Choosing a species

[Bogertophis]

...Taking into account what you've said, I'm actually not sure I'm ready for a more challenging animal like a dwarf boa considering this will only be my second snake. Corns are very intriguing though! I'll definitely take them into consideration. Plus I think having an "easy" snake would boost my reptile keeping self esteem haha...

I'll "second" the corn snake option: I've kept snakes for many years, many kinds (some much more difficult than others) and I still enjoy my corn snakes. They're
easy, that's a big plus: easy to keep (glass tanks work great, w/ screen top; temperatures much easier than BPs or boas, need minimal UTH heat in part of cage,
otherwise they enjoy our "room temperatures" of 70-75*) easy to feed (happy with f/t), & normally easy to handle (docile; hatchlings are too small to even FEEL
a defensive bite, & by the time they grow big enough for you to feel their teeth, they're tame anyway) plus they come in all sorts of beautiful colors. They enjoy and
use branches (as do other rat snakes) & I really enjoy the "connection" & seeing my snakes without having to take them out. They're curious & watch me too.

I'm a fan of most kinds of rat snakes (corn snakes are a type of "rat snake", there are many others!). Two of the most docile kinds are Bairds & Trans Pecos, but
again, many other kinds & colors. (check out Everglades rat snakes if you like the color orange...but they do get bigger than corn snakes & are usually feistier.)
All are generally easy to feed, care for, & handle, but most get larger than a corn snake & will need larger cages.

Another fairly easy snake & small is an Australian spotted python: readily available c/b, they need warmer temps than corns & most colubrids, but are very alert & easy
to feed on f/t (small mice at the most, these snakes don't get any bigger than a corn snake). Every bit a python (heat pits & all) but not shy, at least mine isn't...she
enjoys basking on branches, handles easily. I've had no trouble ever in the 10+ years I've had her so far. Not a fussy eater at all. She needs a humid hide to shed.

Oh, & there's rosy boas too...they stay 2.5-3'+ (males stay smaller, female max about 40"). They often go off-feed a bit in winter,
but not big on fasting the way BPs can be. Usually docile, c/b & take f/t once raised properly. (if you get a neonate, make sure it has
a strong feeding record taking f/t) Males can be fussier to feed than the females, the females eat more & get larger in anticipation of
reproduction.