saltynewbie
Member
i am thinking about getting a snake... what would be the best beginner snake? and for all of you snake owners, how many times have you been bitten? i just wanted to know where to start my research! thanks everyone!
what is a good beginner snake?
- Thread starter saltynewbie
- Start date
D
daniel411
Guest
A ball python, I've never been bit (by a snake). However I've been pecked by them. Basically they hit you with their head to warn you.
polarpooch
Active Member
I only just got my snakes
, so I am still a newbie. I was told by a lot of people that corn snakes are good beginner snakes, and ball pythons if they are captive bred...
I haven't been bitten (yet).
, so I am still a newbie. I was told by a lot of people that corn snakes are good beginner snakes, and ball pythons if they are captive bred...I haven't been bitten (yet).
Ball pythons are nice snakes tempermentally, but difficult feeders. They can be very finicky in this area.
Also, any python gets large. The ball pythons are the smallest of the giant snakes, growing to around 5 feet. Thus, you must thing about your ability to comfortabily house a large snake if you are going that route.
There are snake BB's that you might try out by doing a Search.
Also, any python gets large. The ball pythons are the smallest of the giant snakes, growing to around 5 feet. Thus, you must thing about your ability to comfortabily house a large snake if you are going that route.
There are snake BB's that you might try out by doing a Search.
lovethesea
Active Member
hmmm :thinking:
NONE!!
:scared:
:nervous:
NONE!!
:nervous:
kittykitty
Member
I'm going to have to say that Ball Pythons, while they are a very docile snake, are NOT good beginner snakes. They tend to refuse to eat very often.
Most people that buy their first snake feed it live mice, and when the snake doesn't eat the mouse right away, will leave the mouse in the cage until the snake does eat it. This causes problems, as leaving the mouse in the cage with the snake can be potentially harmful. Mice get bored just like we do, and when there's nothing else to do, there's always a tasty snake to gnaw on.
Whatever you get, PLEASE feed it frozen/thawed mice. The reason that I say a ball python is not a beginner snake is because 9 times out of 10, the snake won't take a frozen/thawed or pre-killed mouse right away. It really takes a lot of patience and time to get a ball python to start eating.
I say go with a cornsnake, milksnake, kingsnake, or a sand boa. All easy to take care of, and MOST of them have good temperments. Corn and king babies can be a bit nippy, but will get used to you after a while, and their teeth aren't even large enough to break skin.
I've been bitten by snakes hundreds of times. All kinds of them... a viper boa, redtailed boas, cooks tree boas, corn snakes, ball pythons, milk snakes, kingsnakes, rainbow boas, and lots of others. The only one that hurt was the cooks tree boa. Those things have HUGE sharp teeth.
Most people that buy their first snake feed it live mice, and when the snake doesn't eat the mouse right away, will leave the mouse in the cage until the snake does eat it. This causes problems, as leaving the mouse in the cage with the snake can be potentially harmful. Mice get bored just like we do, and when there's nothing else to do, there's always a tasty snake to gnaw on.
Whatever you get, PLEASE feed it frozen/thawed mice. The reason that I say a ball python is not a beginner snake is because 9 times out of 10, the snake won't take a frozen/thawed or pre-killed mouse right away. It really takes a lot of patience and time to get a ball python to start eating.
I say go with a cornsnake, milksnake, kingsnake, or a sand boa. All easy to take care of, and MOST of them have good temperments. Corn and king babies can be a bit nippy, but will get used to you after a while, and their teeth aren't even large enough to break skin.
I've been bitten by snakes hundreds of times. All kinds of them... a viper boa, redtailed boas, cooks tree boas, corn snakes, ball pythons, milk snakes, kingsnakes, rainbow boas, and lots of others. The only one that hurt was the cooks tree boa. Those things have HUGE sharp teeth.
cincyreefer
Active Member
get a pit viper! Mine likes to lick my nose! :cheer:
T
tizzo
Guest
You CAN'T get a snake. Not if your a mongoose herder...:scared:
kittykitty
Member
Originally posted by cincyreefer
get a pit viper! Mine likes to lick my nose! :cheer:
There's gonna be SOMEONE that sees that that has no idea what you're talking about and goes into the pet store like..."ummm... you guys got any pit vipers? I hear they're friendly..."
saltynewbie
Member
haha... my mongoose heard stays in another room... they will never see each other
i think i know a little bit more about snakes than to go into the pet store and ask for a pit viper... lol...
they have a tiny king snake in the LFS where i go to school... but... im gonna do alot more reading and research before i make a choice.. thanks everyone!!!
i think i know a little bit more about snakes than to go into the pet store and ask for a pit viper... lol...
they have a tiny king snake in the LFS where i go to school... but... im gonna do alot more reading and research before i make a choice.. thanks everyone!!!
kittykitty
Member
I REALLY urge you to check out www.kingsnake.com's forums. (They're not just forums for kingsnakes) They have a forum for just about every reptile you can buy in the store, and lots of knowledgable people.
Good Luck.
Good Luck.
unknown
Member
I would not suggest this as you first snake but further down the road look at a emerald tree boa. They can be very docile and make great additions. I just got mine about a week ago and he has not eatin a full fuzzy (Frozen mouse with hair) yet but I do know they eat birds so I am gong to look for Small cheap finchs and such. I know I know Not the best idea but I want to get him eating first then slowly switch him over.
Hope you enjoy your first one. They are always the best.
Vince.:happyfish
Hope you enjoy your first one. They are always the best.
Vince.:happyfish
polarpooch
Active Member
Vince (and I don't mean to hijack the thread!),
My boyfriend wants a Green Tree Python or Emerald Tree Boa...where did you get yours? If I can ask, how much was it?
We have a large enclosure and fogger shipping next week to us, taller than wide, and would be quite suitable for arboreals. I wanted to use it for our BRB, but now he's talking about tree boas and pythons (*sigh).
He's had all kinds of snakes before, but never the tropical tree snakes.
My boyfriend wants a Green Tree Python or Emerald Tree Boa...where did you get yours? If I can ask, how much was it?
We have a large enclosure and fogger shipping next week to us, taller than wide, and would be quite suitable for arboreals. I wanted to use it for our BRB, but now he's talking about tree boas and pythons (*sigh).
He's had all kinds of snakes before, but never the tropical tree snakes.
snakes'n'fish
Member
Polar, just a note. Emerald boas and Green tree pythons are not an easy snake to care for. They are so sensitive to there surrounding. If your BF wants a tree boa go with an amazon tree boa. They are colorful and will give him a good taste to see if he wants to move on. They are a cheaper than GTP or EB, but act just like them. GTP, ATB and EB are well known as face biter's. Most people build or buy large and tall cages so the animal can climb. Most first timers tend to forget that when you open the enclosure that the snake is at face level. If they feel threatened in the least they will strike. They have enlarged cainines to hold on to prey in the trees, let me tell you from experience, I got tagged by a 6 foot EB in the neck .... THAT HURT LIKE [BEEP-BEEP BLANKETY BEEP!!!!!!] ( < you can fill in your words of choice ... I probably said them anyway). Also they tend to be difficult feeders at first. Basicily make sure he is ready for a high maintance animal.
<by UNKNOWN> I just got mine about a week ago and he has not eatin a full fuzzy (Frozen mouse with hair) yet but I do know they eat birds so I am gong to look for Small cheap finchs and such. I know I know Not the best idea but I want to get him eating first then slowly switch him over.
Unknown, Don't go to birds yet. Once they get on them some snakes are REALLY hard to get back to rodents. Try feeding him in the dark. Give your self light so you can see what is going on nad yet the snake is going to feel secure. Birds in general do not make a good choice for captive snakes. The feathers can cause a number of real nasty problems. Even wild GTP or EB do not feed exclusively on birds, there diet varys from rodents, small monkeys and lizards and every once in a while catching a bird. Save your self the money and the problems, try the dark idea.
And just to show a pick of an emerald tree boas teeth here is a pic of my desktop scanned in from the book THE ATLAS OF SNAKES OF THE WORLD. Good book !!
Hope some of this helps.
-Brian
P.S. This is why you dont want to get tagged in the face by one.... OUCH !!
<by UNKNOWN> I just got mine about a week ago and he has not eatin a full fuzzy (Frozen mouse with hair) yet but I do know they eat birds so I am gong to look for Small cheap finchs and such. I know I know Not the best idea but I want to get him eating first then slowly switch him over.
Unknown, Don't go to birds yet. Once they get on them some snakes are REALLY hard to get back to rodents. Try feeding him in the dark. Give your self light so you can see what is going on nad yet the snake is going to feel secure. Birds in general do not make a good choice for captive snakes. The feathers can cause a number of real nasty problems. Even wild GTP or EB do not feed exclusively on birds, there diet varys from rodents, small monkeys and lizards and every once in a while catching a bird. Save your self the money and the problems, try the dark idea.
And just to show a pick of an emerald tree boas teeth here is a pic of my desktop scanned in from the book THE ATLAS OF SNAKES OF THE WORLD. Good book !!
Hope some of this helps.
-Brian
P.S. This is why you dont want to get tagged in the face by one.... OUCH !!
beachbumtx
Member
Hiya!,
I had different species of snakes during the past 5 years. The one I like the best was a desert kingsnake. Most kingsnakes are nervous and emitt a musk when threten. However, the desert kingsnake had never once musked on me. However, this could be just particular to that individual. In the past, I have had a TX Longnose (still have it), Mexican milksnake, TX patchnose, Eastern Hognose (difficult to find the proper food sourse - small toads), checkered garter snake, Gulf coast ribbon snake, Great plains glossy snake, various ratsnakes, and a western diamondback rattlesnake.
By far, kingsnakes are the easiest snakes to maintain. They can become quite docile and eventually learn not to musk when handled.
I had different species of snakes during the past 5 years. The one I like the best was a desert kingsnake. Most kingsnakes are nervous and emitt a musk when threten. However, the desert kingsnake had never once musked on me. However, this could be just particular to that individual. In the past, I have had a TX Longnose (still have it), Mexican milksnake, TX patchnose, Eastern Hognose (difficult to find the proper food sourse - small toads), checkered garter snake, Gulf coast ribbon snake, Great plains glossy snake, various ratsnakes, and a western diamondback rattlesnake.
By far, kingsnakes are the easiest snakes to maintain. They can become quite docile and eventually learn not to musk when handled.
saltynewbie
Member
wow... those are some pretty aggressive chompers!
beachbum... i think im gonna let you keep all of the rattlers you want...
beachbum... i think im gonna let you keep all of the rattlers you want...
polarpooch
Active Member
Brian,
I passed along your message. I thank you for the info. He's jotted it down in his tree snake file for reference.
He really wants a tree boa or pythonand I have little say in the matter. But with teeth like that, I won't be the one feeding it...no way. I don't think I would be able to tolerate the pain until someone "carefully removed the snake" from MY neck.
You know this all started with one comment I made while watching a show on snakes on Animal Planet. I said "I wouldn't mind getting a snake--as long as it didn't get to be 15 feet long". I love my ball python, and our BRB is doing really well, and is really a nice little snake...but wow. Now he wants to recreate his snake haven he had a few years ago.
So help me, though, if he starts talking about retic. pythons, we're going to have some words. (I just like my dog too much for that!)
I passed along your message. I thank you for the info. He's jotted it down in his tree snake file for reference.
He really wants a tree boa or pythonand I have little say in the matter. But with teeth like that, I won't be the one feeding it...no way. I don't think I would be able to tolerate the pain until someone "carefully removed the snake" from MY neck.
You know this all started with one comment I made while watching a show on snakes on Animal Planet. I said "I wouldn't mind getting a snake--as long as it didn't get to be 15 feet long". I love my ball python, and our BRB is doing really well, and is really a nice little snake...but wow. Now he wants to recreate his snake haven he had a few years ago.
So help me, though, if he starts talking about retic. pythons, we're going to have some words. (I just like my dog too much for that!)
saltynewbie
Member
how in the world would you remove him if he bit you? they lady at a pet store that used to be here in town said that a reticulated python bit her on the leg one time and she had to get stitches... sounds bad!
kittykitty
Member
That would be a terrible bite. Was it a big retic? They can get up to 30 feet long.