View Full Version : I can't decide what I want!
Obsidian_Dragon
05-02-14, 09:04 AM
I've researched the hell out of various types of snakes, and I've really narrowed it down to two: a corn snake, or a king.
I've always WANTED a king, but for a first snake, the fact that some of them have the tendency to be such voracious feeders that fingers look tempting is off-putting.
Although as someone who gets bitten by HORSES* on a regular basis, the idea of a snake bite doesn't really bother me. Sure, the snakes have pointier teeth, but horses leave bruises that last for 3 weeks if they really meant it. Ow. (*By horses I mean ponies. Ponies are jerks.)
Anyway! I want a snake with relatively basic care requirements, that preferably doesn't get longer than 6 ft, and that is tolerant of regular handling. Hence the king or corn? decision, but...
...but I can't deciiiiiiiide. I thought I had decided on a corn, but I'll take any excuse to reconsider kings, which is probably telling.
pdomensis
05-02-14, 09:08 AM
Start the timer for all the MBK recommendations. :p
EL Ziggy
05-02-14, 09:15 AM
Nothing against corns but you can't go wrong with a king. Both of mine are monster feeders but a joy to handle. Neither of them have ever attempted to strike or bite me. They come in some really beautiful morphs, are modestly sized and the husbandry requirements are a breeze. I would strongly recommend a king to any keeper. Milk snakes and bull snakes are great too but bulls can sometimes get a little larger than 6ft. Best wishes with whatever you choose.
sharthun
05-02-14, 09:15 AM
Start the timer for all the MBK recommendations. :p
Lol Beat me to it! Come on DC!:D:p
Jim Smith
05-02-14, 09:40 AM
You might also want to consider Honduran Milk Snakes. Great feeders, but without the attitude. They come in a wide variety of morphs and are very easy to care for. Here's a link to a website that shows some of the different color/pattern morphs available to choose from.
» The Lampro Blog: Honduran Milksnakes - Herp Nation Media (http://www.herpnation.com/hn-blog/the-lampro-blog-honduran-milksnakes-2/?simple_nav_category=hn-blog/the-lampro-blog/ross-padilla)
virtuousvixen
05-02-14, 11:25 AM
My first snake was a corn. In Sept i got the chance to have another. At least thats what i got told he was. He arrived and turned out to be a King. I was a bit apprehensive a first given the reputation you hear about Kings, but i can't tell you how awesome he has turned out to be. He is not only a joy to handle but the most inquisitive snake i've met. He has a great feeder, and so far has never taken a strike at me. I would definitely have another one :)
drumcrush
05-02-14, 11:48 AM
MEXICAN BLACK KING!!
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af280/drumcrush1/imagejpg6_zps5122d2d6.jpg (http://s1015.photobucket.com/user/drumcrush1/media/imagejpg6_zps5122d2d6.jpg.html)
Sublimeballs
05-02-14, 01:08 PM
Start the timer for all the MBK recommendations. :p
My thoughts exactly. And DC pulled through.lol.
I'd go with a king but that's just personal preference. What kingsnake species where you thinking about? Everyone I've ever spoke to that has a MBK love them to death above their other snakes so there's gotta be something to them.
After 30 years in this hobby, I STILL love Okeetee Corns. They are beautiful, great eaters, easily handled, and easy to care for.
Every King I have ever had loved to bite from time to time. My Corns? Never a bite from a single one.
I have both, but would suggest a Corn for a first timer.
drumcrush
05-02-14, 01:18 PM
My king was my first snake, never got one bite. She is completely chill, and Isn't even head shy.
My king was my first snake, never got one bite. She is completely chill, and Isn't even head shy.
They must just hate me :D
drumcrush
05-02-14, 01:35 PM
They must just hate me :D
Lol I guess it depends on the person and the snake :p
sharthun
05-02-14, 06:09 PM
MEXICAN BLACK KING!!
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af280/drumcrush1/imagejpg6_zps5122d2d6.jpg (http://s1015.photobucket.com/user/drumcrush1/media/imagejpg6_zps5122d2d6.jpg.html)
Right on que DC! You may need to add a mbk handling vid ! :p
smy_749
05-02-14, 06:39 PM
Cornsnake, no bias or personally favorite, I just think a corn may be more enjoyable than a king, as I've never personally seen a corn turn into satan every time someone opens his vivarium.
drumcrush
05-02-14, 06:50 PM
Unless you are boaman lol
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8JWb8vT0PK4Cornsnake, no bias or personally favorite, I just think a corn may be more enjoyable than a king, as I've never personally seen a corn turn into satan every time someone opens his vivarium.
EL Ziggy
05-02-14, 07:09 PM
I still don't get why kings get such a bad rap :). I only have 2 yearlings but they have never acted aggressively towards me in any way except a rattle of the tail when I first got Caesar. My MBK was kinda flighty in the beginning but they're both total sweethearts now unkess it's feeding time :)
sharthun
05-02-14, 07:19 PM
I still don't get why kings get such a bad rap :). I only have 2 yearlings but they have never acted aggressively towards me in any way except a rattle of the tail when I first got Caesar. My MBK was kinda flighty in the beginning but they're both total sweethearts now unkess it's feeding time :)
I agree, I think it depends on the snake and maybe wicked feeding responses. I've only kept Prairie, speckled and a mbk. No bites at all, even with wc Prairie' and specks. Now tail rattling and musking initially , yes. I will be adding an NC. Eastern Chain King soon.
reptimama
05-02-14, 07:41 PM
I have a Fl. King and he is great. Even when he is hungry he has never tried to strike ME. He's fast, way faster than my BP usually is, but he's never been nippy.
If you can't decide, why not get both?
I love my corns, have never had a king snake and also like my husband's Honduran milksnake. Most of the bad rep I've heard attached to Kings were generally with the California kings and sometimes the Florida kings. There is a very wide variety of "king" snakes and most of the other species are quite tame, although some of those can be somewhat picky eaters.
Terranaut
05-03-14, 06:10 PM
Have you looked at any Pituophus ? Pines, bulls and gophers come in some decent morphs and typically hiss and rattle but seldom bite. So you get the best of both worlds...a little 'tude with no biting. Each snake is unique but typically they are great to handle.
my 2011 Applegate Albino Gopher.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/terranaut0/20140410_172128_zps2kpq3jqw.jpg (http://s76.photobucket.com/user/terranaut0/media/20140410_172128_zps2kpq3jqw.jpg.html)
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/terranaut0/20130927_155015-1_zpsdh6qlvrv.jpg (http://s76.photobucket.com/user/terranaut0/media/20130927_155015-1_zpsdh6qlvrv.jpg.html)
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/terranaut0/20140413_141956_zpswe6diriw.jpg (http://s76.photobucket.com/user/terranaut0/media/20140413_141956_zpswe6diriw.jpg.html)
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/terranaut0/20130921_185242_zps794d4da2.jpg (http://s76.photobucket.com/user/terranaut0/media/20130921_185242_zps794d4da2.jpg.html)
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