Need help deciding a snake

[Cordon1]

yeah im new to herpetology and people who i spoke to recommended corn snakes, but im still recommended bout other snakes, i thought about ball pythons and recommended recommended, i know people say get a snake that suites you and the one you want but i just wana know more species that would be suitable for me
i wud appreciate appreciate and advice

 

[Cordon1]

Sorry i messed that up a bit here is what i was ment to say-

yeah im new to herpetology and people who i spoke to recommended corn snakes, but im still Thinking about other snakes, i thought about ball pythons and Kingsnakes, i know people say get a snake that suites you and the one you want but i just wana know more species that would be suitable for me
i wud appreciate appreciate and advice

 

[Maize411]

Corn snakes are great starter snakes since they are for the most part docile and easy to handle..their more willing to eat without refusals but you will get some here and there...

Ball pythons are more slow type snakes..They are much more sensitive to their environment and can go off feeding for long periods of time..They are also pretty docile and good to handle..they don't get that big either...

King snakes are a nice sized snake but can be a bit fiesty..plus they have the ability to musk you..(basiclly spraying on your hand) when they don't want to be bothered..but with time and handling they can be tamed to calm down and become a good pet..

Rosy boas only get up to maybe about 3 to 4 feet..They have a good personality about them and can be great to handle when they want to be..From what I've heard..they are good eaters but will refuse sometimes..especially when their close to shedding..

Then you also have milk snakes which have a nice coloration to them and with patience can be handled easily..They are also a moderate sized snake...

 

[whippet]

Well if you have never had a snake...look into getting a yearling cornsnake. Baby corns are a bit fast, but yearlings are fun and perfect in age. They eat well..and their care is easy.
Balls are great, but can go off feed for weeks and even months. First time owners might have trouble guiding them through that. However they are great lap snakes.
Either way do lots and lots of research and go hold several of them!

 

[Cordon1]

Rosy boas only get up to maybe about 3 to 4 feet..They have a good personality about them and can be great to handle when they want to be..From what I've heard..they are good eaters but will refuse sometimes..especially when their close to shedding..

What Size vivarium Is ideal for Rosy boas?

 

[Cordon1]

Thanks for the information, i defiently will look into it

 

[Roy Munson]

I've never owned ball pythons, but they're supposed to be good snakes for beginners. I have experience with the following snakes (or closely related types), and I'd recommend any of them as a beginner's snake:

1. Cornsnakes (of course)
2. Kingsnakes
3. Milksnakes
4. Rosy Boas
5. African house snakes
6. Black, yellow, gray, Everglades, trans-Pecos, Kisatchie, Great Plains or Bairdi ratsnakes (I've never owned Texas rats, but they have a reputation for aggression.)
7. Garter snakes (Don't write them off-- there are a lot of cool types.)

I'll add more if I remember any.

 

[Roy Munson]

What Size vivarium Is ideal for Rosy boas?

15-20 gallon long tank is great for even the largest rosys.

 

[Cordon1]

1. Cornsnakes (of course)
2. Kingsnakes
3. Milksnakes
4. Rosy Boas
5. African house snakes
6. Black, yellow, gray, Everglades, trans-Pecos, Kisatchie, Great Plains or Bairdi ratsnakes (I've never owned Texas rats, but they have a reputation for aggression.)
7. Garter snakes (Don't write them off-- there are a lot of cool types.)

Thanks for the list, what are the ideal sizes of viviariums for the adults that you mentioned? because i can only go up to 3 foot

 

[Maize411]

a 20 gallon long would be a good size for a rosy boa :0)

 

[Cordon1]

What would that be in length?

 

[Jrgh17]

I've never owned ball pythons, but they're supposed to be good snakes for beginners.

I've heard this from a lot of sources, but I disagree with it. I got a cornsnake, and THEN got a BP. If my BP had been my first snake, I wouldn't have been able to deal with alot of the things I encountered. Maybe it's just me, but I usually recommend against BPs. :shrugs:

 

[Maize411]

What would that be in length?

I think...30-32 inches???

 

[Cordon1]

Thank you so much ive just read a bit bout rosy boas and they are another option, a corn snake will be my second snake i buy, ive always liked them since i was a baby

 

[Roy Munson]

I've heard this from a lot of sources, but I disagree with it. I got a cornsnake, and THEN got a BP. If my BP had been my first snake, I wouldn't have been able to deal with alot of the things I encountered. Maybe it's just me, but I usually recommend against BPs. :shrugs:

Well, I'd take your opinion over mine in this matter! I was just talking to a guy at a party this weekend who allowed his BP (his first and only snake) to starve to death. He never even tried any tricks to get it going after it stopped eating (only ever offered it f/t, for example). I was going to give him the third degree, but he said he was never getting a snake again, so I left it alone...

 

[Jrgh17]

Well, I'd take your opinion over mine in this matter! I was just talking to a guy at a party this weekend who allowed his BP (his first and only snake) to starve to death. He never even tried any tricks to get it going after it stopped eating (only ever offered it f/t, for example). I was going to give him the third degree, but he said he was never getting a snake again, so I left it alone...

That's actually a great example of what I mean. If your first snake experience is stressful, I'd be SUCH a big turn-off to herps in general. I know if I had gotten Patches (my BP) first, I would've been too depressed by random refusals and other wacky antics to *want* another snake.

And kudos to you for not eating him alive. I tend to lack your strength.

 

[Nomed]

I've heard this from a lot of sources, but I disagree with it. I got a cornsnake, and THEN got a BP. If my BP had been my first snake, I wouldn't have been able to deal with alot of the things I encountered. Maybe it's just me, but I usually recommend against BPs. :shrugs:

amen.lol
I couldn't agree with that more :]
Even with my little angel, I would have been stressed with out any prior experience. (with two crazy corns )

I would suggest a corn as your first snake,
but if you are more attracted to a rosy boa go for it, I've heard they pack a nice bite :grin01:

 

[tstephe3]

i just measured my 20 long with a 12 inch ruler.. lol couldnt find a tape measure. but its about 31 inches

 

[funnynonsense]

I just started in this hobby - and my amel corn was given to me. I didn't want anything to with snakes till I got my girl - now I have a strange addiction to them.

I haven't had any bad experience (mostly thanks to good information on this site).
She feeds F/T and never refuses - even when in blue.
She is easy to handle.
She doesn't make to much mess, and I've never been bitten. (as far as I have heard they don't have much of a bite anyway)

I couldn't have asked for a better first snake - and thanks to the good experience with my corn I am now looking into different species of snakes and have a keen interest in them.

Based on my personal experience I would recommend a corn as your first snake. The pros outweigh the cons by a long way (and there are a whole lot of morphs to choose from) - and you can always get into more "difficult" species later.

You should get what you want - but there is no better snake to learn from than a corn, imo of course.

Good luck - let us know what you go with

 

[CALIVIK]

I say get a Corn first. My 7 & 5 yr. love them & they handle really well.
My CaliKing brumated himself at around 5mths old & if I did not have this forum I would be clueless as what to do for him & I had 3 Corns prior to him. So my vote goes to the Corn, plus they are really pretty to look at.