Hi, I've always wanted to have a pet snake, and am seriously thinking about getting one.

I'm a bit lost at the moment though, and don't know where to begin. Does anyone have any realistic info about cost, when I'll need, etc?

I'm not going to go out and get one next week, I just want to make sure I'm fully prepared before I get one.

PM cooljules, he's your man when it comes to snakes.:thumbsup:

PM cooljules, he's your man when it comes to snakes.:thumbsup:

thanks :-)

well i have about 25, a lot rescue, few i bought as pets (more unusual ones) and a few i bred, not so common

you need a viv (unless its a tiny baby etc)

a heat mat

a stat (to control the temps ec)

water dish, hide.

i guess about 70 quid, plus snake...you can really spend as much as you want....

If you want to see lots of differant snakes, sizes, etc etc, how to feed them.....clean them, etc etc send me a pm..

Were at Firth Park

I like snakes, i like the not so common ones, but got a rescue corn snake had for a few years, but got a lot of rat snakes (which a corn is really)

snakes are cool....

also if you havent held one before come and hold some of mine, esp the young ones which are faster etc, and i can show you v docile snakes, nippy ones etc, and that there isnt really anything to fear....just respect them

If you are really serious about getting a snake do go and see cooljules, it would be well worth your time and you'd learn a lot from him!

dont just jump in to it a lot of people get the because they think there cool but a lot end up dieing because they are not looked after properly read up on them first also get one that is easy to look after corn snakes are ideal for starters

When i bought my corn snake the reptile shop where i got her did a deal, when you bought a baby snake you could have a starter tank for £50, which contained a large exo Terra terrarium, substrate, book, heat mat, water dish, hide and 5 pinkies. Then just add the cost of the snake onto that. They usually give you advice too and the shop i went too allowed me to handle one of their own pet adult corns before i made a choice. If you do go for a corn snake there are plenty of different colour variations and some colours cost more than others.

Corn snakes make great starter snakes as they are easy to handle and rarely bite unless u scare them or hold them incorrectly, they are easy to look after and rarely have any problems as long as they are given the correct husbandry.

As your snake gets older it will need a larger tank or vivarium depending on your own preference, Vivariums can be expensive but they are much cheaper on eBay or if you can build your own.

Ive had my snake just over a year now and i have loved every minute of owning her, it makes a change from fluffy kind of animals although i do have plenty of those too.

Thanks everyone, I'm definitely going to do my research first.

I went to the Lizard Lounge today, there's a Milk Snake there I've fallen in love with. There's a sale at the moment, so I could get it for £40 instead of £50, with a starter kit at an additional £35.

I'm very tempted to go and get it, but I don't have a freezer, so now I'm looking for a free table-top one. One problem to another. :P

I went to the Lizard Lounge today, there's a Milk Snake there I've fallen in love with. There's a sale at the moment, so I could get it for £40 instead of £50, with a starter kit at an additional £35.

I'm very tempted to go and get it, but I don't have a freezer, so now I'm looking for a free table-top one. One problem to another. :P
why a milk snake? i wouldnt have gone for one of those as a first timer.

they have some bairds rat snakes in (i bred them and sold them myself to the shop) which would be a better starter snake....

and what do you mean starter kit?

what size is the snake?
etc

As long as the milk snake is eating fine and has had regular consequtive feeds there is no reason why they shouldn't have a milk snake. At the end of the day they are a type of king snake which is another good starter snake. I would suggest however staying away From royal pythons as they can be tempramental feeders

On second thoughts seeing as have milk snakes and other types if you want to come and look at mine I'm in shiregreen.

why a milk snake? i wouldnt have gone for one of those as a first timer.

they have some bairds rat snakes in (i bred them and sold them myself to the shop) which would be a better starter snake....

and what do you mean starter kit?

what size is the snake?
etc

I was told that a Milk Snake would be an equally good starter snake, and he said that they don't grow to be as big as Corn snakes, which also suits me better.

The starter kit comes with the baby snake, some mice, a small tank, etc and heating mat. £75 altogether.

I was told that a Milk Snake would be an equally good starter snake, and he said that they don't grow to be as big as Corn snakes, which also suits me better.

The starter kit comes with the baby snake, some mice, a small tank, etc and heating mat. £75 altogether.
i wont go into the debate about stats...

nothing wrong with a milk snake (i do like them, its just personal) but i didnt want you to run before you can walk.

No debate here, I know everyone here means well.

He said that there wasn't much difference between Milk and Corn snakes, except the [pattern, and size. he also said Milks are a bit warmer.

What are your thoughts?

No debate here, I know everyone here means well.

He said that there wasn't much difference between Milk and Corn snakes, except the [pattern, and size. he also said Milks are a bit warmer.

What are your thoughts?
well i will let carpet viper say more about milk snakes, but i was sure there was more differences...never heard that bit warmer thing..

just looked at some breeders/keepers of them, seems more skittish when young, which can often be nervy for new keepers..

without a stat i cant see you keeping a safe temp. plus you would need one for when its moved into a viv..

I think I'd get one as part of the starter pack, I'm sure he mentioned it. He said they were a little more nervy when they're young, but they get used to you, so I'm okay with that.

No debate here, I know everyone here means well.

He said that there wasn't much difference between Milk and Corn snakes, except the [pattern, and size. he also said Milks are a bit warmer.

What are your thoughts?

Ok here's my point you buy the corn snake find out it's easy to keep and you'll regret not buying the one you want and end up buying the one you want anyway eventually.

I do know what I'm talking about when I say as long as the milk snake is a feeder you should have no problems with it at all. I'm sure the lizard lounge will make sure everything is ok with the snake well I know they will it's me they ask to check them out usually lol.

Like I say I have one that's about 14 inch so not that old if you wanna come see feel free to come and look.

People always bang on about corns and rats being the best starter snakes but that's not always the case both cooljules an I both have a rat and corn snakes that are just plain nasty mine has been like that since being young and only I can hold him and he even bites me.

All I can say is research what your final choices are and just make sure you can give it the care it needs.

Ok here's my point you buy the corn snake find out it's easy to keep and you'll regret not buying the one you want and end up buying the one you want anyway eventually.

I do know what I'm talking about when I say as long as the milk snake is a feeder you should have no problems with it at all. I'm sure the lizard lounge will make sure everything is ok with the snake well I know they will it's me they ask to check them out usually lol.

Like I say I have one that's about 14 inch so not that old if you wanna come see feel free to come and look.

People always bang on about corns and rats being the best starter snakes but that's not always the case both cooljules an I both have a rat and corn snakes that are just plain nasty mine has been like that since being young and only I can hold him and he even bites me.

All I can say is research what your final choices are and just make sure you can give it the care it needs.

i have kept Pines and hoggies for many years, not a great starter snake, but doable if read up on, snakes that are notorius for being bad feeders...so not ideal for the 1st timer..but can be done.

try the lizard lounge on holme lane

try the lizard lounge on holme lane

er check post #8

earlier i went out for a meal, with a breeder and seller of them for 20 years....

he says there skittish, and nervy when young, also likley to crap on you/musk

yes i have had this with baby snakes myself, but much worse with milks etc

I still think I'm going to go with a Milk snake, thanks for your help everyone.

A bit of infro to hopefully help you along.

Pueblan Milksnake - Lampropeltis Triangulum Campbelli
Small yet stocky to around 3ft.
Broad bands.

Sinaloan Milksnake - Lampropeltis Triangulum Sinaloae
Mid size and slender to around 3.5-4ft.
Broad red Bands

Mexican Milksnake - Lampropeltis Triangulum Annulata
Small to mid size, stocky to around 3.5ft
Broad Bands

Honduran Milksnake - Lampropeltis Traingulum Hondurensis
Large size yet slender for length. to around 5-6ft. In exceptional cases larger.
Mid thickness bands, black tipped scales.

There are many more species but these are either rare to get hold of or are so small that they rarely do well in captivity i.e - red milksnakes - Lampropeltis Triangulum syspila.

hope this helps in your research.

chaz

I've bought it now, I've gotten a Sinaloan Milk Snake, and I love it It's very calm around me, so things are good atm.

how aboput a puff adder?

I've bought it now, I've gotten a Sinaloan Milk Snake, and I love it It's very calm around me, so things are good atm.

Thats great news but remember owning reptiles is a disease I dont know many people who only stop at just one reptile.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Hows the snake going?

Heres a picture of one I rescued a while ago, because of the short warning I received I made arrangements for a bigger rescue to come and collect it from me.

rescue boa (http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l16/geo666uk/red.jpg)

She was a big old girl but she had a few old burns and hadnt been handled for years but was really calm suprisingly.

It's going well. He's a bit jumpy, but hes eating, and pooing on me like there's no tomorrow.

It's going well. He's a bit jumpy, but hes eating, and pooing on me like there's no tomorrow.

yup they do that!

i know its a bit late now but i was at Snakes & Adders yesturday & hes got some really nice stock in ,and was very polite & knowlegable , nice shop aswell

I find with milks if they mess when you pick them up nearly straight away pick them up and them place them down after a few seconds once they have finished you can pick them up and them change the kitchen roll.

They usually stop doing it when they get more used to you.

I'm not sure about feeding him though. I started him on one pinky a week, but I tried another 3 days after his last feed, and he took it, and 4 days later, he's eaten again.

If I feed him 2 pinky a week, it that too much?

It really depends on its size I feed mine two pinkies a week just look out for it getting a little porky.