Which One For Me? (BP, RTB, JCP, WP, etc.)

[loud]

Going to go slightly off-topic here since they aren't on your list... You might want to look into sand boas (kenyan sand boas).. The females get about 3 feet but are heavy and not skinny looking. They are a moderate price (you can get a normal for around $50 and an anery for around $90). They are not active in the day but come out at night, have a great feeding response (mine eat f/t), and are very beginner friendly. The females will need at most a 20gl long tank as adults. Plus they have very cool patterns and color combinations. Mine also deal with handling very well.

I have not kept any of the species you listed as choices so I can't speak to their appropriateness in your situation. One note on cages though, unless you are dead set on an aquarium as a cage, you can house ball pythons in bins (of the rubbermaid type), which might be a cheaper setup option for you. Also, petco runs a $1 / gallon sale every so often and you can get a 20gl for $20, 40gl for $40 etc. This might be a good option if you want a glass tank and can't locate one on craigslist.

Good luck!

Yes, I'll definitely be keeping an eye on the Petco $1 per gallon sales. Sounds like a great deal, and I really haven't been able to find much on Craigslist. CL was the first place I turned to A few friends of mine have actually mentioned using large bins before which I had never thought of before. I'll have to look into that! We've certainly got plenty of those lying around. If that could work for a ball python (especially a young/growing one), I would definitely consider it.

Thanks for the recommendation as well! The sand boas are stunning, the colors and patterns are breathtaking. Unfortunately I am just not a fan of the head and prefer something more defined. They really are lovely, though!

I want to say my carpet doesn't lunge on non feeding days but last night i had a girl over and she wanted to check out my snakes and of course my carpet scare the bejeesus out of her by striking the side of the tub, I just feed her 2 days ago .

As for starting out with babies or adults, And a big adult carpet could be intimidating consider your lack of experiences with snakes. And you miss out of the fun of watching your baby grow up. I recommend if you are really into carpets but still have concern with they temperament to pick out a babies that is tamer already. Than again I don't have too much experience with carpet I only have one, maybe other ppl that have kept more carpets in chime in?

Seriously if i were to have only one pet snake, I would definately take the carpet, they are just so much fun.

LOL!! They sure do sound like a lot of fun, and yours sounds like it has personality! I wish my friends were into snakes so that I could visit and get a better feel for them. That would really help me make my decision... but my friends are boring so this forum is my best source of information.

I will definitely go ahead and look for a baby first, thanks for your thoughts on the matter! Everything you've said makes sense, and I definitely will feel more at ease with even a more temperamental snake if I've had it since it was small. The occasional striking at the tank won't bother me that much, what I don't want is a snake that snaps every time I reach into the tank and refuse to be handled. A snake that allows itself to be handled frequently is a big criteria for me.

Really wish I didn't have to wait until January to meet these snakes!