Possible First Snake Choices

There is a reptile show coming up pretty soon near me, and, as I've been researching possible choices for a first snake, I thought it would be good to go and 'test-drive' some possibilities (not ready to buy one just yet).

In case it makes any difference I'm looking for a small snake that doesn't mind being a lap-snake (within the bounds of proper husbandry obviously).

Here are the ones I have heard make good beginner snakes, I'd love any additions anyone can make to my list, or any comments or opinions you have on the existing ones.

Ball pythons
California Kings
Corn Snakes
Rosy Boas
Western Hognose
Bullsnake
Ratsnake

Those are some great snakes:)
Here are some that are also good for beginners:
-Sand boas
-Children's pythons
-Stimson's pythons
-Milk snakes
-Rat snakes
-Garter & Ribbon snakes

Just thought I'd add a little bit to see if any of those have your interest:)

well i heard ball pythons when they are older they are chill, they just chill places that feel warm, my baby ball isnt like that she just moves, they dont get that big so i would say that as your first snake, it is my first snake as well.

Thanks, I'll definitely look them up, and it definitely won't hurt to go check them out at the show because I'm probably going to end up seeing everything anyway. But now I can get an idea of what I should look at seriously vs, just pat and grin at.

It really depends on what you like best in a snake. Do you prefer the more girthy snakes like ball pythons or the more quick moving and flashy looking colubrids like cornsnakes, milksnakes, etc? I think going to a show just to get a look at many snakes and talk to many breeders is a fantastic step before purchasing. Don't forget to gather lots of business cards. :)

best one out of the list is ball pythons if you want a lap the rest are squirmy, lol but bps are pet rocks you set them done and they dont move a muscle :) but i love my pet rocks :D

I read a LOT about this topic online. My preference is a chunky snake that isn't going to be all squirly when held, preferably with noticeable head/neck/body/tail sections rather than the same diameter throughout. It all pointed to the beautiful BP. :)

Kings and corns are not going to sit still for you and Milk snakes are the squirmiest, twitchiest things I've ever seen lol (hey, I still love em anyway :D)- lthough they still make good starters. Ball pythons are the best although they have a bit more stringent caging requirements than others, but if you really want something small, mellow and low maintainance, the rosy boa is my recommendation.

I agree with franky. The BP won't be as tolerant as a corn or rat snake when it comes to husbandry. Keep in mind the things mentioned such as "lap snake" is true for the most part but then each individual snake can throw you a curve ball too. Our BP is the most roving of our critters. Constantly on the move. Our Colombian turns out to be the "lap dog". You could literally take Biggles out and nap next to him for hours and he'd still be there.

But I'm digressing from the OP. Out of your original list if looking for a lap snake then I'd probably shoot for the BP. Living in AZ we have had tons of Gopher (Bull) snakes and quite a few Kings and they def are not lap snakes.

BPs definitely rank up there on my current list (and I somehow managed to catch the morph bug without getting a snake, which doesn't seem right somehow), but I'd hate to miss out on a great snake because I hadn't heard of it.

Well as always I have to put in a good word for the milksnakes. :)

My 15 year old daughter owns a female Albino Nelson's Milksnake and that snake is just a fanastic pet. She's a great feeder and isn't at all picky about what she eats or how she's fed. Emi the Milksnake is really such a pretty snake that some people on seeing her the first time think she's a fake toy until she flicks her orange tongue at them. Nelson's are acknowledged as one of the calmest of the Milksnake group and Emi certainly follows that along nicely. She's never nipped and only musked twice as a very small baby. While she is active she's not frantic about it, more just curious really. Handling does not seem to stress her unduly.

This is Emi and her enclosure (20 long).....

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2.../EmiMay081.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2.../EmiMay083.jpg

All colubrids are master escape artists so a good solid lid with metal clip downs is a must. Also for those of you with really good eyes, yes that is a heat rock, however, it came in with a rescue years ago, was disinfected and the electrical cord removed. It's in Emi's enclosure simply as cage furniture and a nice shedding aid for her. :)

Emi and her very proud owner, my daughter Beth....

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...hEmiFeb092.jpg

I have to put in a good word for corns... I never used to be interested in colubrids, but I saw my cornsnake at a show a few years ago, and he was so gorgeous I couldn't resist taking him home. Since then, he has become my all time favorite snake to watch. Unlike my BP's, my corn comes out and "plays" in his enclosure (I don't know what else to call it). I actually got him a display tank with lots of climbing branches and fake plants because I enjoy watching him so much. People always comment when they come over about how beautiful he is. Furthermore, he is very good during handling - he's never so much as gone into strike position since I've gotten him, and while he's definitely faster moving than my balls, he is quite managable and has gotten better as he's grown to an adult.

Here's a picture of Jake (this is an older pic, he's grown a bit but generally looks the same as this)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...8/bodyshot.jpg

Also, one of the fun things about corns (and milks too I believe) is that there are TONS of inexpensive color morphs out here... The snake you see above only cost me $40 as a juvenile, he is called "sunglow motley", and there are loads more varieties out there depending on what kinds of colors you like. So, whereas ball pythons most morphs are pretty pricey, you can kind of go "shopping" for a corn morph at a show, and most of them will be under $100 (there are only a couple I know of that are more expensive).