Good Pythons to get?

All, right, after laying a quickly dying clutch of eggs and not eating for a week my next door neighbor and friends Rough green died. He doesn't seem to have much interest in colubrids anyways. What are some good pythons or other snakes? I've heard Childrens python, Ball Python(don't want him getting nervous over long feeding strikes), sand boas, Red Tail?

Before getting another snake he should find out what went wrong with the first one, in my opinion. He could be doing something wrong that will cause any new snake to die too.

Well, rough greens are virtually all WC, and very difficult to keep.

Originally Posted by Nanci

Well, rough greens are virtually all WC, and very difficult to keep.

Didn't know that. WC is even difficult to keep by an experienced keeper by my understanding.

Well if he wants to use the same cage disinfect it thoroughly first.
Carpet pythons are a good choice too i think, don't get too big and can be very active. Can be a little bitey as babies though.

Irian Jaya Carpet Pythons are a good beginner Python. They are the smaller of the Carpet Pythons & can be very pretty! That was my first Carpet. Watch out though, they're very addictive!

Mt friend has an IJ and she is really mean and well strike when he holds her. Yeah the rough green was wc, but easily handled and as tame as a corn. She died because the stress of laying eggs while she was on the skinny side. She hadn't even started eating yet.

Some are, but not because they're IJ's, you can find tempermental snakes in any of the Carpet Pythons. Heck, you can find tempermental snakes in any species. JCP's have the worst reputation, but generally, most calm down when they get older.

So, would a ball python, childrens python, or Carpet be best?

My opinions and observations on PYTHONS:

Most carpets tend to be aggressive, and less handleable than many other species, as others have already noted. There are of course individual exceptions (as in corns). They do get very addictive, and are REALLY cool to look at.

Ball pythons are notoriously excellent beginner snakes, which is one of the reasons they're so popular to keep. Find a well-started CB from a reputable breeder, counsel the new owner on proper husbandry and feeding, and you most likely won't have too many problems getting them consistent on F/T (or live if you prefer).

A few words on BOAS:

If they're looking for something a little larger, a Columbian Boa would definitely be my recommendation. They start small, grow quick, and tend to be the calmest of the larger snakes.

Sand boas are cool to keep, but since they like to burrow are somewhat frustrating as observational animals. They also tend to be a bit nippy, so if they want something really easily handleable go with the Columbian or Red-tail boa.

Originally Posted by atmox

Didn't know that. WC is even difficult to keep by an experienced keeper by my understanding.

Well if he wants to use the same cage disinfect it thoroughly first.
Carpet pythons are a good choice too i think, don't get too big and can be very active. Can be a little bitey as babies though.

Carpet pythons do get big and have a tendancy to be aggressive.