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Old 11-23-2011, 11:06 PM   #1
oxeimon
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