My snake collection (610 views)

[Haimovfids]

Your snakes are really cool! I don't have any but they look pretty interesting to own.

[deebee]

Oct 8, 2015 20:21:44 GMT -8 Bluekeet said:

No, not at all. I just would prefer they all eat the same(ish) thing in general. Makes it easier for me. Plus, I don't really want a diverse collection. Just maybe 2 or 3 little snakes or just one big one. Geckos are great (leos, days and tokays... ooooh man), but I do see myself as more of a snake girl, despite having a wandering eye occasionally. My father initially had an attachment to bearded dragons, but there's just something about snakes I like more than lizards. Don't know what it is. All great nonetheless. Second would be tortoises for me. It is just so entertaining to watch them chomp on greens.

Yeah I understand what you mean. I have a central bearded dragon, a leopard gecko and an Irian Jaya blue tongued skink. I know they're not the most exotioc (well the gecko and the beardie) but people always tell you what 'starter' animals to get and those were the top two. I feed my leopard gecko on locusts, mealworms, dubia roaches and waxworms. He's about 9 years old now and his old owner had him for 8. His overall wellbeing is beginning to deteriorate with old age. Nothing that concerns me, no illness or anything. He just doesn't do as much or eat as much as a younger leopard gecko would. I had to move him in to the rack as getting around his somewhat crowded (with ornaments and climbing things) vivarium was becoming rather difficult. My bearded dragon eats greens every day (they're always available), bugs about 3 times a week (banded crickets, locusts, waxworms, dubia roaches... mainly the crickets though cause he enjoys running after them) and fruit here and there throughout the week. I actually find my BD to be the most expensive to feed out of my lizards. He eats a considerable amount of live food to maintain his weight. He's about 3? years old now... I think... and he's very small for his age. I got him at an expo for £8 in what I described as the 'bargain beardie bucket' with all of the undesirables in it. He was VERY skinny, showing signs of MBD and super lethargic. Problem I have with him is that he loses weight very easily but also slaps it back on even easier... which sounds alright until you've actually got to maintain him at a weight that isn't going to cause health problems haha. Other than that he's great. Greens don't cost much, he has whatever the birds are having except spinach. My BTS is easy enough to feed. He gets wet cat foot along with dog and cat kibble biscuit things as his main source of protein (some people don't agree with this but it's what all the Australian's seem to be doing and having a lot of success with), occasional bugs (he won't chase them so I tweezer him some waxworms or roaches haha), fruits, greens and eggs. Oh and canned snails. He eats everything. His favourite thing is cat kibble mixed with egg and fruits... blergh. I have Japanese quail so I usually just give him a whole egg and he will crack and eat it 

What I really want is a monitor. As much as I like iguanas, I prefer a more predatory animal haha. I am interested in the black spiny tailed iguanas though, those things are pretty! I am intending on having a trio of ackie monitors (ridge tailed monitors) as they can be housed in a vivarium but I'm tied up with what I want as a big monitor. Whatever I decide on will have it's own outdoor building that's insulated, heated and hooked up with UV etc. Space isn't much of an issue outdoors but it certainly is anywhere else haha. I'm thinking of having a black roughneck. I love the look of the more Australian/Indonesian species. I've worked with a bosc and I like the other African species but they have really stocky bodies rather than long and slender haha. I wouldn't dismiss them if I could have more than one. Feeding them would be inexpensive for me as they'd eat the same as my raptors and snakes


I don't own a tortoise, yet, but I have worked with them and enjoy them. I would love to have the room for a couple of leopard tortoises I think. I think they're so lovely. The cherry heads are nice too. I do have chelonians as well though. I have 3 common musk turtles, an Ouachita map turtle and a huge rescue yellow bellied slider. They're great and actually quite interactive. They know when you're bringing food which is really cute haha  

[deebee]

Oct 8, 2015 20:29:05 GMT -8 Bluekeet said:

I almost went with a corn snake, but I just didn't like how mobile colubrids were. Always on the move. I like something a little more placid. And by that, more like a pet rock.   I've had Medusa before several years ago, so fate intervened and I got her back again after 3 years apart. She is a great friend. Quiet, still and a little hissy, but all around just what I was looking for in a snake. 

She sounds great! 

If you don't want anything that moves around a lot, definitely don't get a big snake haha! Boas are a bit more lazy but when Hendrix wants to go somewhere he goes. As youngsters they're very colubrid-like in how they're always on the go. But other than some burms I think most pythons are really active, high energy snakes. Carpets can be fantastic and very placid but they'll try and climb EVERYTHING haha. I adore mine though. I had wanted one for years but the babies always seemed pretty defensive and it put me off them to be honest. When I started to look for an adult I had a few people let me down but I found Clyde for free and contacted the owner. He told me exactly what he was like. Viv defensive and needs a hook to come out, very aggressive feeder, bit him once etc. but an incredibly sweet and laid back snake any other time. He huffs quite a bit, but he's just stunning and vocal haha. He tolerates being handled great when he's out but wants to climb everything. Both of my really big snakes love faces... which can be somewhat intimidating to some! It's horrible when they get right in your ear and let out a massive huff! Tickles bad! 

If you want something somewhat similar to a royal in terms of temperament but that's a little different have a look into Angolan  pythons. I know they aren't readily available, but if it is something you wanted to put effort in to finding I think you'd enjoy them a lot. They do get bigger than royals, but not by too much. Females can be around 6 foot but that's also not unknown to royals either! 

If you want something a little bit different, that's chunky but not too long, then look into blood pythons. Not only do they come in spectacular morphs, but they get nice and chubby and can be about 6 foot too. Just a LOT more heavier bodied than a royal. A lot of them can be snappy but a hatchling that is handled regularly should be fine. I went to a reptile rescue near by to meet their young male and if I had of had a spare set up I'd of had him in a heart beat. He was SO mellow, easy to handle and chunky. He was a Borneo short tail. I personally prefer the Bangka Island bloods, but give me any haha! Have a look into them, they're definitely worth it and almost always readily available!

[deebee]

Oct 9, 2015 6:46:05 GMT -8 Haimovfids said:

Your snakes are really cool! I don't have any but they look pretty interesting to own.

 Once you have them set up right (ie. temperatures etc.) they're probably the closest thing to a pet rock. Most common pet species eat once every 7 days for things like balls, corns etc. and poop about the same. Make sure they have fresh water available. That's it I love them! As you've probably already guessed 

[Bluekeet]

I love my girl. The most costly thing is buying everything upfront. Other than that, incredibly low maintenance. I think my fish is more work than Med. I love them so much I want more reptiles! If you get into it, it can be infectious. Still, birds are my main favorite, but reptiles are a close second.

[deebee]

My passion definitely lies with birds. I'm somewhat new to reptiles too, maybe 5 years? But only recently has the addiction bloomed haha. Good thing is they don't scream, aren't overly sensitive and don't throw food up the walls It's not uncommon for people with snakes to have more than 10 or so haha!

[Bluekeet]

I'm about 4 years into it.

I'm actually going to college to become a herpetologist as a matter of fact. Don't know how well that's going to work out.

[deebee]

I studied an extended diploma in Animal Management!

[deebee]

Here's the new baby! 2015 male common boa, sharp albino het snow He's about 1.5 foot as of present but I'm expecting him to max out around 7-8 tops. The name's Nacho!