Preparing for my First Snake

[Bogertophis]

This is a decision that ONLY you can make, because you'll be living with this snake (hopefully) for many years to come. I have neither species at the moment, but years back I've lived with a number of BPs & a number of gopher & bull snakes (-which I bred). These days I'm mostly a colubrid person, with a penchant for rat snakes, but I have other kinds & always have. Between these two, they both have pro's & con's, as you've noticed, but I just want to point out a few more things, & maybe offer a suggestion.

The part about BPs being potentially fussy eaters & going off eating for periods of time is a genuine pain. As you've noticed, they're often more challenging to keep healthy if you live in a cold climate, because they need a warmer home with more humidity. And I'm not saying it can't be done, only that YOU have to work more at achieving their needs. Pro's include mostly docile, pretty & mellow. BTW, they're more nocturnal too, & by nature, they're ambush-hunters- so they're not active snakes- in the wild, they literally wait to ambush their prey at night.

Gopher snakes are active daytime snakes- they're active hunters, & they tend to be restless even in a large enclosure- a plastic bin probably won't cut it for long, and yes, they'll push MUCH harder to test it & escape. They NEED larger enclosures, but at least they don't need fussy temperatures or humidity- our normal room temperature is fine for them, with just one corner offering heat for their digestion, & they do better with good air-flow (as w/ a big glass tank & screen top). They have very good appetites also. They're fun snakes, fairly intelligent- not biters when they get to know you, but not so likely to sit still. A hatchling will be self-defensive & may hiss & shake their tails, maybe even nip- but they learn fast to accept handling. Sitting still...eh, not so much, lol.

One you might want to look into is an Australian spotted python- their natural coloration is very cool, they stay a smaller size (adults are 3.5-4' long but far more slender than a BP) & while they need a warm home like a BP, with humidity (can be just a humid hide), they're more into climbing branches (esp. at night, but you'll see more of them- they're not shy, actually rather nosy!) and they have GOOD appetites on small mice (nothing larger, for life); they also PREFER dead prey- either fresh-killed or f/t (frozen-thawed) & will eat from tongs. They tend to hug you & sit still for a while- so that might be a plus for you? I only have one- & she's much easier than a BP, IMO. Of course any new snake will be defensive until they learn you're not a predator, but if you search, there's a few threads on this forum about these- several of us keep them, or the very similar "Children's python" (also an Aussie, slightly smaller). BTW, these are captive bred- you don't have to get them from Australia either- that would be impossible. A little harder to find though- not "everywhere" like BPs are. (adults need roughly 40 gal. size home)

Take your time deciding- research is ALWAYS a good thing- & keep asking. There's many other kinds of snakes too- & they all have pro's & con's- but pick what appeals to you & fits your life best.

Oh, &