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Best snake species for display?

Zimmer

Zimmer

New member
I'm looking for suggestion on which types of snakes can make the best display snakes? I'm looking for something that is active and visible, of course beautifully colored or visually appealing, preferably somewhat docile, not too big (I'm thinking 8ft or less, has to be something I can handle without assistance), and fairly hardy and easy to take care of. Personal experience recommendations please!

I am super interested in black milk snakes, Brazilian rainbow boas, and green tree pythons.

Any other types of snakes you would care to recommend or tell me why or why not they would make a good choice?
 
Maybe something arboreal? Lots of pretty species, though a lot are not particularly docile. I saw a parrot snake for sale in a rare reptile classifieds group on Facebook that looked like it tolerated handling ok, but didn't look super friendly.
 
Brazilians hide all the time, at least when young, quite shy.I sold mine awhile ago.
What about a jungle carpet python? I love mine, never hides except in shed, he is just a bit over 6ft full grown and dog tame. A bit nervous as babies but with gentle handling get over it quickly.
 
I realize a lot of the snakes I'm considering aren't "tame" like corns per se, this display animal won't necessarily be handled much if at all, besides for husbandry purposes. I just don't want to be looking into snakes that are known to be difficult temperament-wise. I figured arboreal boas, but I am really lacking in knowledge of them.

I thought carpet pythons got bigger than that? Also my ball python is a boring lump so I assumed other pythons would be as well.... lol I will have to reassess and research! Thanks!
 
My first snake was actually a Red Tail Colombian Boa Constrictor. I was 17 when I got her.

They are beautiful snakes. They do get a little bigger than the 8 feet you mentioned. Most of them about 9 feet, mine lived 22 years and was about 11 feet when she passed away.

They are not as squirmy as corn snakes, and most of them are very friendly. Mine never bit anyone or even attempted to in her 22 years.
 
Karl_Mcknight said:
My first snake was actually a Red Tail Colombian Boa Constrictor. I was 17 when I got her.

They are beautiful snakes. They do get a little bigger than the 8 feet you mentioned. Most of them about 9 feet, mine lived 22 years and was about 11 feet when she passed away.

They are not as squirmy as corn snakes, and most of them are very friendly. Mine never bit anyone or even attempted to in her 22 years.
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That is pretty big!! I definitely can't commit to something of that size, at least not for another 5+ years probably.... But man, they sure are easy on the eyes!

Can anyone advise regarding black milk snakes? Or other arboreal species? Or any types that are more active in the enclosure?
 
Zimmer said:
Can anyone advise regarding black milk snakes? Or other arboreal species? Or any types that are more active in the enclosure?
Click to expand...

There are no restrictions in your state?

There is always exceptions to the rule but in general a Black Milk Snake will not make any better of a display snake than a Corn Snake. They get pretty big for a colubrid but tend to just lay there coiled up as adults. Even though their prices have dropped considerably over the years they are still hard to come by.

MY suggestion for a display snake that is beautiful, active and easy to keep is a Asian Rat or Beauty snake. They are more active during the day and love to climb. Their temperaments DO range from passive to pure evil ;) .... You can purchase some cool morphs too. A Kunasir Island Rat Snake is perfect for display, beauty and passiveness. They're not as common as a Taiwan Beauty Snake which can be aggressive. Even a trinket snake (smaller species) would be a cool display snake. Out of the 5 species and morphs of beauty/rat snakes i keep I am found of the T- Albino Moquards. My babies are handle able but mom and dad are a challenge.

Below is a pic of Sophia in her custom built semi arboreal cage. She is active during the day and sleeps in her nest at night.
 

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My corns are pretty active but I don't feed weekly so they are out hunting....Green trees are nice for display and mine do some hunting at night....they aren't super active snakes though and certainly aren't during the day...it's their rest time...but they are quite visible. Some of my chondros are extremly mellow and great to hold....My false water cobra is very active and quite visible....she's docile and large...about 6 ft long. Amazons are active at night but often go to ground during the day and you might not see them...some of mine will lay on their perch but most like to find a spot in a corner during the day. My coachwhip is active during the day and even part of the night but is shy so she's always on the move and if she sees you she books for cover. While she's never bitten she will definitely musk when you hold her. I've handled some Blue beauties that had great temperament...they seem to vary quite a bit. They are large and very active during the day.
 
Display Snakes

Some great responses here!

I keep GTPs, carpets, Baird's ratsnakes, and boas as display animals. I also have seven Kunasir Island ratsnakes, but they're still babies. The adult coloration is stunning, and they make nice display animals (As daddio's photo illustrates).

You have a lot of nice snakes to choose from; the problem will be only choosing one or two!















Kathy
 
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Thanks Meg!

Yep, that's a Hog Island. The chondro with the blue is 17 years old, and still going strong. I think the Baird's ratsnakes are very underrated - they are stunning with the brushed-aluminum-looking scale tips.

Kathy
 
Very! Simply stunning, but then again, a lot of exotic ratsnakes are absolutely beautiful. Most are pretty cranky though! Even my Everglade's rat is a stinker!
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11014885_10206456654080386_3374990169821679542_n.jpg
 
Hands down, my most docile snakes are my Rhyno Rat snakes. They are beautiful to look at as well. They are semi-arboreal and do well in an upright display. My guys are a bright greenish blue with prehensile tails and a rubbery rostrum (hence the Rhyno tag). Unique showy snakes that are always a hit with the audience when I take them to demos.

Terri
 
For a minute I thought you meant Bitis gabonica rhinoceros- the Rhino viper....not Rhino rats! I'm around venomous people so much it's the first thing I think when I hear Rhino! While they are beautiful display animals, they certainly aren't for everyone!
 
Zimmer said:
I thought carpet pythons got bigger than that? Also my ball python is a boring lump so I assumed other pythons would be as well.... lol I will have to reassess and research! Thanks!
Click to expand...

The coastal carpets get really big but jungles dont. But they arent real active, just dont hide all the time like a ball python does.
Dont forget the Russian Ratsnake, mine was very active, friendly, low maintance. Get decent sized at around 6ft.
 
Lots of ideas here, thanks guys! The rhino rats seem REALLY cool! Very unique and I love that they are active in the display. I also like that they seem to be more docile than the other rat snakes. I know individuals may vary, but overall, most other rats seem to be pretty sassy! The Russian and Japanese rat snakes are also on my radar now, thanks to your suggestions.

I think one day in the future we will have a gtp, but I think I'm still too "beginner" for them. And I didn't realize jungle carpets came in that size, they seem pretty cool as well but in the less active side. Also on my future "to have" list.
 
it's a smaller snake.. but what about some of the garters?
my personal experience is limited to one snake but http://www.thamnophis.com/ has lots of great people and information.

Garters are active during the day, react to things outside their cages, Don't get too large, and you can keep multiples in a viv (increasing the chance that someone will be out and moving at any time) They also don't get as large as most of the snakes mentioned and have some different morphs.
You can keep more than one species together (with some exceptions)- just keep all one gender (no hybridizing) so you can have a variety.
Their husbandry varies but seems to be pretty easy and they seem to be fairly tolerant of their conditions. Their temperaments range all over, since they are prey for a lot of other things I think they run more to flighty, but many will calm down with handling.

http://i.imgur.com/Xxx3GTW.jpg
and they have blue!! https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7328/10770227495_65fce4218d_b.jpg
http://www.geckosunlimited.com/community/gallery/data/500/concinnus_A.JPG
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/1d/35/99/1d35999ece29aa1217823128e564cc93.jpg
 
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