Hey guys. I am an intermediate snake keeper with 3 enclosures. These are a 3x2x2 PVC bioactive for my Dione’s Ratsnake, and two 4x2x2 bioactives for my Broad Banded Watersnake and trio of Cali Red Sided Garters. I recently bought a 6x3x3 PVC enclosure but I do not know what snake I want in it yet. I am looking for a species with relatively large size but not unmanageable. I also do not want a snake that needs extreme heat. I am also able to handle pretty much any snake as I have taking a course in venomous snake handling and have handled snakes my whole life. Thank you guys for helping.
Get a boa! I think they fit all your criteria. Big but still manageable, relatively easy husbandry, and most boas have great temperaments and are wonderful to handle. Plus there’s loads of choices between all the various localities and morphs.
Alternately, a Dumerils boa or a dwarf/super dwarf retic could also work well in that size enclosure.
Or maybe a false water cobra.
Those would be the species I’d personally be considering if I had an empty 6’ enclosure to fill. ![]()
A bull or a pine snake is a great option. They are super hardy and do not require much supplemental heat depending on the ambient temp of the room you are keeping them in. They have voracious appetites and are known for being very reliable feeders that will take a wide variety of prey items. They average 5-7’ so they would be able to live out there life in a cage that size no problem. Some of them can be a little hissy, especially as hatchlings and juveniles, but most of them tend to grow out of that behavior. They come in a wide variety of morphs and as well as lot of beautiful wild types. The height on that particular cage might be wasted on them as they are not prolific climbers but like any snake they will climb if given the opportunity, or necessity.
Thank you very much. I was thinking about those but I did want something that climbed a bit and I did not know if they did
Thank you very much I will look into those. I might get a false water cobra.
Imho any snake will climb a bit if given a chance……
So another option, and something I’ve always wanted to do, is a group of cohabitated NA ratsnakes (everglades, grey, yellow, or black rats). Specifically from the SE US. You could do a cool naturalistic SE pine forest vivarium with palmettoes, or spanish moss. I would have lots of branches and multiple elevated hides.
That sounds interesting but don’t NA ratsnakes get 5 - 6 ft long
If/when I manage to figure out how to fit another large enclosure in my bedroom, I’ll probably fill it with a falsie. Love those guys, they’re such cool snakes.
Good luck choosing!
Thank you. I am getting whichever snake I choose on April 16th so I have got a bit of time
If you want something bigger and more arboreal you could go for a coastal carpet python.