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.