Which snake?

Question

i have never had a reptile before so it has to be moderatly easy. i don't really want it to cost over £200(<---the snake and all the housing).I don't want an big snake.I woulod like to be able to hold it. i have been thinking about these snakes:

children python

ball pythons

corn snake

rosy boa

Kenyan sand boa

Q:

1.what would best suit me?

2.male or female (of the snake from Q1)

3.Is there a snake thats not on the list good for me?

4.does anyone know any breeders(of the snake from Q1) in or near newcastle,UK

Answer 1

corn snakes are less hostile

Answer 2

a corn snake is the easiest of snakes, it doesnt really matter on the s*x as they are both very similiar, a corn snake would need a 3 foot viv, heta mat covering half the viv, a UV light, a water bowl, 2 caves, one on the hot side and one on the cold side

Answer 3

baby  to the snake that i loved,, he was really big but its all in the way u treat them, U never feed them in there  home but put them in a crete,, u never bathe them except in there crete,, the big ones are as cool and lovin as the little ones,, dont be worried about them,, if u are then i suggest that u dont get one at all.. its all in how u raise them,, the big python that i played with the owner kept a bottle of JD in the fridge to put on his face if he ever squeeked me or him,, but he never did ,, baby if ur gonna do snakes do them,, dont be scared they are great!!! i would love to send u the links but i cant email me and i will send u some,, take care and enjoy your snake but make sure his space is big enough for him!!!

take care and good luck

bonnie j

Answer 4

I just read your other posts, and it makes it all the more confusing.  But - there IS no easy answer here.  It depends on your desires and schedule, and how much you want to interact with the reptile.  And how afraid of being bit you are.

First thing to do is google them all: Balls, Children&#039;s; Corns, Kings, etc.  Read all you can.  Some are noctural, and don&#039;t require UVB and D3 worries...

Some are diurnal, and active during the day.

I always suggest a Ball for a first time owner.  They are nocturnal, and not snippy about being awakened during the day for brief handling.

Cornsnakes make excellent first time snakes, but they are diurnal, and more active during the day which means &quot;hand over hand&quot; to hang on to it...

So, if you aren&#039;t used to snakes - it&#039;s an active one, during the day.

It depends on you, and your schedule, and how much physical hands on time you want.

Kings are fabulous in the diurnal catagory.  They come in enough color morphs to make you nuts, trying to PICK one.  But, though I have read a million posts about how nice these snakes are?  I OWN them, and they are SPASTIC, and energetic, and quick to strike!

Most of my rescues are unwanted Kings.  They BITE.  I&#039;m very careful about adopting kings out...  I love them, but it takes a &#039;king owner&#039; to have one happily.

So, though I will state they are good snakes - I do not recommend them as a first time pet.  They are called Kings because they feed on other snakes, and are ammune to the venon of several species.  I think this, by nature, makes them to quick to &#039;strike.&#039;

They are not aggressive - they are just top of the food chain, in their world.  There is little they happen upon that they can&#039;t eat, and this makes for their nature to &quot;strike first, and ask questions later&quot; nature.  I love mine, but they were NOT my first snake, and I learned to love them.

I do NOT get bit these days, but I did, first, and starting out.  It&#039;s part of doing Kings, until you learn...

So, of all the options out there for a first time snake; I would recommend the Ball Python, or the diurnal Corn (lots of color morphs, and almost as hard to pick just one, as the king).

If you are up during the day - I&#039;d suggest the ball, just cause it will accept handling during its sleeping time, and is a shy and calm snake.

The corn will be more active during the day, and you&#039;ll be hand over hand, keeping up with it.  Both have excellent dispositions if healthy and properly fed.

As for the sand boa?  These are very reclusive snakes, and shy to handling.  NOT a  good choice for a first.

Boas are okay, but they get larger than the snakes we talked about.  Smaller is better, as far as I&#039;m concerned, for a first time snake, so I don&#039;t recommend them (a Rosy) for a first time owner.  They tend to have more specific heat/humidity needs too, and are not as forgiving about mistakes in their habitat.

It might be all good and fine, and then suddenly?  You get a squeeze from this 6 ft. plus full snake.  You won&#039;t forget it, and I have seen that first squeeze which scared folks turn them off to snakes forever.

It doesn&#039;t matter that the snake COULD have hurt them, or struck/bit, and wrapped, and didn&#039;t - they just remember that squeeze, and they are done owning a snake forever.

So, big/powerful snakes are NOT a good thing, for the first.  You must take &#039;baby steps,&#039; and get to know snakes, before you get one large enough to give you a scare.

Always remember that snakes do not hear.  They have tiny brains, and are creatures of instinct.  They will never love and understand, or respond to you like a dog or parrot.

As long as you meet its needs, and keep it fed?  It&#039;s docile.  But that will not stop it nightly, from trying to escape its cage.  Given a chance, it will leave you in heartbeat, and chance the world at large.  It is its nature to BE loose, and prowl.  The tank is a daily/nightly challenge to it.

So be sure you have good tank locks or ratchet straps.  A snake is JUST a snake.  If it CAN get out?  It WILL.

Now that you know the  basics - get back on line and google some more!  Buying a snake is something that should never be done lightly.  Be informed, and be prepared.

I don&#039;t mean to discourage - I own several species of snakes, and have for years.  But, I&#039;m currently dealing with an escapee friends let loose for me, and it&#039;s giving me grayer hair!!!  I can&#039;t find the infernal thing, and this has NEVER happend to me before.  IF I don&#039;t recover it?  It will be my first, and I have been doing snakes for over 35 yr.

So, no matter how long... how much you know?  It CAN happen.  This is part of owning the elusive things.  Accept it.

I hope this has been helpful

Answer 5

milk snakes are easier

Answer 6

I would say either a Ball Python or a Corn Snake. I have 2 Ball Pythons, a 6 year old male and a 3 month old male. My adult is in a 55gal and the little one is in a 20gal. The adult has been with me for quite a while now and he is a great snake. He was the first snake I had ever had and I was glad I went with a Ball.

Answer 7

corn snake is recommended for beginners but i started off with a mexican king snake they get 4ft but they are very calm and not agressive. the s*x of the snake really doesnt matter unless your going to breed them. i dont know what the exchange rate is from US to UK $ but i got all my stuff for about $200 from a local pet store not including pinkys tho. good luck

Answer 8

children python