I want to get a snake

Question

Does anyone reccomend a certain species? I don't have much money so something relativly cheap and good for my first snake, i live in the uk, would i also be able to find these snakes, if anyone answers, locally?

Answer 1

I wouldn't suggest you get any snake if money is an issue.  They are relatively cheap to keep and the food isn't expensive either, but a decent healthy Royal Python will be about £100.  If you pay a lot less than that, you run the risk of your snake dieing even if you look after it well.  It's best to pay the money to a decent breeder than throw away your money at something cheap.

The vivarium and set up you need to keep this kind of snake happy and healthy will set you back at least £300.  You need a decent sized vivarium otherwise your snake will not be able to stretch out.  You also need the length of the vivarium to be more than 3 feet so that you can achieve a temperature gradient.  The heat lamps themselves are cheap but I think my dimming stat was about £50.  They need hides at each end of the vivarium and climbing branches.  Each of my hides cost around £10 and each branch was roughly the same.  Do not try and do this cheaply and throw in a bit of wood you found somewhere - the reason the wood in pet shops is expensive is it has been treated and will not make your pet ill.

EDIT:  Person above me is talking pure poppy c*ck!  A snake from £15??  I think not.  I know these kinds of places are cheaper - the same as tattoo conventions and computer things like this - but no way can that be true!  A complete vivarium set up for about £80-100.  My vivarium alone cost more than that.  You need to buy heating and lighting equipment.  A tube for the light will cost at least £20 depending on length and you are not going to get one smaller than 3 feet long - if you do, you're vivarium is too small for a snake.  You then need to power this light and they come at about £20 also.  We shall call that £40 and you haven't even bought the vivarium!!  Owning these pets is not too expensive, but buying all the equipment they need at first is costly.  Save up and then buy one.  Get the vivarium and add something each week or whenever

Answer 2

I suggest a ball python. Every corn snake I've been introduced to has been a picky eater and not very friendly to hold. Ball pythons are great for beginners and easy to handle. You should be able to find snakes locally. I've see a lot of breeders online from the uk. Just look it up on google or yahoo.

Answer 3

corn snake or ball python are both good starter snakes

dont be tempted by the cheap prices of exotic-pets.co.uk they have a really awful reputation for dead or ill animals

try reptileforums.co.uk the classified sections are filled with corn snakes of every age and almost all are captive bred (which is the best option) and u can get advise and info on there 2

Answer 4

i really suggest getting a corn snake if its your first. they are brilliantly tempered, they look stunning and they're long but quite skinny so they don't look huge or threatening. They are anything from £50-£110 and can be bought at a number of exotic pet shops which you can find at

http://www.shoplocally.co.uk

or you can buy them at

http://www.reptiletrader.co.uk/

you will need to buy a vivarium for it which fully equipped with heat mats, substrate, locks, water bowls, lighting, fake plants, logs, rocks, etc will cost aprox £300 or you can buy a second hand one (recommended)

this is a quick answer so if you want any help at all email me

[e-mail]

hope it helped

Answer 5

get a dog

Answer 6

If considering a BP or other exotic snake remember that their set up is NOT cheap if you want a healthy and well adjusted pet.  They need hides, substrate, heating pad, and a set up that will have the correct husbandry.  

If you are worried about the cost of an animal wait until you are in a better position to take care of one.  That kind of thinking will only lead to skimping on something your pet needs.

Answer 7

a corn snake is a good starter pet. my friend has a corn snake and it is her first pet. it is very friendly!

Answer 8

You say you dont have much money!!.Before you buy the snake you have all the equipment to buy.with the viv,thermostat,heat mat or ceramic,hides,bowls,substrate,frozen mice,etc,etc your looking at £80-£100.If you go for a corn snake from a reputable breeder then you can pay from £15 upwards depending on which morph you want.You dont say where you live in the uk but I can give you info on the biggest reptile show  since the 1990's that's going to be taking place very soon.You will get everything you need and loads of free advice from hundreds of breeders.The snakes will be cheap and so will the equipment.

Answer 9

Here are some good choices:

Corn snakes

Corn snakes are great starter snakes they hav small teeth when thy are babies so it will not hurt if you got bit.

Milk Snakes

Milk snakes are very pretty too.

Ball Pythons

Ball pythons are very docile.

Also visit Boatips.com its the best snake website ever

hope it helped