Im new to reptiles, i have a yr old beardie who wasnt very well looked after and hadnt been handled but now he has put on loads of weight and is getting really friendly, my question is i now have the bug and i have just aquired a 3 ft tank with heat mat, heat bulb uv bulb.

Im considering a snake but could i keep anything happily in that size tank? i often think they look very sad all curled up all the time so it must be a small snake.

I aso have a 2 ft plastic viv, if it needs a smaller space first and i also have a small plastic tank which i used to keep bugs in http://aquatic-store.co.uk/pond/view/1261

__________________
Tiggy, 13 yr old Collie x Alsation, Lucy 11 yr old epileptic cross breed, Kara, collie x whippet

What are the rest of the dimensions?

A loose rule for snakes is one square foot per foot of snake. But obviously depends on the snake. A heavy bodied snake will need more room while an arboreal species can get away with less floor space because it will have the height instead.

how wide is it? the snake should be able to stretch out along one length side and down one width side, if you understand what i mean. i reckon a corn or a royal could live happily in that, but you wont need the bulbs, just the heat mat

__________________

I have lots of Royals and if you are used to lizards I wouldn't recomend them really, as they (if happy) spend most of their time hidden away. Also, they can be intermittent feeders, which is normal for this speices, but can upset newbies to snakes. On top of that, a lot never do well in vivs, but are better kept in 'storage box' type set ups.

I would say go for a corn. They feed easily, are fairly 'outgoing' for a snake, and come in lots of pretty colours. They are usually good tempered too, and even if they're not, it's not that intimidating and a corn bite wouldn't hurt you.

I've got corns as well as royals, and although I prefer the Royals, I'd suggest corns to anyone asa beginner snake any day. I take in enough 'problem feeder' royals to know that whata novice views as a feeding problem, and can get very upset about, usually isn't.

I'd say a corn or a royal but be careful with royals because they can be picky feeders. Mine isn't eating at the moment and it is stressful knowing that he's refusing a feed.

__________________

Ive come across some bairds rat snakes for sale near me, i was told they were good beginner snakes is this right?

__________________
Tiggy, 13 yr old Collie x Alsation, Lucy 11 yr old epileptic cross breed, Kara, collie x whippet

I'm not sure. I think they are classed as beginners snakes and they only grown to 3ft - 4.5ft

I read that 3 good beginner snakes are corns, royals and king/milk snakes.

__________________

baird rat snakes r good beginner snakes...i was going to get one till i got my 2 boys...iv got corns they r lovely and easy to handle and they both have very difrent temperments!

__________________

yea i'd agree with that, our 1st 2 snakes were corns, and very stress free, they were good eaters and just generally easy snakes. once we got kai, our python, he had never fed before (he was very young) and we only got him because i worked in the shop i got him from and had a lot of knowledge and help from the staff. he's still not striking and its been a few months, i have to hand feed him once a week and sometimes end up getting bitten lol. a carn is much easier and much more reliable

__________________

ill stay away from pythons then.

I was looking for a corn snake but i came across the rat snake and as its not to far from me i thought id go for this as mum and dad look stunning.

Got the ladies phone number going to call tomorrow

Rat snake babies Liverpool - Reptile Forums UK

__________________
Tiggy, 13 yr old Collie x Alsation, Lucy 11 yr old epileptic cross breed, Kara, collie x whippet