Uncommon/Underrated Snakes?

[sur3fir3]

The Antaresia Pythons. Childrens, Spotted, Stimsons and Pygmy. Such cool pythons. Like miniature retics. Seems like they should be more popular in the US. They aren't very expensive, easy to keep. Gorgeous animals.

I was going to buy a childrens, but it wouldnt let you hold it. It would try to bite all the time.

[Bogertophis]

The Antaresia Pythons. Childrens, Spotted, Stimsons and Pygmy. Such cool pythons. Like miniature retics. Seems like they should be more popular in the US. They aren't very expensive, easy to keep. Gorgeous animals.

Yes! As I mentioned briefly above, my spotted python is a great pet in a "pint size". Docile to handle & feisty to feed easily on frozen-thawed mice, & a fairly active
climber so she's fun to watch. Highly recommended pets that don't need huge cages (30-40 gal. size is fine, & yes, glass tanks can work fine).

[cletus]

Yes! As I mentioned briefly above, my spotted python is a great pet in a "pint size". Docile to handle & feisty to feed easily on frozen-thawed mice, & a fairly active
climber so she's fun to watch. Highly recommended pets that don't need huge cages (30-40 gal. size is fine, & yes, glass tanks can work fine).

Very cool. I think there is def a Spotted in my future.

[TopazEye]

Two species I would like are Bismark Ringed Pythons and False Water Cobras.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Bullsnakes and Gopher, they are present in the industry but not enough yet they are large colubrids with personality, I think the main issue is that a lot of people are uncomfortable around them since they are very vocal and have that "mean/aggressive look" which is all bluff.

[Bogertophis]

Very cool. I think there is def a Spotted in my future.

Mine is a "granite phase" (not that it matters); I actually like the normal patterns better, but it didn't make a bit of difference to me, mine was a yearling "rescue".*
The granite phase is more of a dark greenish color with speckling, and very nice iridescence. She's smaller than many adult corn snakes.

*She had refused to make kills (pinky mice!) & the breeder was so annoyed he talked about sticking her in the freezer, & he wasn't kidding. I mention this so you know
that as hatchlings in the wild, these start off on lizards, & only later get brave enough to tackle small mice. Though I suggest people don't feed new snakes until they
settle in, in all honesty, the very afternoon she arrived (shipped) I could tell she was very hungry, so I didn't follow my own advice, lol. She ate 3 f/t pinkies quickly &
would have taken more but I didn't allow her to...THEN I let her settle in quietly to rest & digest. She has never refused food & has a strong response, as if killing it...
to my mind, she's a perfect pet. In 10 years, I've only had one accidental nip from her, my fault for not identifying my hand as not incoming food. She's usually in "food
mode" lol, but she's done public meet & greets to perfection, as do all my rat snakes. No bad behavior, they "change channels" very well, in my only experience w/ these.

She needs warmer cage temps. compared to my rat snakes, but nothing at all difficult. She uses UTH and basking heat both, & I don't bother to humidify her cage, I just
give her a humid hide at all times, which she uses often. (it's half-heated by the UTH also) I like that these climb & you see them out, not hiding like BPs often do. That's
also why I like rat snakes so much...they're more active so you see them in action.

[Bogertophis]

One thing I'll add, in comparing these to the rat snakes I love: they're all constrictors, but the spotted python has (or uses) way more grip strength in the
course of handling. While my Trans Pecos rat snakes will "constrict" their f/t mice before eating, they seem to almost "tip-toe" thru their cage branches or
when handled, whereas my little spotted python is not about to lose her grip at any time. One time she decided she wanted to hang onto my long hair & it's
not something I'll let her repeat, lol...she was hard to get out, whereas my Trans Pecos would just slide on thru. Funny how different snakes can be from
each other. That's why one is never enough...

[scobro]

Australian spotted pythons are in this category too, though some have said theirs are nippy,

I heard this too, but the only thing mine is nippy with is his food. Or the rare occasions he thinks I'm his food. The being nippy aspect is one of the best things, as far as I'm concerned, because that little trash compactor will eat any and every time.

Not that I would do it mind you, but I suspect he would even eat out of my hands if I wanted him to do so. He seems not to have a care about the world around him once his mouth is on a mouse.

[Bogertophis]

I heard this too, but the only thing mine is nippy with is his food. Or the rare occasions he thinks I'm his food. The being nippy aspect is one of the best things, as far as I'm concerned, because that little trash compactor will eat any and every time.

Not that I would do it mind you, but I suspect he would even eat out of my hands if I wanted him to do so. He seems not to have a care about the world around him once his mouth is on a mouse.

For sure. Most rat snakes don't have to be "asked twice" to eat either, & years ago, my first Trans Pecos DID eat out of my hands...very carefully, she'd take it from
between my fingers, without pouncing & as if "she knew" to be careful. (?) If I put the same food on the palm of my hand, my scent was stronger & she'd not take it. She
amazed me, since most snakes wouldn't care one bit if we get in the way of their food, lol. It sure wouldn't stop my spotted python...

[cletus]

Thanks for the info!!!