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good beginner snake besides...

I've said it before and I'll say it again... I think Children's pythons, Spotted pythons, and Cape York Spotted pythons are great beginner snakes. They aren't too large, are typically docile, and very hardy. Get a good quality feeding baby, and you'll be good to go.
 
There are all kinds of good "beginner" snakes...depending on what you like, what you have room for, and what you can afford (this includes feeding and housing, too). If you don't want to deal with the temperature requirements of tropical species, or you like a more active snake - stick with colubrids (rats, kings/milks, bulls/pines, etc). If you don't mind having to provide higher temps & humidity there are a wide selection of boas and pythons that are suitable for someone just entering the hobby. Just take your time and don't jump too far, too fast...its addicting.

I know I really didn't offer much in the way of an answer, and that was (at least somewhat) intentional. Often times, the terms "beginner" and "starter" snake are used when what the person really means is "something to practice on til I can get/figure out what I want. I generally disagree with type of logic. Snakes live a long time, and shouldn't be considered disposable pets (not saying that YOU were thinking along those lines). There is also enough information available now that many of the "hard to keep" snakes can be kept by just about anybody that is willing to do the research and put a bit of effort into things. If you would like to tell us what you are looking for in a snake, I'm sure more suggestions and discussion will be forthcoming.
 
I am looking for a snake that doesnt get too big, maybe the size of a cornsnake, or maybe a little bigger. I really do not ming the higher temps. Something that wouldnt have to eat live rats, but could maybe stick to pinkies for awhile. That probably narrowed the search down alot with the pinkies.
 
If you want to start with pnkies, and stick with them for awhile, you are limiting things considerably, lol. Childrens, spotted and CY spotted, and Savu pythons certainly fit those limitations, but they will be smaller than your average cornsnake (and don't stay on pinks all that long, unless you choose to feed multiple pinks vs moving up in prey size). Given the size range you want to stay within, I would suggest looking into the above named pythons...as well as a variety of rats, milks, and kings. If you want a little bigger tnan a corn, you could consider bulls/pines/gophers. There are also some dwarf boa species that are growing in popularity that should stay in the described size range. Caulker Cay boas, for example.
 
hhmoore said:
If you want to start with pnkies, and stick with them for awhile, you are limiting things considerably, lol. Childrens, spotted and CY spotted, and Savu pythons certainly fit those limitations, but they will be smaller than your average cornsnake (and don't stay on pinks all that long, unless you choose to feed multiple pinks vs moving up in prey size). Given the size range you want to stay within, I would suggest looking into the above named pythons...as well as a variety of rats, milks, and kings. If you want a little bigger tnan a corn, you could consider bulls/pines/gophers. There are also some dwarf boa species that are growing in popularity that should stay in the described size range. Caulker Cay boas, for example.
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I thought they got bigger thne a corn, and i have herd that they were nasty?
 
I would say go for a sand boa. they dont get very big, and you can be sure that youll be feeding pinkies or fuzzys to it for the rest of its life. Theyre good snakes and awsomely colored, you just have to find the right breeder. ^_^

also, why not a ball python? theyre really wonderful animals and just because theyre the "norm" for a beginner, dosnt mean at all that theyre JUST for beginners. they have their moments during the winter, with not feeding ans whatnot, but overall theyre deff. a snake i would recommend over any other!

the thing about feeding live is, you dont have to. frozen dead prey is available that you would thaw out in hot water ( never a microwave >_<) so you wouldnt have to worry about that bit. But dont buy from a pet store buy from here at fauna or over at kingsnakes. there are awsome breeders/people here who know alot and truly care for their animals!
 
cornsnakekid92 said:
I thought they got bigger thne a corn, and i have herd that they were nasty?
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I'm guessing that this is in reference to Savus(?), since you highlighted them in the quote - actually, no, your average cornsnake will be over a foot longer than your average Savu python. Nasty?? Well, that is a pretty subjective word. Many types of snakes put on a show of aggression when they are babies - we're big, and they are scared of us. Personally, I'm not impressed by the show, and don't consider a snake nasty unless it really puts effort into biting me every chance it gets (or at least on a regular basis). Baby Savus are like baby carpets (and baby lots of other things, lol) - very attuned to movement, and as babies may strike frequently...but that doesn't mean they actually bite, lol. Baby carpets, they bite. Leave them alone for a little while, feed them, and they grow out of it in short order.
 
I agree with the sand boa, they are really nice looking color and all and that definatly fits your feeding area! Find a really good breeder though(for whatever you decide). Good luck! Shanell.
 
I looked up on the sand boas they are really nice, I like the color. I have heard about the dwarf boa species too, I actually found a breeder who has a lot of babies and adults right now. The only reason I said "besides ball pythons" is because I already know about them, and am still considering them, it is not because I would not get one, infact they are on the top of my list, I just wanted to broaden my horizon I guess you should say. Oh also I thought that a lot of people have a hard time getting ball pythons to eat frozen.
 
that depends on the snake, and the person. I have a bunch of '05s (a mix of CB and CH), and at one point I had them all on f/t prey. I accidently turned off the heat to 2 shelves one night, and two of them went off f/t...well, for the most part, lol. One of them will occasionally take a f/t rat pup, the other occasionally takes a dry defrosted medium sized mouse...they'll come around again in due time, I'm more stubborn than they are.
 
I Would try to use F/T first but if it refuses it is better to feed it live, then try to switch it over later, thne to let it starve.
 
That depends on the age, and feeding habits, of the snake. Babies of some species will readily take f/t, even for their first meal...others can be expected to hold out for live. In those instances, it is essentially a waste of time and money to persist in offering f/t at each feeding. Get them feeding regularly, first - a strong feeding response is your best friend when trying to convert to f/t. My CH balls had been fed live up until my purchase, but they were all good feeders. Most of them took f/t immediately, and the rest converted within 2 months (though some initially only fed at every other, or every third offering).
 
bball4life said:
Whats the difference between wester and eastern, and all the others?
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Sorry, but that is asking for far more than just being helpful...too many different kinds, too many differences. If you are THAT interested in hognose snakes, there is a wealth of information available online as well as a number of hognose specific sites.
For size, just to rattle off a few:
southern hognose rarely exceed 18-20 inches
for westerns, 18-24 inches is about average, with some specimens as as large as 3 ft.
easterns are larger still, averaging 2-3 ft, with potential for up to 4.
The Malagasy giant hognose can reach 6ft (+/-)
 
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