i had a snake

Question
I had a snake called jet she was a black and white banded king snake unfortunately I had to get her put down due to a disease from birth called cryptosperridium which no one knew about any way getting back to the question I have had a couple of months experiance with snakes and im keen to get another snake i am 12 years old and i have a 4foot tank and could you possibly tell me some snake breeds i should avoid thanks!!! ps sorry about the terrible spelling.

Answer
Anna, I'm sorry to hear about your snake.  I too had bad luck w/ my first snake and I too have lost many snakes to cryptosporodosis.
 
As to snakes to avoid, obviously don't attempt anything venomous. I wouldn't recommend any of the giant pythons yet, though they too can be great animals to work with once you get some more experience under your belt.  And avoid snakes that have iffy or bad temperments, you're going to want to hold it, so buy it like that.

My first successful snake was a boa constrictor.  Now, I would warn you that a boa will, within the first 2 years, outgrow your tank, and some of the species can grow to over 10 feet.  So, that might not be the best bet either.

My second successful snake was a corn snake, one I caught in my driveway actually.  That snake quickly lead to an obsesion and at one point I had over 400!  Corns are cheap, readily available (at least in the US I'm not sure where you live), easy to care for, and, when you're ready, easy to breed.

There's nothing wrong w/ the various kings either.  So find something you like, do a little research, and go for it.  If you need some help finding something let me know.  I have been doing this for many years and I know people from coast to coast so I may be able to get you what you want!

p.s. Before you put anything in that tank, get mom or dad to help you clean it VERY THROUGHLY with a strong bleach solution.  Don't forget all the furniture, dishes, carpet, sticks, etc.  Anything that came in contact w/ your old snake should be trashed or cleaned.  Good Luck!