Best Starter Snake.

[ColoradoRiverRafter]

Hey guys. I have been thinking about a reptile for 8 years now and I was thinking about a beardie. Occasionally I think about a snake too. What would be the best snake that does not get too big and that is easy to care for for a first timer? Thanks for the help!

 

[riceko]

I've heard very good things about corn and king snakes. King snakes get a little big though I think.
Also, ball pythons are VERY cute and very sweet. My friend breeds them... never had one bite. Not even a baby!
Although they do get quite big and that could end up being a problem.
Rubber Boas aren't very popular, but they're very sweet and gentle... and LOVE to cuddle (they love the warmth of your hands). And they don't get too big. They aren't very "pretty" though. No real patterns.

Hope I helped

 

[mischa]

I would do what I did and go with a ball python as your first snake I've had mine for a little over a month and haven't regretted it yet! They don't really get that big, a 30 gallon tank would be fit for an adult, also they are extremely easy to care for once you have the temps set-up! Hope this helps! P.S. they are also very sweet and have nice colors.

 

[ColoradoRiverRafter]

Can you tell me what I will need for a ball python? What about everything else I will need to know? Thank You!

 

[riceko]

I'm not an expert on ball pythons...I've just handled them and almost considered buying one from my friend
There are several excellent resource sites out there with all the information you'd need to know about them Like http://www.ballpython.com/.
They grow to about 4/4.5 feet btw.

 

[mischa]

The best website to use is ball-pythons.net it's like beardeddragon.org, but for ball pythons and other snakes!

 

[bradlush]

BP's are wonderful but if you have a fear of being bitten work it out first, when they get ready to "Ball" sometimes it looks like they're going to bite your hand and just when you're ready to jump, they remind you just how cute and sweet they really are. But seriously make sure you can handle a snake before you get one, Ball Pythons are notoriously picky eaters, sometimes only accepting one color mouse, and/or only live, and even going months without eating. If you do decide to get one buy directly from a breeder as wild caught sometimes refuse food until they starve to death, or eat at first and then stop...until they starve to death. If you do want a snake BPs are a great way to go, very gentle and VERY forgiving. They do get bigger then say House snakes or Green snakes, but if you handle them as a baby and as they grow up, you'll be very comfortable with them.

 

[lacy_black]

I agree on balls. My 1st was a ball, he got me over the initial fear and he's never even hissed at me. My OH's stupid King snake on the other hand is a rotten beast, even looking at her gives me the willies now that she's bitten me.
Balls are so calm and slow that you're less likely to get spooked. The king snakes and corns to me seem to move too often too fast and are constantly smelling everything which can make you feel like they're about to play vampire on your skin.

 

[bradlush]

Plus if you can't find love in a BP's beady little eyes you probably don't have a soul.
They're so lovable!

 

[riceko]

I agree on balls. My 1st was a ball, he got me over the initial fear and he's never even hissed at me. My OH's stupid King snake on the other hand is a rotten beast, even looking at her gives me the willies now that she's bitten me.
Balls are so calm and slow that you're less likely to get spooked. The king snakes and corns to me seem to move too often too fast and are constantly smelling everything which can make you feel like they're about to play vampire on your skin.

Hehe King snakes really give you the willies?
Theres one where I work named Kind Tut... he's about 2.5 feet long. I am very scared of being bitten, but he's always such a sweetie.
Gopher snakes on the other hand... *shiver* they ALWAYS give me a spook. Unless they're full grown and big. Then they really settle down. Little ones are buttheads. "Pokey" the gopher snake LOVES to scare the crap out of me. Gets in striking position whenever I get near him. Very squirmy. Yeck.
Bites and temperament really vary from snake to snake though. Rosy Boas are usually very sweet, never bite, easy snakes... yet the only snake bite I've ever received is from a Rosy Boa lol. It was a feeding bite too xD But she is never handled so I guess thats why.

 

[lacy_black]

Not all king snakes, I had a mexican black who was beyond sweet. She would lay in bed and watch tv with my brother while he was laid up with a broken hip and arm, or she would curl around my arm and just snooze. But the chocolate king and I have major issues. She bit me and now gives me a look like shes saying " I liked your blood come here".

 

[riceko]

Haha sounds like quite a look XD

 

[mischa]

Don't take this the wrong way, but I don't think the snake was really watching TV haha.

 

[lacy_black]

Most likely she was sleeping, her last few months that was about all she did. But she was great to snuggle with.

 

[EmJagsz]

Corn snakes are very easy beginner snakes. I would recommend them over BPs, but then again, I am biased as I own 4 corns :mrgreen: Some advantages corns have over BPs, they don't require as much space, a 20L tank will last them their whole life. They come in a VERY WIDE variety of colours and morphs, they don't get as fat as BPs so you don't have to feed anything larger than a large mouse (whereas with a BP you may have to feed a large rat to an adult BP). Corns are also generally more friendly than BPs............ Just my 2 cents :mrgreen: