Intermediate snakes?

What are some intermediate snakes to care for? I've already owned the beginner snakes (BPs, corns, kings, milks, etc.), and I want to try something different. I'm mainly looking for intermediate types of snakes that include the pythons mainly, but the boas are just fine too. Nothing over 10 ft, though. Not ready for a large snake, and I want something I could handle without having another person with me so no snake over 10 ft. I think Dumeril's boas are intermediate, but for me it's simple to care for.. well, for now. I'm just trying to stay away from getting more of the same snake, which I don't want. I want to be able to get more species of different pythons/boas so I can experience the different snake species and know how to properly care for them. I'm trying to get into a python/boa that I can get really interested to, and purchase more of and my collection will have a large portion of. So far, BPs are making up most of my collection because I really enjoy caring for them, but I want to try new snakes out. Also, I would love to know the temperament of the snake you tell me about. That would be fantastic ;].

Not a python, but I love the Blue Beauty snake. They are not more challenging to *care* for. They are quite simple to maintain heat and humidity and they eat really readily. But they are a fast and intelligent snake. They can be a little reactive and they grow quite long-- like 8 to 11 feet? but they are a skinnier snake so they are not unhandleable at that length by one person. There are a few threads in the ratsnake forum with different blue beauties. GO check them out!

Sounds like a carpet python would fit the bill. :gj:

The blood Python might be a good thing to look at ! They do look awesome :)

Blood pythons are different than BP's. They don't hold the same. Would be a good inter snake I suppose. They are a bit nippy sometimes ^_^

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by spitfireashlea

Blood pythons are different than BP's. They don't hold the same. Would be a good inter snake I suppose. They are a bit nippy sometimes ^_^

---

They also are not tolerant of errors in husbandry at all. I've read some of your previous posts and it seems you have issues with humidity for your bp's, so I personally would advise you to stay away from bloods. I would also strongly suggest you find someone with an adult blood and try to handle it first.

There are lots of intermediate ones out there that would be good. Carpets, most of the aussie pythons (especially woma's) and some of the asian ratsnakes are gorgeous.

Macklott's pythons are a little more challenging than balls, and depending on the region it comes from and the sex, it will get from about 6' to 8'+. They are great snakes, and are highly under rated. I've yet to own a carpet, but from what I know about them I would say that the are fairly similar in size and temperament to Macklott's, depending on the sub-species.

Jungle carpet pythons are nice. They're a bit longer but skinny and are a good arboreal to try. All your other snakes are terrestrial so an arboreal would be a new challenge. But... How long have you been keeping your other snakes? I hope you're not moving too quickly. I've seen plenty of people burn out by attempting to keep too many too fast.

i actually decided to get a carpet python. :) it would be nice if you got one so u could give me tips and vice versa lol :gj:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MarkS

Jungle carpet pythons are nice. They're a bit longer but skinny and are a good arboreal to try. All your other snakes are terrestrial so an arboreal would be a new challenge. But... How long have you been keeping your other snakes? I hope you're not moving too quickly. I've seen plenty of people burn out by attempting to keep too many too fast.

---

With snakes and me, I don't seem to get burned out ;]. I find it really simple to care for 6 snakes, including two other reptiles and one of them is VERY messy (cough cough turtle cough).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bamf64

i actually decided to get a carpet python. :) it would be nice if you got one so u could give me tips and vice versa lol :gj:

---

That would be a good idea actually :]. I'm stuck between a JCP and a blood. Don't know which to get.

I don't consider carpet pythons to be "intermediate" snakes.. they are quite easy to care for. They just get bigger than your average "beginner" snake.

I'm biased but if you're looking to branch out a little I DO recommend carpet pythons or bredli pythons. They are incredible animals, get a little bigger, are active and alert, and have great feeding responses.

If it were me, I'd be looking at blood pythons, or anything in liasis or morelia.

GTPs, macklotts, olives, scrubs, brown water pythons, boelen's pythons, carpet pythons, and bredli pythons are all on my wish list.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mainbutter

I don't consider carpet pythons to be "intermediate" snakes.. they are quite easy to care for. They just get bigger than your average "beginner" snake.

I'm biased but if you're looking to branch out a little I DO recommend carpet pythons or bredli pythons. They are incredible animals, get a little bigger, are active and alert, and have great feeding responses.

If it were me, I'd be looking at blood pythons, or anything in liasis or morelia.

GTPs, macklotts, olives, scrubs, brown water pythons, boelen's pythons, carpet pythons, and bredli pythons are all on my wish list.

---

Speak for your own animals... ;)

Later, Matt

I personaly think tri-colored hognose snakes make an interesting captive. They are a good intermediate snake. Their care isn't to hard but you just have to make sure the temps don't get to high and they have a nice humidity chamber.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CoolioTiffany

That would be a good idea actually :]. I'm stuck between a JCP and a blood. Don't know which to get.

---

lol thats a hard one.

this is going to be my last snake until i go to college and get a job (LOL) because my mom only said 3 reptiles until you hav ur own appartment lol.

and ya im deciding between a pinstripe and a JCP. the only con to JCPs is that they need a 4x2x2 when full grown..

and if i get a pinstripe i can breed them in a few years..

SUCH A HARD DECISION!!!:rolleye2:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MarkS

Jungle carpet pythons are nice. They're a bit longer but skinny and are a good arboreal to try. All your other snakes are terrestrial so an arboreal would be a new challenge. But... How long have you been keeping your other snakes? I hope you're not moving too quickly. I've seen plenty of people burn out by attempting to keep too many too fast.

---

You know MarkS, I'd have to 2nd that thought. CoolioTiffany, didn't you have mites and RI already in your collection? And that has been in the span of a month or so? No offence, but it sounds like you need to make sure the husbandry is spot on, and stays that way for longer than a few months, before you start thinking about getting another snake, much less one that might get close to 10 feet. Do you have the space? Have you check with your parent/s to see what they would feel like having a large snake like that running around? Are you ok feeding larger prey? There is alot of things you have to think about. I've been keeping snakes for years, and I'm older and have my own place and I still don't have the room for a snake that size! (Not to mention the g/f would cut my head off). There is nothing wrong with taking things slow, and learning everything about the snakes you have, and any snakes you want to get, before you go out and get one. Read some books on them writing by a pro breeder, you only can get so much good info online, and without a basic knowledge of a particular kind of snakes, how can you filter out the bad advice?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by coolluigi007

You know MarkS, I'd have to 2nd that thought. CoolioTiffany, didn't you have mites and RI already in your collection? And that has been in the span of a month or so? No offence, but it sounds like you need to make sure the husbandry is spot on, and stays that way for longer than a few months, before you start thinking about getting another snake, much less one that might get close to 10 feet. Do you have the space? Have you check with your parent/s to see what they would feel like having a large snake like that running around? Are you ok feeding larger prey? There is alot of things you have to think about. I've been keeping snakes for years, and I'm older and have my own place and I still don't have the room for a snake that size! (Not to mention the g/f would cut my head off). There is nothing wrong with taking things slow, and learning everything about the snakes you have, and any snakes you want to get, before you go out and get one. Read some books on them writing by a pro breeder, you only can get so much good info online, and without a basic knowledge of a particular kind of snakes, how can you filter out the bad advice?

---

The mites were from the new BP, but he was not completely infested. In the time he had mites, I've only seen 5 and I got rid of the problem in just a little over a week. Right now, I'm not completely focusing on purchasing my next snake I'm just getting ideas of what I'd want to get. I am focusing a lot on my husbandry with my snakes right now, and with some money left over that I have I'm purchasing more and more things to get the husbandry completely correct. Right now I'm getting it all sorted out with my female BP, and once I get everything I need for her I will have no more worries with husbandry. I do have quite a bit of space left upstairs in my house, but I have no more stands to place enclosures upon but I do have one in the garage that I plan on repainting because it doesn't look that great anymore lol. My mom would be fine with me having a snake such as the JCP, and when I wanted one earlier in the year she was completely ok with it. I already have a snake that is going to get 7-8 ft. long (she's close to 3 feet now) and she is just fine with that (yes, I do have space for a large enclosure.. my house has too many open spaces lol). Feeding larger prey is no problem at all for me in any way. I think it would actually be fun seeing one of my snakes eat large prey. I have no problem at all feeding two snakes (if I get the JCP) larger prey than the others in my collection.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CoolioTiffany

The mites were from the new BP, but he was not completely infested. In the time he had mites, I've only seen 5 and I got rid of the problem in just a little over a week. Right now, I'm not completely focusing on purchasing my next snake I'm just getting ideas of what I'd want to get. I am focusing a lot on my husbandry with my snakes right now, and with some money left over that I have I'm purchasing more and more things to get the husbandry completely correct. Right now I'm getting it all sorted out with my female BP, and once I get everything I need for her I will have no more worries with husbandry. I do have quite a bit of space left upstairs in my house, but I have no more stands to place enclosures upon but I do have one in the garage that I plan on repainting because it doesn't look that great anymore lol. My mom would be fine with me having a snake such as the JCP, and when I wanted one earlier in the year she was completely ok with it. I already have a snake that is going to get 7-8 ft. long (she's close to 3 feet now) and she is just fine with that (yes, I do have space for a large enclosure.. my house has too many open spaces lol). Feeding larger prey is no problem at all for me in any way. I think it would actually be fun seeing one of my snakes eat large prey. I have no problem at all feeding two snakes (if I get the JCP) larger prey than the others in my collection.

---

Fair enough, do some more research, good luck getting the rest of your husbandry up to par. Just us slightly older folk have to make you young keepers think about stuff before ya dive right in. ;)

Brazilian Rainbow boas are sweet intermediate snakes as well. Here's a caresheet for one if you haven't seen it yet.
Rainbow Boa - (Epicrates cenchria)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by coolluigi007

Fair enough, do some more research, good luck getting the rest of your husbandry up to par. Just us slightly older folk have to make you young keepers think about stuff before ya dive right in. ;)

---

I'm doing plenty of research aside from correcting the husbandry of my BP, so no worries with that :]. I would never buy a snake without doing research, and research is the #1 thing I HAVE to do before I even completely deciding I want the snake, that way I know what to expect before hand just in case I'm not comfortable with something such as size or bad aggression.. things like that. I've been owning snakes since I was 10, and in this entire time I've realized that research should always be the #1 thing you have to do before you decide you'd want to purchase. When I got my first snake, I really didn't know much at all about them. Now when I decide I want a snake I always do my research by looking up caresheets or asking questions on this forum and things such as that. So glad BP.Net is a website lol!

I agree that you should definitely make sure your husbandry is as close to perfect as possible (not that unexpected things own't happen anyway, but...). Make sure you have the research done, proper set up, etc. And make sure you have some funds set aside for vet visits ;).

That being said, I would say look into Carpets, and BRBs. I don't own these, but I help out at the local reptile store sometimes, and these are some of my favorites. I also love GTPs, but I think they require more advanced husbandry techniques.

What about Nicaraguan boas? I believe these are the ones often refered to as Dwarf Boas and they basically look like a red-tail but stay about the same size as a BP? And I think the Rainbows are sweeeet...