Snake noob, few questions

[Familyguy]

Hey guys and gals. I'm callan from newcastle, NSW. I'm 19 and just looking at my first snake. Just asking a few questions as im a noob so no hate but tell me if I need help I'm tossing up about a red bredli and a albino python.
going more towards a bredli as there are some hatchlings at snake ranch.
Just wanting some info any tips would be cool thanks guys
and sorry if I'm posting this in wrong place. Haha

 

[Shay-Nik]

Google is where you should be asking, or looking through some threads they always help.
Other then that, welcome to ASP.

 

[borntobnude]

Hello Familyguy

I think you have come to the right place to ask those questions -- even though Shay thinks otherwise
the correct first snake is one that you are comfortable with , have a basic understanding of , ie its needs , behaviour and growth requirements . They are both large snakes to start with .Any snake can be snappy and its up to the owner the make the snake comfortable with you and its environment to reduce any aggressive behaviour . This forum is full of many people with varying advice on all subjects
So Welcome , Read up and go for it

 

[Ambush]

G'day there Welcome. Just remember let what ever you get settle in. I let my first settle in for awhile. She is so placid. Coastal Carpet. Good luck. You wont stop at 1

 

[Pauls_Pythons]

With your first animal I would definitely suggest getting something that is established, eating well, shedding well. Snake Ranch or other breeders are certainly good places as they can offer support and are generally happy to do so.

Corner pet shops are ok for basics but don't have resources to provide specialist advice.

Make sure you find a reputable food supplier in your area, again local corner pet stores are not ideal but do sometimes provide an ok back up service. I normally find when I need to use them they don't have what I need.

Make sure you do plenty of research before you buy, temps, enclosure size, size of an adult can sometimes surprise people if they are not prepared or have sufficient room/food sources/enclosure size etc.

Finally enjoy. Its a fantastic hobby with some great people.

 

[Endeavour]

Welcome to the Forum, great advice given by Rodney, Paul, and Paul above. If I had to choose it would be the Bredli but at the end of the day its very much a personal choice. Members on here are really helpful so please keep asking questions.

Kindest regards

Endeavour

 

[Norm]

G'day Familyguy! Another novacastrian! Personally I think an albino is a fairly big investment for a first snake but plenty of people get them as their first. Like others have said, research! Be all set up and ready to go before you get your snake. I changed my mind about 6 times before I finally settled on my first now I want at least one of everything!

 

[Hamalicious]

G'day mate.

My first piece of advice would be to ignore anyone that gives you a hard time for asking questions. It's quite common on forums so just ignore it, the only stupid question is the one you don't ask.

You've chosen two really nice snakes. If i was in your position, i would go for the Bredli. They are a much more affordable for a first snake and very hardy. Any snake has the potential to be defensive and snappy and most hatchlings will be for the first few months to a year. Consistent and gentle handling will make a big difference to the temperament of your python.
The other thing i would advise is your enclosure. It seems cruel to put an animal in a small enclosure, but for hatchlings, this is important as they will be stressed in a large enclosure, so a click clack is a good place to start until they get larger and more confident. I usually keep them in an appropriate size tub until they are a year old and then move them into an enclosure.
Finally, ignore the temptation to over feed your snake. They will get to their full size in time, over feeding will just cause problems to the snake and isn't healthy. You'll be able to find good care sheets if you spend some time on google.

Good luck and enjoy.

 

[Shay-Nik]

Hello Familyguy

I think you have come to the right place to ask those questions -- even though Shay thinks otherwise
the correct first snake is one that you are comfortable with , have a basic understanding of , ie its needs , behaviour and growth requirements . They are both large snakes to start with .Any snake can be snappy and its up to the owner the make the snake comfortable with you and its environment to reduce any aggressive behaviour . This forum is full of many people with varying advice on all subjects
So Welcome , Read up and go for it

I wasn't being rude. I was simply helping. I own a Albino Darwin myself and found looking through threads and googleing everything a lot easier to get then asking for tips.

When I bought my Albino I was expecting him to be nippy, but he wasn't it really depends what breeder you get your snake off. The guy I bought mine off, he must of handled them daily cause his hatchies were really placid and they were only 3 months old. My snake has never bitten me. If you do buy a snake from a breeder make sure you ask if they handle them if your worried about being bitten.

 

[Familyguy]

Thanks everyone for all the great advice and feedback. I'm not rushing into anything and iv been doing as much research as possible. I'm trying to convince my parents to let me have it aswell haha. And what do you guys reckon about having it in my room? It will be fine and peaceful through the day but at night I'm mainly in my room watching tv, playing ps3 etc, will this be a problem?

 

[Pythoninfinite]

Seems like you're starting out in the best way Fg, lots of people get the snake and then start the questions - not a good beginning for snake or keeper... There are lots of experienced people here who can help you with everything you need to know, and there are a number of inexperienced members who jump in with bad advice too - had a snake for 3 months and think they know it all. I would suggest you establish a relationship with only a couple of experienced people, and stick with the advice they give you, or you'll end up with so many conflicting ideas and just become confused.

Bredli is a good first choice if you have the space to maintain them when they're adult size. The tendency to bite as a youngster has little to do with the way they were handled or the frequency of handling by the breeder, it's very much a characteristic of the individual animal at that stage in their life, and something you'll get used to in a short time. Some are bitey, some not. For a tiny, vulnerable python, the best approach is to bite first and ask questions later, or you'll be eaten! As most Morelia grow, they become less snappy and more confident - in my experience Bredli are very pleasant and very beautiful animals as adults.

Your interest in keeping it in your room is fine - your activities won't distract it at all.

Jamie

 

[andynic07]

Seems like you're starting out in the best way Fg, lots of people get the snake and then start the questions - not a good beginning for snake or keeper... There are lots of experienced people here who can help you with everything you need to know, and there are a number of inexperienced members who jump in with bad advice too - had a snake for 3 months and think they know it all. I would suggest you establish a relationship with only a couple of experienced people, and stick with the advice they give you, or you'll end up with so many conflicting ideas and just become confused.

Bredli is a good first choice if you have the space to maintain them when they're adult size. The tendency to bite as a youngster has little to do with the way they were handled or the frequency of handling by the breeder, it's very much a characteristic of the individual animal at that stage in their life, and something you'll get used to in a short time. Some are bitey, some not. For a tiny, vulnerable python, the best approach is to bite first and ask questions later, or you'll be eaten! As most Morelia grow, they become less snappy and more confident - in my experience Bredli are very pleasant and very beautiful animals as adults.

Your interest in keeping it in your room is fine - your activities won't distract it at all.

Jamie

This is very good advice and I have been caught out in the past trying to listen to too many people. There is many ways to keep a python that will work and the key to a method working is making sure the basic needs of the snake are met.

 

[LaDeDah]

Also just a quick tip I have learnt along the way (I'm new to this too) is you can make decisions on what you think is best for your snake. I have noticed that every one has different ideas on caring for their snake. I'm not saying do the complete opposite but here for example of some common ones I have come across.

Feeding in the enclosure
Feeding in a feeding tub

Only using newspaper
(IMHO I hate the idea...)

Feeding schedules
Was told by breeder to feed a pinkie every three days.
Didn't agree so instead a fuzzy every 7 days

Not using glass enclosures
I think there is no problem if you can get the heat and temp stable

Being over the top with sterilisation
IMHO I believe differently, and believe in building up a heathy and strong immunity

And their is no point going for a snake you don't like, but them their is no point going for a snake that you can't properly take care of. If you feel you could look after an albino, go for it!

 

[CantBeatALBINOS]

Well IMO you have got in mind two great snakes to start off with, yes the albino darwin is deffs more expensive but some of the hatchys are really just stunning! Price comparison is around $1000 for an albino and about $150-$400 for a bredli, depending on where you buy,
I went with the albino for my first snake and havent looked back once! I would reccomend a diamond python or normal maybe a het darwin carpet python if you cant afford an albino and want something different to a bredli, but as others stated above personal choice is what it comes down too
Goodluck with your reptile family! Your mum should eventaully have one, mine did and she's in my bedroom
Also welcome to APS

 

[Pythoninfinite]

I would advise against a Diamond Python as a first snake. They are common in the trade, but can be fraught with problems as they age, especially if not kept outdoors. Not a good beginner's snake.

Jamie

 

[Venomous_RBB]

I would advise against a Diamond Python as a first snake. They are common in the trade, but can be fraught with problems as they age, especially if not kept outdoors. Not a good beginner's snake.

Jamie

+1

You sound like you are on the right track, Snake ranch would be a great place to purchase your new addition. Their red Bredli's are really good looking and some of the best in the industry.
Best of luck and welcome to the addictive hobby

 

[Familyguy]

Thanks again for all the info guys. Really does help. Iv done some research and is it fine just getting say a tub from binning a to start the snake off in? And a heat mat? Iv read some things saying one side with heat Matt and one without? And how do you keep humidity in the tub?? What else do I need?

 

[seamus132]

i think if its ur first snake should be somthing smaller or less dangerous BUT if ur a noob on snakes and handled them before i think red belied cause there my favrite snake

 

[Norm]

?

 

[Familyguy]

Can I get an answer to that question?
iv nailed it down to a jag jungle that in QLD only 7 months old.
the myth is they don't like getting handled bit that's fine with me as I work really long days and stuff.
So can anyone help me out with setting up. I'm getting a 45 liter tub from bunnings. A heat mat on one side. Water dish. A snake hide or something like a stable tree for it to hang in. What are your opinions?? And what do you think about jungle jags