fist python/boa

[lordkovacs]

i was in your position a while back... i chose to get a corn to start with. my corn is probably my favourite snake. he eats like a pig, takes so little time to take take care of, and if very docile. however, you have probably already heard that advice a million times. my next choice after my corns were my irian jaya carpets which are awesome too. both my ij's are extremely calm , though were very tricky to get to eat rats (which is necessary, esp. as they get bigger!). I would recommend a corn as a starter, and for something more striking, an IJ. just my 2cents...
cheers...good luck!
mike

[ballpython101]

can some 1 explain to me the #'s ( .5, 1.0, 3.5) by the snale name or the snake that the owners have ?? i want to know wat dat means.........

[JD@reptiles]

male.female.unknown

[JeffT]

for example 1.5.3 =

1 male 5 females 3 unknown sex


Well I dont think owning one leopard gecko is a whooole bunch of experience but w/e, The two snakes that you want there are difficult species to care for and not only delicate, but dangerous, both as adults can have fangs ( lack of better term) that can reach nearly an inch long or more and can rip you up good. You cant handle them unless you have snake hooks, or at least ive never seen anyone do it without.

A good starter is a cornsnake, they get around 4 feet and are good for someone starting out. Good luck with it

Jeff

[maiden_canada]

they are TEETH!!! not fangs, fangs inject venom into you, teeth do not.

[emroul]

I didn't have a problem with a ball python being my first snake. They do great, and I learn from them everyday. Maybe I just got lucky, but I think if you are certain to buy ONLY captive bred specimens who are well established hatchlings or even adults, there shouldn't be a problem. Like I said, maybe I just got lucky with the 8 I have eating like they have been starved for decades!

Just my $0.02- I would say go for a ball python, or any other species mentioned... AFTER LOTS AND LOTS OF RESEARCH!!!

Jennifer

[Simon]

I don't know
but from my opinion I'd say not a GTP or a ETB is good for a beginner.

A lot of people say ball pythons are good but some do get tricky with eating. I had a hatchling that was CB from a very reputable breeder but she wouldn't eat too much. Only once half a year. It doesn't just stress the snake out it also stresses the keeper. So that is why I would not really recommand ball pythons for beginners.

I'd say
rosy boa, sand boa, and corns are the best starter snakes!

They're great and have a lot of variety to choose from~

[jim mcallister]

do all the research you possibly can, visit as many snakes as you can, wait a couple of months so you don't impulse buy, then buy the snake that is most appealling and easiest to care for