Burmese Pythons are easily available, often have a gentle personality and are attractive creatures. Their drawbacks are size-related: an ordinary adult Burmese will grow to about 20+ feet and weigh 200 lbs, and will eat (and defecate) like a horse. Their huge size necessitates a room-sized enclosure, and being jungle creatures they need comparable humidity. Finally, if an adult Burmese has an off day, or worse, mistakes you for a prey item, it can easily kill you. THIS IS NOT AN IDLE THREAT - KEEPERS AND THIRD PARTIES HAVE DIED THIS WAY. While it is rare, it does happen. Don't plan on dumping your hatchling Burmese when it gets older, by the way, as you will find it hard to get anyone to take it, unless you can pay.
The dangers of the Burmese Python apply to this giant snake, but even more so because the "retic" does not have the normally mild personality of the Burmese. Instead it is cantankerous and grouchy and will be ill-disposed towards you from the start. They are also probably the biggest snake in the world, reaching 32 feet in full adult length. This sort of snake needs plenty of attention and a lot of money in housing and feeding. 99% of private collectors should leave this one to the zoos.
The Emerald Tree Boa is a beautiful South American snake whose availability decreased steadily due to protection. This is perhaps as well, since it is considered difficult to keep in captivity. Emerald Tree Boas are easily stressed, which often leads to a regurgitation habit that is difficult to stop. They are also finicky feeders, the colour of prey apparently often as important as its type. Wild-caught specimens are often heavily parasitised. Like chameleons, these snakes seem to need a quiet place away from most human and animal traffic to thrive properly in captivity.
This is quite simply one of the most bizarre-looking snakes you will ever see, should you get the chance (which is not often). The Fishing Snake comes from South-East Asia and is totally aquatic. It is normally reddish-brown and grows to nearly 3ft. Its most prominent feature is a small pair of frond-like appendages on the front of its snout, the purpose of which is unknown. Unlike some water-loving snakes, a totally aquatic set-up is essential., well-planted with either floating or bottom-rooted plants and wth a gravel or pebble substrate. The Fishing Snake will feed only on living fish. The biggest problem seems to be an attack of fungus after a while, which eventually leads to its demise. Mattison suggests a treatment similar to that used for tropical fish, but adds that he does not know of any such attempts.