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Q:
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I'm getting a snake, but which one?
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Hey all u peeps,
I'm getting a new snake but which one should i get? my limit is about 7 ft so anything around there( i dont want it too small). I was looking at brb's but i really didn't wanna pay more than $100. I like boas and pythons more than colubrids but both are okay. If you have suggestions, please try to find a link so i can get one under $100 or around there.
Thanks
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Member Comment
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10/16/2010 12:46:04 PM
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Acheron_08
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I say go with a ball python they stay average about 6 ft and are a great begainer snake and normals run fairly cheap ...there is a lot of members on iherp that breed balls :) check the classifeds brbs are great snakes but if ur just starting out with snakes I wouldn't recomend brbs as a frist snake there maintence is a little higher then a ball.
But frist thing frist pick a snake and rescreach the animal before u by it. On things like care and what not. Good luck in ur sreach.
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Member Comment
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10/16/2010 2:16:09 PM
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FyreFocks
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BPs dont get that big, Dawn. Just sayin...
What kind of room do you have to keep said snake in? Can you afford the eventual 4 x 2 that an adult boa would need, or is a 20 gallon tank the extent of your free space?
If i were you, id find a local expo and spend time with the various animals for sale there. See which one really tickles your pickle. Plus, by going to a show youll have the added bonus of inspecting the snake in person.
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Member Comment
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10/16/2010 2:28:02 PM
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Acheron_08
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Nate speedy had a ball big female she was 6ft I swear if she wasn t six foot she was damn near maybe 5 1/2 but she was the biggest ball I have even seen:) yes speedy breed balls too what's up with Chondro ppl and balls? Lol
Any ways what nate said is good advice but do your home work on the snake u pick:)
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Member Comment
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10/16/2010 4:25:12 PM
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exoticcritterss
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one of my normal female *Serabi* is about 6.5 feet, i know that it is not normal for them to get that big, but she is huge lol i really need to get some new pics on here :-)
+1 Nate
+1 Dawn
BTW nate, how is the little phantom doing :-)
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Member Comment
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10/16/2010 8:55:28 PM
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TomPiperni
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Average for a ball python is 3.5-4.5 feet, but, yes, you will on rare occasion see one larger than that.
Average for a red tail boa constrictor is between 5 and 9 feet. If you want a smaller boa, go with a male as they will usually peak at 5.5-6 feet where as females are a bit larger.
I think you'll have trouble finding any other boa or python for under $100.
As said above, you must take into account what you can afford as far as enclosures go along with space to keep it..3 foot long tank is the minimum for a ball python and 4 foot for a boa. Also realise that you'll need to invest in a heat source, may it be a light and fixture or heat mat, both will run you 40-60$ if purchased from your local pet store..You'll also need a thermo and hydro meter to be able to keep track of the temp and humidity levels.
Look around, handle both snakes in adult forms and see what you're more comfortable with.
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Member Comment
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10/16/2010 9:01:51 PM
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BirchbarkBoas
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Ball pythons can be really picky feeders compared to bci boas. That's the only reason I'd suggest a boa over a ball, other than you're also looking for a somewhat larger snake. I'd say go for a female Nicaraguan/CA boa. They usually settle around 6-7 ft. Sometimes 5 depending on locality and feeding. Lots of factors come into play regarding size.
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Member Comment
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10/17/2010 9:28:26 AM
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Author Comment
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10/17/2010 10:40:08 AM
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wantinganewfriend
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Hey u guys thanx and yes i can afford any cage and have the space it is just the snake size
carpets are cool but i thought they usually got like 8 or 9 foot
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Author Comment
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10/17/2010 11:01:10 AM
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wantinganewfriend
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oh and for the BCI, which ones r trhe smallest. Obviously id get a male cause they stay smaller but which subspecies keeps and about 5 - 6 ft?
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Member Comment
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10/17/2010 11:29:37 AM
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Acheron_08
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Carpets are awesome :) and if u want a small one Iran jayas stay about in the range you are looking at :) and there are some awesome looking ones out there :) if u like to get bite babies can be bitey but clam down after awhile :)iheart carpets :)
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Member Comment
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10/17/2010 1:01:36 PM
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Skelegirl
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+1 on the carpets. IJs and Jungles can stay on the smaller side...but this isn't a guarantee. I've seen some freakishly huge IJs. I'd suggest to inquire about the size of the parents before buying. Again, this does not guarantee anything, but the size of the parents could be a helpful indicator for judging how large a baby will potentially grow.
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Assisted Answer
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10/17/2010 1:20:41 PM
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ForGoodnessSnakes
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Balls are a great snake, but can have feeding issues, as noted above.
Carpets are awesome (I have two), but they can be cage agressive (even if they are pussy-cats once out), which can put people off from handling them regularly.
Boas are probably my favorites, because of their (typically) docile disposition, nice size, ease of care, and lovely appearance, but again, some can get really large - remember to practice "safe snake" for the bigger ones. I think Nics are a little smaller, but I've heard they tend to be snappy - I don't know if this is true or not (my two sure are, but they're still babies).
When I got my first snake, I really liked the Dumeril's - the snake expert at my local reptile shop talked me out of aboa as my first snake because they require a greater level of husbandry effort than the typical Colubrid (temperature, humidity) and they can get much larger and can infllict greater damage if they aren't properly socialized. For a beginner, you can't go wrong wtih a Colubrid. From that experience, which includes determiniing if your lifestyle really fits with keeping snakes, you can move on to whatever species you wish - with eyes wide open. I have a couple Corns that are over five feet, so they can be good sized snakes.
In any event, you may want to consider starting with a subadult or adult. That way, you can know from the start the animal's disposition, feeding habits, housing, etc. and make a decision that is right for you and for the snake.
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Member Comment
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10/17/2010 1:51:06 PM
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BirchbarkBoas
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As you can see, everyone has his/her own preferences when it comes to snakes! That's why this hobby is so great. It really does help to go to a show and see which kind of snake really clicks for you.
For me, I'm all about the dwarf boas. Most of my collection is either Nicaraguan or Sonoran, and all but one female Nic (which I got as a subadult) is very tame. One of my new Sonoran babies is hissy/bitey if I wake her up, but if I risk a couple nips and take her out she calms down in a minute's time and I have no doubt she'll be a sweetie as she gets older. How an animal is raised and handled as a baby has a huge impact on its adult attitude.
Central American boas (including Nicaraguans) rarely get over 6 ft, even females. My adult males are 4 ft. But again, size is determined not just by genetics but also by how much you feed and how fast you want them to grow.
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Member Comment
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10/17/2010 3:50:50 PM
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dalvers63
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What type of snake do you want? A happy ball python is one you never see. Boas are kind of arboreal as babies but do have a chance of getting big unless you get one of the smaller varieties (though it would be hard to find one under $100). I say go with an Irian Jaya carpet - they stay relatively small at 5-6ft especially if you get a male. They are mostly arboreal even as adults and you'll often find them out basking on branches you have in their cage. They are fantastic feeders once established, are docile once they get some handling and in my opinion are the perfect snake.
You can find them all over the country - where do you live? I have babies available and can ship but if you're close to someone else or near an expo you can find males for around $80-$100 easily.
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Author Comment
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10/17/2010 4:12:42 PM
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wantinganewfriend
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socal (southern california) so yea irain jayas look pretty cool, yea i mostly figured out not to get balls, so its mostly between a small bci like central or nicaraguan or irain jaya
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Member Comment
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10/18/2010 3:15:24 AM
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Member Comment
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10/18/2010 3:15:31 AM
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Member Comment
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10/18/2010 3:15:33 AM
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Author Comment
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10/18/2010 10:28:22 AM
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Member Comment
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10/18/2010 2:53:24 PM
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tsblair
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Hogg Island boas are awesome too. But a BCI male is in also in your range. You can find hypos and normals for under $100 easy.
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Member Comment
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10/18/2010 3:25:42 PM
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Herpetological_Girl
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I'm going to have to agree with going with a boa first (and NOT because I'm bias!). If you want a boa that stays small, I'd go with the Central American BCIs. Nics are fairly common now, and a normal or a hypo (as tsblair stated) can be found for under $100 easily. They come in a HUGE variety of colors as well (not necessarily under 100, but something to look into nonetheless). +1 for RTBs!
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Accepted Answer
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10/18/2010 4:29:44 PM
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crazysnakelady
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All are great suggestions. IJs are great, relatively cheap, and in your size range. BCIs are also great starter snakes. My first was a BCI and I loved him dearly. Hoggs are wonderful. Beautiful snakes and I highly recommend them to someone wanting a small boa. Dumeril's are also great, and I don't believe I saw anyone mention them. A great friend of mine has a male Nic that has a temper, but that does vary. It all depends on the individual snake. I do think ball pythons are good first snakes because they are typically very docile and well established subs and adults are usually great as pets. I believe it was Nate who said spend some time in a pet store and see what "tickles your pickle". We are all going to be bias against what we prefer, and this is YOUR snake and YOUR choice. I would never tell someone to get an ATB or a GTP for their first snake. BRBs are great snakes but probably not the best for your first. Perhaps go with one of the other rainbows after some extensive research? They are cheaper, just as pretty IMO and stay smaller. I think CRBs are highly underrated and they are very cheap!!! Of course take all of the suggestions into serious consideration, and don't jump on the first snake you like. They are VERY addictive!!! Good luck finding your first :-) happy herping!!
-Shannon
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Member Comment
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10/18/2010 4:33:07 PM
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Member Comment
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10/18/2010 4:34:40 PM
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FyreFocks
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Yeah, well said, Shannon. Especially the pickle tickling part.
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Member Comment
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10/18/2010 4:47:31 PM
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crazysnakelady
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What can I say? I have a way with words. And pickles. Wait...
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