Why corn snakes?

Arachnaeoccult · 01-28-16, 09:05 AM

Ever since I traded a baby corn snake for a full grown adult rosehair years ago these colubrids have been a staple of the snake hobby and I never understood why. If people wanted to breed any other snake they could do it, there are plenty of colubrids (coming to be my favorite class of snake lately), many really colorful and bright and having plenty of personality, so why is the typical common corn snake SO common?

Now don't get me wrong, I rather like the personality of my baby corn snake and enjoy watching him grow just in the past couple of weeks but theres gotta be more than just Ball Pythons and corn snakes at these shops!

I did some (obsessive) research to find a local milksnake,preferably a white-red-black milk snake and a local pet store manager told me her daughter wanted to give away her 5 foot red-black-white milk snake for $100, which to me is an unbeatable price (and a lucky find) for a strong adult specimen. I'll be picking him up monday.

If theres so many corn snakes and ball pythons where are they all going? I hope that at least more than half get to go to a good home???

sirtalis · 01-28-16, 10:24 AM

Not really sure, I would think the main reason is just ease of care? I've never kept either so I'm not really sure :P

eminart · 01-28-16, 10:29 AM

They're easy, come in a huge array of colors, they usually have a good disposition, less reclusive than most kings/milks, manageable size, cheap enough for the casual hobbyist, etc. etc. etc. Basically, the perfect snake to breed for the average snake buyer.

Why NOT corn snakes?

Tiny Boidae · 01-28-16, 10:33 AM

To answer the first question you brought up, I may not own these animals but I can definitely see the attraction. Gorgeous animals with active personalities, it's a great first snake for new hobbiest with their ease of care, and can still attract more experienced keepers.

Pet shops really cater more to new owners and impulse buyers than people who can afford and care for some of the more exotic animals. People who want something of a different caliber put in a little more work to get them, otherwise anyone could go to a Petco and pick up an emerald tree boa or sailfin dragon. It's sorta a check-and-balance, because what you see in petstores are, again, usually something that inexperienced hobbiests or impulse buyers can easily afford and take care of.

To your last question, no not every animal sold will go to a home that can and will take care of them properly. Most of the higher-end animals get circulated around breeders, although the cheaper morphs and "wild types" get the blunt end of this stick and will usually be the ones you see on Craigslist. It's the same for any animal though, as there will always be animals that are kept in neglectful or abusive situations.

Sasha2 · 01-28-16, 05:11 PM

Well I have 9 corn snakes now, love them all. My oldest corn was a rescue, super skinny and is now a bit stunted and small for his age. Corns are cheap, easy to care for and generally calm and alot end up as childrens pets. Just like dogs probably more then half end up neglected, dumped or handed around.

BTW if you want a fun colubrid that is active and full of it get a bullsnake, best snake ever.

I love all snakes and have had quite a variety over the last 30 years.. If I were in a bigger house or rich Id have a room full of every species. But after 30 years Ive settled on corns because Im old and they are easy and they were my first love.

Piggybuns · 01-28-16, 05:35 PM

Basically what everyone has already said. They're easy to care for, very calm and easy to handle, and are good for beginners. I went with one to get started in the hobby, but wasn't sure I could handle something bigger like a ball python yet.

Bandit · 01-28-16, 06:03 PM

I concur with what everyone else said.

Also, I think another big reason is that they get recommended a lot. Any person you ask and any forum you visit will consistently give corns as a suggestion for beginner snakes. They may not be the only suggestion, but they sure as hell will be one of them. On top of that, since they are easy to care for, hardy, active, docile, curious, and come in lots of different patterns and colors, they are hard not to like. I don't own any (however at work we have eight), but I honestly can't say anything bad about them.

RAD House · 01-28-16, 07:03 PM

I think another factor that many have been missed is that they breed extremely well in captivity. I remember one breeder saying all you need to do to get babies is throw a male at a female.

Klaire · 01-28-16, 07:10 PM

Sorry if i repeat what anyone else says i have not read other replies but i wondered the same thing until i did some info on them and the case seems to be
- Readily available basically everywhere
- Cheap
- Easy to look after/Care requirements
- Great starter snake
-Great for all ages
- Calm behaviour/Personality
- Come in heaps of different colours
- Manageable size

Electra · 02-03-16, 06:56 PM

Lol. I'm a new owner of my first snake. . .and its a lovely female 5 month baby corn. I was worried and wanted a snake that I wouldn't struggle to keep happy and healthy as a first timer, for my snakes sake. Everyone I asked suggested a corn due to what every one else has already said. But I can promise that this little lady is a very loved snake and has been a great addition to our already busy household. But yes, they are so easy to care for, so far, especially when everyone is so helpful with any concerns! My Electra just had her 1st shed with us, all went well due to the advice I received here, thanks everyone!

Zelg · 02-06-16, 07:40 PM

I shop about 35 mins from me in the mall sells rosy boas. I was amazed to see something other than balls and corns. Hell, petsmart advertises milksnakes. Even has a cage for them. Never seen one in the store. Corns and balls. Oh petco carries boas

The pond shop near me (where i got my ball...its a guy with a fake eye) recently started carrying dumerils.

sam · 02-06-16, 10:36 PM

It amazes me that an imported species can do so well, I wonder what the native BP numbers are like in the wild? I know here is Oz some of the tarantula and scorpion populations are really suffering from poaching/capture for the pet trade.

Slithersaurus · 02-07-16, 10:33 AM

Well, I think they are one of the snakes that is so close to domestication and that they adapt to our life much better than other colubrids. For example, here in Thailand. Corn snake can breed without having to go through burmation at all while kings, milks and other rats need to. The long time in captivity make them become more and more adaptable to human's life and their temperament get better and better. Their wide trade, low price and lots of color varieties also play an important part.