Thinking of getting something new...

[NH93]

Hello

I am tossing around the idea of getting something new; another snake. I only have two right now, and they are pretty common - a corn snake and a ball python. I am feeling very confident in how things have been going since having them over the past several months, and am interested in getting another. I just am not sure what...

I'm not really interested in boas, apart from BRBs, and I'm also not interested in hog noses. Right now I have a set up available for a young snake. It's a 15gal only, but I would feel comfortable getting another large PVC enclosure in the future, with some time to save money.

I had my eye on a couple species, but am finding little information on them, and few if any breeders in Canada: rough green snake, red tailed green rat snake, and neon blue California red sided garter. Essentially I am looking for something more eye-catching, perhaps a bump up from the beginner care, and maybe diurnal. I would LOVE to hear anyone's experiences with care and disposition of any of these species, if they have them. And any other external links to breeders or information would be amazing!

I plan on waiting until the CRBE in Toronto in September, so this gives me plenty of time to decide, set up, and research.

Thank you in advance Looking forward to your replies.

[MonkeyShuttle]

Have you looked at eastern indigo's or yellow tail cribo? Their pretty awesome snakes to own and though they have the potential to get pretty long the female are actually smaller at around 6-7 ft. These are at the top of my colubrid list.

[NH93]

Thank you! The eastern indigo sounds pretty nifty. Definitely seem to require a larger setup!

[jclaiborne]

Are you wanting to stick with the 3 you listed, or are you open to suggestions (colubrids or other types as well)? We used to catch garter snakes in my back yard all the time growing up, although I have never seen a wild one like the neon blue, the colors look sooo vibrant!

[NH93]

Definitely open to anything really (anything not venomous, I mean!)

There's a lot of species I don't know about, because they may not be as popular or whatnot. But I feel comfortable and confident if it is considered an intermediate level snake.

[Commandokev]

Green tree python?

[jclaiborne]

IJ carpets are on the smaller side of the spectrum for carpets, Womas, black headed pythons, Childrens or spotted pythons. The Childrens stay tiny at 3 feet, but are full of personality. I really find that I like the personality of the Aussie pythons in general. Once I got my childrens I was sold. If I were to add another snake to my collection it would be between Carpets, Womas, or a high percentage SD retic, that being said any addition for me is down the road since I am focusing on my lizards for the time being.

[NH93]

Unfortunately I do not have the room or funds for a green tree python! Not to mention, I haven't heard terribly great things about their disposition...
I think womas are beautiful... just worried about space for some of these larger species in the future.
Thanks for all of the ideas (and keep 'em coming!); I'll be looking into them shortly

[jclaiborne]

They did a Snakebytes episode covering all the "tiny" aussie pythons it might be worth looking at. If I remember correctly it covered the Antaresia family which includes Childrens, Spotted, Stimson's and the Pygmy, which all stay on the smaller end of the spectrum if you are worried about size.

[Eazyyyb]

Just wondering, why you arent interested in boas? I had a ball python first, and got a red tail boa and then a dumerils boa. I love my ball python obviously, but my boas are just amazing! by far my favorite snakes!