Best pythons or boas??

[Bogertophis]

VMSHerp breeds rosy boas, which is more common than the rubber boa and falls within the same family. I had a sand boa from him and she was great. My corns came from him too. He also breeds transpecos, these are not commonly found but I heard nothing but great stuff (Boger knows more). But a 40gallon may be too small for a transpecos?

His website is easy to use, if the snake did not transition to f/t (he tries to do that for all his hatchlings), he will list what it is eating so you are not caught unaware, and any questions or changes to the order can be made via email and he responds very quickly.

I didn't bring up Trans Pecos rat snakes only because the request was for 'best python or boa'. My nickname is a pretty big hint (Bogertophis subocularis = Trans Pecos rat snake) & they fit perfectly as adults in a 40 gal tank. If you want any more info on TPs, just let me know, vivi? They are mellow & personable snakes, I've never known an ornery one & I've bred them in the past, but my first one came from a pet store, likely a w/c (adult) that was being mistreated, & it didn't take her long to mellow out even after all that. TPs don't go off feed in winter either...at least mine never do, they're easy to feed from tongs on f/t mice. (they tend to be 'polite' feeders, lol) I love their big 'bug eyes'.

I've not bought from VMS but have only heard good things about.

[vivi]

I would love to know about trans-pecos rat snakes, at this point i'm open to anything.

[Zincubus]

I would love to know about trans-pecos rat snakes, at this point i'm open to anything.

I had one a few years ago. .. beautiful, dainty little thing but extremely nervous ( they’re nocturnal so you never see them basically) ... guess you could set up special lighting though .


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[Bogertophis]

As adults, Trans Pecos rat snakes stay right about 4'...a perfect pet size to hold, but not heavy-bodied like BPs (which also stay a nice pet size). In the wild they may take
tiny lizards (especially starting off) & later consume rodents & even bats. TPs are found in desert terrain in areas of New Mexico, Texas & Mexico (named for Trans Pecos
river there). They are primarily nocturnal, which is why they have those huge eyes...the better to see in low light. They can move fast to catch prey, but generally are laid
back & move slowly, which makes many people who are afraid of snakes very comfortable around them...they have a friendly, curious demeanor. Compared to something
like a spotted python, another excellent pet, one difference is that Trans Pecos tend not to ever grip humans tightly, whereas sometimes a spotted python will hold on very tightly- mine got stuck in my long hair once.

I've talked about Trans Pecos extensively in a few threads here...think I'll dig up a few links so I'm not repeating myself...but by far, Trans Pecos rat snakes are my favorite snake for being nosy, fun to watch*, calm & gentle, always easy to feed & very easy to "live with". Care is straight forward...hides with UTH (upper 80's max) under part of glass tank (screen top on glass tank is PREFERRED for these desert dwellers...fresh air a must), the rest of tank is fine at room temperatures (my house thermostat is set to 70* winter & 80* summer)...they stay healthy, & did I mention I think they have the cutest faces? I love their looks & I prefer the "normal" pattern, though there are some variations thru selective breeding.

*When they get a little bigger they'll use branches in their cage and I install (with wire) shallow baskets in their branches that they obviously enjoy- they sleep in them
fairly often! Even though 'nocturnal' they are not cranky if awakened earlier in the day...they are very flexible pets. I've done many programs with my TPs at all
times of the day, & you'd never know they're "nocturnal". They are also quiet snakes...they do not tend to EVER push on the lids or trash their cage/substrate as some
more active snakes will. I currently have 3 adults & no longer breed them since I end up wanting to keep them all, no joke. They do not need a humid hide or misting
to shed...they never seem to have trouble with that. They are graceful on their branches, & in winter I spoil mine with a dimmed black light in a dome overhead (set on
the screen top) at night...which is partly why they even sleep in their baskets...they seem to like how they feel & having a "room with a view". Changing up their cage
furnishings does not appear to stress them either...they're curious & don't seem to mind. They feed easily from tong, f/t small-medium adult mice.

Hatchlings are like all kinds of snakes...need lots of hiding places to gain confidence...that's important...get them feeding & they relax more as they grow up.

[vivi]

They sound like fun critters. I'll definitely look into them.

[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.

[Bogertophis]

Or just get one of these:

[Bogertophis]

Photo from: https://www.facebook.com/The-Captive...15386981882534

Color is pretty faded out in this...their normal color is roughly like peanut butter, with black "H" pattern (broken stripes) dorsally.

[vivi]

Thank you so much for all the help, I really appreciate it.
All of these sound like awesome snakes. I'm gonna have a hard time deciding on which one to keep! But really, I appreciate all the replies and love learning about different snakes.

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Photo from: https://www.facebook.com/The-Captive...15386981882534

Color is pretty faded out in this...their normal color is roughly like peanut butter, with black "H" pattern (broken stripes) dorsally.

Hahaha I love their eyes!!

[Bogertophis]

Thank you so much for all the help, I really appreciate it.
All of these sound like awesome snakes. I'm gonna have a hard time deciding on which one to keep! But really, I appreciate all the replies and love learning about different snakes.

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Hahaha I love their eyes!!

Me too! They look like those stuffed toys that have 'googly-eyes' that roll around, lol.