Can anyone reccomend a certain breed of snake?

Question

My friend is planning on purchasing a snake, she is going for her number one repile liscence (we live in australia), the snakes allowed with that liscence are..
Black-headed Python
Green Tree Snake
Children’s Python
Water Python
Eastern Small-blotched Python
Olive Python
Pygmy Python
Large-blotched Python
Centralian Carpet Python
Carpet and Diamond Python complex
Jungle Carpet Python
South-western Carpet Python
Coastal Carpet Python
Carpet/Diamond Python (natural intergrade)
Carpet Python
Diamond Python
North-western Carpet Python
Slate-grey Snake

If anyone with any knowledge in snakes could reccomend a breed it would be very helpful, as this is going to be her first snake and although we have reasearched alot she still cannot make up her mind!

These snakes are all non vennomous btw

Answer 1

I would concur that the Children's would be an excellent choice for a first snake as well as the Spotted python ( which you have listed under the common name Eastern small blotched). They are undemanding in their husbandry and remain a very manageable size. They are two of my favourite species and are great little snakes. The Carpets are beautiful and would be a good choice for a second snake once some experience is gained.

Answer 2

To answer the gentleman previously, ball pythons are not on the list since they are not indigenous to Australia as all of the previously mentioned species are. In order of the top four preference for a beginner herpetoculturist are:
1. Childrens Python {Antaresia Childreni} They are a small species with a maximum length of 1.4 m. They are easy to care for, they do well in a semi arid environment and can easily handle very large temperature variations.
2. Large Blotched {Antaresia Stimsoni} The only difference to the aforementioned Childrens is a slightly larger overall size.
3. Pygmy or Anthill python {Antaresia Perthensis} With a maximum length of about .8 m the only negative is the size of the neonates {hatchlings}. They are often difficult to get started feeding. Otherwise very simple care like the two aforementioned members of the genus.
4. Any members of the Carpet python complex {Morelia Spilotes Sp;} They range from the Jungle carpet {Morelia Spilotes Cheynii} at the small end of the spectrum at 2m to the Coastal carpet python {Morelia Spilotes McDowelli} the largest and least colorful member of the genus with a maximom size of 3.2 m. All are very hardy species that can tolerate a broad range of temperatures and humidity levels with Jungle carpet being the most humid tolerant as well as the most vibrantly colored.

I did not look up this info, it is knowledge I have derived from 20 years keeping and breeding a large variety of boas and pythons.

Edit:
The slate Grey snake {Stegonotus Culcullatus} is not a good choice being primarily a frog feeder. They also need it quite humid, they also attain 1.4 metres in length.

Answer 3

Pythons are not the easiest snakes to keep, but of the ones listed, the children's would probably be the best. They don't get extremely large and don't have as much requirements as far as humidity etc. the a lot of the other do. Jungles, carpets and some of the other pythons get quite long. Not necessarily big bodied, but long. The slate-grey snake would be another good idea as it is a colubrid and most colubrids are easy to care for. They don't get super large either-only reaching a little over 4 ft. Probably would be the easiest of the bunch to keep. Most likely similar to our cornsnakes here. The green tree snake, while beautiful is primarily a frog and lizard eater which might make it difficult to change over to rodents.

Answer 4

first snake then buy a children's python because it is friendly and mild tempered. great looking snake on a budget jungle carpet python. Experience snake handler with the money to spend Green Tree Snake. when buying a snake don't get caught up on the looks and colors ask your self can you handle it as an adult by yourself

Answer 5

is there a reason i don't see ball python on the list? well if not then i recomend those. they come in several interesting color morphs prices ranging from 35 - 15,000 dollars. The will not bite they will roll into a tight ball when threatened as their name suggests. The oldest living one one record i think was 46.

Answer 6

Dogs & cats are more fun to have. Forget the snakes, they'll make your room stink anyway.

Answer 7

oh darn i was just gonna suggest the King Cobra

Answer 8

Go with the bite-free kind. I heard they are safer.

Answer 9

copperheads are free in Maryland !

Answer 10

what about garter snakes?