Help me decide on a new snake! :)

[Danya]

Hello everyone. After a a successful year of taking care of my BP(never missing a meal, perfect sheds, etc) my parents allowed me to get another snake. I have a few species in mind. I'm currently thinking about a male BCI, a male STP or a female BP. My parents don't want a snake over 6 feet so instead of the male BCI I could potentially get a dwarf boa. I've handled a retic, a burm, a few boas, and a blood python over the past year so I think I have a small idea on what keeping one of the species I listed above might be like. Anyways, my BP has never hissed, struck, or bit me, so I want more of a "mean" snake because I want to gain experience with all sorts of different behaviors in snakes. I know that all snakes have different personalities, but do you guys have any ideas on species that I could get that are more commonly defensive and stay under 6 foot? I would prefer boas or pythons. Thanks!

[FollowTheSun]

Rat snakes! Come over to the rat snake forum and ask away! Mine is a fantastic, curious, calm pet and so easy to feed and care for compared to my BP. I just really enjoy her

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[Bogertophis]

Not a "mean" snake, but Australian spotted pythons stay small but act like big snakes (great feeding response to f/t!), they're a hoot. These do stay smaller than
the species you mentioned, but since you're still living with your folks, it would be a good idea to stay "practical", since at some point your life is apt to change by
leaps & bounds...& finding an apartment that allows pets, especially snakes, can be a challenge, for example. And if you plan to go off to college, your time and
priorities are apt to change drastically too.

I didn't suggest a rat snake or other colubrid only because the OP specified a boa/python. But yeah, bull snakes really rock too, and all rat snakes!

[FollowTheSun]

Oh wait I didn't see the mean snake part. Never mind. Unless you want to work with our really grumpy bitey BP named Lucy.

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[pretends2bnormal]

For something a bit more "mean", you could go with something impressively bluff-y like a bull snake or gopher snake. They rarely exceed 6', but even if they are, they're not super thick bodied, so it isn't likely to seem that large (just don't measure ). They tend to be quite loud and vocal, but don't actually bite all that much. My bull is a very easy-going one for her age/size, but even though she has never struck, she can put on a hilarious "hissy" fit.

Or you could go for a truly "mean" snake, like a green tree python or Amazon tree boa. Smaller enclosure size for the size of snake because they're arboreal, and well known for being temperamental. Hahaha.

I've got a male and female BCI, and a male blood, but mine are all juveniles, so I can't say much on adult size. They're all at least as docile as my BPs, though. More confident and very calm. Well-bred bloods are often extremely tame and calm. Some BPs are more shy and spook easier than others and can actually be "worse" than bloods or boas. My male BCI has been one of my easiest snakes to work with.

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[Danya]

I would be fine with a rat snake, I just have no experience with any colubrids so far. When I was looking into some meaner snakes I came across the coachwhip. Do you know if they are similar behavior wise since finding a CB coachwhip is a hassle?

I'll have to look into the spotted pythons. Only downside for me is that there on the smaller side.

[Danya]

The bull and gopher snake seem like that ideal choice! I'll definitely look into them. Do they have any downsides that I should know about as a new keeper? Oh, and how large of an enclosure do you think an adult gopher/bull snake would need? Thanks.

[Bogertophis]

The bull and gopher snake seem like that ideal choice! I'll definitely look into them. Do they have any downsides that I should know about as a new keeper? Oh, and how large of an enclosure do you think an adult gopher/bull snake would need? Thanks.

Figure about a 60-70 gal. tank size with screen top...you want good ventilation. These are day-time active hunters, they happily take f/t rodents, and especially
when hatchlings, can be pretty feisty. Most out-grow that, but personality is partly genetic, & a big part experience/learning. I've kept, bred & raised both bull &
gopher snakes...the only downside would be they can be restless in too small of a cage...as I said, these are ACTIVE hunters, not ambush predators like BPs. The
temps. needed are pretty much room temperature (70*) for most of cage with UTH (about 85*) at one end for digestion. All of mine were tame to handle easily once
grown, & they 'change gears' pretty well too (ie. they were smart enough not to think I was edible if I handled them after a meal).

[Danya]

How fast do they grow? Also, I keep my room in the mid-high 70's. Would this be fine for a gopher/bull snake?

[Bogertophis]

I would be fine with a rat snake, I just have no experience with any colubrids so far. When I was looking into some meaner snakes I came across the coachwhip. Do you know if they are similar behavior wise since finding a CB coachwhip is a hassle?

I'll have to look into the spotted pythons. Only downside for me is that there on the smaller side.

I would not recommend a coachwhip: they are VERY active & tend to do poorly in even a large cage...it's not the same thing as wide open spaces & real sunlight.
The only reason I've known & kept one briefly was that I lived in the desert where they are native, & had one as a rescue. They are not constrictors, they gulp down
a variety of small prey still alive, & they are not happy even in BIG cages. They're a racer-type snake...not a fun pet. Please cross coachwhips off your list.

Say, if you really want an ornery snake, I'll send you my Korean rat snake! He's only about 5' of PITA, lol.