Bigger Beginner Snakes?

[BallPythonWannaBe]

I'm 14 and am looking for a good beginner snake that is bigger. I am not ruling out colubrids but want something a bit thicker than a corn. I've heard Carpet Pythons make good beginner snakes and also I've heard Bull Snakes are "fool proof beginner snakes". Can anyone tell me some different beginner snakes besides the normal Corns,Kings,Milks and Ball Pythons?
Obviously I will do extensive research before buying or even considering a crrtin snake and I understand individual snakes are all different.

[redshepherd]

By beginner snake, it depends on if you mean easy to handle/docile temperament, or undemanding about their setup and husbandry.

I'd recommend dumeril's boas, one that's at least 1-2 years old, for something that'll get much bigger than a ball but still manageable. Undemanding husbandry, and very docile and calm. Males are smaller, females can get 7-8 feet and thick.

For colubrids, definitely a russian rat snake! Big and docile and easy husbandry

If you really want a species of carpet or bullsnake, do your research on their temperament first. Not all are docile lol.

[EL-Ziggy]

I think carpets and bulls are great beginner snakes. Those are two of my favorite snake species . Some can be a little nippy when they're young but most settle down pretty quickly. They're both pretty easy to care for but like you said, bulls are pretty fool proof. Low-mid 80's for a hot spot and ambient temps are perfect for the cool side. If you want a larger carpet you should look into Coastals or Bredli. I love carpets for their semi-arboreal tendencies but you do have to keep them a bit warmer than colubrids. Either species would make a great beginner snake IMO. Best wishes with whatever you choose.

My female bull will be 4 in September. She was 42g when I got her. She's easily 3kg now.







My male Coastal Carpet just turned 3. He was 85g when I got him as a yearling. He's a little over 2kg now.

[BallPythonWannaBe]

By beginner I mean something you can handle regularly that has a good temperament. I like the idea of a Carpet. Also EL-Ziggy,I love your carpet! Will he get a lot bigger? And if so,how much bigger is he expected to get?

[BallPythonWannaBe]

Oh,and I have been reading up on Bull Snakes and it SEEMs(Keyword "Seems" XD) like with regular handling as a hatchling they will usually calm down?

[EL-Ziggy]

By beginner I mean something you can handle regularly that has a good temperament. I like the idea of a Carpet. Also EL-Ziggy,I love your carpet! Will he get a lot bigger? And if so,how much bigger is he expected to get?

The Coastal is currently a little shy of 6ft. I expect he'll grow another 1-3ft since they average about 7-9ft in length. I don't handle any of my snakes a lot but they all tolerate handling very well. Neither of my bulls have struck at me since they were hatchlings.

[BallPythonWannaBe]

The Coastal is currently a little shy of 6ft. I expect he'll grow another 1-3ft since they average about 7-9ft in length.

Do they get very thick around? I mean,do they get much thicker than what he is now? Sorry for all the questions

[BallPythonWannaBe]

Also what about a Woma Python?

[EL-Ziggy]

Do they get very thick around? I mean,do they get much thicker than what he is now? Sorry for all the questions

The Coastal probably won't be as thick as a boa but he'll be about the size of my bull snake as far as his girth. He eats large rats now but could easily take a jumbo rat and eventually he'll eat small rabbits. I've seen some pretty big Coastals. They're very impressive as adults. The largest of the carpet subspecies is probably the Bredli. Those will be quite a bit chunkier than the other carpets. I have a Bredli but he's still pretty small at 700g. I'm looking forward to watching him grow.

[BallPythonWannaBe]

Does your Bull eat rats?