pet snakes?

Question

i want to buy a snake for the first time has any one got any suggestions. i was thinking about a ball python, corn snake, normal boa constrictor or a rough green snake.

Answer 1

For a first timer I would recommend a corn snake. Although ball pythons are supposed to be good starter snakes, I find a lot of people have problems getting them to eat. They are known for going off food for months at a time. Cornsnakes are much easier as far as feeding, husbandry and just about everything. They don't require high temperatures or humdity, almost all will readily take frozen/thawed mice and they are usually quite docile. There are a great many breeders out there of both corns and balls. I would recommend that you purchase your first snake (whatever you choose) from a good breeder. Ball pythons in the petstores are often housed together and many are imported. With the huge amounts of ball pythons and corns being bred these days, there's no reason to buy an import. They have a lot of parasite problems and with a breeder, you will know where it came from, have the history of the parents, know it's feeding and shedding history and have proper instruction on care and support should you need it. Do your homework and make sure that everything is set up properly BEFORE you buy the animal. There is absolutely no excuse for people asking questions about basic husbandry on the animal they bought. There's plenty of info out there on the care of all the animals you've made a possible choice of owning. Look at each, weigh the pros and cons of each. See how much room they require. Boa constrictors for instance, get very large and require large amounts of space to keep them. They also require more people as they get over 6 ft. when feeding or handling for your safety. Rough green snakes require supplementation as they are primarily insect eaters. You don't want the hassle! Out of the four, I'd say ball or corn, and I'm inclined to suggest a corn....but I'm a bit prejudiced :)

Answer 2

The ball python and corn would be good choices for a beginner, also I would consider a kingsnake in the possibilities. If by "normal" boa you're talking a red-tailed boa, these are rather large by the time they're full grown. Not that they're a bad snake to own, just be sure you can house and be willing to handle something that will be 8 -12 feet, as thick around as your arm, and weight 40-60 pounds.

I would suggest leaving the rough green snake out for the present time. I own one, and they can be extremely hard to feed when you first get them, and they don't care to be handled. They also like plenty of places to hide (which is something they do a lot!), so if you're looking for a snake that you can take out and show people, and is easy to care for, this won't be the best choice. If you like these because of the size and not having to feed it rodents, look into a ribbon or garter snake instead - they're about the same size and don't mind being handled as much. These two are more of fish eaters than an insect eater (rough green).

Here are some sources of info for any of these species:
http://www.wnyherp.org/care-sheets/snakes/
http://www.anapsid.org/mainsnakes.html
http://www.kingsnake.com/features.html

Answer 3

A ball python or a corn snake will be your best bet starting out.

Ball pythons are capable of reaching 4-6 feet in length, and can weigh up to 40 lbs. They are very laid back and a wonderful begginner's snake. They have, however, been known to be extremely picky eaters.

Corn snakes can reach up to 6 feet, but are much thinner than a ball python. They're a more common type of snake, but can have several health problems.

Answer 4

you should get a ball python or a corn snake. I'm not a big fan of corn snakes, but their cool. I have a ball python because he's medium in size and bulky and that works for me for now.

Answer 5

Ball pythons are laid back and easy to handle....can be picky eaters. I've had one that would eat the thawed out food, but also had one that would only eat live food. Rat snakes are very active....dart around, a bit hard to handle....but the one I had ate like a champ. Depends on what you plan on doing with it. Overall...I would say a ball python is the best beginning snake.

Answer 6

for your first snake i would buy a ball python or a corn snake they both good snakes i have 1 of each there both good for your first snake

Answer 7

For a fist timer. I would recommend a ball python. Were you thinking a red tail Boa? (Normal Boa) They can get fairly large for a first timer up 20 feet.

Answer 8

im about to get my 1'st snake too and i was reading in a book and it said good choices for a first snake are rat snakes and corn snakes.