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Starting with Snakes

The following list provides the common and species names of snakes that are good for the beginning herper. In compiling this list I have taken the following points into consideration;

Appearance and Temperament
Feeding preferences
Snake size v Cage size
Breeding potential
Conservation status

The list is split into two groups - 1) Boas and Pythons, 2) Colubrid Snakes.

NOTE - Suppliers of these snakes are listed for your information as to those advertising on the Web. I have no experience of their services or quality and no endorsement of their business is implied either directly or indirectly (see note below). The WWW Herp Dealers Page is located here. Consult the latest postings on rec.pets.herp if you need contacts or information on purchasing snakes. Also browse through the various herpetology sources available on the WWW via Yahoo Herpetology or check out the advertisements and classifieds in magazines like "Reptile and Amphibian", "Reptiles", "Vivarium" etc. at your local bookshop.

Good snakes to begin with are;

Boas and Pythons:
Columbian Rainbow Boa (Epicrates cenchria maurus)

Type - Boa
Origin - South America
Maximum Size - 6 ft (2 m)
Food - Rodents
Litter Size - Up to 20
Gestation period - About 200 days
Pacific Boa or Irian Jaya Boa (Candoia carinata)

Type - Boa
Origin - Indonesia and Pacific Islands
Maximum Size - 5 ft (1.5 m)
Food - Rodents
Litter Size - Up to 60
Gestation period - NA
Royal or Ball Python (Python regius)

Type - Python
Origin - Africa
Maximum Size - 4 ft (1.2 m)
Food - Rodents
Litter Size - Up to 7-8
Gestation period - 40-80 days
Notes - Can be difficult feeders sometimes.
Colubrid Snakes:
Corn Snake (Elaphe guttata)

Type - Colubrid
Origin - United States
Maximum Size - 3-3.5 ft (1 m)
Food - Rodents
Litter Size - About 12
Gestation period - About 60 days
Notes - Many color morphs available.
Common Ratsnake (Elaphe obselata sp.)

Type - Colubrid
Origin - United States
Maximum Size - 3-6 ft (1-2 m)
Food - Rodents
Litter Size - Up to 40
Gestation period - About 65-70 days
Hognose Snakes (Heterodon sp.)

Type - Colubrid
Origin - United States
Maximum Size - 3 ft (1 m)
Food - Rodents
Litter Size - 5-20
Gestation period - About 60 days
(H. nasicus - Western Hognose)
Prairie Kingsnake (Lampropeltis calligaster calligaster)

Type - Colubrid
Origin - United States
Maximum Size - 3 ft (1 m)
Food - Rodents
Litter Size - Up to 5-15
Gestation period - About 60 days
Kingsnakes (Lampropeltis getulus sp.)

Type - Colubrid
Origin - United States
Maximum Size - 6 ft (2 m)
Food - Rodents
Litter Size - Varies with species
Gestation period - About 60 days
Notes - Many color morphs and subspecies are available with beautiful patterns, stripes, blotches and spots!
Milksnakes (Lampropeltis triangulum sp.)

Type - Colubrid
Origin - United States and Mexico
Maximum Size - 3 ft (1 m)
Food - Rodents
Litter Size - Up to 20 (usually 10 or less)
Gestation period - About 60 days
Notes - Many color morphs and subspecies are available. Some subspecies are endangered or threatened!! Buying captive bred individuals will ensure that you have a good pet and will help to maintain the natural populations.
Pine or Gopher Snakes (Pituophis sp.)

Type - Colubrid
Origin - United States (some from Mexico)
Maximum Size - 6 ft (2 m)
Food - Rodents
Litter Size - Up to 24
Gestation period - About 60-70 days
Notes - Many color morphs and subspecies are available. Some individual Pituophis can be a little aggressive and may not be good snakes for the young beginning herpetologist. Some subspecies are endangered or threatened!! Buying captive bred individuals will ensure that you have a good pet and will help to maintain the natural populations.
POINTS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING YOUR FIRST SNAKE

1. Find out as much information as possible about your proposed purchase BEFORE you buy. Read books and magazines, consult other snake lovers, read and ask questions on rec.pets.herp.
2. Buy from a reputable breeder or dealer.
3. Buy captive bred animals whenever possible.
4. Make sure you have adequate housing and warmth for your snake.
5. Make sure you have access to a food supply for your snake. All snakes are carnivores, so you will need to purchase frozen mice or breed your own.
6. Buy a snake that is right for you!
Comments or suggestions on this page??? Send me mail "<
E-mail: jos.geurts@home.nl

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