What type of snake is best for me?

[Cmwells90]

Originally Posted by mrspicynacho

I think the two best options for me would be either an MBK or a spotted python.

They get approximately the same size, so I'll ask this question for both of them:
Why do people insist that having too large of an enclosure for a baby snake is bad? I don't understand the concept of this. I'm thinking of getting a 36x18x16" (~45 gallon) tank for whichever snake I get; would this be a problem for a baby snake?

because with a large open space they find it hard to hide, which can cause them a lot of stress. If you cover it with LOTS of foliage and hides you'll be fine.

[pet_snake_78]

I would agree you're going to need to keep the AC on. Sure things bask in the wild, but they also retreat to cooler areas, too. When you have a 100F apartment and they are trapped in a cage, there's nowhere for them to go and escape it. Basically owning any animal is going to require paying a little extra attention to temperatures, even a dog, cat, or goldfish. I think it's awesome that your considering your conditions as part of your purchase though. Likely it will be less frustrating to get something that's better adapted to your temperature and humidity than force things the other way around. At the same time, I would not purchase until you find something you really, really want. Best to go to some expos and such and not buy anything even though you really think you want it. Likely you will change your mind 3-4 times over the next few months and shopping is half the fun!

[Kuamata]

Based on what you said about the A/C, it seems no snake will be compatible with your unreliable temperatures and occasional high heat. Knowing this can happen and getting one anyways is extremely irresponsible, and will most likely result in a death that was preventable. I get that you're excited to get your first, but maybe you should wait until you're in a more stable living situation... Anyone that knows AZ knows it can get near 100F or above, and it's only worse in an unair-conditioned home, apartment, etc, where air can not freely flow to at least take some edge off.

[AndrewM1217]

Originally Posted by mrspicynacho

I live on the 2nd story in southern Arizona. The AC is almost always on, but when it's off in the summer when I'm not home it can get pretty damn hot in here.

I too live in Southern Arizona! During the winter my spotted python does great without any special accommodations regarding the air conditioning. His temps stay just fine, but I have yet to experience the summer since I first got my snake, so I'm sure I'll face some challenges keeping it cool. If you want to leave your AC off on summer days to save money, consider at least getting a decent size floor fan. The tower fan I use always keeps the room surprisingly cool, but as I mentioned, I have yet to go through a summer with my snake so I am unsure of whether or not this would be enough to work.

[pet_snake_78]

Considering I am in the Northeast and my snake room gets too hot in the summer, I am 100% sure you will have issues in the summer without AC. I have to move some of my snakes into the basement for the hottest month or so here.

[marvelfreak]

I would thing if you turn your heat source so off and had a fan on something like a Rosy or MBK or Spotted python would do just fine.