Best pythons or boas??

[Bogertophis]

Other threads where Trans Pecos rat snakes were discussed:

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...cos-rat-snakes

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-ratsnake-care

When I first got into Trans Pecos rat snakes, I lived in the So. California desert. You didn't ask but I live in a humid state now too, & have for enough years to assure you that it won't matter if keeping these desert serpents, & maybe that's partly due to the fact that our HVAC systems remove a lot of humidity from our homes anyway.

Another thing: you're obviously living "at home" & your pet snake will be kept in your room. You should have no trouble sleeping with either a spotted python or a Trans Pecos rat snakes living in the same room with you, even being nocturnal, since both are pretty graceful & not pushy snakes. A black or red light bulb overhead is appreciated & used for "basking" by both, but not essential...you could use either a CHE, or for more reliability, just a small heat mat on the screen at night in chilly weather, so that no light disturbs your sleep, & your snake will be happy using branches where you can see a lot of them. Of the 2, my Trans Pecos use their hides with UTH more than the spotted python, but both need all options.

The only time my spotted refuses food is when in shed, & while I avoid feeding my Trans Pecos in shed, sometimes I miss that & offer...they usually take it anyway. Of the 2 kinds, the spotted python always grabs her f/t mouse from tongs, but Trans Pecos tend to be the more polite snakes, some taking very gently from the tongs, or they may slowly sneak up to it...pause & then grab, "just in case", lol. But they never grab violently like the spotted or my Florida ratsnakes that tumble out of branches routinely, lol. The differences among snakes are fun to observe, & years ago the first Trans Pecos I had would actually take fuzzies so carefully, right from between my thumb & forefinger, slowly...deliberately...with never a miss. They just always seem fairly smart to me.

I think you said that your family isn't enthusiastic or comfortable with snakes, but I think either kind, especially the Trans Pecos, could change their minds.