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 #1221914


BlazE567567
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 Best First Python

hi i was thinking about getting a python or boa. I have never owned a snake before but have handeled them at my friends house. I was just looking for suggestions about a beginner python or boa.

P.S: i would like the snake to top out inbetween 5-7 feet
03/25/07  06:31pm

 #1221952


Snakes4life121
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   Message To: BlazE567567   In reference to Message Id: 1221914


 Best First Python

Go with a ball python. Very docile easy to handle but don’t get to big around 5 foot or so. Research a lot before making your decision.
03/25/07  07:17pm

 #1221960


BlazE567567
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   Message To: Snakes4life121   In reference to Message Id: 1221952


 Best First Python

well i have been researching and the snake i want is a red tail but i’m not sure if it is a good one to start with
03/25/07  07:26pm

 #1221992


Snakes4life121
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   Message To: BlazE567567   In reference to Message Id: 1221960


 Best First Python

If you are prepared for it. Then a red tail would be a good snake but if i were you start with something smaller because i have see some huge red tails. I don’t know if your prepared for that you might be.

this was my red tail but it died from unknown reason but this summer im going to build a home made snake condo and start breeding red tails but have to save up some cash.
03/25/07  07:49pm

 #1222525


Your_only_nightmare
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   Message To: Snakes4life121   In reference to Message Id: 1221992


 Best First Python

red tails have been known to hit 12 fot,. i would say a ball python too, very calm, and easy to handle, and not big, and since its your first snake
03/26/07  10:48am

 #1222609


Snake master pat
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   Message To: Your_only_nightmare   In reference to Message Id: 1222525


 Best First Python

my first python was a ball python but it to died of a unone resone but one thing that i learned was that dont get one in the autonm or winter months cause they wont eat and cant tell if it will ever eat by looking in the petstore



03/26/07  11:49am

 #1222679


Sonorone
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   Message To: Snake master pat   In reference to Message Id: 1222609


 Best First Python

snake master pat I am sorry to hear about your loss it sucks to lose a snake. But to be honest If you got it at a store there might have been other problems. I actually got one this winter for my kids first snake. I was told by several people including breeders to always verify the snake is eating good first off. ask if you can see it feed before purchase then you know for sure. if they don’t let you then probably something to hide. also of course try to avoid wc or the ones that was imported try to go with something from a breeder or some better stores that get stock from breeders. alot of times they will even give you contact info for the breeder to answer questions too. to be honest i followed those guidelines and ended up with a great ball that has eaten every feeding every since we brought it home early january.
03/26/07  01:11pm

 #1223141


Frogman415
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   Message To: Sonorone   In reference to Message Id: 1222679


 Best First Python

a retic or a burmese would make a great first pet snake lol j/k thats the worse one to get as a first pet, i would go with a ball python or maybe even a red tail
03/26/07  07:48pm

 #1223294


Snake master pat
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   Message To: Frogman415   In reference to Message Id: 1223141


 Best First Python

ya i have been geting that anser alot and from now on i want to see the python eat .

ive been looking for a good breeder to find a jungle carpet or a irian carpet for some time can you give me some ideas on who to look for athor then that bob dude .

pat
03/26/07  09:57pm

 #1223311


Monty14
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   Message To: Snake master pat   In reference to Message Id: 1223294


 Best First Python

http://www.pythoninapeartree.com/available_jungles.html has a nice selection of carpets also try austrlian addiction they have great snakes.
p.s if you want more on them you might try ball-pythons . net they have a good forum there for them
03/26/07  10:11pm

 #1223733


BG^
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   Message To: Monty14   In reference to Message Id: 1223311


 Best First Python

kingsnake.com will have every kind of carpet python and you can send emails directly to the breeder
03/27/07  11:09am

 #1298558


SQUINTS
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   Message To: BlazE567567   In reference to Message Id: 1221914


 Best First Python

BEFORE YOU MAKE YOUR MIND UP GIVE BALL PYTHONS A CONSIDERATION BURMESE GET 18 - 20 FT THATS WAY OVER 5-7FT AND EVEN RED TAILS ARE KNOWN TO GET UP TO 12-14FT. BALL PYTHONS ARE GREAT TO START WITH I OWNED ONE MY SELF FOR A GOOD 7-8 YEARS SHE WAS VERY TAME , GOOD WITH EATING AND GOT UP TO 5FT 9 INCHES. JUST LOOK AROUND AND BE SURE OF WHAT YOU WANT.



05/29/07  10:52pm

 #1298872


Skullkeeper
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   Message To: BlazE567567   In reference to Message Id: 1221914


 Best First Python

I have to agree with Squints , a Ball Python is a nice size snake with a good temperament .If you go with a Red Tailed Boa ,also nice ) you need to be prepared to have the space for a large enclosure , think about years down the road as far as renting an apartment or college ,since many will not let you keep a large snake and having to feed larger and larger pray as the snake grows . Just some things to consider .
05/30/07  09:01am

 #1299315


SQUINTS
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   Message To: Skullkeeper   In reference to Message Id: 1298872


 Best First Python

SKULLKEEPER IS RIGHT IM GOING TO GRADUATE SOON AND I LUCKED OUT CAUSE IM ONLY GOING TO COLLEGE ABOUT 30 MIN AWAY FROM HOME SO I KNOW MY SNAKE IS ALRIGHT. BUT BEFORE WHEN I LOOKED MOST COLLEGES AND PLACES TO LIVE WONT ALLOW MOST ANIMALS BIG OR SMALL. AND IF THEY DO THERES ALOT OF PAPER WORK AND IN SOME PLACES THEY NEED TO APROVE YOUR PETS BEFORE YOU MOVE IN AND STUFF.



05/30/07  04:33pm

 #1309650


Kornfreekiam
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   Message To: SQUINTS   In reference to Message Id: 1299315


 Best First Python

Get yourself a nice female african rock python. They make the best first snakes, IMO.
06/07/07  03:49pm

 #1309651


Kornfreekiam
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   Message To: SQUINTS   In reference to Message Id: 1299315


 Best First Python

Get yourself a nice female african rock python. They make the best first snakes, IMO.
06/07/07  03:49pm

 #1310281


Frogman415
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   Message To: Kornfreekiam   In reference to Message Id: 1309651


 Best First Python

Burmese pythons make a kind of a good first snake the only problem is that they grow to big, if it wasnt for that then they would be perfect.
06/08/07  12:19am

 #1310353


JackAsp
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   Message To: Frogman415   In reference to Message Id: 1310281


 Best First Python

I would actually suggest starting with a big colubrid such as a bullsnake, pine snake, or black rat snake, beause they are more tolerant of temperature mistakes and humidity variations than any good booid I can think of off the top of my head. Also, they are not fussy eaters, unless you consider not eating monkeys, dalmations, and candy bar wrappers to be fussy. Carpets and balls often have annoying dietary quirks. Nothing insurmontable, but enough that I’m glad I got my feet wet with rat snakes first.
If you do get a boa or python, don’t get a hatchling as your first snake. Get one that’s already tame and eating well and has some good habits established, instead of one that you’re trying to figure out when it barely knows how to be a snake yet itself. They can’t really help you until after they actually figure out which end of a mouse is which.
06/08/07  01:56am

 #1311123


HIGH*OFF*THE*GROUND
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   Message To: JackAsp   In reference to Message Id: 1310353


 Best First Python

how bout a coastal carpet they get around 10 foot mabey a lil bigger but dont grow to fast
06/08/07  10:53pm

 #1311143


Taybe115
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   Message To: HIGH*OFF*THE*GROUND   In reference to Message Id: 1311123


 Best First Python

I think a ball would be your best bet but what ever snake you choose, please get as much info before you buy it and watch it the next time it eats because my python died of bloat.(It was not a pretty sight) And the pet store guy swore up and down the snake was eating and shedding on a timely schedule and that he had all of the info on the breeder. But all I got was a snake that did not last 1 week, a buch of websites and phone numbers that were never answered and a whole lot owed in vet bills. It is not common but please be careful because I would not want your first snake experience to end up like mine. So good luck and happy tails!
06/08/07  11:21pm

 #1313731


Your_only_nightmare
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   Message To: Taybe115   In reference to Message Id: 1311143


 Best First Python

i agree with jack, colubrids would be best to, as they very hardly, and dont mind temps chnages to much you can kame mistakes with them, without it being fatal to them
06/11/07  08:01am

 #1315370


Z3speed4me
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   Message To: Your_only_nightmare   In reference to Message Id: 1313731


 Best First Python

a carpet was my first snake...

found it very easy to take care of, but thats just me
06/12/07  09:10am

 #1315491


JackAsp
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   Message To: Z3speed4me   In reference to Message Id: 1315370


 Best First Python

They certainly can be. Depending on the one you get, you may also see food pickiness, extreme skin sensitivity to humidity flunctuations, or seasonal fasting. And even all of those can be dealt with, but it’s better not to have to on a first snake. I only had two years experience with fox and corn snakes when I got my carpet, but she came with so many problems it was a good thing I at least had some basic skills down already. I didn’t shop very wisely, though; I just saw one and leapt.
06/12/07  11:30am

 #1316674


Marg
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   Message To: JackAsp   In reference to Message Id: 1315491


 Best First Python

What Evere snake you deside to go with... Please please do plenty of research ...go to the other forums and read a Lot of the posts... there is a mountain of information from actual Owners... verses what you read in outdated care books, and what you are told by pet shops !
I was told BPs (ball pythons) were the Exact care as Corn snakes... not true... yes physical maintanence is similar ...but temps/humidity etc., is dif... and they can stress easily ...but with proper Care and Equipment... any snake will thrive!
Be prepared to spend a lot of cash (or credit - lol) when you first start out. Make sure you have the right size tank/enclosure for the pet you chose. and PLEASE DO NOT house more than One snake in One enclosure... you’re just looking for trouble!
06/13/07  07:40am

 #1322262


Amico
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   Message To: Marg   In reference to Message Id: 1316674


 Best First Python

Take a moment....
...and ask yourself a couple of very important questions such as: do you really want a snake that will get to be 10 feet long, weigh over 50 pounds, urinate and defecate like a St. Bernard, should live more than 30 years and for whom you will have to kill mice, rats and, eventually, small rabbits? Many people think that it will be easy to find someone who will take it if they decide they don’t want their Boa when it is 8 or 10 feet long. So, take a look at the classified ads--they always have sale ads for big pythons and boas. The zoo doesn’t want any more--they already have more giant snakes than they need. The local herpetology societies and reptile veterinarians always have big snakes for whom they are trying to find homes. At 8 feet and 40 pounds, a 2-year old Boa may already be eating rabbits a couple of times a month and can be very unwieldy to handle alone. You have to interact with them constantly to keep them tame--do you want a hungry, cranky 10 foot snake mistaking your face for prey? Another consideration is who is going to help you clean its enclosure? take it to the vet when it’s sick? take care of it when you go away to school or on vacation? No matter how much they love you, there are some things a mother, and your friends, will not do! Owning a big snake is not cool; it is a major, long-term commitment and responsibility.

There has been a disturbing increase over the past year or so (1996 to present) of boas being dumped by their owners (many of whom tried to sell the 6+ foot boa only to find that, no matter how much they reduced their price, no one was interested in buying) on animal shelters and reptile rescues. Many of these snakes are in terrible condition, with respiratory infections, riddled with endo- and ectoparasites, many suffering severe injury and infection from untreated rat bites and thermal burns. This is a clear indication that many people who are buying boas shouldn’t




I say Ball Python is best for beginners



06/17/07  08:04pm

 #1323025


Tiger-Retic
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   Message To: Amico   In reference to Message Id: 1322262


 Best First Python

Just my 2 cents

Ball Pythons are so damn picky of eaters if their husbandry isn’t perfect.

A BCI Boa is not a bad starter if prepaired for it, they IMO are more forgiving on husbandry mistakes than ball pythons. Start with a Male as they tend to be a bit smaller.

And how many 12’ RTBs has everyone seen? They are very few that will hit that marker.

A corn snake or milk snake or such is good, but if your anything like my wife she thinks all the colurbrids are ugly because of their head shape.

Childrens Pythons are good to start with not to many people keeping them either it seems.
06/18/07  10:58am

 #1324374


Marg
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   Message To: Tiger-Retic   In reference to Message Id: 1323025


 Best First Python

One thing people tend to forget...
or don’t realize when getting a pet like this is...
With great care - many types of Snakes Will Live From 20 - 30 years...
This is one pet that Can cost a Lot of money if not cared for properly!

This is a ’have to be dedicated’ pet!

They don’t speak/bark/meow or even squeek...
You have to "read thier body language"
They are Not a `Free Roaming Pet’
They have to stay
"In The Box" !!!
They can not escape potential danger of over heating
or too much or too little humidity.

Go sit in your car after a hot, humid day
- do not open the windows -
and pretend you can’t get out!

This is what enclosed pets have to live with...
It is up to US to make sure they have a good home and protection!



06/19/07  08:07am

 #1331357


Kg28
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   Message To: Marg   In reference to Message Id: 1324374


 Best First Python

As a first snake i would go with a Ball Python or if you want a boa i would go with a Dumerals boa both are great first snakes. The dumerals is not a pickie eater like the ball is, but the dumerals will get a little bit larger than the ball will both of them are usually pretty docile though.
06/24/07  02:02am

 #1436811


Budd
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   Message To: Amico   In reference to Message Id: 1322262


 Best First Python

dude your little paragraph was totally coped out
09/08/07  11:37pm

 #1436829


Budd
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   Message To: Budd   In reference to Message Id: 1436811


 Best First Python

in my opinion a great beggining python is a matlocks python, their easily maintained they generally have great eating habits and reach the size of six to seven feet depending on gender, rarely exceeding nine feet and not to mention their beautifully paterned with a silver black mixed backround and tiny yellow like dots. although there known to be a little nippy at a young age but with time they’ll come around.
09/08/07  11:57pm
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