as I know King snakes don't need too much humidity correct? And for anyone who recommended a dwarf boa what kind of setup would you advise?

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Originally Posted by BallPythonWannaBe

I just posted under coulubrids as I figured most of the responses would be for colubrid snakes. I was not sure where else to put it. Any kind of snake you would like to add is welcome.

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Those would be my top two suggestions. I figured since others were including boas/pythons, I'd include the spotted pythons too (I assume some of their "cousins" would
be similar but only going by those I have personal experience with). While they aren't "unusual", corn snakes are perfect pets...generally nice temperament, not too big,
enthused feeders on f/t prey (without heating it up etc) and also makes great use of branches (& baskets, lol). And they come in awesome color variations. They do start
out pretty tiny, fragile & shy...when I've raised them, I can't even FEEL the teeth of a hatchling's bite, their teeth are too small. They quickly outgrow defensive behavior,
as do my other suggestions. I'm a fan of ALL rat snakes: they get larger but Baird's rat snakes are also usually very docile. And check out the color on Everglades rat
snakes (bright orange!) but they can be a little more feisty...it's all in what one prefers.

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Originally Posted by BallPythonWannaBe

As far as I know King snakes don't need too much humidity correct?

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No, humidity is a non-issue for king snakes...they thrive easily without issues. I've kept Mexican black kings (my fave), California kings, speckled & E. Chain, milks etc.

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Originally Posted by BallPythonWannaBe

Which snakes would be better display snakes? She wants to have a more naturalistic setup.

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Ya want display snakes [emoji6]

These are a few of mine [emoji4]

Hybrid Milk x King
HC Albino Royal Python
Amel Stripe Corn snake
High White Pied Royal python
Thai Red Bamboo Rat snake
Cali California King snake
Lavender Albino striped Cali-King
MBK ~ Mexican Black King snake

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...cb5d3a9ccc.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...0b66143748.pnghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...dba0606cb4.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...702a731475.pnghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...47ed9ba368.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...454726b9c9.jpg[IMG]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...03b65e5966.jpg


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Originally Posted by Zincubus

Ya want display snakes [emoji6]

These are a few of mine [emoji4]

Hybrid Milk x King
HC Albino Royal Python
Amel Stripe Corn snake
High White Pied Royal python
Thai Red Bamboo Rat snake
Cali California King snake
Lavender Albino striped Cali-King
MBK ~ Mexican Black King snake

[IMG]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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I am VERY jealous! Is your Bamboo rat snake handlable? I might need that or a Hybrid Milk x King for myself :D

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Originally Posted by BallPythonWannaBe

I am VERY jealous! Is your Bamboo rat snake handlable? I might need that or a Hybrid Milk x King for myself :D

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The Bamboo is psychotic !!
The hybrids are known as Imperial Pueblans ..

These people seem to breed them for example.
http://southerncaliforniakingsnakes....m/hybrids.html



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Lets see... something under 6 feet would pretty much be what most have been saying, being dwarf boa's, sand boa's, hognose, king and milk snakes, spotted python, african house snake, trans-pecos rat snake and baird's rat snake....Any of these would be a good choice!

@Bogertophis got me very interested in the Trans-Pecos rat snake to the point where I just had to have one of those extremely cute google eyed noodles. I wanted something different so my hunt began...My boy was hard to find because they are rare to find in Canada, but i found a breeder and will be getting him next week. I am also getting a African house snake tomorrow. The thing with African house snakes is that they are coming out with a few different colors than just your typical brown color. There are black ones, yellow ones and olive ones with an orange stripe. The one I am getting is a reddish brown color, but he is considered a red phase.

AND tomorrow is the BIG 2 day reptile expo here in Toronto and I absolutely must go and see whats out there. I mean there is no harm in just going to look around....right!!!! :peace:

Albino african house snakes!
Some of the normal ones are a bit dull, but I love the albinos. They make great small, active display snakes.

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Originally Posted by Jus1More

...AND tomorrow is the BIG 2 day reptile expo here in Toronto and I absolutely must go and see whats out there.
I mean there is no harm in just going to look around....right!!!! :peace:

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I say, you DO like to live dangerously! :rofl:

Hey guys, so just for a second I want to bring this thread back. My freind recently found Amazon Tree Boa's but she dosent know much about them in terms of care and setup

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Originally Posted by BallPythonWannaBe

Hey guys, so just for a second I want to bring this thread back. My freind recently found Amazon Tree Boa's but she dosent know much about them in terms of care and setup

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Not a beginner snake for sure!!!!!!!!! They are typically defensive monsters with large teeth that take a lot of care to get accustomed to handling and some never do. Read about proper care and temper.

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Originally Posted by Skyrivers

Not a beginner snake for sure!!!!!!!!! They are typically defensive monsters with large teeth that take a lot of care to get accustomed to handling and some never do. Read about proper care and temper.

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I've read a bit about them myself and I dont think I would want one. I think she wants something more aboreal so I've been recomending carpet pythons :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by BallPythonWannaBe

I've read a bit about them myself and I dont think I would want one. I think she wants something more aboreal so I've been recomending carpet pythons :rolleyes:

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Some rat snakes are semi-arboreal and can be quite beautiful to look at. Blue beauties especially favorite of mine.

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Originally Posted by BallPythonWannaBe

I've read a bit about them myself and I dont think I would want one. I think she wants something more aboreal so I've been recomending carpet pythons :rolleyes:

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Ding ding ding. If your friend wants a beautiful snake that's under 7ft, displays well, eats well, handles well, and is easy to care for a carpet python is the perfect fit. I have 5 carpets and love them all. You can't ever go wrong with a carpet imo.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/JBzfTwp.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/sxdrSIG.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/5070Q0y.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/xq9Qm03.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/IigWpzG.jpg

If she likes colubrids bull snakes are great too. They're large but not too big, they eat like zombies, and the husbandry is very simple. I have 2 albinos but the normals are gorgeous and there's lots of cool morphs too.

https://i.imgur.com/E1MvGHP.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/E3RpFrf.jpg

I love bull snakes & all their cousins, but arboreal they ain't...;)

For someone wanting a smaller & EASY snake to begin with, I'd still recommend the various rat snakes or spotted pythons that I already discussed...ALL of
them use their branches regularly...they don't "remain" in them 24/7 but they USE them quite a bit. Rat snakes have good vision, which they use...they aren't
super-shy, & like my spotted python, they're always on the look-out.

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Originally Posted by BallPythonWannaBe

Hey guys, so just for a second I want to bring this thread back. My freind recently found Amazon Tree Boa's but she dosent know much about them in terms of care and setup

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Oh, I really wouldn't recommend that she go there...not without a LOT of reading up.

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Originally Posted by BallPythonWannaBe

Which snakes would be better display snakes? She wants to have a more naturalistic setup.

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If she does the setup right, pretty much any terrestrial or arboreal will make a decent display snake. Good quality lighting that provides a temperature gradient from top to bottom will encourage the snake to bask at different levels of the enclosure and remain visible/active for your viewing pleasure. I think garter snakes make some of the best display snakes out there and prime candidates for a naturalistic setup. Mine are almost always basking in plain view or cruising around looking for food.