Looking for advice

[Pariah]

As I have put elsewhere, I am looking to get a royal at the end of october. My first snake, always wanted one.

It might appear that I have to mail-order, due to the lack of physical stores in my area. Always the way, when I am near a store my partner doesnt want one. So now I am partner-less and in a different part of the country it is not viable for me to travel over 50 miles to view and purchase.

Would it be better to get the viv beforehand or is it ok to order both viv and snake at the same time?

Also, I see that exotic-pets are selling assist feed 12inch royals, I have considered this but am not sure that I could do a successful job. Am I right in thinking that it would be a bad idea for a novice snake handler??

[pied pythons]

Yes, extremely bad idea...

Royals don't make an ideal first snake at all in my opinion...especially ones that are still assist feeders.

And yes, you need the viv set up and running at least a week before putting a snake in it.

Are you looking for a snake you can take out and handle regularly?

[Pariah]

Thank you for the advice about the viv set up, nowhere I have looked has mentioned this information.

Yes, I would like to be able to handle my snake on a regular basis. Also, it would have to stay relatively small, as one of my housemates is scared of snakes. Lots of other places say that royals make good first snakes and I am smitten by their appearance. Not just colouration but their shape.

I am willing to spend the time after october to raise the snake, however until then I am trying to get as many opinions as possible and as much information as needed to create a suitable environment for any creature.

[blackbat67]

why not try a corn snake or a garter? or a rat snake or a milk snake?

lol those are the best starterf from what i've seen and read

[Aunty_Lizard]

Our Royals are kept in RUB's Really Useful Boxes. I would not go for an assist feeding Royal especially as it is your first snake. Royals can be fussy feeders and can go off feeding for a variety of reasons.. Temp not quite right, too hot, too cold, dont feel like eating.

We have been fairly lucky with ours xena feeds every week going into shed or not.. Ziggy is a bit more fussy won't eat when going into shed is more aware of temperture changes etc.

Liz

[Pariah]

Originally Posted by blackbat67

why not try a corn snake or a garter? or a rat snake or a milk snake?

I think the biggest reason is I do not like the look of those, don't know why. They dont seem to be as seductive as a royal. Nor attuned to my routine enough. I tend to naturally revert to nocturnal hours, when left alone too long.

Originally Posted by Liz_n_Mark

Our Royals are kept in RUB's Really Useful Boxes. I would not go for an assist feeding Royal especially as it is your first snake. Royals can be fussy feeders and can go off feeding for a variety of reasons.. Temp not quite right, too hot, too cold, dont feel like eating.

It was only a half hearted thought about getting an assist feed, to be honest. I dont think that I could cope well with doing it. Not yet anyway.

As I say though, thank you for all your input. Now to wait for my lift to go to work, yay being stuck in a car for at least 3 hours.