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My First Snake/Expo

Khena

New member
Hello all! My husband and I have decided to get a pet snake, ostensibly for our youngest son who is an avid snake admirer. I've done a fair amount of research into keeping snakes, and we've narrowed down which types we would prefer. There are two snake shows near us, the Midwest Reptile Show in Indianapolis(Oct 16), and the Indiana Reptile Expo in Noblesville(Oct 2). They are both about an hour away for us, so distance isn't really a deciding point for us. Has anyone been to either of these? Any idea which would be better to go to? Or just anything to keep in mind.

The snakes we are looking for are: trans pecos rat snake (axanthic blonde), white-sided black rat, leucistic black rat, or one of the gray/white cornsnakes (charcoal, lavender).

I've looked enough to know I need to take cash, get there early, and do my best to control my supremely excited 5 year old.
 
Don't know much about the Trans Pecos Rat, but the Black Rat and Corn are excellent starter snakes. Black Rats will get larger than Corns.

After 30 years of keeping snakes, my favorite is till the "beginner Corn" - Okeetee. I just don't think it gets much better in terms of temperament, ease of care, and beauty.

Keep us updated!
 
Hey....I'd go to both shows but that's me. I LOVE going to reptile show / sales. Gives me a chance to get away an not think of anything but reptiles...esp snakes. I have corns, milk snakes. Jungle carpet python. Also have a trans pecos rat snake. He is the nicest , calmest, snake I own. My corns are all great too. I got "Dusty" (trans pecos) because he was just so cute when he was little an those big eyes......;)
 
Any of your options are great snakes. I love, love, love my corns and have been drooling after both Black and Trans Pecos rats for years... But if it were me, I would end up going home with the white-sided black rat (that is, if I didn't end up bringing home the trans-pecos, too!!).

I am crazy in love with the size and temperament of Black rats, plus white-sided is my single favorite morph in the species. There's nothing quite like a snake that's large (but still easily manageable for one person) and puppy-dog tame to boot. Plus the black rats have the bonus of being as easy to care for as a corn snake. :)

At the expo, try to handle a few of each, and take home the one that you (and/or your son) like best. Good luck with the decision! :)
 
Thank you all for your imput! The trans pecos is at the top of our list because of how calm everyone says they are. My oldest son tends to be a little jumpy, and I worry that the activity of the corns might freak him out a little. From what I've heard though, trans pecos don't hatch until November. I'm just not sure if I can wait that long! I'll hit up at least one of the reptile shows and see if we find anything we love. If not, it looks like VMSherp should have some for sale in November.
 
Trans Pecos! Definitely! They're awesome snakes. One thing you will notice, however, is that they have a very distinct odor to them. It's not a bad smell (actually, I think they smell nice), it's just odd to have a snake that has an odor.

Also... Welcome to the site!
 
My snow corn is the least jumpy animal in my house. We even took him to my son's 2nd grade class for show and tell. The snake handled himself perfectly and even slithered up a few of the braver kids' arms. The teacher even pet him.

Consider getting a bigger snake than a tiny hatchling as they are tougher and less jumpy.

I'd like to get a white sided black rat at some time as well. I just want one other corn snake first, maybe two...not more than five.
 
There are two snake shows near us, the Midwest Reptile Show in Indianapolis(Oct 16), and the Indiana Reptile Expo in Noblesville(Oct 2).

There are several of us from Indiana on here. I think we should all go to the show on Oct 16th!
 
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