Want a python, have some questions.

[zbsadler]

Ok, so I have a 18"x18"x24" enclosure that was being used for a vine snake that is no longer with us . I was wondering if there is any python that may work well in this enclosure. There doesn't seem to be any true arboreal species besides the tree boas and I'm not too interested in one of those right now. I was thinking maybe a Jungle Carpet Python since I've read that they are at least semi-arboreal and they don't too large. I realize that I will probably have to build another enclosure eventually but I would like to make use of this one right now if I can. I've done some research on my own but would like some input from other python owners before I make up my mind on what to get. Any thoughts?

 

[M_surinamensis]

That's on the smaller side for many of them, but there are a few that could use it as juveniles and a few that would do alright long term...

Really depends a lot on what you want out of them as a pet. Do you want a display animal or something to handle? How experienced are you maintaining precise environmental conditions? Do you have any experience with tricky feeders and wild caught animals other than the vine snake?

 

[zbsadler]

I would rather have something that would readily eat rats or mice and a captive bred snake would be nice too. The vine snake is the only tricky eater I have had but I'm pretty good with keeping environmental conditions right. If I need high humidity I am prepared for it. Along with the enclosure I have other things that I may or may not need depending on the species I go with. I have a automatic mister, fogger, UV light, 75w basking lamp, and a 150w basking lamp. I already have a digital barometer and thermometer as well as a temp gun. I don't want a large snake and I would like something that can be handled from time to time. If there is a species that could live in this enclosure for a long time then that would be great but if not I have no problem with eventually building something else as it outgrows this one.

 

[M_surinamensis]

My first suggestion would be childrens and spotted pythons then. Only available as CB, eat rodents, can be handled from time to time without too much difficulty and stay small. I'd usually do an enclosure with a larger footprint as they aren't really arboreal species, but they will climb a bit from time to time.

Less handleable and with more feeding issues, but things that the enclosure would be alright for, at least for awhile, presented just as names and not as specifics... Candoia bibroni, amazon tree boas, emerald tree boas, green tree pythons, ringed pythons, jungle carpets, maybe rainbow boas and macklots/savus. Some will outgrow it, some are pretty much guaranteed to bite and should be treated like displays, some are a little less arboreal and won't make full use of the space. They also vary a bit in how difficult they are to keep, some of them are easier than others and they each have some trait which makes them not as ideal based on what you describe wanting... but young ones could potentially be housed in the described enclosure.

 

[zbsadler]

Out of the ones you mentioned I'm still leaning more towards the jungle carpet or possibly the spotted. With any snake that I have owned I usually only handle them once a week just to keep the stress level down so I think a jungle carpet would be ideal for me. Once it outgrows this enclosure I may use it for more geckos lol. The spotted pythons look interesting and if I'm not mistaken they require basically the same care as the childrens python but look better imo. If I do decide on a carpet I will have to be careful who I buy from because I don't want to end up with a coastal or a jungle that has been bred with a coastal that reaches 10'+. Thanks for the info I will do a lot more research in the next few days before I completely make up my mind.