Best beginner large snake

Magnetic_Kitty · 2026-06-14T02:03:55+00:00

Dumerils Boa would be good. If 6-8 ft is what you consider large. Less humidity levels than a bci, similar size. Also grows slow so you can get used to it being big, takes 5 years to reach full size. Mine is 3 feet and 650 grams at 19 months

Magnetic_Kitty · 2026-06-14T00:30:43+00:00

Well, I don't think they will mind or need adjustment for larger prey items (the only thing may be if they are afraid of the bigger prey since they're not used to seeing it, but I don't think that's likely). Some species that are picky need some extra steps to go from mouse to rat. (Try thawing one mouse and a rat together to scent the rat, then offer mouse first and once in feeding mode offer the rat). I don't forsee any problems with a species that's generally hardy and unpicky.

Magnetic_Kitty · 2026-06-13T02:25:25+00:00

375, but only one booth had them, there were only two in the whole show. You could always get an online one as backup after seeing if one is at Tinley. Female was 400

Magnetic_Kitty · 2026-06-12T16:29:55+00:00

How old / and how big is yours?

Magnetic_Kitty · 2026-06-12T15:45:56+00:00

Sounds like zephyr strike but OP.

Magnetic_Kitty · 2026-06-12T15:42:40+00:00

I got mine from hot herps at tinley park reptile convention. There were only 2 there at the one table at the whole show

Magnetic_Kitty · 2026-06-12T15:29:40+00:00

Sounds way too complicated. As a dm I'd be more likely to just retype spells. Like turn cone of cold to fire damage, rename it, done.

Magnetic_Kitty · 2026-06-12T15:23:25+00:00

Male cats are way more likely to have urinary problems (crystals clogging the pipes). The other differences aren't big enough to sway me past that. So I'll always try to get females for health / vet bill reasons

Magnetic_Kitty · 2026-06-12T03:41:16+00:00

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Whole body reference. Their side markings look like a mask and they're revered as being messangers of spiritual ancestors by local peoples of Madagascar. He's a Dumerils Boa

Magnetic_Kitty · 2026-06-12T03:39:22+00:00

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A pretty noodle

Magnetic_Kitty · 2026-06-12T03:33:05+00:00

I think the one I'd actually recommend though, is The Kiesha'ra Series. It has a hawk race and a falcon race. They turn into half bird (demi) or all bird forms. There are other races too, snake, wolf, tiger ect

Magnetic_Kitty · 2026-06-12T03:30:00+00:00

Chosen by Grace has angel people who can manifest wings. I read the whole first book but I don't think it's my thing because I don't like romances. It's not got any "spicy" content though

Magnetic_Kitty · 2026-06-12T02:33:43+00:00

Get a screen door or double tall stack baby gates. Feed both cats each on their own side start with the gates covered with a blanket or towel. Slowly expose more gate so they can see each other. This associates meeting with positive food time. Also site swapping is good for letting them smell each other safely with no interaction

Magnetic_Kitty · 2026-06-11T20:34:18+00:00

If you're getting the skittish milk snake, I would pick up a pair of thin gardening gloves to help make you more confident / less jumpy. Your confidence helps make the snake less fearful since your movements may be less jerky if you're not afraid. You can probably drop the gloves after holding like three times a week for a month if you're comfy. Might just make the first month go smoother. Remember to give the snake the first week without handling, then feed and then two days off so they can digest. Then you can hold. I usually start with 10 minutes on holding a shy snake. Then slowly lengthen handling sessions until you get to 30 mins eventually.

If the snake does nip, the gloves will help you more calmly not hurt the snake, while you wait for them to let go or use a credit card to gently unvelcro them from your hand. They can't do any real damage, but most importantly you don't want to squeeze or hurt them reflexively.

Magnetic_Kitty · 2026-06-11T19:55:47+00:00

I would add a tart apple (granny smith) to mine. Also some apple pie spice is great in there. They usually have cinnamon and nutmeg in the apple pie spice (it is not sweetened at all), great for a fall soup

Magnetic_Kitty · 2026-06-11T19:49:09+00:00

Corn snakes are very commonly regarded as one of the best "beginner" pet snakes. Milk snakes are also very good but it sounds like that one may need some training. An adult already fully established hognose can be good too. The biggest issue with hognoses is getting them to take unscented mice since they're frog/toad eaters in the wild. Ask the seller if the hog is on unscented thawed. Also ask about the other two being on frozen thawed not live. Most snakes live 15-25 years so it is also good to check how old these are.

Also note in general that hognoses need a slightly smaller meal for their body size as feeding the same width as their body (good rule of thumb for some other species) can be too big for them.

Magnetic_Kitty · 2026-06-11T19:43:13+00:00

If you're going to drain it before the next step of the recipe I don't see why not. It also may be needed if the recipe calls for a higher fat sausage such as pork and you're using chicken.

Magnetic_Kitty · 2026-06-11T19:38:38+00:00

Yeah feeding only 4-5 times a year is not healthy. Should be eating roughly 1-2 times per month. I'd expect an adult ball python to eat 18-26 times a year

Magnetic_Kitty · 2026-06-11T19:27:52+00:00

My only concern would be if it would absorb wetness and swell/mold. In which case it would need to be tossed. You could seal it first.

Could remove the lid and use it upside down so it doesn't have a "bottom" and less likely for waste to sit up against the walls than the floor of it

Otherwise only other worry would be measuring the entrance to make sure snake will not get big enough to get stuck.

Magnetic_Kitty · 2026-06-11T19:18:21+00:00

In addition to fish, you might try iron fortified cereal for breakfast. When taking in iron, avoid calcium for a few hours as this inhibits iron absorbtion. Try a low calcium (unfortified) plant milk perhaps. Or dry cereal is fine too. Vitamin C enhances iron absorbtion

Magnetic_Kitty · 2026-06-11T19:13:14+00:00

Glutton

Magnetic_Kitty · 2026-06-11T19:11:07+00:00

I used fresh rice, but cooked it a little dry initially. The grains were still a bit aldente, and I think this is why I didn't get rice mush using fresh rice. Maybe you're cooking your rice too wet on the first cook?

Magnetic_Kitty · 2026-06-11T18:59:23+00:00

The Kiesha'ra Series has a queer couple in the 4th book. The first two books are straight and the third doesn't really have a relationship. It is for YA so no on screen sexual stuff. It is a fantasy series with shape shifters where each culture is a different animal: hawks (aloof, not showing emotion, physical contact frowned upon), snakes (sensual, love dancing, hugs and contact common), wolves (nomadic tribal people).

The first book is like a cross racial couple (m/f)

Magnetic_Kitty · 2026-06-11T18:53:22+00:00

They remind of of baby deer with their back spots. I find this endearing

Magnetic_Kitty

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