Choosing a species

[Ditto]

Thank you, I really appreciate it.

You should check out Solana's thread; she's off the charts!

I think you would be VERY wise to get a corn snake if you are building up your "reptile keeping self esteem" as you say so well.

Check out Don's site (South Mountain Reptiles) and give him a call if you have questions (tell him David from CT with Solana sent you), he's an awesome guy and will answer any and all of your questions and can help find a snake for you in any color, pattern, and price range.

Again, handleable, eat like clockwork, virtually bulletproof from a husbandry standpoint, etc.

An adult can live in a 40G breeder (and since humidity isn't a big deal with these guys - literally a 40G breeder) with CHE and/or UTH depending on room temps. If it's really dry where you are, I would mist when they go into shed or provide a moist hide, or both.

Hot side temps/hot spot temps: 82-85F (tops) - shoot for 82-84F

Ambient temps: 78F

Cool side: 72F+

I have mine in boaphiles and they are so well insulated, my cool side is a little warmer, which is fine.

Mine are:

Hot side: 83-84F

Ambient: 78-80F

Cool side: 77-78F

Again, feel free to ask questions here or PM me anytime.

Good luck!

I'll definitely check out that thread, thanks!
Thank you so much for the advice, I don't have anymore questions right now aside from just more general husbandry stuff, I think I'll do some independent research for a while, February is still a ways off after all, but corns are sounding pretty perfect to me right now haha. I'm loving the idea of them not having high humidity needs, that's been my biggest struggle with my bp so far and not having to worry about that as much with a corn would be great
I'll definitely PM you if I have any questions, thank you so much for your help!