Corn or Python?

Question

I've been thinking about getting a snake. I was going to get a Red tailed Boa. But am getting a puppy instead. I still want a snake. Something less expenisve and large.

Size isnt a big deal. Big is good.
Price is kind of a factor.
Feeding mice is no problem, i can handle it.

What do you think? Corn snake or Ball Python?

Answer 1

I HAVE a ball python.... I love it!

We don't know if it is male or female (I don't want to check either...) but no matter which one... the max is about 6 feet. From when we got "her" she was eating feeder mice, and has worked up to Medium Rats - LIVE. When we first switched to Rats... we used small dead ones.. that we had to "dangle" in front of her... now she strikes the rats live!

If you don't mind doing the rat thing (they are a bit more aggressive then mice) then I would say the Ball python is a great choice.

I even had her in my classroom - and the kids loved it. She would do her thing, slither around the cage, and got to the point where I could teach with her around my arm, shoulder... etc.

We also have 2 dogs - big German Shepherd and Chocolate Lab. The dogs sniff at the snake, but after a while they seem to not care!

Good Luck!

Answer 2

First on all about the post kittykcat made. A ball python will never get big enough to eat anything bigger then medium sized rats. Your puppy has nothing to worry about. You have to be more concerned with your puppy hurting your snake.

Second, I don't have experience with corn snakes but ball pythons are good first snakes. They don't get large like a red-tailed does, however, they are more heavy bodied then a corn. When they are adult sized they can eat 2 adult mice a week if you prefer to feed mice rather then rats. They get anywhere from 3-5 with a possibility of 6 feet if you get a large female. Of course females will get larger then males do.

Make sure that which ever snake you decide on you do your research BEFORE you buy it. Also make sure you have its cage set up and running for about 3-7 days before you bring the snake home.

And although it is possible I would not recommend getting a red-tailed boa as your first snake. They get anywhere from 8-12 feet and can wiegh up to 60 pounds. They also require at least two people be in the room when the snake is being handled as do all snakes over 6'.

Answer 3

First off I have MANY snakes I'm a hobbyist of over 13 years & have a wide collection,, I have ball pythons, corn snakes ,like you have asked about , and feel that your more a ball python kinda guy,/gal, that is you want to hold it ,,Balls are more snake ,, thicker and more often will ball up why you hold them which makes it a good starter snake,, meaning easy to learn just how to handle a snake , corn snakes will streach out avoiding the human interaction at first ,, which can make them hard for a beginner,, and lead to fustration of the owner and then never taking them out! I'm not saying that corn snakes can't be tammed down it just takes even more effort ,, all snakes need to be handled often,, Well about feeding ,, in someones answer they talked about feeding Live mice and rats like that is good,, well it's kinda not ,, of course i have done with my collection , Yet your goal is to feed Dead,,, For 2 reasons ,, first no chance of the mouse or Rat bitting the snake during the meal ,, and mostly it makes for a tammer snake,, they don't get strike happy evertime something comes into the cage,, maybe being your hand! Which leads to why I Don't feed my snakes in there normal living cage,, I remove them so they DO Associate an entry as a handling ,,NOT a possible Meal... last tid bit ,, snakes bit ,, most think out of hunger,,so they keep feeding um,, well snakes bite because, they don't have hands to hit us with ,,, stick with it and you will have a great pet ,, I started with a ball python,,, and now im a Reptile enthusiast-- ps. buy a young one it should fit inside you hand ,, $25 if you know where to look! reptile shows,, check local paper..

Answer 4

What kind of albino python? Skilletfreak is right when he says that albino ball pythons cost an arm and a leg. Don't look at Burmese Pythons, African Rock Pythons, or Reticulated Pythons because they get larger than boa constrictors! For a first time snake owner, I would definately recommend one of these three : Corn Snake, Kingsnake, or Ball Python. Ball Pythons require more attention to upkeep in the sense that they need higher humidities than corn/king snakes..........other than that detail they are all great beginner snakes with nice dispostions. The only problem I see regularly with ball pythons is that some of them are finicky eaters. Personally, I would suggest a Cal King Snake as a first snake.....but this is based only because it was my first snake, either of the above choices would be a great pet if you take the time to care for it and learn as much about the proper husbandry beforehand. Good Luck!

Answer 5

I think, if you can manage the size, (they aren't giants like Burmese pythons, after all) Colombian boa constrictors triumph corn snakes and ball pythons any day of the week. Their personality is absolutely interesting and nothing like it can be found in any other snake. I don't have any corn snakes, but I had ball pythons for a few years, and I recently got my first boa. Their inquisitive behavior, personality, and intelligence just blow me away, as if their beautiful appearance hasn't already. And they're perfective size imo too - big, but not *too* big. Boas win any day of the week!

But I also highly recommend you watch this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Uyf5p3QDBE

Answer 6

ball python, definitely. I have had both and my ball python is the sweetest thing EVER. The pythons are fun to watch grow and they grow much faster than the corn snakes. Plus, if you ever lose your python, they are easier to find because corn snakes are so small! I really think that you should get a ball python. =]

Answer 7

Corn snake. There easy to handle and very low maintenance. And with a puppy I just don't think you'd have time for a Boa.

Answer 8

if you are wanting to get a snake then the best is to get a ball python because they are the best for beginners. they get about 5 feet long and they are very easy to care for. they range from $50.00- $100.00 and it depends on where you go to buy it. if you do get one you want to look at the body to make sure that there is no scares and if there is it will mean that it has been bought & brought back, look to see if the eyes are clear from any extra skin and that you can see their pupils. you want to make sure that they are alert and moving because if you pick one that is none of this then it will get sick or will die later. also if all is good tell the person you are getting it from that you want to see it eat. if you watch it eat then you won't have problems when you get him home and then try to feed them when you need to. don't get a boa because they can get to big and they will get aggressive when they get older. they are pretty but not a good snake to start with. i have 2 ball pythons and they are the best and they are good with kids. my 2 are 5 feet long and about 8in. in diamiter that is big but they are nice. good luck in your descision.

Answer 9

I would definatly get a ball python, no offense to corn snakes but pythons are way cooler. :)

Answer 10

Corn... the python might eat the puppy!