Hey all, I just want to ask which snake is ideal to have as a pet. I know each one has its ups and downs but from experienced snake owners and your personal views as to which is the ideal snake to have? Thanks.

You may want to be a bit more specific then that.
There are really quite a few factors that play into what makes a snake a good beginer snake, size, temperament, temperature and humidity needs, feeding, how well they handle stress, not to mention a myriad of other things that come into play.

It really depends on quite a few things, though I think most people can admit, one of the easiest snakes would be a well started corn snake (babies are not necesarily difficult, but in my limited experience with baby corns, they are much easier to deal with when they've achieved closer to 1'-1.5' in length)

Another snake that is often overlooked as a good starting snake would be a common boa, I personally think a common boa is a easier snake to deal with then a ball python, however they do get large, will require a large amount of space, and will almost always progress to feeding on rabbits(though some people will just feed large numbers of rats instead), and feeding can get expensive. These play into why they are usually overlooked.

Carpet Pythons also seem to make a great first snake as well, something I never realized as much until I started seriously looking into acquiring one.

If you narrow your preferences down a bit, i'm sure it would better aid us in any suggestions we may have.

Think about how much space you have available for a enclosure, what your willing to spend on feeding, and any personal preference on what type of snakes your most interested in.

__________________
"Nobody can do Everything, but Everybody can do Something."

Well, space I can make. I dont think that's a problem. However, I dont want to end up having a very big snake, about 1 metre is ok. I got a question on food as well. On my way home I went to the pet shop to look for fake plants for my iguana and I saw the owner had two ball pythons, and four diferent corn snakes in tiny little fish cages and he left the mice to roam free in their cages for over 10 mins... anyway, I asked him how often do I have to feed them mice, and he said "once every 20 days and noting else is needed". is it true?
I'm not planning in getting a snake right now, I just thought of it and might get one in the near future, after a little research.

Corn snakes are hands down the best beginner pet snake. They are colorful, docile, hardy and easy to feed.
The shop owner is dead wrong.
Or an idiot!
Leaving a live rodent in a snake cage is asking for trouble!
Corns should be fed weekly! He is feeding the snakes just barely enough to keep them alive! I sincerely hope that they leave his "care" quickly!

__________________
Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

eek, Merlin your encouraging me to buy them all, lol. I hate knowing that animals are being tortured just because the owner lacks the kowledge or is too lazy to find out.... I told him isnt that a bit too long for the snake to go without food and he gave me a load of excuses saying that is fine and ok for the snake. well, thanks for the info.

I know what you mean. It is hard!
However keep in mind that by purchasing these animals just to save them, is actually giving the petstore more money to aquire more animals to treat them in the same manner.

__________________
Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Please keep in mind that there are other expenses beyond feeding a snake. I have a motto: If you can't afford the vet, you shouldn't own the pet.
Check your locale for vets that handle exotics and ask them for a cost sheet on services for you soon to be snake. Also ask about their experiences with snakes and their length of experience. A good Herp vet is hard to find. I lost 3 ball pythons to RIs(respiratory infections). I finally found another local vet that was excellent and my 5 snakes are all doing quite well.

Good Luck!