Ball Python, or Corn Snake?

Question

I know that getting a ball python to eat is very difficult, and that corn snakes are easier to care for...but I can't decide which I would perfer

Should I get the snake that i will most likely have trouble feeding, or the snake that is easy to care for, im just not sure if I would enjoy it as much as a ball python.

Which do you think I should get. The only store that sells balls and corns in my area feeds live mice, and I would be switching to killed food...would it be to difficult to switch a ball from live to prekilled food?

Answer 1

Ball pythons can be picky eaters, but not always. I bought my ball python at a pet shop and he has never had a problem accepting a meal (except for thawed out or prekilled). From experience though, I suggest if you do decide to get a ball python, to wait at least 2 weeks before attempting to feed them. I didn't do this and the first 2 weeks let me just say he ate, but I received the meal back in a couple days and not in fecal form.

Ball pythons really aren't that hard to care for, the only difference is they need 50% humidity at all times and 60-80% during shedding time and a certain temperature of about 85-90 daytime.

Corn snakes are more tolerable of temperatures (not too low though). It is best to give them a heat source because they do like it of around 80-90F for babies and 75-85F for adults, but isn't distinctly required and monitored with a temperature gauge like a ball python has to be.

Personally I think they both make great pets, it just depends on what you're wanting. I like ball pythons better because of their docile slow-moving personalities, but that is my opinion.

Now about switching their food. Some snakes may not mind, then again this depends on the snake. Ball pythons will have more of a problem with this, but again it depends on the snake, they all have different personalities. Mine, for example, will not accept dead food period. The food must be alive or he will come up to it, flick his tongue a few times and leave it there. Now this doesn't necessarily mean yours will do the same. The best way is when you get the snake (if it is a ball python) try to give him prekilled food to see how he does, he may have no problem accepting. If he doesn't accept and you are wary of him being hurt by his food, then you can stun the food instead of completely killing the food (stunning where u hit him against a hard surface to confuse and cause him to be still, but not completely killing). Corn snakes aren't picky like ball pythons are, and more than likely would have no problem at all with prekilled food.

Answer 2

Without doubt you need to go for the corn snake.They are a very hardy,docile and gentle snake.If kept in the correct way will never give you a problem with feeding and will also tolerate being handled alot.
The ball python is just as good but can often give feeding problems and if you are not experienced in keeping reptiles and know how to overcome these problems,you can cause the snake to become a bit snappy.They do stress alot easier than corns and can take a while to bring back around again.
Temps with pythons need to be absolutely spot on in the viv ,whereas with corns they can withstand temp changes better without causing them any problems.
So start with the corn,gain more experience and confidence and then get one of the others.

Answer 3

If this is your first snake, I would recommend a cornsnake. Lot less hassles and no matter what people say, they can be VERY finicky. It's the number one problem on the forums for ball pythons. Cornsnakes will normally easily transition to pre killed or frozen/thawed (my recommendation) and the frozen mice can be purchased online. If you buy from a breeder, you have a better chance of getting a decent animal. Most petstores keep large numbers of snakes together and especially with ball pythons, this can be stressful. Many of the ball pythons are imports as well..full of parasites. I was in my local petstore the other day and one of the 6 ball pythons in the cage had regurgitated a mouse. Which one? Who knows. Any person buying one would probably get that one and start with an unhealthy animal.
And to Mandy: Why are you feeding 12 pinkies and a mouse to your snake!? One appropriately sized meal a week is plenty. Pinkies have very little nutritional value, but overfeeding is just as unhealthy.

Answer 4

I honestly prefer Ball pythons. I have owned four of them, currently just one, and I have never had one with a feeding problem.

Just make sure they are captive bred, not wild-caught. Wild caughts are a lot of the reason why Ball pythons have such a reputation of being pooor feeders.

Be very careful to choose a snake that doesn't seem overly nervous when you pick it up. It is my experience that for whatever reason; the most reluctant feeders are the ones that are human-shy.

The adult male that I have now, Apophis, is probably the sweetest snake I have ever met. He steadily takes three mice per every 10 days, all year round. He'll occasionally take a month off during the winter, but that is it. He is very mellow and easy-going.

Yes, while you will occasionally see a stubborn one; most ball pythons can be switched to pre-killed food fed on tongs. Keep in mind that most ball pythons are head-shy and have bad aim, so it is a bit of a challenge to get them to actually grab the food they are striking at sometimes ;).

I wish you luck with your new scalely addition, and I sincerely hope this helps. :)

Answer 5

If a ball is what you want, that's what you should get, as long as you can take proper care of it.

It doesn't make sense to not get what you want if the issues aren't insurmountable, and most balls are good eaters and still considered good beginner snakes.

I cannot get my adult balls to switch to prekilled. I just had another go at it this evening. But the situation might be very different with younger snakes, as other posters here have said.

And with patience and time, people say even most adults can be won over (but I'm not sure I have the patience)

Before you get your snake, join an online group or forum of ball keepers to help you get set up, and ask your feeding questions etc. People love to talk about their experience.

And HAVE FUN!

Answer 6

I have ball pythons and it's not hard to feed them at all. As long as you start them on the prekilled food and there used to it they shouldn't have a prob. They get larger then corn snakes so you should look at that aspect as well. Also temps, and your cage setups before buying. I would go with ball python cuz they are easy to care for, my lil cousin has one and feeds his frozen because they don't have live feeders in stock. You just warm it for them and they'll eat it. Also if you wait a while before feeding them they most likely will eat the food, if they are hungry.

Answer 7

If you keep the ball python warm enough and with enough humidity you wont have a problem feeding it.
Its also very important that they have a place to hide.
Corn snakes are cool but ive always preferred ball pythons.
Theyre much friendlier
They grow to a nicer size.
Ive had a ball that went into hibernation for 11 months
And ive had several that never went off their food.
I think the secret is in keeping them a little hungry.
I always waited till they looked at me to be fed before i fed them.
Itll be easier to switch it from live to fresh killed instead of thawed.
You could try stunned too which is weird.
Maybe you can get the store to do the deed for you.
Thats weird too the way they do it so.
If its been raised on live........ why not keep feeding it live?
Ive never fed any of my snakes dead and theyve never been bitten.

Answer 8

That's a tough question. I own both a ball python and an Oakatee Corn. Yes, a ball is more of a picky eater than a corn (I fed the corn 12 pinkies yesterday and an adult mouse today). But, with the proper temperature and care of a ball they will do just fine. Ball's can go months without eating. But, again, if they're temps are right, they aren't too bad. Although, at one point my ball "forgot " how to eat and had to be force fed to "remind her". I haven't had the corn too long, but he has proven to be a very interesting snake. Corn are quite the escape artists, so you have to make sure the cage is well secured. To me, they are both relatively easy to care for, but make sure you ask alot of questions before you buy any snake. Good luck! ; )

Answer 9

I agree with everyone else. And it sounds like your mind is made up anyway.

Either way I'd ask to see the snake eat BEFORE you buy it, then pick it up a few days later. Any reputable seller should allow you to do this. If not I'd go somewhere else.

I've found the best way to get a snake off live and on to frozen/pre-killed is to feed it a live mouse and then immediately offer a pre-killer mouse. Once a snake gets into "feeding mode" they tend be ALOT less picky. After awhile of doing this there's a very good chance it will take pre-killed.

Answer 10

Ball pythons stess easily. It is when they are stressed that feeding becomes difficult... as long as you make sure not to pick them up for the first day or two they will adapt to the new enviornment....trust me I know how hard it is to not pick them up the first day...but its all for the better. And as for live or dead food......frozen/thawed is always best. It takes a little more time but its cheaper and safer for the snake. you dont want your pet to get scratched up from a crazy mouse..