Best first snake

[bball4life]

This is for me, and other people who do not have snakes and are wondering the same thing. In all of you opinions what is the best first snake someone can get? If you pick other please say.

 

[Mooing Tricycle]

Corns and Kings are good first snakes too. Its really up to your preference and what you like better.

 

[ms_terese]

I selected "other python" because I think established Childrens, Spotteds, or Cape York Spotteds are excellent first snakes. Manageable size, typically non-aggressive, easy keepers, and very active.

 

[Jake The Snake]

I want to say rtb because of my great luck with them. All 3(soon 4) are tame as can be and always great feeders. If you have the space and feel comfortable housing a medium-large snake, I day go for a red tail boa. If you don't feel comfortable housing a red tail, I'd go with a smaller colubrid or even some sort of smaller python

 

[bball4life]

I was also thinking of a rosy boa

 

[hhmoore]

I think that for a first snake, I would have to go with a more general classification of North American colubrids (though there is nothing wrong with South or Central American versions). I say this because the husbandry requirements are easily maintained/managed. The fact that they rarely require supplemental heat (and when they do, their needs are easily met), they generally do fine under a wide range of temp/humidity conditions, and they are very hardy creatures really does make them the ideal choice. Throw in the array of sizes and colors available, and there really is something for everyone. (not to mention that a snake that actually moves around a lot is more interesting to newer hobbiests)

 

[fuscusking13]

Well I have to say I am glad to see people not reccomending ball pythons. Everyone always says they are great first snakes, however anyone who has ever had one knows this is not true. They can be very difficult to acclimate, difficult to get to feed and even harder to maintain them feeding. They seem to do best in rack systems, but who is going to get a setup where they cant view their snake when its their first one and a pet. I also have seen my fair share of downright nasty ball pythons, evil little bastards from time to time lol. I think corns are hands down the best choice. Kings are good too, but they can be a bit moodier than corns, although either ones bite is not a big deal anyway(well I have never been bitten by a corn, so I guess I am assuming lol). As with any new animal I always reccomend extensive research and making sure you are ready to handle the responsibility. You will find that snakes are awesome pets for the right people, so long as you understand their needs. Good luck, Dan M.

 

[AncientDNA]

Coastal rosies are pretty 'bullet proof' as rosies go, but I'm sort of biased...

 

[Randy27]

I've got to agree with the aforementioned Spotteds/Childrens pythons. Hardy, small, very active and handleable. Great snakes with great dispositions, what more could you ask? I believe corns would be my next choice, though.

 

[sschind]

I voted for kingsnake but I will add a qualifier. I think the best snakes are the mountain kings. Maybe not any of the CA mt kings because of their expense, but the best snake I have ever owned is a AZ. mt. king. I also love the Chihuahua mt kings and the Mexican mt kings (thayeri) In my experience they are not nearly as flighty as babies as the cornsnakes and are far less pron to musk or bite than some of the other kingsnakes (cal kings, easterns etc.)

As far as no one mentioning BPs (well there were 4 votes when I voted but I suspect a couple of them were simply in response to Dan's post) I dare say that no one would recomend a non established, non feeding snake as a first snake. I wouldn't recommend any snake that has not eaten at least 4 consecutive feedings as a first snake. It doesn't matter what species it is. If a BP is feeding and established I see no reason why they can't be purchased as a first snake. the problem is with dishonest sellers who sell non eating crap without disclosing that information.

If someone wants a larger snake I would suggest a Dumeril's boa. They don't seem to get quite as large as a red tail and they seem to me to have a much more calm disposition They can present more feeding challenges but if you are aware of them its no problem.

I don't think there is any one species that you can say is the best beginner snake. The most important factors are

1. What do you like. If you buy a corn snake because everyone says its the best but you really don't like corn snakes are you going to give it the attention it deserves.

2. What can you care for. This is closely tied to #1. You might really like rattlesnakes or African rock pythons but can you care for them safely.

3. Is the snake well established and feeding. There are many snakes that would fit into the category of "best" first snake if they are established. As I said before, if this is your first snake I wouldn't recommend ANYTHING on the poll if it was not well established and feeding consistently.

Steve

 

[fuscusking13]

Steve, while I agree it makes a huge difference if a snake is feeding I still think a ball is a poor choice. Most people looking to get a snake want to handle it alot. Even an established feeding ball can have a world of problems. Even though it is established, when you buy it you take it out of its established environment and put it in a new setup, with most likely different humidity and temp levels(even if only a little bit off a snake will notice the difference. Then you start taking it out of its cage everyday and trying to feed it, good luck. Ball pythons stress over nothing, let alone all these changes. I have worked with 100's of different ball pythons, and have only ever seen two that ate every feeding day unless in shed. Most shut down for the winter, which freaks people out if they arent prepared for this. Yes corns would normally too, but if you dont drop the temp they will normally keep feeding, whereas a ball will do it without any temp change, and sometimes even before sexually mature. I have seen some captive bred balls, that still live in the same place that ate great for about 6 months, and are now 4 years old and still not over 1500 grams(females) because they will only eat a few times a year, and freak out if you try to feed them, let alone handle them. And these are captive bred animals that have never been moved out of the room they were born in!!!!! Just imagine if you changed their environment how much worse it could be. I know there are exceptions. From time to time a miracle happens and you can go out and get a ball and it feeds and doesnt stress, but thats not often in my experiance. All in all I think there are tons of snakes that make a much better first one than a ball. This is just my opinion, and I know there are many who will disagree, but this is based on years of experiance with this species, and these reasons are why I am not a big fan of BP's. Take care, Dan M.

 

[Mooing Tricycle]

I have to say, since a Ball Python was my first... well... python .. That BP's DO make good first snakes. You just have to understand their needs. and not stress if they don't eat. and not stress them out trying to GET them to eat. They will eat.... in their own time.

They do make good first snakes, but i would call them... an advanced beginner snake. because if you get them from the wrong people ( crappy breeders/wild caught/chain pets stores) they can be horrible pets to keep. Best to get them from someone who knows the species well, and works with all of their animals very often.

They're hardy snakes, and will do fine even if they miss a winters worth of meals. ( its not FUN, not technically good, but the snake rarely suffers any long term effects because of it) Again, Husbandry is key, and watching your snake and monitoring its weight is a great idea, and can tell you if your animal is losing weight because of not feeding. So long as it isn't substantial rapid losses of weight, they're fine.

They're kinda like Betta fish, leave em alone with all the stuff they need, and they're set. Mess with them(trying to get to eat when they don't want to) and change things around constantly and they're hard to get back on track.

BUT, thats not to say you cannot handle them and theyre no good for it.
when you have a very well tempered animal, they're wonderful to hold, and usually tolerate it pretty darn well.
of course there are always some animals who would just rather hide( weve all got some!), and those, are best left alone, but ive got a few critters here that seem to enjoy ( as much as a snake can) exploration, and a change of scenery.

They're a snake you need to go and check out. Visit the persons facility/home and play with the animals you're going to maybe take home. thats really the best way to determine which animal will be the one for you. if you don't like them in person, check out something else. There are so many different species of snake out there, and SO many different colors and temperaments, you're BOUND to find the snake that is 100% perfect for you.

 

[kustom]

ball pythons are great first snakes. it is what i chose to start with. they are very non-aggressive, feed very easy, and usually don't mind being handled. mine hate when i put them up. they are easy to care for and do not require a lot of work.

 

[romad119]

Is not a certain species IMO. It's a snake that you like enough that you will continue to care for it when it becomes 'boring'. Its the snake that you will do more then the minimum for and will go above and beyond to care for it and meets its needs.

 

[sschind]

Dan,

Good points and I do tend to agree with you. If people are open to suggestions I usually will try to steer them away from a ball as a first snake for the very reasons you point out. However, after a person has been educated about the downside and they still have their heart set on a BP for their first pet, I think that it is more important that they be sold a well established ball python rather than trying to talk them into something else.

 

[blueapplepaste]

My vote is corn snake. They're hardy, have easy requirements, stay relatively small, are tolerent of "beginner husbandry" and mistakes, readily eat, are very docile, affordable, and come in a zillion color and pattern mutations that there's pretty much something that would appeal to anyone.

 

[kepster57]

^^Nothing can be said that tops that, so I'll leave it go.

 

[Nickysticky10]

I think red tailed boas, ball pythons and corn snakes are some of the best beginner snakes, it all depends on what you like really, big snake, small snake, best tempered snake, its just a personal preference.

 

[whippet]

I myself had a cornsnake first. I wish I had never gotten her. She is flightly and hates to be held. She is too quick and makes people around me like my spouse frighted. Balls are my second snake. They are calm..slow...and very entertaining. They at least are visible...my corn spends all day under the bedding. But yes....people need to do LOTS of research before buying any snakes.

 

[snake5007]

Is not a certain species IMO. It's a snake that you like enough that you will continue to care for it when it becomes 'boring'. Its the snake that you will do more then the minimum for and will go above and beyond to care for it and meets its needs.

I'd give you some karma for this statement if i could.

I voted corn snake, mainly for temperament, ease of husbandry etc. Plus there are lots of affordable morphs to choose from.