Help beginner decide first snake!

[JustAnotherOne1]

Greetings,

I'm new to the reptile world and am coming from the aquatics world. I've been doing my own research and have been debating on getting a snake for over a year and a half now. My top list are: #1 Ball Python(BP), #2Corn Snake(CS), and #3 California King Snake(KS). I live in california so it would easier for me to care for a a KS or CS since they are native to the U.S. and already have the ideal climate for their natural habitat. I really want the BP still because its temperament and size is much girthier. Does anyone know how hard it is to take care of a BP vs KS/CS ? Does the BP require more attention vs KS/CS? I hear BP can go on hunger strikes for a while, so I'm already prepared. Please let me know your thoughts. Also any ideas on a budget enclosure for them and effective heating would be most welcomed.

[toddnbecka]

If you want a large-bodied snake with easier requirements than a BP you might want to consider a gopher of bull snake. BP's don't always have good dispositions, they're just generally less active than most other snakes when handled. A corn or king snake wouldn't need as large of an enclosure as a bull or gopher snake, either one could easily be housed in a 40 breeder or 75 gallon aquarium. I'd recommend an ultratherm heat mat, if you're using a cheap thermostat the ultratherm won't get hot enough to cook your critter or cause damage to whatever is under or on top of it if the t-stat fails and the mat overheats. Pegboard works quite well for tank tops, just secure it with a couple of tera tie down straps.

[EL Ziggy]

With the three choices you mentioned I'd put them in reverse order of preference. I like kings and corns but I'm not a big fan of BPs. They're all pretty easy to care for but kings and corns might be a little easier. I agree with TnB that bull and gopher snakes are another nice option if you want a slightly larger critter.

[JustAnotherOne1]

Thanks you guys for your thoughts! I ended up getting a Ball Python. It was more of a rescue but, the person who sold it to me just pretty much ended up giving $800 worth of snake supplies including the snake for dirt cheap. It was their sons snake but he didn't want to take care of it anymore. Now I am confident it will have a comfortable habitat to live in!

[ClockwerkBonnet]

I had a similar story with my leopard gecko, Ninety-Nine, except the person who gave it to me didn't pay me anything.

[Scubadiver59]

Congratulations!



Thanks you guys for your thoughts! I ended up getting a Ball Python. It was more of a rescue but, the person who sold it to me just pretty much ended up giving $800 worth of snake supplies including the snake for dirt cheap. It was their sons snake but he didn't want to take care of it anymore. Now I am confident it will have a comfortable habitat to live in!

[JustAnotherOne1]

Thank you! sorry for late reply! The rescue BP is now doing so much better and gaining weight healthily.