It won't be for a couple months to a year, but I have a real fascination for snakes. I'm a girl, and I know that kind of factor in to atkd snake that I should get because I can't nd up with one that grows to be 10 ft long. I'm just kind of looking for suggestions right now, I don't think I want to get one that has to be live fed, maybe more just cricket feeding, but it can be fed live mice or whatever (i'll just have other people throw the mouse in there). Something that's "nice". I'm not afraid ot get bitten but I don't want it to be something regular. Well I think I've rambeled on long enough now.
2007-02-12 14:41:42 · 15 answers · asked by ifoundapennyonheads 2 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
Well, some girls do keep big snakes! I know several.
For a first snake, I'd say look at ball python (6'), corn snake (4-6'), or king snake (variable depending on exact species). These all eat rodents, but you can buy pre-killed, frozen mice and thaw them as you need them. This is a lot more convenient and safer than feeding live food. All are fairly good-natured, although there can be a "nippy" individual. If you buy locally, you can see their temperment and try handling them before you buy.
If you don't want to go the rodent-eater route, look into a garter or ribbon snake - these will eat feeder fish, earthworms, and sometimes insects (crickets). These tend to be a little more skittish and will try to get away when you handle them, but with frequent handling can be good pets. They are also smaller than many of the snakes I listed previously.
If you want something more out-of-the-ordinary, look into some of the less common boas and kingsnakes. Just know the care for the species before you buy!
Here are some websites with good info on care for various species. Do a little research on species I (and everyone else) suggests, as far as size and care requirements. And maybe you'll find something else that appeals to you that no one here thought of!
http://www.kingsnake.com/rockymountain/RMHPages/RMHbest.htm - best beginner reptiles
http://www.anapsid.org/mainsnakes.html - caresheets
http://www.wnyherp.org/care-sheets/snakes/ - caresheets
http://www.peteducation.com/category_summary.cfm?cat=1831 - caresheets & other info
http://www.kingsnake.com/ - care sheets, classifieds, breeders
Good luck with whichever snake you choose!
2007-02-12 15:02:42 · answer #1 · answered by copperhead 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Corn snakes are excellent starter snakes. Many many beautiful color morphs, they can be easily be kept in a 20-40 gallon tank as adults, aren't super high maintanance, and most take frozen/thawed mice no problem. They won't need anything bigger than a mouse. Do not feed live anyways as it is dangerous to the snake. They get around 3-4 feet long and are generally very docile as adults. Ball pythons are "nice" snakes, but they can have feeding issues which would drive me up the wall. I have owned a Brazilian rainbow boa, a jungle carpet python, and a boa constrictor imperator and I like the rainbow boa and the BCI the best, but they are not the best of snakes unless you do several months of research first.
2007-02-12 14:59:04 · answer #2 · answered by Cave Canem 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
i would recommend a ball python for you. They are usually very mild tempered snakes, especially if you handle your snake regularly. You can train it to eat frozen/thawed mice, fresh killed, or live. They do not get very big...6 feet or so max so you can keep it in a large aquarium. The snake will need a place to hide, preferrably like...a log cut in half that it can get under. They actually sell these at pet stores. They are made out of resin material...like plastic. Much better than the real thing because with a real log you run the risk of introducing mites to the snake. Also, the resin is SO much easier to clean if the snake messes on it. VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: You will need a heat source...best bet is a heating pad set on low UNDER the aquarium (not in it). If you put the hiding log over the heat source, your snake will really enjoy it! The heat source is ESSENTIAL. It helps the snake digest its food. Since snakes are cold-blooded, they must have the outside heat source or they will become impacted (severely constipated) and die. Also, fresh water should be available at all times. Sometimes the snake will want to curl up in the water bowl right before it sheds so the bowl needs to be stable and large enough for the snake to fit in. Snakes do not have to eat very often...once a week or so. In colder months, less frequently is okay, but don't go longer than 3 weeks.
And you thought YOU were rambling! ;) Hey...if you have any other questions i have not covered here, feel free to contact me! Best wishes!
2007-02-12 14:56:15 · answer #3 · answered by fair blue 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well i have a Keenya sand boa. I like them a lot because they have beautiful colors and they are the smallest boas. They wont get over 3 ft and they can live in a 10 gallon tank all there lives. they are pretty easy to take care of.
Garder snakes are cool cause they fish, not mice. They are really thin so they could get lost easily, especially since the mover really fast.
Hog nose snakes are the same size/ smaller than the Sand boa. They eat frogs, rodents and even other snakes. One cool fact is they will play dead if frighten. I would recommend a Western hog nose snake because Eastern hog nosed are know for hissing and puffing up, like a rattle snake (they are harmless)
These are my three chocies for snakes. I hope i helped you. Feel free to E mial if you have any animal questions.
2007-02-12 17:05:38 · answer #4 · answered by Aural Thanes 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Almost any snake you get will need to eat rodents, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Finding a snake that eats crickets, not going to happen. Ribbon snakes (garter snakes) eat fish, worms, and tadpoles. However some of them can get big enough that they will need rodents. If you want something that does not eat rodents and that not many people have, look into african egg eating snakes. As long as you have a source for eggs I think this would be a good (and uncommon) pick. I hope some day to add a couple to my collection. First Link has information on egg eaters, second link sells quail eggs. Enjoy.
2007-02-12 15:06:27 · answer #5 · answered by reverend_atrox 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i'd flow ball python, and then detect a puppy sore that sells the pinky frozen mice and a few tongs handy the snake the mouse with. maximum snakes will take pre killed prey, yet human beings basically prefer to offer them stay prey. Your mom and father could have an argument with you retaining frozen lifeless mice, so which you will could purchase a million at a time and via the time you get homestead it would be thawed. you may flow with a corn snake yet maximum adolescents like your self p.c. a puppy they'd carry, and my understanding is that corn snakes reject human interaction and could bite you constantly. in case you nonetheless have bunnies and hamsters, and you get the ball python, in no way puppy the bunny or hamster and then flow puppy the snake, the snake will scent the dander and blunder your hand for a yummy mouse.
2016-10-02 01:24:41 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a corn snake and a ball python are good choices as they are one of the easiest but are also none agressive. they both eat mice and rats - you can buy packs of frozen ones if you don't fancy giving them live ones. with live mice/rats they can attack or even kill a snake. they both grow to about 6 foot long. a good corn snake breeder is angel fox at cornsnake.co.uk but i am not sure on breeders on ball pythons. corn snakes come in lots of types of colour morphs and are very atractive but a ball python just comes in one colour. they don't normally bite and can live for 20 years and more. i hope my info has helped.
2007-02-13 01:31:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Corn snakes, King snakes and Ball Pythons make good pets and you can feed them frozen mice(thawed out). I use to have my boyfriend feed the snakes that I rescued, but evenually I started doing it but I just throw them in and run I don't stay to watch.
2007-02-12 15:33:40 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i have a few corn snakes i think they are great and easy to maintain check out http://www.cornsnakes.com for more info cornsnakes.com is a fantastic message board with helpful members that will answer any queston you may have
2007-02-12 15:18:52 · answer #9 · answered by skullmaster 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
u sould prolly get a corn snake..they do not get big and wen u buy tha babies they eat crickets and as adults they eat pinkies(frozen baby mice)so they are generally easy
2007-02-12 15:15:34 · answer #10 · answered by hopeless_romantic_♥ 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋