Quote Originally Posted by Skiploder View Post
My first colubrid was a hoggie.

However, my favorite colubrids are drys.

While an indigo runs a high price tag, the black tail cribo is much more affordable. I picked up my female for around $250.

A cb melanurus is as handleable as any indigo and make excellent captives. They are not inclined to bite, are excellent eaters and like all drymarchon, are extremely interactive animals. As far as intelligence goes - cribos are at the top.

I have two young children and have about as much trust as I can have in any reptile with the melanurus in terms of interacting with the kids.

The only downsides - two. They are messy and require frequent cage cleaning. However, I look at this as an excuse to spend some additonal handling time with them. Second, they require large enclosures. Other than that, they are perhaps one of the most rewarding reptiles to own.
Thank you. I'd forgotten about cribos being compared to indigos. The black rat is messy, too, so I know what you mean. I have to change out his towel/sheet about 3x a week. How large of an enclosure do these guys need?