whats a good snake

[xXBlueLipsXx]

Yeah, the borneos usually stay a little smaller, a little over 5 ft average. They are very thick though.

it looks bigger lol then again cause there thick

 

[hhmoore]

Your stated desires make it increasingly difficult to offer recommendations, lol. There just aren't many colorful, exotic looking snakes that reach the size you want.
blue beauty snakes (internet image)

red tailed green rat snakes have the color and size you want - but they (like ETBs and GTPs) have highly specialized care requirements. You said that you don't mind that; but not a lot of people have long term success with them.

carpets I've already suggested - but keep in mind that there are other colors/patterns than the ones I posted

bloods - I'll add a shot of one of my old reds (I prefer the look over Borneo's, personally)

They won't get the length you want; but they're big snakes for their size.

You could also consider Timor pythons; but there's a major commitment in terms of caging as they require roomy caging as juvies and adults.

If you want cool/exotic, Boelen's pythons become available for a brief period each summer. I don't know that the prices are down to your desired range yet, but they could be (I haven't looked at them in a few years)

 

[EmeraldBoid]

Your stated desires make it increasingly difficult to offer recommendations, lol. There just aren't many colorful, exotic looking snakes that reach the size you want.
blue beauty snakes (internet image)

red tailed green rat snakes have the color and size you want - but they (like ETBs and GTPs) have highly specialized care requirements. You said that you don't mind that; but not a lot of people have long term success with them.

carpets I've already suggested - but keep in mind that there are other colors/patterns than the ones I posted

bloods - I'll add a shot of one of my old reds (I prefer the look over Borneo's, personally)

They won't get the length you want; but they're big snakes for their size.

You could also consider Timor pythons; but there's a major commitment in terms of caging as they require roomy caging as juvies and adults.

If you want cool/exotic, Boelen's pythons become available for a brief period each summer. I don't know that the prices are down to your desired range yet, but they could be (I haven't looked at them in a few years)

Carpets get about the size you want, the problem is there are a lot out there that turn into mud bombs as adults and it's getting harder to find real good trophy jungles. Red bloods can be a lot more intense, I have one in shed now who I cannot wait to see and they usually hit the 6ft range, 7 ft is possible but not really expected. I like my moluccan scrub python...looking for her a mate right now. It's very hard to find them CB though, counting me I have only met 3 other people with a planned project around them.

 

[hhmoore]

You can use certain tools if you really want too, you can also just make free standing perches out of PVC pipe or let the branch rest diagonally. Are you still thinking of the carpet? I started with a ball python and always recommend them to people at some point.

Given the desired features, a normal isn't likely to get a second look...but there are all sorts of color and pattern variations to consider.
(forgive the last pic - it's an older one, and he was a little dirty pre shed...I just didn't feel like taking new pics)

 

[SamBob]

Wow what morph was the last picture??

 

[hhmoore]

pastel lesser enchi

 

[Pmsayi]

I've kept ETB's in the past and found they tolerate handling pretty well if you start out with juveniles. I currently have a female GTP I raised from a yearling. She doesn't bite when handled but it stresses her to the point of going off feed for up to two months. I don't handle her for the sake of handling her due to that. I saw someone recommend ATB's, I had a breeding colony of these about 10-12 years ago. They sort of tolerate handling. I found males to be more tolerant than females however neither will hesitate to strike (repeatedly at that). That said they never went off feed when handled.

I would second HHmores recommendation of a carpet or diamond python. There is quite a bit of variety within the different locales. My preferred carpets have always been jungles or jungle x diamond hybrids (I prefer higher diamond percentage). Bredl's and Irian jaya's are also nice and get slightly larger than jungles (6.5-7'). Diamonds average 6.5' but can get as large as 9'. Jungles average 5.5-6.5' though there have been a few wild caught that where around the 8' mark. Coastal carpets get to the 9-10' range but pure coastal's are not as colorful as others in the complex. There are many morphs and lineages within this complex as well as some GTP x JCP hybrids that may meet your requirements.

I would not recommend a blood unless you have excellent husbandry skills. They are prone to respiratory infections and scale rot if husbandry is anything less than perfect. They are impressive animals when full grown and having worked specifically with Borneos I feel their reputations as moody is somewhat undeserved. They are very heavy bodied animals and a 6' adult blood is quite impressive.

Black headed pythons may be a consideration for you but their size is similar to carpet pythons. That said both ETB's and GTP's are generally smaller than all of the aforementioned pythons.

Boa wise a Cuban boa averages in the 10-12' length region and are fairly docile. Brazilian and Peruvian rainbow boas are beautiful and average around 6'. I found the ones I had to be a little nippy at times but overall pretty good to work with. I used to chamber enclosures for them, one chamber with cypress mulch and a second chamber with damp sphagnum moss (humidity box). They need to be able to get out of the damp areas or they become prone to skin infections. Another option may be a Dumerils boa. They average about 6' however there are examples upwards of 9'. They are fairly pretty animals with great temperaments.

Colubrid wise I prefer bull snakes (average 6-6.5', though I have a male that is currently a little over 7' and have heard of bulls as large as 8'). They may be a little common for your tastes though. Indigo snakes are far from common and should meet your requirements but they require Federal permits and are slightly over your budget. Cribos may be a better option but are nowhere near as good looking in my opinion. Tiger Rat Snakes are fairly large (average 8-10' with a record size specimen of 14') and colorful, but they can be aggressive. The same is true of blue beauties.

All that aside my recommendation for a good first snake for you would be something from the carpet python family. I think that is where you will find an animal that will come closest to meeting all your requirements while being tolerant of handling and minor husbandry mistakes. Throw the 10 gallon tank away regardless of what you decide on and purchase an enclosure (made specifically for reptiles) suitable for the adult size of the animal ahead of time. House juveniles in smaller "sweater box" style enclosures until they are large enough to go into an adult size enclosure (usually about 1 year). Be prepared to increase the size of the "sweater boxes" through out the year.

 

[xXBlueLipsXx]

hhmore the blue beauty snake is beautiful but I heard already when I was doing research on them in the past that there snappy usually close to commonly (did the research when I was wanting a cave dwelling ratsnake). the red tailed green ratsnake looks pretty o.o (looked them up) also do they come in this color kinda tealish color? (just saw it) or is it just a phase (dont know how to post photos). the carpet is on my list of possibilty's already for buying, dont think a timber python would suit (even though I half to buy myself a new bigger cage ._. makes me made i wasted money on that cage even if it wasnt very much probably will use it for something else). Bolene's python is beautiful but they have stricking issues with the glass which you can read here: http://blogs.thatpetplace.com/thatr...ng-the-boelen’s-or-black-python/#.U7rjLnrnYm8

EmeraldBoid, what do you mean carpets turn into mud bombs? Moluccan scrub python looks good but if there hard to find like you say it might be hard for me to even find one in texas.

Pmsayi, dont think a GTP would suit me sense they stress that badly that they stop eating. ATB i dont mind a little striking but if they do it every day then I really start to mind it e.e dont think that'll suit. Diamond pythons are looking good, what are there temperment like? dont think a blood would suit sense im not experience enough to have perfect husbandy. black headed pythons arent bad looking is there any morphs of them? possibilty of a cuban boa dont mind a little nip as long as its not every day. dont think a tiger rat snake would suit if there aggressive. and i probably wont throw it away I might just use it for something else like for fish or lizards or something like that or a incubation when my bf starts breeding bearded dragons (dont know how well it would work though)

 

[xXBlueLipsXx]

this is what I ment for the red tailed green ratsnake teal color

 

[EmeraldBoid]

this is what I ment for the red tailed green ratsnake teal color

That looks like a bad use of "flash" to me lol. Most red tail rats are Wildcaught so you would have to head to the vet for a fecal and parasite treatment. Most carpets in the market today will not be yellow and black as adults, they will be near brown and black. So If you go that route make sure you get a hatchling from quality parents. How big are the Texas shows? By the looks of things, I think you will need to have your choice shipped in from out of state.

 

[Pmsayi]

Diamonds are similar in temperament to other carpet pythons. Juveniles can be nippy at first but calm down fast. Cuban boas are pretty docile, it was the rainbow boas I was referring to that I found to be sometimes nippy as adults.

The only morph I am aware of with regards to black headed pythons are calico's but others here in the forum may know of other morphs.

My experience with ATB's is generally to expect to be bitten if you are going to handle them. It won't be a nip if they decide to bite and most likely you will be bitten several times. I found these to be beautiful display animals but they are by no means snakes you really want to handle regularly. I found males to be slightly more tolerant than females. In contrast I found my ETB's to be pretty laid back (contrary to what is commonly written) and very tolerant of handling (short periods 15-20 minutes max. usually once a week when servicing their enclosures). That is my personal experience, others may have had a different experience.

As far as the GTP my experience is they seem to stress when handled. A close friend of mine also found this to be true with his GTP's. His however would bite in addition to going off feed. Mine is very tolerant of me performing routine maintenance and does not attempt to strike when I am doing so. She sometimes will venture towards me with curious tongue flicks and or investigate what I'm doing. This level of interaction does not appear to be stressful to her. She is very alert and aware of what goes on outside her enclosure as well. We often see her at the front of the enclosure scoping out the room. I enjoy her and accept her for what she is and does. I no longer feel a need to handle every snake that comes my way so this relationship between keeper and kept doesn't bother me. If your primary desire is to handle the snake you acquire I think there are far better choices.

Emeraldboid is referring to the tendency of many carpets to lose their vibrant color (if they have it at all) as they age appearing muddy or creamy. Where carpets are concerned it pays to pay for a good lineage that is proven to maintain their color as they age.

If you are going to keep the fish tank I wouldn't use it to house reptiles in or incubate eggs. Fish tanks are best utilized to house fish in.

 

[Lucille]

Hannah,

There are a number of high quality vendors here on Fauna.
Why not go to the expo not to buy but to look around, talk and ask questions. Come back, give yourself some time to think it all over, and then maybe make a purchase.

Craigslist is a good place to find habitats for reptiles at a decent price, you just have to do a lot of looking, be willing to buy when you see a deal, and also be willing to spend time making sure the habitat is clean and disinfected prior to use.

Also if you do a search there are plans you can find right here on Fauna for making your own. Tubs are good and cheap too.
I have a lot of respect for the way you are asking questions first before buying.

 

[xXBlueLipsXx]

ah well the flash made it look teal lol. ohh really? though there would be some CB red tail rats. ah I want quality besides brown looking brown is a little bit boring unless they have unique patterns on them. and the texas show theres about 25+ vendors there, and im thinking about shipping but I dont know who is a good to buy from and if there animals will come in good or bad condition

 

[xXBlueLipsXx]

ah ok best to use for fish or rodents probably then or a few geckos lol that are small sense the top has a slide ontop and a pin that keeps it in there lol

 

[xXBlueLipsXx]

and ohh thats what EmeraldBoid ment oh ok makes sense I ment like they look nice but after a month or two there colored face e.e

 

[xXBlueLipsXx]

and the expo is only 2 days which gives me at least several hours to think while im there. I've notice there are nice breeders on here ^^ also last time when I went there I did A LOT of questions and thinking which probably annoyed some venders lol. and i thought about craigs list but it kinda makes me afraid to order because the glass in shipping could shatter or crack only fear in the shipping of cages really I was already planning out how I would set up the cage when I buy a bigger one. Thank you ^^ I prefer to do research first on a snake then go on the only reptile site i know (which is here) that have expert advise and info on how big the cage should be even for a baby I need a bigger tank (kinda wish my mom didnt talk me into buying a small one I wanted the biggest on there 35 x 35 the one I have is a 10 x 10 basically a 10 gal in opinion)

 

[bcr229]

Craigslist is a good place to find habitats for reptiles at a decent price, you just have to do a lot of looking, be willing to buy when you see a deal, and also be willing to spend time making sure the habitat is clean and disinfected prior to use.

This is an excellent point - if you have cash, a truck, and a strong back (or a helper), you can pick up the larger PVC or melamine reptile enclosures at awesome prices from your local craigslist or Facebook reptile forums. The larger enclosures are usually too big and/or heavy to make shipping worthwhile.

 

[hhmoore]

You're contradicting yourself, Hannah. First, you were okay with species requiring strict attention to husbandry - liking the challenge, even - now you're not.
If you can't handle a blood's requirements, don't even look at red tailed green rats - I've already stated that those have specialized needs, and that not many people have long term success with them. There are a few people breeding them - and, like bloods, the cbb are more tolerant of minor fluctuations in conditions - but that doesn't mean they will survive/thrive if you can't commit to maintaining a proper environment.
Diamonds have their issues, too, BTW, as many of the less commonly kept/bred species do.

You might not like "common"; but, frankly, common is a better option for somebody at your stage of life. You've got a lot of changes coming over the next 5-8 years; and, even if you don't lose interest, you may find your life unnecessarily complicated if you take on a more "needy" species.

 

[xXBlueLipsXx]

I do like challenges but the way its sounding like if everything is not perfect the animal WILL die from it e.e like 1 little minor error it will die from it ... ._. I can do challenges in husbandry but not a challenge like if I make 1 small mistake it'll die instantly type of challenge e.e thats what I ment when I said no to the blood, it was sounding if I make a SMALL tiny mistake it would die from it ...thats what I ment by no to the blood snakes because like your stating I do want them to thrive/ survive in it but the way it was worded made it seem like it wouldnt e.e. and I know ALL species of animals have issues too just like humans have issues also lol.
and yeaa I know what you mean by common snake should be the way to go. and the needy species :/ just I get so bored with common species like petstore common its like ok thats cool but theres not to much color or some challenge to them for me. (not trying to contradict myself i get easily confused with wording sometimes e.o)

 

[xXBlueLipsXx]

I'll give craigslist a try for the cage buying for decent prices around and near my area e.e where its close for a pickup locally