So very undecided

[Napeesh]

Ok, now I am making a cage that is going to be glass and 3' long, 13" wide, and 18" high. I was seriously thinking about getting a trio of fire skinks. Then someone suggesting corn snake....now I am stuck. The more I learn about corn snakes that more I want one. I have a serious phobia of snakes...and to overcome this I will have to get a small baby corn to begin with. I think they are beautiful. I would just like someone to please convince me to get a corn snake. ie. "they are a really good pet because..." Thanks for everyone posting in advance. I live in Saskatchewan so if there is anyone with babies around here that can either ship to saskatoon or I could pick up PM as well
Mark

[Simon]

Mark,

Corns are great pets and great starter snakes.
They are absolutely beautiful (and yes I am really biased since I am a corn manic..hahah)

There are so many different patterns and colorations for you to choose from. So there got to be something that will interest you for sure.

They are very calm and handleable. As hatchlings, they might tend to bite a bit. But with a bit of handling, they calm right down. I have a few adults that are so tame that you can basically do whatever you want with them and I have well over 600 corn snakes. Thus no time to handle them too much. But they are still very calm (well most of them...)

So I think that a corn for you would be great!

I wouldn't really recommand shipping to Sask right now. It's a bit too cold. I would love to sell you a corn...but it's a risk that you and I will have to take (snake dead on arrival because of too cold of a weather) I would rather not sell you one right now than to risk an animal's life. There are a lot of corn snakes breeders in Sask too. So maybe someone over there could help you out~

If not a corn a rosy boa would also be a great snake to start with!

Good luck and hope that you'll get over your snake fear soon!!

[sapphire_moon]

corn snakes are a good pet because: (I feel like I'm writing a school report! lol)

Maybe you should find one of those breeders that simon was talking about and go handle a few before you jump in and buy one.

Corns are EXTREMELY addicting, as are any reptile that you like.
They are supposed to be a good begginer snake because they are hardy.
They all have their own little "personalities", And can be kept in a fairly small enclosure. We love our little motley amel and I am going to look into getting a reverse oketee in about a year or so when we are settled down.....
Like simon said there are so many different colors out there it is amazing....
And like I said since you have a fear maybe simon can tell you of breeder in Sask. and you can go over there and handle a few corns. Research research research!

And one more reminder. They are addicting!

[vanderkm]

As everyone has said - corns are fantastic first snakes and have enough going for them that many people end up with large collections after starting with 'just one'. They are very easy to care for, have tolerant personalities, aren't bitey, are easy feeders - all round fantastic pets.

Check out the various colors and patterns by going throught the photos in the gallery here or click on the camera by people's name to see their collections.

We have a few corns hatched in 2003 that are available and we travel from Edmonton to Saskatoon occasionally - will be there in a couple weeks and over Christmas, so could deliver something if you were interested. PM or e-mail me if you want more details,

mary v.

[Syco]

Corns are wonderful snakes and most are very calm and easy to handle. You might want to consider getting an older corn, maybe a yearling. They are a bit calmer once they get that age and are a great deal easier to hold on to! :D
I agree with Sapphire Moon, go find a breeder and handle a few corns. They all have their own personalities and if you get a chance to handle a few you will probably find one that you just have to have. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[Napeesh]

Thanks to everyone. I am going today to look at some. Just look today. I dont want to get one till Feb. I am liking all the advice

[Soul_Reaper]

Corns are phenomenal starter snakes. I own one female Charcoal corn and she was my first herp, from day one she hasn't bit me or refused food once, i haven't had any health problems with her either. And they are not as demanding as far as temperatures and housing go, pretty easy going snakes.

They look great too. I would definately recommend it.

[UpscaleBoas]

Ophidiphobia is more common then I would like....if anyone iis ever to overcome it though i think that it would be with a corn snake....start with a new born, there size is perfect and not intimating. First read more...really consider it throughly. If after a month or two and you have handled them a couple of times (at store at at a friends) and are still convienced (and i hope you will be) go for it. but think long and hard about.

good luck and keep us posted