Elephae guttata few beginner questions

[TobyToiser]

Hi guys, I didnt decided yet If I'll buy Milk snake L.mexicana mexicana or If I'll go for a snakes I like and found today. First Is cornsnake E.guttata specifically morph either creamsicko or anery. Thé other option yet Is a ball Python. Could You please tell me some advantages and disadvantages of these snakes? I would like as much info as possible before I'll buy a book dedicated to certain species. Many thanx in advance and greetings from Czech republic

[TobyToiser]

*ment P.guttatus, appologize me

[craigafrechette]

Hello. I'll try my best to help you out here, but ultimately it come down to what YOU want in a snake. I've kept corns in the past, have had BPs in the past and still do. I've never kept Milks, but have always kept Kings and still do. So since they are very close cousins I will share my experience with Kings, but keep in mind Milks are a little different.

Husbandry:
both Kings and corns are super easy husbandry-wise. They require lower temps and humidity than Bps which makes them easier to maintain in colder climates and seasons. They both tend to be a bit more forgiving with slightly less than perfect husbandry.
BPs are a little trickier, but still very easy. They just require a little more effort, particularly if you're using a glass enclosure. Once you've got thongs set up and dialed in its just simple maintenance.

Feeding:
Corns are typically very good eaters and super easy to feed. They have a pretty docile feeding response and feedings are typically a breeze.
Kings are fantastic eaters who pretty much never skip a meal. Kings are like garbage disposals when it comes to food. Very impressive feeding response as well. My adult Cal King is like a kid on a sugar high as soon as he smells his food.
BPs can be a little finicky with food. They rely more heavily on husbandry and security than the others and are more prone to skip meals. Sometimes it's a bit predictable that a strike is coming, other times it's completely random. They vary greatly as far as food response too. Some are very shy and will only eat if you leave the prey and then leave the room. Others will practically jump out if the enclosure as soon as you dangle the prey.

Handling:
BPs tend to be the easiest to handle, in my experience at least. They are heavier bodied and much slower moving than the others which makes handling easy. They are typically very docile and tolerate handling very well.
Corns are much faster and high strung when young, but mellow out a bit with age. When young the are constantly on the move and require constant hand-over-hand movement on your part while hamdling. They are typically docile and tolarate handling well though.
Kings are similar to corns as far as quickness and always on the move, requiring the same hand-over-hand movement. Kings can also be a bit nippy when young, but outgrow it with time and regular handling.

Activity:
All three options are primarily terrestrial species, but Kings and corns tend to be more arboreal and active. If you're looking to set up a display enclosure you'll see regularly, a BP will disappoint, as they are hidden the vast majority of their lives. Kings and corns tend to be more active by comparison, but still remain hidden more often than not.


Hopefully I helped you out a bit here. Feel free to ask any more questions or follow up questions you may have.

Good luck and keep us posted!

[TobyToiser]

Hi, thanx alot. You really put some effort into it. Iv already ordered E.guttata Miami Okeetee ph Amelano. Will be available for me around 20th March. Will post some pictures when I'll have him. Hope I made a good descision for my first Snake. I would like to ask yet, are there some youtube channels or forums dedicated solely for corn snakes? Thanx again for great job ur done for mě

[TobyToiser]

Thanx alot, for this, it helped and was really useful as I'm new here and it will be my first Snake. I was for a long time favouring ball Python klasik, but when Iv seen that beautiful morph or corn snake I was sold

[TRD]

L. mexicana is generally very calm, and stays small about 90 - 110cm in general. Corn snakes are also quite calm, but get a bit bigger, usually 120-150cm. Both enjoy a setup on the dryer side (about 40-50% humidity) and a good hot spot of about 32-35C and cold side on room temperature (about 21-25C). Between both snakes, the L. mexicana would be my preference.

Ball python is another thing, like the others, it's very hardy and easy to keep. Just it would enjoy a more secretive setup with lots of hides and branches (though both corn and king would enjoy the same). Also would enjoy a higher humidity of about 60%-65% which can be more difficult to entertain in a dry household like we usually have in Europe.

All of these species you mention have good eyes and benefit from well balanced full spectrum light, the ball python specifically would benefit from UV light (as they can see UV spectrum), but also corn snakes have shown great advantages when provided UV light in their metabolism, which would copy directly to other snake species as well.

The mexican kingsnake would require the least space, a small adult will be fine in a 90x60x45cm (LxWxH) space, while both the corn and ball python would need a bigger space (as they are bigger snakes) of say 120x60x45/60cm when adult.

[TRD]

There surely are some groups for specific species, the problem is that most of those groups will tell you to drop your snake in a tub with paper towel and are fiercely against natural setups for whatever reasons (which is a real pity). If you're really into providing the best setup and experience for your snake (and subsequently for you) I would say have a look at the Advancing Herpetological Husbandry group on facebook. There's a ton of knowledge and articles there to help you guide the best decisions for your snake, from setup, to heat/lighting, or vivarium layout/content, feeding regimes, and so on.