Should I?

[Trollbie]

So I just got my first ever snake, a Red Milksnake, on Saturday...

BUT when I was looking on Craigslist for snake supplies, I found that someone is selling a Columbian Rainbow for $75. Apparently she's about 3ft.

He says he wants her to go somewhere where she's gonna get more attention, because he doesn't have the time anymore. But that she's healthy and sheds regularly and that she has not shown any aggression.

I'm probably gonna look at her on Thursday or Friday... If she looks healthy, I'm not gonna be able to walk away unless someone beats me up and drags me out.

So it's up to you guys to either try and talk me out of it if you think I'm not ready and if it's a bad idea, or tell me how to properly check that she's healthy and help me get ready for her.

I know I've only had my milk for 4 days, but she's been out for more than hour every day so I'd make the time to handle the Boa too. My roommate loves snakes too so between the 2 of us, both snakes would get plenty attention.

I know I'm a noob and yall probably think I'm dumb, but I've wanted a snake since I was a kid. And now that I have one, I know she's not my last lol.

[exwizard]

IMO I think youll do great. A Columbian is actually quite easy to take care of. That was my sons first snake.

[alessia55]

You should take the rainbow boa if you have the time, money, and willingness to take care of it.

Also... this concerns me:
I know I've only had my milk for 4 days, but she's been out for more than hour every day
If you've only had the snake for 4 days, you should give it some time to settle in (at least a week) before you start heavy handling sessions. It's also recommended you keep sessions short at first because handling can be stressful for the snake (even if it appears to be happy/calm).

In my honest opinion, you should wait. Get used to having one snake first before you invest in another. You have the rest of your life to build up on your collection, and you never know if another one comes by that you really like too. Do research beforehand, rather than going in to buy a new snake that you're not familiar with. You've only had your milk snake for 4 days... what's the hurry? ;)

[theapexgerman]

Well if he eats fine than hold him all you want

[youngster]

Alessia gave you very sound advice mate, I would listen to her.

[CK SandBoas]

I would honestly wait. As you've said, you have had your new Milksnake for only 4 days. Before getting any new snake, i did my research beforehand, making sure i knew the correct temps and humidity to keep them at, making sure my quarantine area was prepared for the new arrival. That is extremely important when bringing a new animal into your household, you want to keep it away from any existing snakes for at least 90 days minimum, just to make sure the new animal doesn't have any issues that could affect your current snake.

[Trollbie]

You should take the rainbow boa if you have the time, money, and willingness to take care of it.

Also... this concerns me:

If you've only had the snake for 4 days, you should give it some time to settle in (at least a week) before you start heavy handling sessions. It's also recommended you keep sessions short at first because handling can be stressful for the snake (even if it appears to be happy/calm).

In my honest opinion, you should wait. Get used to having one snake first before you invest in another. You have the rest of your life to build up on your collection, and you never know if another one comes by that you really like too. Do research beforehand, rather than going in to buy a new snake that you're not familiar with. You've only had your milk snake for 4 days... what's the hurry? ;)


I honestly intended on giving her at least a couple days, but when I went to check if she's there and alive, she got all "excited" and started reaching for my arm and trying to get out so I took her out for like 10min and tried to put her back in, but she didn't want go and just kept trying to climb at the glass wall. So I took her out again for a bit longer and when I tried to put her back in, she did the same thing.

I don't have her out for an hour at a time usually, I just added up time total in a day. The only times she was out that long at once is when she fell sleep in my sleeve or whatever it is snakes do when they find a comfortable spot.

The lady at the pet store told me how she lets everyone know that she wants to come out and her description of how she lets everyone know matches exactly what she does to me. She also said that I will know when she wants to go back to her cage, but I have yet to learn what she meant by that because Penelope never seems to want to go back in.

I laughed when someone described their snake as a "lap snake" but now I know what they meant. A lot of the time she just finds a comfy spot somewhere on me or in my pocket or sleeve and stays there.

I even told the lady at the pet store yesterday, and she laughed and said that Penelope is fine because that's her normal behavior. And that if she's showing that she wants to come out and doesn't show any sign of stress, then I can take her out.

They've had Penelope in the store since early January, so I trust what they say because they've had enough time to get to know them. And they take very good care of their animals there.

[theapexgerman]

All of my snakes are lap snakes besides 2 my bull snake he's very mean and my coral snake and I think snakes just rest not sleep I think

[KORBIN5895]

Well the price is right....... if you get her now your quarantine clock will need to be reset. Honestly too many too soon is a real problem but I know several people on here that have been buying snakes in spurts. You have to start somewhere and if you feel you could handle two well by all means do it. Just don't stretch yourself too thin.

[Trollbie]

And I'm not in a hurry. But it's only $75, set-up included!

[theapexgerman]

Yea its already set up if the snake is healthy you pretty much set but for 75 bucks something could be wrong with the snake

[Bradyloach]

well if you think your ready, only you can decide! i know that if i had my own place i would make another impulse buy and get another sav! 75 set up included, thats not bad at all! 2 snakes isnt as hard to care for as 2 lizards i think we can all agree there, but snakes require knowledge of the animal which you can find here, heck man i say go with it if you want the snake buy it..... just come here for help, and make sure to quartine your snake!

[Trollbie]

I have been researching and texting the owner back and forth. And like I said, my roommate loves snakes and has had a snake before so she would gladly help me out. She even offered to snakesit whenever I need.

[KORBIN5895]

Yea its already set up if the snake is healthy you pretty much set but for 75 bucks something could be wrong with the snake

Its a Colombian not a Brazilian. Columbians are way cheaper.

[theapexgerman]

Then go for it hope he's a friendly snake

[theapexgerman]

Its a Colombian not a Brazilian. Columbians are way cheaper.
yea but 75 bucks with the set up I still would be cautious

[Trollbie]

That's why I'm asking you guys :)

And if I do get it, I want to make sure it's healthy. So what would I check for? Also if the snakes shows any aggression, I won't take it for sure. The guy says he hasn't handled it very much, but that even then the snake is calm when held.

[alessia55]

That's why I'm asking you guys :)

And if I do get it, I want to make sure it's healthy. So what would I check for? Also if the snakes shows any aggression, I won't take it for sure. The guy says he hasn't handled it very much, but that even then the snake is calm when held.

You can use the same guidelines that I've written up in my website about choosing a healthy snake... it's about ball pythons but you should look for the same things when looking for a healthy rainbow boa. Choosing a healthy snake: what to look for. (http://pythonregiuscare.com/How_To_Choose.html)

[Bradyloach]

just ask him to text you pictures, one of the snake being handled, the snake being in his cage, and a few others, post them here and people will let you know! i know nothing about snakes so im no help there

[theapexgerman]

Well check belly for burns also for mites see if skin is dry look for scars from bites from rodents stuff like that and if he hasn't been handle a lot when you hold see if he gots a firm grip

[Trollbie]

I just asked for some pics. He says he'll send some when he gets home


Does anyone on here live near central/northern CA?

[theapexgerman]

it be a 16 to 20 hour drive for me lol

[Bradyloach]

a couple days from me! haha northern ontario <3

[theapexgerman]

More than a couple day try almost a week if you not drving straight I would think

[Bradyloach]

yah haha if i were to go i would fly, with a plane, i cant fly haha :D

[Trollbie]

It took me 3 days to drive from Oceanside, CA to Buffalo, NY. It's not that bad haha

[Trollbie]

But I'm going to see it on Thursday or Friday, that gives you 2 days :P

[theapexgerman]

Now if it was in LA I'm like 8 hours or so away so I wouldn't mind driving that

[Trollbie]

Now if it was in LA I'm like 8 hours or so away so I wouldn't mind driving that

You said it wasn't worth the gas!!!!!

[Shmoges]

Well if he eats fine than hold him all you want


Yeah but after a day or two so the snake doesn't regurge....

[Trollbie]

Yeah but after a day or two so the snake doesn't regurge....

I was told no handling 24hrs before and 24hrs after. But how do I do it if I feed outside of her tank?

[alessia55]

I was told no handling 24hrs before and 24hrs after. But how do I do it if I feed outside of her tank?

Just feed inside the tank. There's no reason not to...

[Gungirl]

feed in the tank.. no need to feed out of the tank.

However if you do feed out of the tank give the snake enough time to get the pray down its throat and into the lower 2/3 of its body then carefully place it back in the tank.

[Trollbie]

Just feed inside the tank. There's no reason not to...

Really? That's the first time I've heard this

[theapexgerman]

You could just put down a tray or something like some do I put down this plastic tray for most of my snakes if you don't want the snake eating the substrate

[Trollbie]

You could just put down a tray or something like some do I put down this plastic tray for most of my snakes if you don't want the snake eating the substrate

I heard it's better to feed outside because then they don't automatically assume you're food every time you put your hand in the tank

[alessia55]

Really? That's the first time I've heard this

Yup. If you're worried about the snake eating the substrate, you can just put a plate in the enclosure during feeding time and entice your snake to eat over the plate. Also, there's no real danger in small pieces of substrate; only if your snake ingests large chunks of it.
I heard it's better to feed outside because then they don't automatically assume you're food every time you put your hand in the tank
Feeding outside the tank does not "prevent" aggression or suddenly rid you of the chance of getting bitten or anything like that. Feeding outside the tank can actually increase your chances of getting bit, since you'll have to move the snake back into its enclosure after feeding, when it's still in feeding mode. ;)

[Strutter769]

Honestly too many too soon is a real problem but I know several people on here that have been buying snakes in spurts. You have to start somewhere and if you feel you could handle two well by all means do it. Just don't stretch yourself too thin.

^^^^^I'm one who has definitely bought in spurts, without question.^^^^^

Anyway, I really think you should wait. Do tons of research, when you think you know enough, do MORE research. I bought my first snake in 1996 and I am still on here asking (sometimes what I consider silly) questions. That's AFTER hundreds of hours browsing the net, talking to breeders, people at the large expos, anyone I thought could help lead me to the right snake.

If you do decide to look at the snake and still consider buying the animal, visit Alessia's site and know what to look for. Is the snake active, any runny nose or eyes, burns, etc. If it still "feels right," no one can stop you.

Believe me, no one here judges anyone, so although some of us suggest waiting, we're more than happy to answer any questions we can.

Good luck!

[Trollbie]

Yup. If you're worried about the snake eating the substrate, you can just put a plate in the enclosure during feeding time and entice your snake to eat over the plate. Also, there's no real danger in small pieces of substrate; only if your snake ingests large chunks of it.

Feeding outside the tank does not "prevent" aggression or suddenly rid you of the chance of getting bitten or anything like that. Feeding outside the tank can actually increase your chances of getting bit, since you'll have to move the snake back into its enclosure after feeding, when it's still in feeding mode. ;)

Awesome. Less stress on me! First feeding day is gonna be Thursday, so I'm a little nervous as is haha.

Also thank you for the link to your website!

^^^^^I'm one who has definitely bought in spurts, without question.^^^^^

Anyway, I really think you should wait. Do tons of research, when you think you know enough, do MORE research. I bought my first snake in 1996 and I am still on here asking (sometimes what I consider silly) questions. That's AFTER hundreds of hours browsing the net, talking to breeders, people at the large expos, anyone I thought could help lead me to the right snake.

If you do decide to look at the snake and still consider buying the animal, visit Alessia's site and know what to look for. Is the snake active, any runny nose or eyes, burns, etc. If it still "feels right," no one can stop you.

Believe me, no one here judges anyone, so although some of us suggest waiting, we're more than happy to answer any questions we can.

Good luck!

Thanks :)

[Rainbowsrus]

I just asked for some pics. He says he'll send some when he gets home


Does anyone on here live near central/northern CA?


Does San Jose count? ;-)

[Trollbie]

Does San Jose count? ;-)


YES! I'm in Santa Cruz :)

[Rainbowsrus]

YES! I'm in Santa Cruz :)

LOL, just over the hill....

[Trollbie]

LOL, just over the hill....

Where is a good place to go for snake stuff there? The one pet store I like doesn't have that great of a selection :(

[Rainbowsrus]

Where is a good place to go for snake stuff there? The one pet store I like doesn't have that great of a selection :(

LOL, stores suck. There is a show coming up in San Jose.... I think July 21-22

[Snakesitter]

Yeah but after a day or two so the snake doesn't regurge....

I was told no handling 24hrs before and 24hrs after. But how do I do it if I feed outside of her tank?

Time before depends on the snake. I have some that will eat even while being held, and some that won't eat if you look at them funny beforehand or stand nearby to watch.

Time after should be long than 24 hours -- I personally use 72 hours, just to be absolutely sure.

[Snakesitter]

The one item I did not see anyone mention was records. Ask the current owner for any records -- feeding, shedding, medical -- he has so you can be familiar with the animal's history.

Also check to make sure what and how often he feeds, as you will want to have at least a few identical meals ready to go for the snake's first few sessions.

Good luck!

[Trollbie]

Alright, I decided to not even go look at the snake. I don't have enough knowledge to recognize if it's healthy or not...

But the pet store where I got my milk just had Carpet python eggs this morning, so maybe I'll wait for one of the babies :)

[theapexgerman]

Carpets makes really good snakes I want one day but got my eyesight on 3 more snakes

[millertime89]

I heard it's better to feed outside because then they don't automatically assume you're food every time you put your hand in the tank

anyone who tells you this is stupid and doesn't know what they're talking about. I've heard this more times in the past month than I care to count and I'm sick of it.