Need Advice on display friendly snake~

[cinderbird]

Yes, boas can be large depending on the locality, but if you go for a Nicaraguan/Central American boa the females rarely surpass 5 - 6 feet as adults.

I've met very few nice nics. Even "tolerable" nics.. IMO, they make a poor pet snake unless you're willing to work with them, and even then there are no guarantees. I've had adults be tolerant of handling and then suddenly decide they will strike anything that moves. Sold my entire group because i couldn't stand it anymore.

I would absolutely suggest carpets. A beautiful display snake would be a jag carpet. OMG the pretty!

[Alexandra V]

I've met very few nice nics. Even "tolerable" nics.. IMO, they make a poor pet snake unless you're willing to work with them, and even then there are no guarantees. I've had adults be tolerant of handling and then suddenly decide they will strike anything that moves. Sold my entire group because i couldn't stand it anymore.

Really? I have a young nic. who has never tried to strike at me. I have met a couple nastier ones, but they all calmed down with handling in under 10 minutes. Maybe I'm just lucky?

[cinderbird]

Really? I have a young nic. who has never tried to strike at me. I have met a couple nastier ones, but they all calmed down with handling in under 10 minutes. Maybe I'm just lucky?

you could have THE TOUCH for nics, haha. But Ive met very few people that would keep them. I've met plenty of people that HAVE had them though. And CBB animals, none of this WC, unpredictable stuff.

[blackcrystal22]

Does it have to be a 55gallon?
If so your best options are:

• Carpet Pythons
• Brazilian Rainbow Boa
• Red Tail Boa (BCI or BCC)
• Macklott's Python (really cool partial water snakes)

A smaller cage would provide for some of the best display snakes of all. The Green Tree Pythons or Amazon Tree Boas. Emerald Trees are also good but less forgiving as far as husbandry is concerned.

[blackcrystal22]

you could have THE TOUCH for nics, haha. But Ive met very few people that would keep them. I've met plenty of people that HAVE had them though. And CBB animals, none of this WC, unpredictable stuff.

Really? I have a young nic. who has never tried to strike at me. I have met a couple nastier ones, but they all calmed down with handling in under 10 minutes. Maybe I'm just lucky?

My friend had one, and well... I can't say I've ever seen a snake more willing to bite EVERYTHING.
She was amazed that I managed to avoid getting bit for about 2 minutes then the snake realized she was out out of her cage and proceeded to bite the edge of the tub, the carpet, my hand, the wood branches, the air.

They tend to have a worse temper than GTPs. I've met lots of calm GTPs.

[purplemuffin]

I'd say if you choose a BCI or BCC make sure you get it sexed for male.. Females can and will get BIG.. and I have seen half grown ones I would not put in a 55 gallon tank! Just cause they get fat, lol!

Carpets are gorgeous, especially the bright yellows of jags, or the cooool diamonds! Brazilian Rainbows are of course, amazing, especially if you also give them UVB lighting to show off their rainbow colors(not necessary but makes them look great) but the only problem is the amount of humidity they need can sometimes make them less of a good display animal in the tank(half the time the tank will be all foggy!) but of course, take them out for show... You'll floor people, even non snake people!

Now, if you want something simple, I've known a lot of big girl corn snakes who have done great in 55 gallons. Just like with about everything else in this list, you'll need to cover a good amount of the top of the tank with either a wood lid or aluminum foil or something to keep in heat and humidity, and it just might take a little extra work to keep the temps high enough(55s are rather tall) but once you get the temps right, the size tank provides a GREAT range of temperatures so the snake can choose where he feels most comfortable. If the snake is small provide multiple hides throughout the tank so he doesn't feel trapped in one place, and maybe some fake plants for cover. But once they get settled in, these things explore like no one's business! I can sit and watch my friend's big girl snow corn for hours in her 55 gallon tank! She slithers all over the place and is very curious, plus she is diurnal so it happens during the day!

Hmm.. you could put in a bit of work and make a glass divider for the tank(make sure it is strong, if you don't mind using aquarium silicone to make it permanent this could be cool) and house two green tree pythons... That could be a pretty sweet duplex setup! They are incredible to see, and always a fun impressive animal. They can look so pretty too, you could get two very different looking snakes that would look pretty sweet. The important thing would just be constructing the divider so it works and makes it two tanks! Then use your heating elements in the center or on both ends so each has a comfortable range of temps. But that might be a bit more effort to do

[1stpalindrone]

Thx for all the feedback guys! Now I've got a few ideas to check out. I think I'll first have to go look up my accronyms so I can understand better what everyone is talkin'bout.. Thx again everyone~

Off to get more educated~

[1stpalindrone]

Ok, so I checked out the accronym post & I found that I was pretty close to my guess on what the different terms meant at first glance.. So...it looks like there are several types of snake that seem to be great display animals.

I wonder now if I should post a 'Poll' just for my info on what the results might be as far as a good concensus on what everyone thinks combined... I'll have to look into those polls as Im unsure on how that all works..

Thx again

[j_h_smith]

Mandarin Rat Snake. GREAT MARKINGS. Not meant to be held much, but a beautiful display snake. They will musk you if you scare them or handle them to hard. But you can't ask for a better display snake without getting into venomous snakes.

Good Luck!
Jim Smith

[1stpalindrone]

Mandarin Rat Snake. GREAT MARKINGS. Not meant to be held much, but a beautiful display snake. They will musk you if you scare them or handle them to hard. But you can't ask for a better display snake without getting into venomous snakes.

Good Luck!
Jim Smith

I hear ya on the musk.. Gross beyond belief.. I bred the TX rat snake and they musk the same way, they finally got accustomed to me but no sharp movements. Thx, I'll look into the Mandarins..
I was big into the 'hot' snakes as a college student but now with a wife & kiddos that is completely out of the question.. Not from my standpoint but hey, she wears the pants, I just keep her happy...

There is nothing cooler IMO than to watch a big Gaboon yawn & show off her fangs.. Ahh, brings chillz up & down.. Maybe a close second would be watching the drunk rat fade away after a tap from a Monocled Cobra