ball python or a california king snake?

[fonteshepard82]

Hello guys, i am new to this reptile forum.I was having some difficult decisions trying to decide whether i should get a cali king snake or a ball python.I have a corn snake, but these two snakes just catch my attention.Which one should i get in your opinion.Please provide facts!

[athms]

King because their is to many ball pythons and kings have awesome feeding responses

[EL Ziggy]

Hello guys, i am new to this reptile forum.I was having some difficult decisions trying to decide whether i should get a cali king snake or a ball python.I have a corn snake, but these two snakes just catch my attention.Which one should i get in your opinion.Please provide facts!
Greetings and best wishes. I hope you enjoy the forum. I've had ball pythons in the past and currently have a Cal King and a Mexican Black Kingsnake. I would go with a kingsnake over a ball python hands down. Kings are usually more active, the husbandry will be very similar to the corn snake you have, they come in really nice morphs, and they're normally eating machines (some do take a break during brumation/breeding season). I also love the attitude of kingsnakes. They're sweet and ferocious.

[Concept9]

It depends on your taste. Both are pretty easy to care for. BPs are normally a more passive sleep my life away animal and kings are a more active animal.

Ball Python = Couch potato.

Kingsnake = I like to investigate the world.

[Kera]

King all the way!:)

I have no facts, its just my opinion

[drumcrush]

Kiiiinnnggggg!!!!!!!! Anyways, welcome:) haha

[wrecker45]

26929

26930

These are my cali kings. Getting a ball python on the 21st of this month.

[drumcrush]

What you really want is a mexican black king :D :D

[Concept9]

What you really want is a mexican black king :D :D

Agreed. LOL

26932

[wrecker45]

How about a thread showing pics of all the kings on the forum. :D

[drumcrush]

How about a thread showing pics of all the kings on the forum. :D

Great idea!

[Concept9]

Great idea!

I second that. :)

[drumcrush]

I second that. :)

Just made one:)

[Hotchkiss]

I actually have both a king and a bp! King if you don't mind a snake that's rather fleety. I love both my snakes but the king has much nicer colors

[sharthun]

Agreed. LOL

26932

That makes 3!!!!;):D

[SSSSnakes]

King because their is to many ball pythons and kings have awesome feeding responses

I agree 100% Also there are so many different kind of King Snakes to get.

[drumcrush]

I agree 100% Also there are so many different kind of King Snakes to get.

Yesss^^^^^ definitely!!



They vary in size, colors, and patterns


you might also want to check out milk snakes!!

[Terranaut]

Given the choice between a ball and a king I would get a carpet python ;)

[Hurrok]

All depends on what you want....

Ball pythons aren't always on the move and will stay with you but can also be adventurous and will explore if you let them. I find they aren't as immobile as most people think :p I've got 12 ball pythons and the majority of them like to venture off unless they are sleepy or just lazy. If you get one as a baby and handle them a fair amount they will get comfortable with you and will most likely stay closer to you as they age and not venture off. However each ball is different too, just find one and handle it and see if you like it or not, same goes with Kings. Balls tend to go on a hunger strike once they get to a certain age and can go off food for months (not always) so they are considered picky/unreliable feeders. In my opinion it saves money on your end ;)

I've never had experience with Kings but they are quite gorgeous (especially MBK), and I'm pretty sure they are similar to a corn when it comes to how active they are, and feeding. Not sure if they like sticking around in the same place or not but I'd imagine with handling it would be no problem. :)

[Terranaut]

I have both snakes in question and agree that it is a preference. Balls tend to be more active in the enclosure after dark but hide most of the day. Kings are more active in the viv during the day but also are a bit more open minded about food so you can get tasted out of stupidity but seldom do they strike. Both are typically docile. Both come in an plethora of colours and patterns. So it boils down to your expectations as an owner.

[Concept9]

I have both snakes in question and agree that it is a preference. Balls tend to be more active in the enclosure after dark but hide most of the day. Kings are more active in the viv during the day but also are a bit more open minded about food so you can get tasted out of stupidity but seldom do they strike. Both are typically docile. Both come in an plethora of colours and patterns. So it boils down to your expectations as an owner.

"bit more open minded about food"

I love this statement. :) That MAY be a bit of a understatement Terranaut. :)

[wrecker45]

Well after all this reading. The only thing the op can to is get a ball and carpet and a king and milk snake. :wacky:

[EL Ziggy]

Well after all this reading. The only thing the op can do is get a ball and carpet and a king and milk snake. :wacky:

Problem solved!!

[drumcrush]

Well after all this reading. The only thing the op can to is get a ball and carpet and a king and milk snake. :wacky:

Buy all the snakes!

[parabolgravity]

ive never had a ball python, but ive had several lampropeltis, and a cal king was the first snake i ever purchased all those years ago.

imo, i think a king makes a better selection for reasons other posters itt have already mentioned, but i can think of another reason to select one over a ball python. they don´t really require an extra heat source; i refer to them as "room temperature" snakes along with most other colubrids. ;)

since ts mentioned already having a corn, the husbandry requirements for lgc are pretty much identical...so there´s that.

[exwizard]

I'd say it's nearly unanimous. A King would be the way to go. I like the variable patterns and colors of Kings. I also like them for their better feeding responses as well as their more active, interesting nature.

[TheZoo]

I have both and have had 2 of each currently i have 2 normals(one with a het) anad an albino cal king. I would go with a ball for a pet or if you want a show snack a king. for ease of feeding yes kings are great, but balls arnt always bad mine have only missed a feed or 2 but almost everything ive owned has but next week/feeding back to normal. so its up you both come in a great arey of colors attitudes

[CK SandBoas]

I would go for king as well. If you can, get a Grey Banded King :D