KSB a decent starter snake?

[TheKingInYellow]

I haven't even picked up my first snake yet, and I'm already considering a second

A local big chain pet store has a KSB that is either new, or I've never noticed before (about 2' long, gender undetermined, a known biter). I am really enthralled by the idea of a burrowing snake that has such seemingly easy care requirements.

I have a spare 29g tank (30" L x 12" W x 18" T) with a lid, and a spare 11 x 17 UTH and Thermostat. Outside of a low hide, a water dish and a humidity box, I shouldn't need anything else, right?

I figure I can use the UTH set at about 90 to heat more than half the tank, and get a good gradient both side to side and through the sand as well. If what I am reading is correct, ambient temps don't really matter anyhow.

So can I just grab some substrate (I could use recommendations here) , fire up that UTH, and have a good KSB habitat? Is this species one that I should be avoiding as a newbie?

[blackcrystal22]

I get the crushed walnut shells. Safe and not as dusty as sand.
http://www.pets-warehouse.com/pic-s/SCLRP211.JPG

KSBs are fantastic. That size of a cage isn't needed for a male though, a female would be fine in it. A 10gal would be acceptable for a adult male KSB.

If you come across any KSB breeders online let me know. I'm looking to buy one too, as a good friend of mine has one. :]

Edit: Well, its not necessarily a very good starter snake because its a bit hard to handle? It gets scared when its up high and holding them is awkward at first because they move differently than any other snake.

[TheKingInYellow]

Yeah, this one is just sitting at a pet store for $130 or so (Canadian). They can't guarantee it was CB though, which is a concern.

There is a Reptile Breeder Expo here in July, I might hold out and see what's there, but this one is tempting. It's just a shame not knowing where it was bred, age, gender, feeding schedule, etc...

[blackcrystal22]

Yeah, this one is just sitting at a pet store for $130 or so (Canadian). They can't guarantee it was CB though, which is a concern.

There is a Reptile Breeder Expo here in July, I might hold out and see what's there, but this one is tempting. It's just a shame not knowing where it was bred, age, gender, feeding schedule, etc...

Thats why I want to find a breeder around chicago or online. :[ But no one seems to know of any.
If I were gonna pay that much for a snake, I would want all of that information too.

[TheKingInYellow]

Are KSBs that rare?

[blackcrystal22]

Are KSBs that rare?

No, but apparently the breeders make themselves pretty unknown. I've seen them in pet shops before but no breeders are to be found. :[

I don't think they advertise very much.

[edie]

Yeah, I haven't ever seen any KSBs for sale online - but I'm usually always looking for other snakes and that may be why. I got mine form a local breeder, they were part of a trade since he was downsizing his snake collection.

I use aspen for my KSB, he burrows right down in it and I never see him unless I fish him out! Mine has never bitten me before, but I think its only a matter of time - hes got a lot of attitude. Sometimes when handling them they can whip their bodies around pretty fast, and you have to be careful with that because they can whip right out of your hand - or possibly try to bite (never had that happen before though, probably wouldn't be too bad of a bite - I was bitten by a 5 foot boa and it only felt like someone ripped a bandaid off of my skin).

As far as husbandry goes - I think this is a great beginners snake because of how easy they are to care for - if you have read up on some good care sheets and stay in contact over here if you have any questions that I don't see any problem with having one as your first snake!

As long as you don't mind a little attitude and you are not terrified at the thought of possibly being bitten then go for it! Once you start to get to know the snake and what makes it uncomfortable you will be able to prevent a lot of bites just based on its "ticks". Just handle it close to the ground so there are no accidents. I have 3 snakes that are known bitters - but after being bitten once by each of them I am a lot more careful with them and it has never happened again - and if it does happen again then I'm not going to change my mind about them. There are some species of snakes that just bite, theres not much you can do about it, it doesn't keep people from owning them, they just become more of a display snake and extra care is taken in moving them for cage cleanings and feedings.

[TheKingInYellow]

Sounds good edie. I have a parrot, I got over my fear of being bitten a long long time ago. I can't imagine any snake doing more damage than a ticked off hookbill. Thus my other 'first snake' will be a neonate JCP.

I'll have to get over my reaction to pull away from a bite, though. Getting that first bite over with will likely be a big relief for me.

[blackcrystal22]

Yeah, I haven't ever seen any KSBs for sale online - but I'm usually always looking for other snakes and that may be why. I got mine form a local breeder, they were part of a trade since he was downsizing his snake collection.

I use aspen for my KSB, he burrows right down in it and I never see him unless I fish him out! Mine has never bitten me before, but I think its only a matter of time - hes got a lot of attitude. Sometimes when handling them they can whip their bodies around pretty fast, and you have to be careful with that because they can whip right out of your hand - or possibly try to bite (never had that happen before though, probably wouldn't be too bad of a bite - I was bitten by a 5 foot boa and it only felt like someone ripped a bandaid off of my skin).

As far as husbandry goes - I think this is a great beginners snake because of how easy they are to care for - if you have read up on some good care sheets and stay in contact over here if you have any questions that I don't see any problem with having one as your first snake!

As long as you don't mind a little attitude and you are not terrified at the thought of possibly being bitten then go for it! Once you start to get to know the snake and what makes it uncomfortable you will be able to prevent a lot of bites just based on its "ticks". Just handle it close to the ground so there are no accidents. I have 3 snakes that are known bitters - but after being bitten once by each of them I am a lot more careful with them and it has never happened again - and if it does happen again then I'm not going to change my mind about them. There are some species of snakes that just bite, theres not much you can do about it, it doesn't keep people from owning them, they just become more of a display snake and extra care is taken in moving them for cage cleanings and feedings.

It's so discouraging because I love KSBs and want one so badly. :[

You would think they'd have more breeders in the Chicago area but it seems not.

[edie]

Sounds good edie. I have a parrot, I got over my fear of being bitten a long long time ago. I can't imagine any snake doing more damage than a ticked off hookbill. Thus my other 'first snake' will be a neonate JCP.

I'll have to get over my reaction to pull away from a bite, though. Getting that first bite over with will likely be a big relief for me.

My first real bitter was a 3 foot long corn snake that someone could no longer keep so they gave it to me to find it a new home - I had never been bitten before that snake and I always tried really hard to just feed it - clean the cage - leave it alone! Once I did stick my hand in to clean up some poop and thought it was under its hide but it was poking out and tagged me right on the finger, I kind of flinched but only slightly since I didn't want to hurt the snake and after I got over the shock factor I realized I was fine - the 3 times I was bitten after that I didn't move a muscle when the snakes bit me, it just doesn't scare me anymore - at least when it comes to the snakes I own now. Its really all in your mind until you realize that stubbing your toe hurts a thousand times more! (of course a huge snake would do some damage though! but nothing you need to worry about with a small snake!)