I Want a Big Snake!

[The-Jame]

Right You probably see a lot of threads similar to this one, and I want a reticulated or burmese python (both beautiful in my opinion) but from my own research it seems like these two snakes aren't ideal for my first 'BIG' snake, so I was wondering if anyone had any of their own experiences with having these as their first big snake? or if anyone had any reasonable substitutes for these? Thanks.

[rjk890]

The Burm was my first Big Snake.
I think they make great firsts as long as you have done your research.

If I ever move away from Florida, I will keep them again.

[m00kfu]

You could always give a red-tail boa a try for your first 'big' snake also. It should give you a little insight into whether or not you'd really enjoy a bigger snake without leaving you stuck with a giant that might be hard to get rid of if it ended up being too much for you.

[Aztec4mia]

I had a nice long paragraph for you but when i went to preview it, it logged me off so you get the short version.
-I went from ball to burm for my first big snake
-there are alot more choices now for keepers
-burms are awesome
-browse the classifieds, pythons and boa sections(kingsnake/fauna etc..)
-pick out a couple snakes that appeal to you
-do reasearch on snakes you picked/see if you can manage the care required for them.
- once narrowed down, check state/local laws to see if you can keep them.
-make another post/poll with the same question and list of snakes
-get feedback from forum
-once you choose a snake, do more research, and pick out the proper caging
-pick out the perfect snake and enjoy

[dryates]

I've only started keeping snakes since October 2010, I started with a ball, who is doing great, month later I got a baby red tail, in December I was like I'm getting a burm so I got one that was about 7 or so months about 4 foot. If u want a big snake, do it the only way ur gonna know if u like keeping bigger snakes is by doing it, I know mine aren't big yet, but they don't get 14 foot overnight, just do ur research and make sure ur gonna have the space, and resources for a bigger snake you can Both grow together, no homo, it will get big and u can learn if u really made the right choice, btw I can't wait for mine to get bigger!

[The-Jame]

Thanks Everyone!! That really wasn't the answer that I'd been expecting but nontheless it was a pretty nice surprise to be honest I don't know how (musta picked my moment really well) but I managed to convince my mum to let me have whatever snake I want which I thought was impossible lol.

At the local shop I go to I always see fairly big snakes for example a 12 ft retic, but never any baby retics or burms, so I'm going up this weekend with my girlfriend and will enquire about them possibly getting hold of a baby one if I set my mind on it, I'm definitely going to do my research though, but just wanted to say thanks again.

[Lunar-kun]

If you want a big snake, you could get an olive python, or maybe a dwarf retic even? They still get pretty big but not massive.

[dryates]

If ur thinking about a burm vs retic, hold both before u decide! Some say retina are flighty and Burma are lazy but my burm moves around when I get him out!!!

[gman8585]

Maybe a bredili ,slender body ,but a nice long snake.mayb

[pamby13]

my first big girl is a yellow anaconda... shes fun but alot of work. you totally have to be sure to seperate feeding time from any other time... more important than any other smaller snake