Ball Python Costs Vs Cornsake? Best Investment?

[BatSqueaks]

Originally Posted by Starbuck

I would go with a corn snake definitely, they tend to be a bit more active, and if you get a well established juvenile you should have no trouble feeding him. Also, they stay on mice their entire lives, so you wouldnt ever have to worry about switching them to rats etc...
Also, as you mentioned, there are hundreds of corn snake morphs that are all pretty cheap, especially when compared to some ball python ones

Since this is your first snake, corns are more forgiving of error and hardier overall; and remember, you dont have to stop at just one! You can always get your black eyed leucistic BP later down the road
BTW, have you looked into Leucistic Texas Rat snakes at all?

I was looking at those but I've seen The they are relatively temperamental as opposed to corns which is extremely similar, I suppose it depends on the snake itself though c:

[BatSqueaks]

Originally Posted by Terranaut

IMHO - Get the one you like the best. If you are considering it an investment... hate to be negative but they are not in most cases. Both of those can be either next to free or cost thousands depending on what your buying. Corns have less humidity requirements and are not likely to go off food for months at a time but other than that I see neither to be more difficult to care for as a first snake. Just get what you like. If you get a corn remember they can be squirmy busy little buggers and if you get a ball remember to get the right enclosure and not to freak out if it goes 6 months without eating in a couple years.
Also remember that a fish tank is not a snake cage. I stress to all new or would be keepers to get a real snake cage right off the bat and don't screw around with screen top fish tanks. YES you can make them work but something that is front opening and intended to hold humidity will make a world of difference towards how much time you spend enjoying your snake and how much time you spend on here asking how to fix issues. Also get a heat source with a THERMOSTAT. Doesn't need to be an expensive on but do not use a rheostat or just a jungle heat wave , cheap job plugged into the wall.
Having a proper setup at home ready for a snake is the single best thing you can do.
So the list.
Snake cage= Stack-able front opening is best IMHO
Heat source= Heat tape or radiant heat panel. Again IMHO these are best.
Thermostat= Cheap Hydrafarms are all you need but if your budget allows get a true reptile thermostat.
Temp gun= again this can be cheap as long as you can verify temps within the viv your good to go.
Humidity gauge= Get a digital and not the cheap Zoomed round dial types. I have seen a 20% difference in the stack on the shelf at the store of new ones.

Chances are your going to spend way more on your first enclosure than the snake inside but truly....That is the investment.

Wow, I cannot tell you how informative this was.
Lucky me, I have a 'rack system' in my room, but not for snakes Haha. I use 39 L x 17 w x 6 H tubs for my stuff and from what I've heard that seems to be a perfect snake cage as they would feel secure with all sides covered but one with a blurry/hard to see through opening.
As for the equipment I definitely don't mind price and the temp gun sounds like the best investment mentioned
thank you so much, I think I'll be getting a ball python in a few weeks c: