A little advise for someone considering getting a snake?

[KatanaRamirez]

Hi, I've never had a snake or any other reptile before but I've always liked them and was considering replacing my fish (which are getting to be a bit of a pain - won't stop breeding) with a snake. My current fish tank/prospective snake enclosure is (just copied and pasted from product specs. I know I won't be needing the filter ):

Dimensions 176(L)x48(W)x69.6(H)cm

• Curved Glass Aquarium (12mm Glass)
• Seamless front and side glass creates optimum viewing
• It comes complete with a biological wet/dry filter (activated carbon, ceramic rings and filter wool, pump - included)
• Also comes with lighting installed, and glass lids.
• Suitable for both fresh and salt water fish

So I'd like to know what species would be best for a beginer and can be kept in my tank?
What equipment I'd need to buy?
If I need to make any modifications to my tank?
Any hints and tips?

I'd like to start with a hatchling.

 

[Troy 1000]

A mac or childreni.
but you would need a click clack first as it would be to big for a hatchling.
You would need a heat matt.
Also some sort of substrate, a thermastat and a few hides. cold and hot ends.

Having a glass enclosure does cost a little more to heat as glass will disapate the heat easier than a wooden enclosure.
I am sure you will get a lot of help on this site

.

 

[Jen]

what state are you in? some states have restrictions on the kinds of snakes you can keep

 

[dickyknee]

First thing will be to make sure the lid or top is escape proof ....
That size is way to big to house a small hatchling IMO .
Most hatchlings will be better off living in a small enclosure or tub set up .
I would sell the tank and put it towards a nice snake , then when its grown to a good size ( which may be a year or so ) put it in a wooden enclosure , they hold heat much better , are much more secure than fish tanks .

 

[KatanaRamirez]

I live in NSW and my choices with a class 1 license are:
Children’s Python
Spotted Python
Pygmy Python
Stimson’s Python
Black-headed Python
Common Tree Snake
Water Python
Olive Python
Carpet Python (only for "subspecies" not known)
Centralian Carpet Python
Jungle Carpet Python
Western Carpet Python
Eastern Carpet Python
Carpet/Diamond Python (natural intergrade)
Murray/Darling Carpet Python
Diamond Python
Top End Carpet Python
Slaty-grey Snake
The 2 in blue are the ones I liked the most off the list just from looking at a few pics.

 

[dickyknee]

BHP's are a good looking python , most will make a good first snake though ..

what was the other blue one , there is only one there ???

 

[amazonian]

BHP are a great snake but may be intimidating for a new keeper.
They show alot of bluffing which could be mistaken as aggressiveness (hissing & mock striking)

 

[KatanaRamirez]

What's a click clack?

 

[Troy 1000]

What's a click clack?

I plastic tub with a clip on lid.
Hatchlings can squeeze out of the smallest hole

 

[Jen]

i got a pair of maccie(spotted) hatchies as my first in nsw, they are fantastic little snakes

 

[FAY]

Sorry, I disagree. I think a BHP would not be a great first snake, unless you read a lot of info about them first so that you know what you are in for.i.e being psycho feeders.

 

[KatanaRamirez]

Psyco feeders????

 

[dickyknee]

Psyco feeders????

Womas and BHP's ( aspidites) are very food orientated pythons , and will / can bite first and ask questions later , ....Fay has a good point , they are both very good looking , but there may be better first snakes , unless you are not concerned about the odd bite .:lol:

 

[amazonian]

I don't know about psycho feeders as I havn't had many that would take food from my hands. Majority would only accept food (rather slowly at that) off the floor & reminded me alot of vens.

However from reading others experiences I would say they have a strong feeding response if they they think it's lunch time & may mistake handling for feeding if they they smell food on your hands. And once they latch on it takes awhile before they realise the mistake & let go. You should practice using soap or hand wash before any handling anyway to avoid this with any species of snake IMO.

 

[KatanaRamirez]

What are the jungle carpet pythons like for a beginer?

 

[Troy 1000]

What are the jungle carpet pythons like for a beginer?

From What I have heard on hear. not for a first timer.

If you are after a bigger snake try a diamond or MD

 

[CodeRed]

jungle's are great feeders so are easy for beginers in that respect. They get a bad reputation for being snappy, but with some regular handling the hatchlings mostly calm down.

 

[KatanaRamirez]

Do they have any special requirements? I don't mind having to put in the extra time/effort. I would like to know what they are first though (requirements) so I can get everything I need and be prepared, I wouldn't want to nknowingly neglect them.

 

[CodeRed]

No they are just like any other carpet. Maybe a bit more humidity around shedding time is all.