which snake is best?

Discussion in 'General Snakes' started by grin_n_baert, Jun 2, 2004.

?

which snake?

  1. *

    corn

    1 vote(s)
    100.0%
  2. *

    rat

    1 vote(s)
    100.0%
  3. *

    ball python

    1 vote(s)
    100.0%
  4. *

    some kind of boa (please specify)

    1 vote(s)
    100.0%
  1. grin_n_baert

    grin_n_baert Embryo

    Messages:
    27
    i am having trouble deciding on my first snake. does anyone have a suggestion?

    it needs to be small and docile as i will be handling it myself with not much help from others.
     
  2. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

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  3. Hummingbird

    Hummingbird Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    1,625
    well it was a toss-up between rat and corn. i know that many people are going to vote for ball pythons and boas, but i just don't think they make the *best* first snakes. ball pythons (although i'm sure there are some here who have had WONDERFUL experiences owning them) are not known for having great personalitites. they get snippy sometimes. the same applies to some boas *plus* most boas get big - never a good thing for a newbie, in my opinion. some boas and lots of ball pythons are picky eaters, too, although that certainly isn't always the case. i've never heard of a rat snake or corn snake being a picky eater and the great plains ratsnakes i care for at my university have NEVER stopped eating! they are pigs and never refuse anything. rats and corns stay small, eat well, generally have great temperaments, are sociable and are handleable. the best choice in my opinion.

    here's my care sheet for red-tail boas (applies to most boas and pythons): Boas and Pythons

    and my care sheet for great plains rat snakes (applies to most rat and corn snakes): Rats and Corns
     
  4. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

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  5. adam2373

    adam2373 Member

    Messages:
    315
    Emerald Tree Boa :mrgreen:
     
  6. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

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    5,483
     
  7. BoaMan

    BoaMan New Member

    Messages:
    141
    King snakes are way cool too. I say any colubrid, besides the special needs ones like Mandarin rats make the best first snakes. They eat well and take to handling nicely.

    Never feed live rodents is the best advice I can give.
     
  8. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

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  9. Hummingbird

    Hummingbird Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    1,625
    emerald tree boas, though completely amazing and beautiful animals, are not good beginner snakes. they need large, vertically-oriented cages with several thick climbing limbs *and* large areas of ground space. they also have needle-like teeth and it isn't exactly rare to be bitten by them. they are quick and are *great* escape artists (one of the best snakes at escaping; along with other boas and pythons). they also need high humidity and constant high temperatures (as many snakes do).

    i agree with boaman that king snakes would also be a great choice. california kings are beautiful snakes. they stay pretty small, have a better eating record than a lot of boas and pythons, and are quite handle-able (especially if you start early). they are more hyper than corn and rat snakes (at least in my experience), but still would be a good choice for a beginner.

    i also agree that live rodents should never be fed. not only is it (IMHO) cruel to the rodent, but digestive problems can occur. many snakes have also been bitten and scratched by live rats and mice. frozen is the best option.

    remember, this isn't "what is your favorite snake?", this is "what is the best *beginner* snake?".
     
  10. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

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  11. adam2373

    adam2373 Member

    Messages:
    315
    Ah yea I guess I didn't read properly the question after the title. No ETB's are not for begginers or noviced for that fact. Want a good beginner snake, Cornsnakes or a Ball Python. Both stay under 6 feet and are very easy to take care of.
     
  12. Hummingbird

    Hummingbird Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    1,625
    i have to respectfully disagree here. corns and rats are easier to care for than ball pythons, plus the ease of care is not the only factor here. the temperament and personality, ease of feeding, etc are also important to consider.
     
  13. biochic

    biochic Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    2,481
    I agree that balls aren't the 'best' beginner snake. They're large and need larger cages than rats or corns. They can be hard to start feeding, some are temperamental (but not all). I think corns and rats are the best. They both tame quickly, are easier to start feeding, some get a good size (up to 6 feet) but their bodies aren't as heavy, they can live in a smaller enclosure than a ball, and eat smaller prey items. If you want something more "exotic" by way of a first snake, a Children's Python is great. Great temperament, can be a picky feeder but most of the time eats well, and stays around 3 feet. They're more expensive than rats or corns though. That's another thing for a first snake. I'd look for a snake that doesn't cost very much. I think newbies have more to worry about with a first snake than whether or not it a creamsicle, ghost, or double het whatever. Those names just mean they're more expensive and with new setups and new experiences, I'd stay simple, cheaper, and smaller. Besides, the less you spend on the animal, the more you can spend on their enclosure and making it as pefect as you'd like. One thing though, no matter what you get, try buying through a breeder or getting a rescue animal instead of buying from petstores.
     
  14. Rimshot

    Rimshot New Member

    Messages:
    40
    Get a corn... 'nuff said.
     
  15. Bacardi

    Bacardi New Member

    Messages:
    103
    i dont have a snake but i am getting a bearded dragon very soon, but anyway at a reptile specialist shop i was at a couple of weeks ago, they said that a corn snake would be the best snake to start off with for a person who has never kept a snake before... so i would say corn, also my dad's mate has 2 big corn snakes.
    my advice is read as much as you can about them, and if you still can't decide then go into your 'local' shop etc. and ask for their advice... good luck!
    ~Rich
     
  16. Hummingbird

    Hummingbird Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    1,625
    great advice, bacardi! *however*, since you said your dad's "mate" i'm assuming you're in australia, but the petstores here in america SUCK beyond words. i wouldn't ask someone for directions as to how to wipe my butt at a petstore around here. other than that, you're completely right! read everything! then get a rat or corn! ;)

    p.s. why have 6 people posted in this thread but there's only 4 votes?
     
  17. coldbloodedkeeper

    coldbloodedkeeper New Member

    Messages:
    131
    i dont know what exactly you mean by rat snakes but the rat snakes here a.k.a. black snakes, rat snakes,chicken snakes. arent, definently arent good pets. they get huge and are veery tempermental. i have caught one about 7 feet long maybe more, and they will not hesitate to bite the hell out of you. and ecspecially when they are big like that they can hurt a person or animal or child, they would probably eatg a small dog when they are that big. i catch them alot because we have a farm and i just caught one the other day that was sitting in our barn watching our baby chickens, and he was about 5 and a half foot long. when i find them they have been big, in fact i havent caught or seen one that was less than 5 foot. i do not think they would make good pets.

    i also agree not to feed live rats, it is cruel and ecspecially since they dont even have a chance to get out of dieing.
     
  18. Mhswidder

    Mhswidder New Member

    Messages:
    64
    Ok I may be the odd ball around here but I have had very bad luck with corn's every corn I have ever held has bitten me Now I am partial to Ball Pythons I have had 8 of them in the last 14 years and Have never had a problem. Just had to put in my 2 cents
     
  19. medusa

    medusa New Member

    Messages:
    44
    I have a cali king, a paraguayan rainbow boa and a hognose. The boa is my favourite, he is lovely to handle. My cali is very handsome, he has bitten me once, he is fine to handle if treated with consideration. Only just got the hognose so I dont really know her well enough.
    I would really like a bigger boa someday.
     
  20. susyq

    susyq Member

    Messages:
    507
    grin_n_baert, personally if you want a first snake i would go for a corn snake as they are quitehardy and not too big generally reaching around 4.5 - 5 foot in captivity. they also come in many different colour morphs see www.dksnakes.co.uk/snakes for some good examples. I have been keeping corns now for eighteen months and im just in the process of aquiring 2 more to add to the 2 i already have lol, It is also worth mentioning it is best to get captive bred snakes from a reputable breeder as they should come with a feeding record and be feeding well, also they should be healthy and a bit easier to handle. i guess im hooked on them i hope this helps
     
  21. blink

    blink New Member

    Messages:
    111
    corn or rat snake like others have mentioned above. I own a ball python and she has lived up to her reputation; picky and grumpy. I still love her though, even if she wants to bite me :lol:
     
  22. Nursey

    Nursey Embryo

    Messages:
    21
    i would have to agree on the corn snake as a first snake get yourself used to the handling and husbandry and then move up slowly and then try a ball python or childrens python i would defo stay away from boas till you have a slightly more experience with snakes as boas can be nippy aswell
     

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