New to the world of snakes..."thinking" of a corn.

[momma4]

Hello everyone..I'm new here and new to snakes! So I will have many questions. I have been looking at snakes and they say the best one to start with is a corn. But have also been told a kingsnake and gophersnake. Do you all feel the same? Is that what you would have started with if you could pick your very first one over again? I like the corns cause of the colors. I want to get a baby one to grow with...I'm sure it will lead to more down the road. I have not got a home for it yet but will do that first after I have made my mind up on what to get. I'm one of those that reads and reads and asks tons of questions first. So what advice would you give a newbie? Well just wanted to say hi! Looking forward to learning from you guys!

Thanks!

Are there any breeders in WA here? If so where are you at?

[Purrrfect9]

If I could do it all over again, I think that I would still go with getting a BP first. Corns can be very fast, and as a result can be very intimidating to new herpers. BUT, as far as husbandry goes, they are very easy to take care of. It all depends on what you are looking for in a snake. If you want a slow, easy going snake that likes to sit and hang out, why not try looking into Ball Pythons? Now there's many of different color morphs available that don't put too big of a dent in your wallet. The only 'downside' to BP's is that they really don't make much of a display snake, since they are primarily nocturnal and tend to hide most of the time.
If you're looking for more of a display animal, I'd go with a corn or kingsnake. They are very active and tend to roam their cage, and like I said, also very fast when your handling them.

[kjhowland]

I started with garters. I do agree corns are very easy to care for. They don't require high heat or humidity. They eat readily, don't care if its live or forzen. They come in various morphs. Mine has never attempted to hiss or bite.

[JNugent]

I'd agree on a corn. Very easy to take care of temp/humidity wise. Very docile snakes that grow used to handling well and usually eat pretty good. I got one for my daughter as her first snake and she loves him. BP's are also great, but will put on a little more size than a corn. Either one would be an great first snake. I actually started with a baby BP and the obsession..err.. collection grew from there.

[rabernet]

Well, I live in Georgia, so - I can't own a corn snake (we can't own non-venomous snakes that are indiginous to GA).

My first snake was a ball python, and now I have close to 40 of them. I do have an baby albino California king now. Between the two (the king being more like a corn in behavior), I would choose the ball again as a first snake (for me).

I don't care about displaying my snake, and I like the easy going nature of the ball pythons, the heavy-bodiedness of them, etc.

I love my king too, but I don't get to just sit and relax with him like I do my ball pythons.

[Crusader71]

Both Corns and Kings are excellent beginners !!! They both come in wicked morphs and are easy to look after. it all comes down to what you like.
Mark

[wendy]

well thinking of a corn, huh. i wouldn't be able to pick out a colorphase! just too many to choose from.