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Want to get a first snake and need advice

M

MooLoo

New member
Hello....I would like to get a snake of my own and have never had one. I have done volunteer work at a local zoo/wild animal park and it involved caring for reptiles, using them for educational programs, transporting them and feeding them. My favorite snakes were the gray rat, corn and ball pythons.

I do not want a snake that is skittish and "busy"....so I think that takes care of the rats and corns? I liked the ball pythons more. But I am wondering if there is an easier snake to care for...in terms of heat, humidity, etc.? I like the looks of the milk and king snakes and I like the rosy boas, too.

Any advice you can give would be greatly appreciated and studied.

Thanks...
 
Everyone I have talked to about starting on reptiles has said the same thing-Corn Snakes are the easiest snake to start with. I have heard that from everyone from pet owners to breeders and even a few zookeepers. Corns have the easiest requirements and are very forgiving of mistakes from beginners, provided that the tank is set up well to begin with. While Corns have a reputation for not being as still as the others, the ones I have handled have been just fine and not skittish at all.

Ball Pythons are also supposed to be fine, but I have heard one thing that makes me incredibly wary. They are supposed to be picky eaters-I have known several individuals who have had balls who would stop feeding for a month at a time for no apparent reason, only to randomly resume feed. Just something to think about
 
Well you are right, corns and rats are going to be "busy"

If I had to recommend you a first snake I would say take a look at Kenyan Sand Boas. They have gorgeous colors, have the slow temperament of the boa family AND (best part) they only get around 2' long. You'll also find that in a Rosy Boa, but they are a lot more spendy and less good looking in my opinion.

I have 4 of them. They need the heat to be about 80 degrees and 90 degrees (cool side/warm side) in the tank. And as long as you have a water bowl in there you won't have to worry about the humidity too much.

Anyway, take a look at those. If you decide you want one I have 3 for sale currently. But you also may want to take a look at your local pet store and save on shipping. A few out there carry KSBs.

Good luck! And keep us posted =)

Ali
 
I see you're in Georgia...I would look up your state laws for owning snakes. I'm not sure which ones are legal...but I'm pretty sure cornsnakes are illegal to own in Georgia.

I found the following from http://www.georgiawildlife.org/content/displaycontent.asp?txtDocument=6&txtPage=2

"The following list of species native to Georgia may not be held as a pet regardless of its origin or morphology. Although extensive, this list does not include all native wildlife that is prohibited. If there is any doubt about the legality of possessing any species, contact the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Special Permit Unit.

Reptiles and Amphibians -

Alligator
Alligator Snapping Turtle
Black Racer
Bog Turtle
Box Turtle (Eastern, Florida, Gulf Coast, Three-toed)
Brown Snake
Coachwhip
Corn Snake
Crayfish Snake (Glossy, Striped)
Crowned Snake (Southeastern, Central Florida)
Diamondback Terrapin
Earth Snake (Rough, Smooth)
Fence Lizard
Flatwoods Salamander
Florida Worm Lizard
Garter Snake
Georgia Blind Salamander
Glass Lizard (Eastern, Island, Mimic, Slender)
Gopher Tortoise
Green Anole
Green Salamander
Hellbender
Hognose Snake (Eastern, Southern)
Indigo Snake
Kingsnake (Black, Eastern, Mole, Scarlet)
Map Turtle (Alabama, Barbour's, Common)
Milksnake
Mud Snake
One-toed Amphiuma
Pigeon Mountain Salamander
Pine Snake (Florida, Northern)
Pine Woods Snake
Queen Snake
Rainbow Snake
Rat Snake (Black, Gray, Yellow)
Redbellied Snake
Ribbon Snake
Ringneck Snake
Rough Green Snake
Scarlet Snake
Sea Turtle (Green, Hawksbill, Leatherback, Loggerhead, Ridley)
Six-lined Racerunner
Skink (Broadhead, Coal, Five-lined, Southeastern Five-lined, Ground, Mole)
Spotted Turtle
Striped Newt
Water Snake (Banded, Brown, Florida Green, Northern, Redbelly)
Worm Snake "

I think most exotic species, like the ball python, are ok...but don't quote me on that.
 
Wow, thats unlucky. Zoologygirl is correct. I found this same site from a different link, so its accurate.

I would check and see if you could possibly get a license, but I wouldnt be hopeful. The Kenyan Sand Boa isnt on the list though, the way Zulu puts it that could be an attractive option. There are also a lot of people on this forum who love Mexican Black Kingsnakes, that might be another solid alternative as you could still use this forum to get great information. The people here are wonderful, keeping the resource might be nice. Obviously, its your call.

Good luck!
 
Sorry for the double post. It says on the Georgia post that black kingsnakes are not allowed. However, MBKs are not native to Georgia, so while you would have to check it would almost certainly be ok. If they still dont like it, California Kings are another good beginner snake. Hope this helps
 
Thank you all!

I knew about indigos and some others being illegal in Georgia, but had heard so many people say they had cornsnakes that I thought they must be okay. Good thing you set me on the right path. I will look at the Kenyan Sand Boa.

I definitely do not want a snake that gets too big for one person to handle and have no desire to have a snake that is not for beginners.

I appreciate the suggestions....thank you so much.

MooLoo
 
http://www.petclubuk.com/view/page.do?id=261

I knew nothing about sand boas, so I looked them up for fun. Above is a caresheet printed off by Issue 34 of Reptilia magazine (so likely a credible source)

I would like to add more on the heating section though, as it does not cover it in depth. The caresheet mentions using a heat mat (UTH) along with a thermostat to control the heat. I agree with this. However, the article fails to mention three things about heating I believe to be important based off of experience and research on these forums.

Firstly, the UTH should cover roughly one-third of the tank.

Secondly, the water source in the tank should never be on the warm side where the UTH is. This could crack the tank if you are using glass

Finally, along with the thermostat the heat should be monitered with an indoor/outdoor digital thermometer. The thermometer should have a probe, which would be placed next to the probe that comes with your thermostat. This will tell you exactly what the temperature is.

Whatever you do, do not use a thermometer that does not or is not able to measure the temperature at the source of heat. The reason for this is that you could get an inaccurate reading of a temperature. From personal experience, this can lead to disasterous results. I initially attempted to use a stick on thermometer to measure the temp for my first corn snake. The thermometer, which I got cheaply from PetCo, did not read the heat directly at the heat source and was not well made. It said that the temperature was way too cold. The result was that I panicked, assumed that the thermostat wasnt working properly, and attempted to heat the tank with additional methods-even though the tank was actually at the right temperature. The result was that my baby corn (a beautiful anery hurricane motley) regurged a meal and died a few days later.

The lesson-get a good thermometer and moniter temps carefully.

Sorry for the long post, and good luck!
 
I would hate to live in Georgia! That really stinks that you can't own any of those types of animals there. I wouldn't know what to do if I couldn't have my corn snakes. They are the only snakes that I have ever been interested in. I've tried to get interested in like Ball Pythons and Red tail boas which I see and hold all the time when I am at the pet store. But I'm just not as into them as I am my corns. Good luck , on the snake hunt though and keep us posted on what you decide to get.
 
Like I said, I knew about the Indigos (and I would have one of those in a heartbeat if I could---sooo gorgeous and so gentle, even right out in the middle of the woods. BUT...I am not about to get something illegal...even though when I worked at the zoo and had a corn snake out for shows, it never failed that at least 4 or 5 people would walk up to me and say "oh, I have a bunch of those, can I hold it?" Well, no, they couldn't, but I am surprised they are illegal after hearing all those folks claim to have one.

Still looking....and researching....the Sand Boas are looking pretty good. Saw a Ring Neck Snake (looked more like a worm to me!) and had never heard of them before....anyone have experience with them? They were very colorful in the photos I saw.

Thank you everyone for your patience, suggestions and help. I am reading and studying everything!
 
I need to ask some questions, please. As I said before, I am new to this and do not want to endanger/hurt the snake in any way, shape or fashion.

Sand boas do not need high humidity, right?

They are not REAL picky about temps, right?

They are fairly laid back with the females being the better pet because they do not go "off feed" for no reason as the males seem to? (forgot where I read that..*g*)

Any other words of wisdom? Can you email pics to [email protected]?

Thanks!

Oh....how much and how much is shipping to South Georgia, zip 31774?

Thanks, again.

Martha
 
MooLoo said:
I need to ask some questions, please. As I said before, I am new to this and do not want to endanger/hurt the snake in any way, shape or fashion.

Sand boas do not need high humidity, right?

They are not REAL picky about temps, right?

They are fairly laid back with the females being the better pet because they do not go "off feed" for no reason as the males seem to? (forgot where I read that..*g*)

Any other words of wisdom? Can you email pics to [email protected]?

Thanks!

Oh....how much and how much is shipping to South Georgia, zip 31774?

Thanks, again.

Martha
Click to expand...
They don't need humidity besides a water dish being in there, which is a given ;)

The temperature really does matter though, they won't eat very well if it isn't warm enough. It needs to be 80 degrees on the cool side and 90 degrees on the warm side. I've used a heat pad and a 75 watt red bulb in a small lamp and it keeps the temps perfectly.

I've never had problems with them eating. Male or female.

There is an ad in the "other animals and related items for sale" section by me that has pictures of them. I believe it is even the front one right now. Take a look and PM me if you're interested
 
I have had many ball pythons

i have found Ball pythons are only picky eaters when there habitat is not correct or maybe during mating other than that if all their requirements are met they are eating machines in some case becoming slightly obese. I have had many of them throughout the last 22 yrs and I currently have 2 and one i received after it was 1 week old and the other for over 2 yrs both of which are eating machines, they are a very hearty and docile snake when cared for properly
 
Cared for properly.....I need to ask some questions...

I live in South Georgia, about 200 miles south of Atlanta. Our winters are never harsh, maybe a few short bursts of cold weather. Summers are rather warm. Of course, in the South, it is always humid here.

When I volunteered at Chehaw Park in Albany, Georgia (about 60 miles from me), we took the balls out for shows as long as it was not below 65. They lived in a heated building, with a/c during the hottest summer days. When we transported them for indoor shows and it was cold outside, we carried them in insulated coolers.

I am worried that if I get a ball python, I will not be able to manage the correct temps and humidity for it. My house is, of course, heated and cooled, and it never gets below 65 in it and if I had the ball with a heat source (I think a mat is the best?) would he be okay in there? And for humidity, could I just spritz him with a water bottle about once a week?

I hate to ask all these dumb questions, but it would break my heart to get one of these beautiful snakes and not be able to care for it properly. I know balls are supposed to be fairly easy to keep, I guess I am just overly concerned. I do not want a dead snake.

Thanks for your info, it was very helpful...
 
Basic Ball python care sheet

Temperature:
Daytime temperatures should be maintained at 80° - 85° F with a basking temperature of 90° - 95° F. Nighttime temperatures should be 75° - 80° F.
When providing heat, do NOT use hot rocks.

Humidity:
Keeping the humidity between 60-70%

also make certain they have a hide ( there safe place this is one of the biggest problem that caused balls not to eat many years ago

Also check here:
http://wnyherp.org/care-sheets/snakes/ball-python.php
http://www.anapsid.org/ball.html
 
I must say, I wouldn't recommend a ball python as a beginner snake. They are larger, more expensive, IF they bite it actually hurts, they require much larger vivs... I dunno maybe it's just me, but I would go for something smaller and easier to manage.

But that is just my two cents, in the end it's up to you. You said you have worked with them, so that makes a bit of difference. You know what it's like. Anyway good luck! I'm so excited to hear what you finally choose.
 
Okay, but does temp mean the room they are in has to be 80-85 or is that the temp in their enclosure? Surely that is the temp and humidity that is maintained IN the enclosure, right?

Well, Zulu, to tell you the truth, the ones I worked with never bit me or any of the other volunteers (that I was aware of). The ball pythons there were 3+ feet, if I remember correctly. I like the sand boas, but I think I like a snake with a neck....*g*....pretty stupid reason for deciding between snakes, huh?

Thank you everyone for being so helpful.....I have learned a lot and have been thinking about this decision nearly 24/7.
 
Don't get me wrong I wasn't trying to stereotype, there are many, many peaceful ball pythons. My point was only that IF the snake bites, and it is large and it hurts and it bleeds it can scare a beginner out of snakes. But later in the post I remembered you had worked with them before and wouldn't be as spooky as the average "beginner" Sorry, my brain just bumbles through these posts, I think of things later ;)

And hey if you like necks you like necks what can ya say? =P Hey, I'm not out to sell you my snakes; I want you to get a snake you'll be happy with for 20 years! And I give you kudos for actually THINKING that process through. Many people don't think and do the kind of research you are, and find that they are totally unhappy with their choice or overwhelmed or surprised. Anyway go you! haha..
Ali
 
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