what snake should i get?

Question

i wanna get a snake. which species should i get (no scientific names please, i DONT understand latin) and how do i care for it basically [like food, what shelter, how big a tank, etc. etc.]

Answer 1

Ok, you are new to snakes, I assume.

Do not get a giant constrictor. Burmeses, for example, while "cool" can reach over 200 lbs.

Do your research and get a good "beginning" snake. If you want a constrictor, ball pythons are generally good tempered and relatively easy to care for, though they can be tempermental eaters.

Corn snakes and king snakes are also good.

A cautionary note: do not go into this thinking "all I need is a tank and some bedding". Do not purchase the stock "reptile kit" from the local pet store that includes a heat rock. Heat rocks are useless.

Expect to lay out a good $125 for your initial startup for any snake, not including the snake. You are going to need the tank, bedding (not pine shavings), a hidey box (cardboard box with a hole cut in it works fine for awhile), heating source (lamp, undertank pad, etc), thermometer (preferably one for the warm side and one for the "cold" side), a water dish big enough to soak in that the snake cannot tip over, etc.

If you do not understand any of the above or are shaking your head in befuddlement, you also need to purchase a book about basic snake care, preferrably specific to the species of snake you are to purchase. And not one of those 10 page, big-print, glossy pictured useless things.

Actually, you need a book on snake care anyways.

Pet store employees are out to sell you a snake. They do not care if it lives or dies once it leaves that store. It is up to you to ensure that the snake lives.

Answer 2

Ball pythons are really good snakes. I have 2 of them. You could get probably like a 20 galleon tank for one (I have a 50 gal. for my 2) and feed it a medium sized rat once a month (if its a full grown snake) and in the tank mix moist soil and reptile bark (you should be able to find some in any pet store). Have a pan of water in the tank. Make sure you have a strong cover on the top of the tank because snakes can get out of a cage pretty easily if they dont have a strong cover. You would also need a heating pad and a heat lamp or just a heat lamp. One side of the tank would be the "warm side" where the snake gets the heat from the lamp from, and the other side should be cooler so the snake can cool off if its too hot (thats also the side the water should be on). Ball pythons are very gentle snakes, they're very hard to anger, at least to the point of biting you. There will be a very very small chance a ball python would ever bite you, and if it does, they aren't poisonous. You have to make sure to spend a lot of time with the snake or they might not be as friendly. I really like ball pythons, they're a good snake to start with.

Answer 3

I have a Ball Python and he's extremely easy to take care of and has a really nice temperament. To start out i would rec commend a 20 gallon take but they will get up to four or five feet long so be prepared to get a larger tank. They'll need a water dish and a hide box, like a hollow log or shoebox, and a branch they can climb on is usually good. Keep the temperature between 77 and 88 and you can let it drop to around 68 at night. For the first few weeks you have a snake use paper towels as a substrate so you can make sure their defecating regularly and don't have any mites then you can switch to cypress mulch or some other covering as long as its not cedar. corn and rat snakes are also good starter snakes. good luck!

Answer 4

Get a beginner snake like a corn snake, and do a LOT of research online and in books before you buy one. Do NOT get a boa constrictor or a python because they grow big fast, and you will almost certainly end up with a snake you simply cannot care for very shortly.

Answer 5

Alright, it seems you are a begginer at this so I wouldn't suggest ANY poisonous snake, or any exotic species. It would be wise to choose a hardy species such as a commmon garter snake, or possibly a corn snake. Corn snakes are a beautiful alternative to exotic species which can be dangerous and require special attention. Hope your snake keeping experience goes well. Good Luck!

Answer 6

I would sugest a ball python as a biginner snake. they're decent sized (4-5 feet long & thick bodied), freindly and not to hard to take care of. and can be had for $60- $70.

...but they do have very specific needs that have to be met., and keep in mind many snakes live 20 + years., ball pythons have been known to live to be over 40.

the link is to a verry usefull site

http://www.repticzone.com/forums/index.html

Answer 7

get a corn snake those come in different varieties of colors if you want to see one go to goggle and insert in images corn snakes your bulb in the tank should be at least to 80-85 degrees & put hiding spots in the tank also feed them two time a week and feed it a pinky adult mice for more info go to google and put how to care for corn snakes and click on the one that says Corn Snakes

Answer 8

Ball python's are awsome. I have had 4, and never been bitten. My daughter has been handling them since she was 6. She is now 9 and has Kah with her everywhere she goes. They are easy to take care of and feed.

Try this site for care instructions:
http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/pythons/a/ballpythons_2.htm

Good luck. I hope you enjoy your new snake.

Answer 9

You shoulg get a Jungle Carpet Python.
They have pretty black and yellow colors.
Only get about 6 feet,8 at the most
I have 2.

Answer 10

snake's in gerenal are difficult to care for, but the stright away basic is a corn snake or another name for it is rat snake. it a better to get them for frist of starters.