Best Display Snake

[croteseeker]

Sadly, I no longer keep any boiga sp. Lost them when I went to prison....

I did keep mated pairs of three subspecies of Boiga dendrophila (dendrophila, divergens, and melanota) and B. tanahjampeana.

I'll get some more when I can afford to. They can be expensive, here in America, and I insist on good cages for my animals.

They're great snakes -perfect for arboreal displays- although some will only feed at night.

BTW, don't handle them at night. They can be a little grouchy. (I probably should have mentioned that. )

[BRB]

Amazons all the way

[Eyelash]

BTW, don't handle them at night. They can be a little grouchy. (I probably should have mentioned that. )

Haha...some useful advice there croteseeker ! This is usually what you end up dealing with Francois...

[boaboy]

I think go with a diurnal snake, you want your display to be alive.
My GTP just sits there during the day and moves around at night, same with the Balls.

Look local if you can I think we have the most amazing diurnal reptiles!

[Francois]

I think go with a diurnal snake, you want your display to be alive.
My GTP just sits there during the day and moves around at night, same with the Balls.

Look local if you can I think we have the most amazing diurnal reptiles!

I wish I could go local, but Cape Nature is quite strict with exotics, so I doubt they would even consider a permit for local species. There also isn't a lot of diurnal species kept in the pet trade in SA, but that is definitely something to consider in a species.

[boaboy]

You never know until you try or ask, whats the worst that can happen?
If you can source a CB it will be a bit easier. But ya they can be a bit of a drag!!

Best of luck!

[Bushviper]

I wish I could go local, but Cape Nature is quite strict with exotics, so I doubt they would even consider a permit for local species. There also isn't a lot of diurnal species kept in the pet trade in SA, but that is definitely something to consider in a species.

Cape Nature do not have problems with Amazon tree boas. They are great.

[shamroth]

Capenature are quite happy to issue permits for local snakes as long as they are captive bred.

[bubblesharp]

Also look at the Taiwanese ratsnakes. They are not as commonly kept and love as some other snakes, don't know why?

If you can afford a large cage and can spare the space, I believe this snake might just be what you are looking for. They are very active, very large rat snakes, that can grow up to 2.5m. They are mostly arboreal and enjoy lots of climbing space. I house 2 in a cage (2m x 1m x 900mm high) they have a large warm section and a nice big hide on the heat and one on cold side. With some climbing branches etc.They do very well together and they hardly ever go into the hide as they are always out and about. they are brightly colored and just look awesome! Also they will not cost you and arm and a leg, as they go for anything from R200 - R500 as hatchlings or around R1000 to R2000 for big adults.

Whatever you choose remember to add pics when you are done

[Francois]

Capenature are quite happy to issue permits for local snakes as long as they are captive bred.

I didn't know that, but getting local Captive Bred snakes is a little difficult for the snakes I'm looking for ( mostly arboreal snakes).

Whatever you choose remember to add pics when you are done

I definitely will.

I think the Rhino rat is the one I want to try ( I hope there will be some babies this year). A pair in a quite big natural viv will look really cool. Maybe I can even try to breed them in the future.

[LizardLover]

A snake that would look good on display and in a vivarium, I will give a few snakes that thrive in both:
Carpet python (many morphs) (You can also buy them from Bjorn Unger in Belleville)
Green tree python (would look best but not for beginners)
Mandarin ratsnake
Beauty ratsnake (Really interesting patterning and nice snakes)
Tiger ratsnake
Panther chameleon (Look very nice, are arboreal, and very active) (You can also buy them from Bjorn Unger in Belleville)
Plumbed basilisk (Beautiful animals, active, arboreal) (You can also buy them from Bjorn Unger in Belleville)
If you really want a leopard gecko you can get an African fat tail. Looks very similar to a leo and normals are around R400-R600 (Yes they are legal)
Rhino ratsnakes

Hope you take the right snake and do not rush things. Take your time to consider your options.

[Westley Price]

A Mandarin Ratsnake is probably one of the worst display snakes ever!

They hate being exposed and die from stress quite easily. They spend most of their time buried in substrate if offered.

But the rest of your list is pretty good.

[LizardLover]

Wow I really don't know why I said Mandarin. Must have been confused with another ratsnake. Thanks!