What is the best intermediate snake species?

[Tyler Lawrence]

I have 3 ball pythons 1 western hognose snake what would be a good next level snake?
Thanks.

[SDA]

Boa constrictor or red tail
Dumeril's boa
Carpet python
Brazilian rainbow boa

[bcr229]

Boa constrictor or red tail
Dumeril's boa
Carpet python
Brazilian rainbow boa

Of those I would go with a Dum or boa imperator next. Husbandry is pretty easy, especially if you've managed to set up your ball pythons correctly, and neither species grows quickly so you'll have plenty of time before they'll need to be upgraded from a tub to a PVC enclosure.

Of the two it depends on whether you want an active snake (boa imperator) or one that is happy to just hang on you and chill (Dum).

[paulh]

Boa constrictor or red tail
Dumeril's boa
Carpet python
Brazilian rainbow boa

In addition, perhaps a rosey boa.

If you want to move toward the Colubrid side, consider any of the North American rat snakes (genus Pantherophis), like the black rat snake, yellow rat snake, etc. Or any of the genus Pituophis, like the black pine snake, bullsnake, Sonora gopher snake, etc. Or one of the garter snakes if you like a smaller species.

Good luck.

[Tyler Lawrence]

Are red tailed boas big enough to where you need 2 people around?
Also would a male green anaconda be too much for an intermediate snake?
Thanks.

[paulh]

Are red tailed boas big enough to where you need 2 people around?
Also would a male green anaconda be too much for an intermediate snake?
Thanks.

No, but borderline. Males are the smaller. Whatever sex, never, never, never let an RTB get wrapped around your neck.

Yes (IMO). Possibly a male yellow anaconda would be acceptable, but the YA I had was not a friendly snake. I eventually swapped it for a corn snake and was much happier.

[Starscream]

Asian rat snakes are gorgeous creatures. I especially love the beauty snakes, and have the Vietnamese Blue Beauty on my future snake list.

[bcr229]

A green anaconda is going to be a two person snake as an adult. A yellow male will be smaller but is still not a small snake.

You can find dwarf locality boa constrictors that stay small and can be housed in the same rack as your ball pythons if you want, though if you give them more space they will use all of it.

[Craiga 01453]

I have 3 ball pythons 1 western hognose snake what would be a good next level snake?
Thanks.

That really depends on what you're looking for in a snake.

Are you looking for something that typically handles well and you'll handle often? Or Are you looking for more of a display snake?

How about size of snake? I see you mentioned a green anaconda, so I'm guessing you want to go bigger...
To answer that...I would definitely not jump straight from a BP to a conda, especially a green. That's way too much snake for one person. Another thing to consider is they require very large enclosures with a huge water pool because they spend a lot of time in the water. Feeding them isn't cheap either.

I say look into different boas (red tails, BCIs and rainbows), blood and short-tail pythons, carpet pythons, dwarf retics, if you want something with more size that handles well.

If you're into the more slender snakes and want to stay under 5 feet I always say go for a King.

If you're thinking more of a display snake look into GTPs or ETBs.

It's really going to come down to what YOU want. Do some research, narrow it down, ask follow up questions and you'll find the right snake for you

[SDA]

I would avoid most arboreal snakes like ETB and GTP due to their advanced cost and dedication needed to house them properly. They are intermediate but I would not recommend someone dive into them until a bit more experienced with temperamental snakes and unique problems.

Green anacondas are advanced and extreme snakes. If you cannot or will not commit to the life of such a giant bodied snake please avoid such a snake (that goes for retic and burmese). Anaconda can easily top well over 200+ pounds, 15+ feet and live up to 30 years. You should never handle it alone due to it's insane girth.

I would highly recommend for enjoyment and unique aspects some of the more exotic colubrids. There are rat and bull snakes that have more intermediate requirements but are still not as time consuming and cost prohibitive. For example indigo snakes, false water cobras (mild venom but no worse than hognose), and cribos are some ideas that are amazing intermediate snakes.