Best snakes to start with?

Question

My sister has a red tail boa, which is generly calm and easy to handle ( young snake)

I would like somthing thats similar to a red tails personalty, as far as being a healthy eater, easy to handle, semi curious (wouldnt mind it settling down a little), and be small enough not to need a 100 gallon tank, maybe max out at a 30 or 50 (maybe smaller)

I kinda like the looks of kings, and some of the corns (i here kings can be mean?)
I also hear balls can be difficult eaters and need much warmer temps...
I also prefer snakes that may not need to be as moist as a red tail

Im not new to exotics, just more to the reptile side (have frogs, loads of trantulas, scorpians)
And will have no problime with a long lived snake, any idea which one would be best?

(Also may miss a handling session or 2 so somthing that dont untame becuse of this)

Trent · Accepted Answer

Though I will not go in depth on how to care for any of the snakes I am going to list, here is my top 10 beginner snakes.
1. Corn Snake
2. Rosy Boa
3. Kenyan Sand Boa
4. Ball Python
5. King Snake
6. Hog Island Boa
7. Children's Python
8. Milk Snake
9. African Brown House Snake
10. Western Hognose Snake
I decided to provide a list of snakes instead of a care sheet on my favorite 3 so you can research any or all that seem interesting to you. Whatever snake you plan on getting, make sure to do your homework in order to provide your new pet with the most happy and healthy life possible. Good luck and I hope this helps!

ferrisulf · Answer

Have you considered rosy boas? They are smaller than ball pythons and generally max out at 3' or less. It's isn't guaranteed, but generally female snakes are larger than males, so that's something else to keep in mind. I recommend these if you like the slower-moving snakes but don't want something large. They also don't like as high humidity as the red-tails and ball pythons.

As for kings and corns: they are good if you don't mind a more active animal. That isn't to say they won't curl up and relax on you, but it happens more with the boids (boas and pythons). They don't require the higher humidity and don't need quite as warm temps. King snakes are not mean snakes. The babies can tend to be nippier and more likely to musk than, say, baby corns or milk snakes. They generally grow out of it as they get used to people. I'd say they are a little more active than the corn snakes. You can't go wrong with these species as far as easy care and good temperament.

I suggest going to a reptile expo where you can see all the species and handle both babies and adults. Just by doing that you'll be able to see the range of personalities even within the same species. Though it's tempting, it's best to go to a show, talk with breeders, and scout things out, and then go back the next month to purchase. This gives you a chance to handle different animals and see what fits what you want and then be able to get the correct enclosure all set up before buying.

Luthien · Answer

My first snake was a Corn Snake. Very friendly and loves to be handled, not a picky eater at all and even if she does refuse once in awhile she always goes back to eating when she wants too. Easy to care for and doesn't need a huge Viv to be happy in. They come in many different colors and morphs so you can decide what your looking for and go from there.

Elaine · Answer

rosy boas

Best snakes to start with?

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