1st/2nd python Owner! Opinions and Advice please

[Miffy]

If you like diamonds get a diamond, they are generally as a rule placid.

Just make sure you research how to care for them properly as their set up is a little different to most other pythons. Its not harder, just different. Lower temps, UV etc.

I love my diamond and she was my first snake, I work for a reptile company and we generally use an adult diamond or a bredli when we do our shows.

Best thing i like about them is the way the start of as ugly ducklings and its exciting watching them get colour as they mature.

[ccmattyjayde]

Wow Brentf, thats cool that your pythons have free range of the house when you are home!

I won't be buying any reptile until I am certain that the breeder is good, and I at least know of a good vet in my area that treats reptile. So no worries there!

Thanks for the info Miffy. I have been to quite a few Zoo's and animal/reptile parks and all of them used a diamond (and some others) for shows and demonstrations. None of them minded being passed around and held by kids etc Lol.

To be completely honest, the different sort of care does turn me off the Diamonds a bit. I'm sure I would have no problem with them at all but just to be safe, I think an easier or small one would be the best option as a first.
Doesn't really bother me, I think they're all beautiful! I've just always specifically liked Diamonds, not even sure why!

Soooo, my top choices would be Carpet's, Spotted's, Bredli's or Children's? Haven't really seen many Stimson's for sale around here (Although I'm sure there would be some somewhere), so I think those four are the ones I should be considering.

Will hunt down a couple of breeders near me to chat to!
Thanks for all your help everyone!

[Naxx]

if u want a certain breed, you will be able to fidn someone selling it i have found. Even if you have to go interstate which isnt really a big deal. I am personally a big childreni fan. The care is easy and like u said diamonds have a few things that u have to take care of to avoid diamands syndrome. Spotties are very pretty also, so like i said before it really depends what look you like the best.

carpet's are great too, but they grow quite large so

[Aslan]

CCMattyjayde - If you can manage a large enough enclosure for an adult of the species then go with what you like - in saying that, the best two beginner snakes are Murray Darling (MD) Carpets, and Bredli...both are very hardy in captivity and are (generally) very well tempered adults.

The smaller species (Stimsons, Childrens, Spotteds) are also great - however, have a tendency to be quite snappy as juveniles but calm right down as they mature...

In saying that though, regardless of what you get, you are likely to take a few bites - thats part and parcel of it - however, be reassured in knowing that a bite from a young snake doesn't hurt in the slightest...

...in regards to purchasing, track down a reputable breeder, freight is not difficult so don't be put off by where they are located...

[Naxx]

i agree with aslan in every way

[ccmattyjayde]

Thanks Naxx and Aslan.

I'm not worried at all about getting bitten - I know it will happen! In fact, I can't wait haha (Don't worry, won't purposely do anything to provoke the snake though!)

Still not quite sure what species I am going to go with.. I will just keep researching and I will find some breeders to talk to, then I'll decide.