What is a good starter snake that stayest relitivley small???

Question

What is a good starter snake that stayest relitivley small???

Answer 1

Well for a "beginner or starter" snake I would recommend a ball python for many reasons. Then after, I would recommend a corn snake.

Some info on ball pythons: They are "docile" but would never recommend to be near children w/out someone watching because ball pythons or get head shy. Any quick movements can scare them so if a child is holding it, please be careful. Ball pythons tend to stay quite small(4-5 feet) so that's why they are considered as beginner snakes. But I'm just going to tell you that they aren't the bestest eaters in the world. Actually they are quite picky(i know i know it sounds bad but snakes can live up to a year without eating) So if there is something in the cage that don't like they probably won't eat. Or if they don't like the way you're feeding them. But they don't tend to bite or strike as often though which is good =] So in summary, The pros- stay pretty small and they are more docile then some others so don't need to be handle daily. Cons- They are head-shy and for the most part horrible eaters.

Care- They usually range from $15-90 depending on where you buy them at. If you buy them at Petsmart or Petco(NOT recommended) then they are about $80-90 but please don't buy them there because most of their ball pythons(well most of their snakes) suffers from respiratory infection. So buying from a local pet store would be your best bet. Or you could buy them from craigslist and usually people on craigslist sells everything(tanks and accessories) for around $100. Lastly if there is a reptile expo near you...you could buy the pythons there too. The cages alone would be around $50-100 depending on where you buy them. Craigslist is your best bet on this one. Food usually cost about $2-3 dollars a week depending on the size of your snake. If it is a baby ball python then maybe just $1 a week. I would also recommend you buying the feeders at a local pet store(it is way cheaper) or at a expo(cheapest) CAGE/TANK- Your best bet would getting a 55 gallon for when they are bigger but if they are a baby then a 20 gallon would do just fine.

http://www.reptilerescueca.org/Ball.html

Cornsnake: They are one of the best eaters I've seen other then king snakes and all that. They don't get to big(around 5 feet) and they are..I guess docile. You do need to handle then daily though just in case. So they would be use to being handle by people. Corn snakes would make an OK beginner snake but I wouldn't recommend children around them because they could squeeze them and most likely kill him because corn snakes have very small bodies. Pros- Kind of docile, excellent eaters, stay small. Cons- Does need to be handle often, not the best snakes to have around kids because of their size.

Care- Corn snake costs around $15-60 depending on what type of corn snake you want. Just a normal one is probably around $10.00 at least my corn snake was. (I already mention about the stores on the ball python's care) A corn snake would probably only need a 40 gallon tank for most of it's life but a 55 gallon tank would be just fine too. And same goes for the food(just like the ball python) You should only feed the snakes once a week.

http://www.cornsnakes.net/care.php3

I don't know what's your def. of small but a ball python or a corn snake would do great! Or anything you can also try maybe a rosy boa, sand boa, or a garter snake. (links on them below)

Rosy:

http://www.rosyboa.com/care.htm

Sand:

http://lllreptile.com/info/library/anima...

Garter:

http://www.gartersnake.info/care/

I hope this could help!

Answer 2

corn snake 3-4 foot

ball python 3-5 foot

garter snake 2-3 foot

kenyan sand boa 2-2.5 foot