Contemplating another...Corn or BP?

[Pareeeee]

Hi

I've been contemplating getting another snake...not sure yet. If I do, it would probably be one of these two snakes: Corn Snake, or possibly a Ball Python.

Ball Pythons have always been..."aesthetically pleasing" to me, I always thought of them as being cute...love the look of them...but I've heard Corns (which are also beautiful) make better pets because they are less picky, eat less at 'mealtimes', take up less space, don't require such precise humidity levels, etc...

I think I know most of the pros/cons of BP's, what are the pros/cons of Cornsnakes?

Any more info on these two you can give me?

[StudentoReptile]

Hi

I've been contemplating getting another snake...not sure yet. If I do, it would probably be one of these two snakes: Corn Snake, or possibly a Ball Python.

Really? Those are the only two choices you're offering yourself? Don't get me wrong, they're both fine snakes to keep...but there's plenty of other species that are relatively small, and interesting: kingsnakes, sand boas, rosy boas, African house snakes, western hognose....

I think I know most of the pros/cons of BP's, what are the pros/cons of Cornsnakes?

Any more info on these two you can give me?

Ball Pythons have always been..."aesthetically pleasing" to me, I always thought of them as being cute...love the look of them...but I've heard Corns (which are also beautiful) make better pets because they are less picky, eat less at 'mealtimes', take up less space, don't require such precise humidity levels, etc...

You more or less answered your question. In general, the average adult corn won't take up quite as much space as an adult BP.

On one hand, you have a stout, brown/tan-colored snake that spends 90% of its time hiding, is very docile, does come in a variety of morphs, and is notorious for going off feed unexpectedly (although a lot of times, this can be attributed to husbandry errors).

On the other hand, you have a slender-bodied, orange/reddish snake that is generally more active, also fairly docile, but more apt to explore and crawl all over you than sit placidly in a lump in your lap. Cornsnakes also come a variety of color/pattern morphs, and you are correct, a healthy CB specimen usually has a more routine & stronger feeding response than a BP.

All depends on exactly what you want in a snake...
------
My personal preference is corn snakes. I find their natural phenotype (red marking on an orange background, with a checkered belly) to be more appealing than a ball python, and even their color morphs are more affordable than most BP morphs, if you're into that. But I'm more of a colubrid guy anyway.

[Pareeeee]

Thanks for the info.

As for what you said about "only two choices I'm offering myself"...yes. I have it narrowed to those two snakes. I just have different taste, I don't want the same snakes that you want (kingsnake, sand boa, African house snake or western hognose). They just don't appeal to me in the way Corns or BP's do, and I already have a rosy boa.

I'm just trying to decide between these two. Is that wrong?

[StudentoReptile]

As for what you said about "only two choices I'm offering myself"...yes. I have it narrowed to those two snakes. I just have different taste, I don't want the same snakes that you want (kingsnake, sand boa, African house snake or western hognose). They just don't appeal to me in the way Corns or BP's do, and I already have a rosy boa.

I'm just trying to decide between these two. Is that wrong?

No, not wrong at all.

I was just curious if you had really narrowed it down from a larger range, or were just automatically hopping to the two most commonly kept snakes on the market and were perhaps unaware of other choices.

I often find the latter scenario to be quite common. People tend to think BPs and cornsnakes are the only snakes one can keep as pets because thats all they see in a petstore. I'm glad you've taken the time to at least consider other options.

[Snakefood]

yup you've pretty much got it down pat!! Corns take less room and have easier husbandry than BP's, that being said, if you have the room and set up a proper viv before bringing a BP home, then they are fairly easy too!!

It was a slight adjustment for me to bring my first BP home, and because I didn't have everything just right, he did get an RI, but once we cleared him up everything has been fine and I now have 2 more BP's and am having no troubles at all!!

As for food, as long as you find the right source, even rats are inexepensive.

[snake man12]

What a bout Dumerils boa. They do get a little bigger than bp's but they are very docile and tend to be more active than bp's. In my experience these boas are very strong feeders. And they don't need the same humidity requirements as bp's. I've used this photo before but this is my adult male Dumerils boa



http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g361/412bro/Photo0253.jpg

http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g361/412bro/Photo0252.jpg

In this pic he is about 4 feet long I only expect him to get around 5

[Toronto1977]

Both are great and fairly basic in terms of husbandry. I've got both. I don't think there are really any cons to owning a Corn if you're into this type of Colubrid. The Corn is arguably the easiest snake to care for. They stay at a manageable size, don't need precise temps or humidity levels, quite active, friendly if handled regularly, excellent eaters - mine NEVER misses a meal. Although like most Colubrids they will defecate more than your average Boid. There's a wee bit more maintenance involved with a Corn. Hope that helps :)

[Pareeeee]

That Dumeril's Boa is beautiful!

However, I live in an apartment and will have to re-organize just to fit a tank for a BP or Corn, don't think I have room for anything bigger. (Don't worry, my landlord thought my reptiles were awesome, lol)

[Pareeeee]

Although like most Colubrids they will defecate more than your average Boid.

Has yours ever pooped on you? lol. I bet that smells nice...

As long as they don't poop as often as lizards that's fine with me. My Crested Gecko seems to enjoy saving it up just for me. He even aimed it out the cage door at me the other day...he can shoot a good distance!

and his poop is tiny and has no smell...that would be...er...'fun' if a snake did that... :S

[Toronto1977]

Has yours ever pooped on you? lol. I bet that smells nice...

As long as they don't poop as often as lizards that's fine with me. My Crested Gecko seems to enjoy saving it up just for me. He even aimed it out the cage door at me the other day...he can shoot a good distance!

and his poop is tiny and has no smell...that would be...er...'fun' if a snake did that... :S

I'm thankful that I haven't (yet) been pooped on or musked by any my snakes LOL.

[MoreliAddict]

A corn snake is easier to take care of for reasons you've already mentioned. Still, it's not difficult to keep a ball python either, so I wouldn't let that be the deciding factor.

One thing to think about is that corn snakes are more active than ball pythons - not sure if that matters to you...

[DeesBalls]

That Dumeril's Boa is beautiful!

However, I live in an apartment and will have to re-organize just to fit a tank for a BP or Corn, don't think I have room for anything bigger. (Don't worry, my landlord thought my reptiles were awesome, lol)

dont use a big tank for a corn, or a royal, use tubs, they take up so much less room...

i was going to suggest a RTB, but not sure if your wanting somthing that could get pretty big (some do 8ft or so)

[snake man12]

A Dumerils could live in a 4 by 2 viv all of it's life. And thank you he is extremely colorful after shed

[Pareeeee]

dont use a big tank for a corn, or a royal, use tubs, they take up so much less room...

i was going to suggest a RTB, but not sure if your wanting somthing that could get pretty big (some do 8ft or so)

how so? what size tubs do you use? (for each snake?)...interested

[exwizard]

A Corn is a much better snake to have than a Royal. They are active and curious, much more colorful and have a wider variety of color/pattern morphs than Royals, they make much better eaters as a general rule than Royals, they dont have the humidity issues that Royals sometimes have and they are very hardy. I see no deficiencies with Corns compared to Royals either, and in addition to all that, they require much less housing space than Royals do. Both are tame so thats not an issue. Overall they are much more interesting to keep as well.

[Toronto1977]

A Corn is a much better snake to have than a Royal. They are active and curious, much more colorful and have a wider variety of color/pattern morphs than Royals, they make much better eaters as a general rule than Royals, they dont have the humidity issues that Royals sometimes have and they are very hardy. I see no deficiencies with Corns compared to Royals either, and in addition to all that, they require much less housing space than Royals do. Both are tame so thats not an issue. Overall they are much more interesting to keep as well.

Whether a Corn is "better" than a Royal is subjective. It all depends on one's taste. One is a Boid and the other is a Colubrid. Apples and oranges.

[MoreliAddict]

Whether a Corn is "better" than a Royal is subjective. It all depends on one's taste. One is a Boid and the other is a Colubrid. Apples and oranges.
Exactly.

I prefer Ball Pythons over Corns simply because of the head shape, or as I would say when I was younger "has a head" (as compared to the look of most colubrids).

[lady_bug87]

I have 1 colubrid and though she's cool and all I would never get another one. She is the only one in my collection that I have no attachment to.

[Pareeeee]

Ok. Question. I've started breeding mice - I don't really want to breed rats too - how many mice would an adult BP eat in one sitting? I've heard 2 mice, once a week. Is that true?

Same question for Corns, how many mice for an adult Corn and how often?


I'm still on the fence on which snake to get!

[MojoHerps]

An adult corn wold eat an adult mouse every one to two weeks. I feed my breeding females every week and my males and non breeding females every 2 weeks.

[Kettennatter]

A corn is to me what a Toyota compact car is to the automotive world: Great ownership experience, inexpensive to maintain, reliable, non-threatening, decent handling and very forgiving. Not something you would boast to your friends about, but something that you'd recommend without hesitation.

[DeesBalls]

how so? what size tubs do you use? (for each snake?)...interested


I use 41 quart tubs for my adult corns and royals. Right new all babies are in 6 quart tubs.

They will move up to6 qt, 28 qt, then 41qt for adults.

I think corns would be better as a display snake, but all mine were in tubs, then I made cages for all of then and it takes up so much room!!!

[Gungirl]

I would go with one of each..

Just saying :)

[Pareeeee]

I use 41 quart tubs for my adult corns and royals. Right new all babies are in 6 quart tubs.

They will move up to6 qt, 28 qt, then 41qt for adults.

I think corns would be better as a display snake, but all mine were in tubs, then I made cages for all of then and it takes up so much room!!!

That's only 10.25 gallons - I thought BP's needed bigger enclosures. Interesting, thanks for the input.

Also, I got a response to my question about Corns eating mice, what about adult BP's eating mice? (sorry about all my questions, I like to do tons of research before getting a new pet of any type. I must have studied for months before getting Boaz, lol.)

[Snakefood]

don't feed adult BP's mice, if you don't want to breed or buy rats, that pretty much makes up your mind for you. Adult BP's eat rats, not mice.

[Pareeeee]

don't feed adult BP's mice, if you don't want to breed or buy rats, that pretty much makes up your mind for you. Adult BP's eat rats, not mice.

I have no idea what to think - after asking so many questions and reading so many websites and caresheets, I'm beginning to realize there are many, many conflicting opinions out there!!

Several places said they can be fed 2-3 mice once a week instead of one rat every other week. Other sites say you should feed large rats or even small rabbits. Everyone disagrees!!!! No idea what to think about BP's... :no:

[Toronto1977]

You will find that this hobby, not unlike MANY other fields, has different schools of thought. Many snakes are opportunistic and the Royal is no exception. In the wild they would most likely eat a combination of rats, mice, and other small mammals/animals. Would you rather feed 3 mice or 1 rat? Feeding 1 larger prey item is more convenient than having to feed 3 smaller ones. Also depends on your snake. My Royal prefers more frequent smaller meals as opposed to 1 large one. If you don't know which direction to take, see what your snake prefers.

[moshirimon]

How about an Irian Jaya Carpet Python? they stay quite small(smallest of all carpets) and are very slender from what i've seen. They grow really slow too. they may need a medium/large tank since they are semi-arboreal but they make wonderful pets. and they do not have extreme humidity requirements. i'd say look them up, if you're interested in smaller/medium snakes, they are awesome.

[moshirimon]

Males average 4-5 ft. female 6-7

[Gungirl]

Adult Royals need rats...

[Pareeeee]

How about an Irian Jaya Carpet Python? they stay quite small(smallest of all carpets) and are very slender from what i've seen. They grow really slow too. they may need a medium/large tank since they are semi-arboreal but they make wonderful pets. and they do not have extreme humidity requirements. i'd say look them up, if you're interested in smaller/medium snakes, they are awesome.

I've never seen one for sale in any of the pet stores here. The closest decent place that sells snakes is in the city and the bylaw there says 'no sale of boas or pythons'...

The other two stores I visit only get common snakes like BP's, RTB's, rat or milksnakes. I'm in a very bad area for that kind-of thing...even the classifieds usually only have BP, corn or RTB breeders... :(

[Pareeeee]

You will find that this hobby, not unlike MANY other fields, has different schools of thought. Many snakes are opportunistic and the Royal is no exception. In the wild they would most likely eat a combination of rats, mice, and other small mammals/animals. Would you rather feed 3 mice or 1 rat? Feeding 1 larger prey item is more convenient than having to feed 3 smaller ones. Also depends on your snake. My Royal prefers more frequent smaller meals as opposed to 1 large one. If you don't know which direction to take, see what your snake prefers.


I have no room to breed rats, you can't find live ones around very easily, and the f/t ones are very expensive here.

Whether I get a BP or Corn, it won't be for a few months. First I need to wait until my mouse colony starts producing...currently I have one male and 5 females, they will definitely make too many babies for just my little Rosy...

I do like BP's better, but I am not sure if one would work for me yet.

My local pet store that actually sells live mice is very unreliable, sometimes they don't get mice in for a couple weeks, this is unacceptable, and it's one of the reasons I have started breeding.

I'm still gathering opinions on food subject and weighing the options, I have some people who are adament against mice, others have never fed anything but and say it's fine. Still trying to figure this conundrum out...seems to be a big can-o-worms to open up.

It would not bother me to feed more than one mouse at a time. I feed my Rosy in the evening. My husband works nights, so I have a lot of time on my hands in the evening. It gives me something to do :p

[moshirimon]

That sucks! Yea there's times where classified here have EVERYTHING and then times where there's not a thing. where are you located.

[Pareeeee]

Sorry I don't give out my exact location online. I am in Ontario.

[Toronto1977]

I have no room to breed rats, you can't find live ones around very easily, and the f/t ones are very expensive here.

Whether I get a BP or Corn, it won't be for a few months. First I need to wait until my mouse colony starts producing...currently I have one male and 5 females, they will definitely make too many babies for just my little Rosy...

I do like BP's better, but I am not sure if one would work for me yet.

My local pet store that actually sells live mice is very unreliable, sometimes they don't get mice in for a couple weeks, this is unacceptable, and it's one of the reasons I have started breeding.

I'm still gathering opinions on food subject and weighing the options, I have some people who are adament against mice, others have never fed anything but and say it's fine. Still trying to figure this conundrum out...seems to be a big can-o-worms to open up.

It would not bother me to feed more than one mouse at a time. I feed my Rosy in the evening. My husband works nights, so I have a lot of time on my hands in the evening. It gives me something to do :p

I see. Where in Ontario are you btw?

Also remember to always apply common sense to everything. Snakes need prey that's appropriate to their size, not unlike people. Would you rather eat 3 small sliders or 1 normal sized burger? The larger the prey the more nutritious, usually - that is common sense. Like Gungirl said an adult Royal will need rats, as rats are appropriate for their body size. Also, you don't want your Royal getting addicted (mousaholic as Todd likes to put it lol) to mice, as it might prove difficult switching them over to rats later. Personally I feed rats as well. It makes sense if you think about it. Also try not to confuse yourself with all the conflicting info. Choose one or two intelligent/experienced keepers and consult with them. Also do a TON of your own research so you are not always relying on what another person says.

[Pareeeee]

I see. Where in Ontario are you btw?

To quote myself again, lol:
Sorry I don't give out my exact location online. I am in Ontario.

Thanks for all the information, although I disagree that a larger prey item = more nutritious, that makes no sense, it's just more food in one bite. It would be like saying that a small and large burger patty are of different nutritional value, even though both burgers are made of the same thing. One is just bigger.

I understand that the rats may be more nutritious for a different reason, but not because of size.

[Toronto1977]

Regarding your location - I was typing up my response and hit 'post reply' only to see that you had already made that comment. Ontario is a big place you know lol.

Rats are larger and thus more nutritious which actually makes a lot of sense. The definition of nutritious: Providing nourishment. Ergo, a larger meal provides more nourishment than a smaller one. Anyway, at the end of the day you can feed your snake(s) whatever you like lol.

[Snakefood]

To quote myself again, lol:


Thanks for all the information, although I disagree that a larger prey item = more nutritious, that makes no sense, it's just more food in one bite. It would be like saying that a small and large burger patty are of different nutritional value, even though both burgers are made of the same thing. One is just bigger.

I understand that the rats may be more nutritious for a different reason, but not because of size.

no, it is not because of actual size, it has more to do with fat content and bone/organ/flesh ratio's. mice are leaner than rats in fat content. thier bone:flesh ratio is much smaller (bone structure is thinner and more porous), meaning your snake won't be getting the same calcium and phosphorus content if you are feeding only mice. Not to say that a BP wouldn't live off of mice alone, but it probably wouldn't be getting everything it needs in the right ammounts.

Many breeders may start thier baby BP's on mice, but then again, many won't even do that and start right off on pinky rats for their BP hatchlings. The breeder I get mine from does start his on mice and I put them on rats as soon as they come home to me.

[Pareeeee]

no, it is not because of actual size, it has more to do with fat content and bone/organ/flesh ratio's. mice are leaner than rats in fat content. thier bone:flesh ratio is much smaller (bone structure is thinner and more porous), meaning your snake won't be getting the same calcium and phosphorus content if you are feeding only mice. Not to say that a BP wouldn't live off of mice alone, but it probably wouldn't be getting everything it needs in the right ammounts.

Many breeders may start thier baby BP's on mice, but then again, many won't even do that and start right off on pinky rats for their BP hatchlings. The breeder I get mine from does start his on mice and I put them on rats as soon as they come home to me.

Nice breakdown, interesting information. Thanks

[Snakefood]

any time!!!!!

[ashleynicole]

I am a fan or corns and colubrids in general. They are our favorites. We have one ball python that we've had for 6 years and our oldest snake is a 7 year old corn. We have a milksnake, two kingsnakes, and 3 corns. Corns are my favorite overall. They are beautiful and come in many color varieties and yes their husbandry is simple. They are voracious eaters and fairly easy to handle, although you have to pay attention because they will try to get away.

The only reason I still have the ball python is because I figure I've had him for this long I might as well keep him, and my 5 year old daughter loves holding him. She will take him in her room and he will lay in her bed with her while she watches TV for hours. I think he's boring, spends most of his time hiding although in the evenings we see him out occasionally. He also tends to go off feed sporadically, once he didn't eat for 6 months. Right now he is eating one medium adult rat every 2 weeks. But it's summer time and he usually eats best in the summer.

The corn snakes are active more in the evening but I see them out and about their cages all the time. They are interactive and will turn their heads to follow you. Although sometimes they can be a bit skittish if you move to fast near their heads while handling. My adult corn eats one or two large mice every two weeks. I just think they are so beautiful, but as has already been stated, each person will have their preferences.

our mexican milk snake is still young but I can tell you when I handle him it is more difficult because there isn't much grip there. Also he tends to be more skittish. Our two king snakes are fine once you get them out and handle them, but they can be fiesty when you first open the cage. They get defensive and will rattle their tails. My husband LOVES their behaviour, me I am not a fan.

[ashleynicole]

If feeding is an issue, go to a reptile show and buy some frozen food in bulk. Petco and petsmart sell frozen mice and rats but they are a bit more expensive. I stopped feeding live a long time ago and we try to go to a reptile show every 6 months or so and stock up from the food vendors. I spent about $100 on frozen mice, rats, weanlings, fuzzies, and pinkies a the last show and I should be good for at least 5 months and there is another show in september. I keep them in the freezer and thaw them out the day I feed, then heat them in a cup of hot water, dry on a papertowel and serve. yum. It took a while to get my ball python to accept f/t but once I did it is soooo worth it.

[Pareeeee]

I've had so many people tell me that I need to go to reptile shows I can't even count them. I would love to go to one, very much so, but what people have to realize is that Ontario is huge (bigger than Texas! LOL) and from where I live, it would take me hours (plural!) to get to a city that would even host one of these shows. With the gas prices the way they are, it's not even worth it. :(
Maybe some day I will be able to go to one...

There are several reasons I decided to breed mice:
1. Because the bumpkin hick pet stores around here are unreliable, & any of the good ones are too far away.
2. It's cheaper.
3. Boaz (my rosy boa) decided that he doesn't like f/t and will only eat live. (Apparently he used to eat f/t at the pet store. I can not vouch for them whether this is true or not) He either acts afraid of the f/t mouse and spends his time hiding as far away from it as possible or "kills" it and leaves it to rot.

[ashleynicole]

I used to think I could never get my bp on frozen thawed either. I decided he was going to eat f/t or starve. I started offering him one small rat each week and he refused for about 3-4 weeks, then I offered him a large mouse and that was the first f/t prey he ate. I also had to give him a warm soak before feeding him and I have to make sure the prey is really warm. I stick a cup in the microwave to get the water hot and after I thaw the prey in warm water I take it and dunk it in the hot water. I also put him in a dark container in a dark and quiet room where nobody can disturb him. He finally took the mouse after about 4 weeks of not eating. Then I thawed a very small rat and a mouse in the same water. I rubbed the rat and mouse together and gave him the rat, and he ate it. I did this for a couple of weeks and before I knew it he was taking a f/t rat every other week. keep in mind this is the snake that once went 6 months without eating for me when he was about 2 years old and will still occasionally refuse meals from time to time.