What's the difference?????

[alito001]

Hi, I am new with snakes and I just got my first ball last month. She is a 6 month old regular but she is the new baby of the house. The thing is that I want another snake but I was thinking about a colubrid but I dont know the difference between a corn, a king and a rat snake and wich one would be better for me as a newbee with snakes, so I need all the help I can get so please reply with your knoledge an suggestions.....

[Neal]

I would say either a corn, or a king. Just do some research on the care sheets, and behaviors of both, then make a decision.

[Dumples]

A corn snake is actually a type of rat snake. King snakes include sub species like the milk snake. The differences between them are not really that apparent to the average hobbyist. Various species between the two groups really just vary in size and colors mostly. They both have very similar bodies and scale types. They both will eat mice. The care will be identical for the most part. This is more opinion than fact, but my milk snakes have always been more night creatures, and most of the corn snakes I've had or seen don't really care and come out day or night. Some species get bigger than others in either family. You would want to think about the maximum size you might want and that could narrow down the species you might want. ALso, the availability in your area or whatever. All in all, corn and milk snakes are fairly easy to care for hardy snakes. Just read up on some care sheets and give them the correct amount of everything they need.

[alito001]

Thanks. I'll do the research on both. If somebody that have both want to help me I will really appreciate the info>>>

[Dumples]

Are you just looking for general care sheets, or are you looking for something more specific?

[alito001]

I want to know if there is a difference in behavior (more agresive), wich one is more active and easy to handle, if they are good eaters and how long do they get.

[Dumples]

Both usually have great feeding habits. Aggressive behavior in snakes can vary in any species across the board. The amount handled, quantity of stress, right diet, amount of space in vivarium, snakes own personal temperament all will affect how aggressive it is. I would say they both can be equally good or bad. They typically tend to be more fiesty and zippy when they are small, and grow out of some of that with proper care and handling. For someone new to the hobby, you might not really even notice the difference between the two side by side other than color schemes and stuff.

[Dumples]

I want to know if there is a difference in behavior (more agresive), wich one is more active and easy to handle, if they are good eaters and how long do they get.

Still more of an opinion from me, my observations overall seem to think that milk snakes do not like daytime nearly as corn snakes and tend to hide more often. Others might have a different opinion though. You might go more for color, size, price, and availability in your area.

Oh and size... They can all vary between 3 and 6 feet typically between species.

[Neal]

They're both a great choice, as far as the rat snake, I would recommend to somebody who has atleast kept another snake before. It can be a good beginner snake also, just depends on how good of research you do.

[alito001]

Thanks to all for your help and as a newbee in snakes I'm very happy that I found this forum page and new friends with the same interest that I have. Hope to be with you all in this forum for a long time and hopefuly with my own collection of snakes and reptiles.