Good snake for me?

As a member mentioned to me in my introduction post, there are apparently a lot of different kinds of snakes. I'd like a little help in narrowing my choices down to a few that would really suit me, if you don't mind. I already have a Ball Python as a potential species, but I'd like to learn about other options, as well! Here's what I would like in a snake.

-Preferably between 2.5 and 6 feet at adult size (Not a necessity)
-It would be my first-ever reptile, let alone snake
-NO insect diets! I hold a strong hatred for insects, and my mom is NOT willing to feed a snake.
-Must tolerate being handled for short periods
-I would prefer one of the more docile species, as, although I know it doesn't hurt much, I would prefer to not get bitten all that often.
-Must be less than 200$. I will have a 300$ budget once I get the snake, and I want to be able to spend at least 100$ of it on a good cage and supplies. I'm planning to THOUROUGHLY clean (Vet disinfectant and the like) out a thrift store tank to save money in that aspect.
-I am willing to adopt a rehome, but there are really only balls, corns, and Reticulated pythons on Craigslist, is there another site anyone could point me to?

Thank you all!

Ball pythons check out all of your requirements really. I wouldn’t be much help with other snakes as I only deal with BPs. I just want to point out that 100$ for the full set up is not anywhere near enough.
Besides the tank you have to purchase a heat pad with a thermostat, reliable humidity and temperature gauge, hides, water bowl, substrate, quite possibly a CHE or over head heat of some sort and all that adds up quite quickly. I’d recommend doing your research in terms of things you’re going to buy for your snake to have a realistic budget. BP can run anywhere between 70$ and 20 000$ depending on the morph.

As Sallysmom already said, those supplies will cost much more, and even more if you're living in a place where your temperature in room where snake will be drop down to 60-low 70-ish degrees... I think that a BP is perfectly suitable for your points, altough you're gonna spend more on cage and supplies than on a snake.

If you don't care about displaying it, then a female Kenyan Sand Boa would be a great first snake. They don't really go on hunger strikes like the males, max out under 3 feet. And their humidity requirements are easier than ball pythons. FYI, the males stay under 2 feet.

Thank you all! The 300 was just an estimate, as I am still learning a lot about care requirements and such, and I'm still researching for a good few months.
If I did end up with a BP, I would probably go with either the Pastel or Fire mutation, both are absolutely gorgeous in my opinion.

Never heard of Sand Boas. I'll have to take a look. Might be a bit hard to find, I live in an area where EVERYBODY has a dog or cat, but it's really hard to find exotics outside of the normal, well-known ones, like geckos, turtles, BPs and corns, and small parrots.

I consider myself extremely lucky to even see a large parrot for sale or rehome near me.

Not sure if they're still around but there used to be a reptile rescue IN Colorado...ask the vets, they should know about it? or animal shelters would know.
Also used to be a few other rescues (in Virginia etc) but they don't ship, you have to apply & pick up in person.

That reminds me, many people can't wait to buy a tiny hatchling or neonate snake, but honestly, they are delicate & can be difficult to feed, even if they fed
for the breeder OK; so when you are new to keeping snakes, it's often better to buy a yearling snake if you can...if you can find a good breeder that changed
their mind about a "hold-out" for example. What you DON'T want is a wild-caught snake from a pet store or other source...often have parasites that need
some expertise to treat or were exposed to other sick snakes, whereas a "clean" c/b (captive bred) snake should be easier to raise & cost-effective.

As for other snakes that would be great to start with (good size & temperament etc): (NO snakes that make good pets eat insects so you're safe there! )

Corn snakes are popular for good reasons: it's hard to even FEEL the teeth of a hatchling (more like a bit of sandpaper the size of a sunflower seed, lol...)
They come in ALL kinds of colors...you can pay more for a fancy color or far less for a more common one, but all make great pets...easy to handle, and
by the time their teeth are big enough to feel, it's rare for them to want to bite. They generally have good appetites, and they are FAR easier to keep than
BPs (sorry BP fans!): I say this because they don't require the high temperatures & humidity that BPs do, plus they don't have the feeding quirks (refusing
food). They do great in an aquarium with screen top, so you can see them, and they like to climb & use branches. (ie. they don't hide as much)

Australian spotted python: stays smaller than a corn snake, but a true PYTHON! Crazy feeding response, but normally docile to handle, mine is anyway.
Mine loves to bask on driftwood under a warming light (yes, they need warmer temps & need a humid hide to shed well) but because they stay small,
it's easier to manage cage conditions. Mine has never bit me, & never refuses food. And she's super alert, any time I walk near her cage, if she's hiding,
she pops up to see if it's a meal heading her way...she's a fun little snake. Not fancy colors, mine is 'granite phase' (dark greenish w/ speckles) but a
winner...and they PREFER f/t food, very easy to feed.

Other rat snakes to consider that are docile by nature, easy to feed & shouldn't exceed 6': Baird's rat snakes (these can get to about 6' in time, but they're
slender, not heavy-bodied), and Trans Pecos rat snakes (get a well-started one, hatchlings can be a little tricky but after that, these are mellow, nosy snakes
that stay about 4'). I like & have kept many other kinds of rat snakes too but these 2 are the most docile by far, & easy to care for.

King snakes: personal favorite is MBK (Mexican black king snake) but many kinds make good pets- easy to feed, easy to set up caging needs; kings tend to be
very food driven, some being hard to handle without nips, so it's nice to start small (so they learn you aren't food); hatchlings are escape-artists, can get out
of the tiniest openings, and they tend to be very squirmy too, whereas rat snakes tend to hold onto your hands (as they would a branch) kings can be hard to
hold onto especially when small.

By the way, my "name" here is a reference to Trans Pecos rat snakes (Bogertophis subocularis- aka "subocs" for short) ;)

Another small & docile snake is the rosy boa. These stay about 3' long (females can get to about 3.5' long, males stay smaller). These are desert & SW coastal
species, so they like it warm and don't need humidity. It's typical for them to feed easily most of the year, but go off feed for a couple months in winter when
they'd normally be brumating (snoozing!) in the wild. They generally start off needing live pinky mice but can & should be changed to f/t (frozen thawed) mice
as soon as they're feeding regularly.

My 2 cents. Corns, Kings, and small boa species like sand boa, dwarf boa, etc make great starter snakes to learn the hobby with. Stay away from tree boas as they are not for beginners. Most of the ones I mentioned are more active than a BP in general. BP's are good snakes to keep but can be pet rocks and have little need for interaction. We do it for our benefit not theirs. Get a well started CBB normal for $100 or less in most cases and then drop $300 plus on giving it a proper home. That way when you get bit by the bug to buy another you will have the experience before dropping $2k (I so can't wait for Aurora!!!!!!) on an animal that can be more work and challenge to care for.

Once you decide on a species get the setup ready and balanced out the temps and humidity and do a lot of reading, then it is time to shop for the animal. (Wish I had done this a few times.) LOL.

When picking out an animal, (again my 2 cents) if you are completely new to the hobby, find an adult that is a year or 2 old and the breeder or person who is selling it can vouch for their ease of handling. Before I got my first retic I did lots of reading. Once I asked tons of questions (bugging lots of people here) I contacted a breeder that had a female that was 2 years old and they knew her personality was chill and would be great for handling and sharing her with others. Rainbow is the prize of my collection till this day. Now she is loved by the people I share her with through education shows. Even with her being a great animal retics are not for people new to the hobby. Food mode is real!!!!!!!

Last thing. This hobby can be an addiction! Pace yourself. Not everyone can afford to feed and care for a zoo of animals like I do. Is very rewarding but a lot of work when you get more than 5... I think with Aurora I am up to 10.

Have fun, keep asking questions, and love your new pet for a lifetime.

N2N

You have gotten some great info from folks here so I am just going to say I agree with what has been said and the info provided by Bogertophis. With what you described I would highly recommend a Corn Snake as fitting your niche. It will help you learn the ropes as they are fairly easy to handle and take care of. Frankly much easier then a BP. They could fairly easily reside in a 20 - 30 gal size tank with a overhead heat lamp or CHE. I might suggest getting a snake a little older then a hatching that is feeding well. Good luck in your search and welcome to the hobby.

Bill A

Some good poinyts were made above, and I'll reiterate that your enclosure and equipment will run you well over $100.

However, I'm going to raise a point that hasn't come up yet... I'm guessing since you're potentially relying on your mother to assist with feedings (or at leaat you mentioned she will NOT feed the snake) you are still young and living at home??
For that reason it might be worth waiting a few years before bringing a snake home. I don't know your short term plans, but if you have college in your future there's an extremely high likelihood that you won't be able to take your snake with you to a dorm or off campus apartment. And speaking of apartments, if you'renot planning on college, many landlords don't allow snakes. You'll also likely need a roommate to afford a place of your own, and having a snake will seriously limit your potential roommates. Not everybody will be willing to live with a snake.
So, if you're still at home, it may be best to wait. Snake's live 20 years or more depending on species, and unless you can commit to caring for that animal for its entire life it really isn't fair to the animal to bring it home.

If I'm mistaken, I apologize. And if this is the case of be happy to help you out with my experience with keeping snakes. I have kept Kings, corns, hognose, BP, and Borneo Short Tail, so I'd be happy to help you with info on any of those species.

Hmm, corn snakes sound pretty interesting. Quick question on them, how often do they bite? I'm not scared, and I know it doesn't hurt, but my parents might freak out a bit if their first-ever interaction with a snake involves it biting me, them, or someone else. Should I show them a fully grown one when the time is right?

Thanks to everyone for your input! You've given me a lot of food for thought.

I'm partial to corns for their ease of care. They would fit into your budget if you aren't looking for anything super fancy. Plus an adult corn can stay on mice so you wont need to buy rats.

Another one that is easy to care for is the Papuan carpet python. The Papuan carpet doesn't have humidly needs like a ball, or many other snakes would. They are one of the smallest carpet python species and have a great feeding response.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by New2Noodles

Hmm, corn snakes sound pretty interesting. Quick question on them, how often do they bite? I'm not scared, and I know it doesn't hurt, but my parents might freak out a bit if their first-ever interaction with a snake involves it biting me, them, or someone else. Should I show them a fully grown one when the time is right?

Thanks to everyone for your input! You've given me a lot of food for thought.

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Biting would be their last line of defense. Most of the time they will try to flee, tail shake, then musk you. They really are a gentle and tolerant species. The only time I have been bitten by a corn was because I smelled like rodents.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by New2Noodles

Hmm, corn snakes sound pretty interesting. Quick question on them, how often do they bite? I'm not scared, and I know it doesn't hurt, but my parents might freak out a bit if their first-ever interaction with a snake involves it biting me, them, or someone else. Should I show them a fully grown one when the time is right?

Thanks to everyone for your input! You've given me a lot of food for thought.

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Sorry for laughing but the question about how often do they bite question did make me laugh. After you are a owner of a snake a while you will understand that each and every one of them hare unique personalities. Every animal is different. That is why a couple of us recommended you get a snake that is a little older then a baby and the current owner knows its personality over a baby that will require more patience and working with in the beginning. I have never been bit by a corn snake but I sure bet some have.

Look at how many personalities of people we have. Then apply that to snakes. Every animal with be a learning curve and trust building for you both.


I have a 7 year old adult female corn snake that was a classroom pet before the teacher retired. If interested and you get the setup worked out PM me and will work out a deal for you. Not looking to rehome her but she would be great for you to learn on. She has to be encouraged to move away with a hook or object before reaching in to get her but once out she is easy to hold. You will learn about tap training with her as well as the experience of owning a great animal. She is not completely easy yet easy enough that you will have a great experience if you do. She will teach you a lot along the way as well. She also eats really well. IMO this is a better animal to learn on than a completely dossal animal that teaches you none thing and then you get another and wonder why you are having issues dealing with them.

You don't need a local rescue.
Our local Craig's List usually has snakes.
Be patient, however. Some people have stupid ideas about value and prices.
I would look for a listing where it appears the owner just wants the animal off his hands.

I'd be cautious about Craigslist if I were you: yes, you can find people who just want a pet off their hands, but since you are NEW to snakes and presumably
won't know a sick snake from a healthy one, this "free to good home" or even a high-priced snake can turn into a disaster for you. There are both ignorant
& unscrupulous animal owners around who are more than willing to take advantage of your inexperience...it's better to deal with a reliable breeder or source.

As far as corn snakes (or any kind of snakes) they have their own personality just like us. Some are shyer, some are more feisty...MOST corn snakes make
excellent pets, but it's also up to you. Remember that snakes rely on their instincts to survive, & that the only thing that picks them up in the wild is a predator
that's about to EAT them....we are big scary giants until they learn (& they DO learn!) not to fear us. If you are patient & observant, you may NEVER get bit.
I really can't recall any bites ever from the 5 corn snakes I currently have, nor any memorable bites from all the corns I raised in the past years keeping them.

But if you are pushy & impatient, you'll deserve any reminders you get, OK? ;) Nearly all corn snakes are gentle souls that make wonderful pets, are quite
attractive, are readily available (captive-bred & healthy), & are one of the easiest species to care for. They EASILY accept frozen thawed rodents too, you won't
have all the feeding challenges with a corn snake that you would with a ball python. BPs have often been suggested for beginner's because they are mostly
docile & pretty, but it's much more challenging to get their enclosures on point for them to stay healthy, & feeding quirks are common...you have only to read
threads here to know that.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by New2Noodles

As a member mentioned to me in my introduction post, there are apparently a lot of different kinds of snakes. I'd like a little help in narrowing my choices down to a few that would really suit me, if you don't mind. I already have a Ball Python as a potential species, but I'd like to learn about other options, as well! Here's what I would like in a snake.

-Preferably between 2.5 and 6 feet at adult size (Not a necessity)
-It would be my first-ever reptile, let alone snake
-NO insect diets! I hold a strong hatred for insects, and my mom is NOT willing to feed a snake.
-Must tolerate being handled for short periods
-I would prefer one of the more docile species, as, although I know it doesn't hurt much, I would prefer to not get bitten all that often.
-Must be less than 200$. I will have a 300$ budget once I get the snake, and I want to be able to spend at least 100$ of it on a good cage and supplies. I'm planning to THOUROUGHLY clean (Vet disinfectant and the like) out a thrift store tank to save money in that aspect.
-I am willing to adopt a rehome, but there are really only balls, corns, and Reticulated pythons on Craigslist, is there another site anyone could point me to?

Thank you all!

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You've just described a Royal ~ Ball Python :)

Sounds perfect choice for you - just make sure the one you buy is a GOOD eater .. .. in the uk I'd suggest buying off a breeder but things maybe different in the states due to the sheer size of the country ..


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Quote:

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Originally Posted by New2Noodles

Hmm, corn snakes sound pretty interesting. Quick question on them, how often do they bite?....

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Corn snakes don't bite often...& neither do ball pythons. However, corn snakes have MUCH smaller teeth than ball pythons, should they ever tag you.

Snakes bite mostly* for one of 2 reasons:

#1- fear & self defense It's your job to approach & handle gently with respect. Nothing hard about that, just remember that MOST snakes bite when you approach
them...because they don't IDENTIFY you visually, they only see this big scary thing coming toward them. They rely on scent & touch to identify accurately, so before
you pick them up, blow air across your hand thru the screen so they flick their tongue & get your scent. You can also use a 'snake hook' or similar blunt ended item
to gently touch them to remind them it's not feeding time before you pick them up. Or do both...whatever you do, COMMUNICATE with your snake for best handling.
(*another reason a snake may bite is when it's injured or otherwise in pain...but again, that counts as "self defense", & isn't likely to happen.)

#2- feeding mistake Oops! Again, communicate! Snakes do NOT want to bite US...we aren't appealing to them, they are actually rather fussy eaters. You can tell
(easily!) when your snake is thinking about "food"- some wait in their hide box, peeking out & waiting to ambush prey going by, while others actively chase motion, ALL
motion, near their cage. If they're really hungry, they may even try to bite thru the glass! Don't take that personally...they don't want YOU, they just assume (as they
must to survive in the wild) that motion = prey and they cannot afford to miss an opportunity. Snakes in the wild have a hard life, and many only get a few meals per
year...some aren't even THAT lucky. So when your snake is chasing your motion (A) it may or may not be time to feed them -they're like teenagers, always hungry for
more than is actually healthy for them, and (B) all you need to do is communicate (see #1) to let them know you aren't a rodent, & then you can handle them.
Remember that they DO rely on scent though...and NEVER handle their food first & then a snake...they may bite you in confusion, they rely on scent first.

Snakes are NOT "mean" or "angry" creatures...they can make mistakes (just like us!) so help them to NOT make mistakes, and you'll have an easy, calm, gentle pet. :snake:

I was about to give my reccomendation, then saw the comment that brought up the issue of your age and therefore potential change if living arrangements in the next few years.
In light of that I suggest you stay small. While larger snakes are (in my opinion) great and with experience and work just as easy to keep and handle as small ones, their housing can be quite daunting.
My ORIGINAL suggestion was for a Central American Boa. That was my first snake and I can’t reccomend them highly enough! Essentially the same husbandry requirements as a BP in terms of climate, but they are more active and inquisitive, they are less prone to stress and stress related ailments, they always always eat but only need to eat half as often. Within the Central American locales there are some true dwarfs (island and mountain localities) but most CAs are generally smaller than their southern cousins. A male will tend to be smaller still. Mine is a male, 4 and 1/2 years old and about 4 and a half feet long and about as think as a chubby corn snake, but with that classic boa loaf shape and as muscular as a steel cable. Very satisfying to handle, feels much stronger and more substantial than his size suggests. Puppy dog tame (see below)
However, he’s in a 4x2x18”, and that is a big heavy box to move to dorms, apartments, and the like.

My alternative reccomendation is a rosy boa - I don’t have one so I can’t rant and rave like I did above, lol. But I’ve been thinking about getting my son one so I’ve done some research and the long and short of it (no pun intended) is that they are a smaller snake that doesn’t climb so every dimension of the housing can be smaller, but the personality is supposed to be just as big.

One more thing: BEWARE, this may be your first snake, but it won’t be your last, they are addictive! 🤣


https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...d8&oe=5C8362F3

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dkatz4

I was about to give my reccomendation, then saw the comment that brought up the issue of your age and therefore potential change if living arrangements in the next few years.
In light of that I suggest you stay small. While larger snakes are (in my opinion) great and with experience and work just as easy to keep and handle as small ones, their housing can be quite daunting.
My ORIGINAL suggestion was for a Central American Boa. That was my first snake and I can’t reccomend them highly enough! Essentially the same husbandry requirements as a BP in terms of climate, but they are more active and inquisitive, they are less prone to stress and stress related ailments, they always always eat but only need to eat half as often. Within the Central American locales there are some true dwarfs (island and mountain localities) but most CAs are generally smaller than their southern cousins. A male will tend to be smaller still. Mine is a male, 4 and 1/2 years old and about 4 and a half feet long and about as think as a chubby corn snake, but with that classic boa loaf shape and as muscular as a steel cable. Very satisfying to handle, feels much stronger and more substantial than his size suggests. Puppy dog tame (see below)
However, he’s in a 4x2x18”, and that is a big heavy box to move to dorms, apartments, and the like.

My alternative reccomendation is a rosy boa - I don’t have one so I can’t rant and rave like I did above, lol. But I’ve been thinking about getting my son one so I’ve done some research and the long and short of it (no pun intended) is that they are a smaller snake that doesn’t climb so every dimension of the housing can be smaller, but the personality is supposed to be just as big.

One more thing: BEWARE, this may be your first snake, but it won’t be your last, they are addictive! ��


https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...d8&oe=5C8362F3

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One thing that is always a red flag for me. When an adult is buying a snake for a kid under 10 and saying, "I don't like snakes and don't want anything to do with them but the kid will have to be completely responsible for the animal." Most kids under 10 don't have the maturity to care for any animal solely on their own.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Skyrivers

One thing that is always a red flag for me. When an adult is buying a snake for a kid under 10 and saying, "I don't like snakes and don't want anything to do with them but the kid will have to be completely responsible for the animal." Most kids under 10 don't have the maturity to care for any animal solely on their own.

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So true!
I guy I know was picking my brain b/c his 6 year old wanted a lizard. I sold him on a leo (although I told him a corn snake was easier lol) but not before really pounding it into his brain that this was going to be HIS gecko that just happened to live in his son’s bedroom. That’s why I won’t let my son (Also 6) get a BP, because I don’t want one myself. (No offense to bp keepers, they’re just not my cup of tea)

You mentioned that your mom is not willing to feed your snake, which is perfectly understandable.

Assuming that you are getting a snake the eats mice or rats, have you thought about where you will keep your mice/rats before they become snake food?

Do you have the ability to buy your live/frozen mice/rats one at a time and feed immediately?

If not, you will need to store them somewhere. If mom doesn't want your snake food sitting in her refrigerator (I suspect she won't), you'll need to add a small refrigerator/freezer to your shopping list.

Have you given any thought to Crested Geckos?

We have a freezer out in the garage I would be able to keep the f/t mice/rats in. Everything in there is well-sealed, so my mom wouldn't even have to worry about bacteria spreading.
Even if I couldn't keep them there, I would just have to wait a little longer to save up enough for a mini freezer.

It's gonna have to be a hard no on the gecko, I can't bring myself to be near/feed insects. Any reptile I get will have to either have a meat (no insect) diet or be vegetarian.

Surprisingly enough, I had pet mice for a short period (They were Petco mice, ended up dying before the guarantee was even over, the employee that looked at them was even puzzled as to why they died, as they were all females with a huge, clean cage with a good diet, in a warm place in the house without drafts.) but I have no problem preparing and feeding dead rodents to a snake. It's just insects that creep me out. Big eyes, spindly legs, weird pincers, small things that move really fast, et cetera.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by larryd23

You mentioned that your mom is not willing to feed your snake, which is perfectly understandable.

Assuming that you are getting a snake the eats mice or rats, have you thought about where you will keep your mice/rats before they become snake food?

Do you have the ability to buy your live/frozen mice/rats one at a time and feed immediately?

If not, you will need to store them somewhere. If mom doesn't want your snake food sitting in her refrigerator (I suspect she won't), you'll need to add a small refrigerator/freezer to your shopping list.

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Good point. I hadn't thought of that.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by New2Noodles

We have a freezer out in the garage I would be able to keep the f/t mice/rats in. Everything in there is well-sealed, so my mom wouldn't even have to worry about bacteria spreading.
Even if I couldn't keep them there, I would just have to wait a little longer to save up enough for a mini freezer.

It's gonna have to be a hard no on the gecko, I can't bring myself to be near/feed insects. Any reptile I get will have to either have a meat (no insect) diet or be vegetarian.

Surprisingly enough, I had pet mice for a short period (They were Petco mice, ended up dying before the guarantee was even over, the employee that looked at them was even puzzled as to why they died, as they were all females with a huge, clean cage with a good diet, in a warm place in the house without drafts.) but I have no problem preparing and feeding dead rodents to a snake. It's just insects that creep me out. Big eyes, spindly legs, weird pincers, small things that move really fast, et cetera.

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I don't keep crested geckos, but I think they eat some mixture called Pangea or Repashi (spellIng?), but I have no idea whether they need to have some live insect ocassionally.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Michelle-07

I don't keep crested geckos, but I think they eat some mixture called Pangea or Repashi (spellIng?), but I have no idea whether they need to have some live insect ocassionally.

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I've never had one, but before I decided on a BP for my first reptile I was almost dead set on a crested so I've done quite a bit of research haha. There's lots of differing opinions online but what I've seen most often is people saying that they don't necessarily need insects if given the proper diet, though insects can be a nice treat. I believe either pangea or repashi (possibly both, I don't quite remember) even makes a powdered diet that includes insects!
If I've gotten anything wrong please correct me, like I said I have never actually owned one and there are a LOT of conflicting opinions out there (as there is with pretty much all animals), this is just what I've read :)