help in choosing a first snake

So, I'm looking to buy my first snake. Ideally, they'd satisfy the following conditions:

1. Boa or a python (I just like how they look)

2. Can live in relatively low levels of humidity (40-50%). The higher the humidity, the more random shit that's going to "grow" in his tank, and hence the more often and more carefully I'm going to have to clean it. (or is this not a good way to think about it?)

3. Slim, like a carpet python, yet also short enough (as an adult) that it can live comfortably in a 36"x18"x24" (LxWxH) cage.

4. Calm. (nothing more active than an IJ carpet)

5. Not a burrowing species.

6. Pretty (I like the rings/lateral-stripes that carpet pythons have)


The species that I've considered are:
a) Jungle or IJ carpets: A little large, otherwise perfect
b) Ball python: too thick
c) Red-tail boa : too long
d) Rosy boa: don't like its patterns too much. (Also, does anyone know if snakes that usually brumate during the winter still do it in captivity, with sufficient heat?)
e) Kenyan sand boa: burrows.

Am I missing something? If something like a "dwarf" jungle carpet python exists, I think that would be ideal, but I can't seem to find any...

Also, I'm going to the Hamburg reptile show on December 3rd. Is there anything I should look for while I'm there? (also, do they take credit cards? or do I need to bring cash)

thanks,

- will

A male IJ would probably be perfect for you.

Are you glued to Boas/ Pythons? Corn snakes are good first snakes, slim, don't get TOO huge, and are VERY handsomely marked.

children's or spotted pythons fit in your criteria and they'll top out at only 3 ft or so.

"Dwarf Jungle carpets don't exist.

what about other boas?

I've recently discovered that the nicaraguan boa is usually only around 5 ft long. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find much info on them. How is their temperament? Are they basically the same as normal BCC/BCI's in terms of care/handling?

The other option are the rainbow boas, though apparently they require humidity levels in the 80's. Has anyone here owned a rainbow boa? Have you ever had mold/mildew problems? How often do you do a full cleaning of the tank?

Are there any boa species I've missed?

@Helenthereef - I prefer pythons/boas to colubrids mostly because I've heard that boas/pythons have much slower metabolisms, and hence poop less often. I also like the fact that boa/python heads are distinct from their necks.

- will

I've had a total of 7 Nics over the past few years and all of them were very nippy. IMO wayy more nippy then regular Colombians.

Brazilian Rainbow boas are beautiful and easy to take care of. Amazing animals. I keep mine in a 20 gal long. Repti-bark for substrate. In the beginning she was nippy.....bit the hell out me but i had leather gloves. I handled her ofter for 30 minutes even an hour or more just watching TV. Took a while...but she eased down DRAMATICALLY....now i dont use gloves on her....I feed my animals in the cage so their food instincts may jump ahead of them but once out of the cage.....they are fine. Brazilian Rainbow boa....good choice.

oh..no mildew issues....i sprayed them once a day....Just you need a good water bowl...do not neglect them water