red tail wrapped around the leg, looks like a ball in the cage as well perhaps...
was an owner of both as well.... had to adopt them away when i moved due to state law problems.... GRRR...
they were my babies when i had them...
for a first snake, i would say consider a Ball Python.... excellent pets, very friendly usually... just make sure you research, and know the correct way to take care of them...
other great first snakes are the Corn snake, King Snake, and Rat snakes..... Corn Snakes especially tend to be very low maintence and friendly... and they all come in very interesting and beautiful colorations...
i about kicked the living crap out of someone i saw carrying their ball out in the open on a cold as hell winters day.... it was a big WTF are you thinking momment...
stay away from retics, anacondas, and tree boa's these breeds all tend to be a bit "snappy" or to large, or both... also be carefull to avoid snakes which require extreme temperature and humidity requirements.... they can be maintained, but the required work goes through the roof on them... example: brazillian rainbow boa... very beautiful snake, but conditions to keep it are VERY difficult to maintain for the health of the snake....
ask floridians how they feel about python owners who are careless...
