After a massive amount of research, I actually decided to get a carpet python as my first reptile. He's still not huge, I've only had him for a year thus far, but he's been an absolute dream to care for in that time. Always happy to eat, but has never been difficult to handle or crazy defensive (even while hungry, and even when removing him from his enclosure). He's just the most placid thing.
I've been in the process of converting a TV cabinet, as someone else here mentioned, into a larger enclosure for him. It's pretty easy to find cheap (sometimes free) TV cabinets that people are just trying to get rid of, and it's great for an enclosure, as most of the hard work is already done!
If you find carpet pythons more appealing, and you can get the permission & appropriately sized enclosure, I say go for a carpet python. I'm not the only person around here that started with a carpet python, they can make a fantastic first reptile as long as you know what you're getting into. So of course, it all comes back to the golden rule of getting any new pet: RESEARCH. Research like crazy. Research until your head feels like it's going to explode, and then research some more. Honestly, it's the most common advice you'll get, and the reason for that is that is it SO important and so often overlooked in the excitement.
All that said, welcome to the obsession-- err, hobby* (easy typo to make). Whatever you decide, be sure and let us know
preferably with pictures... We love pictures...
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