Corn Snakes' eating habits vs. Ball Pythons'

I've read a lot about how troublesome some BP's can be when it comes to feeding. Do corn snake enthusiasts experience something similar (with their snakes )?

We're about to buy our first "family snake" and I want it to be docile, curious, and healthy. I want the kids (under my supervision) to be able to handle and participate in the snake's care. I'm interested in your thoughts.

-Thanks

Corn snakes don't stress as easily as BPs. So, no, they don't have quite the eating problems that BPs can experience. But a well-cared for, happy BP will never miss a meal... and will be perfectly docile and curious (though some are more curious than others---you'll find that all snakes, no matter what kind, have different personalities).


Something to think over: while both corn snakes and BPs can be fast movers when they want to be, BPs tend to take a slower, more cautious take on things, while corn snakes will just charge off in a hurry when they feel like it, lol (I can't take my bull snake outside because he'd be gone in a sec... but I was never afraid to take the BPs out).

Thanks for the quick reply. I think the BP is the best snake for us, given their docile nature and slower-moving pace of life. I like the idea of reading late at night and having the snake hang out with me (I once had a giant garter snake that would stay next to me when I napped--I was 10). From my experiences in pet stores/nature centers hadling corns, they seem to be "on the move" much more than the BPs. Thanks again.

I'll have to say that it really depends on the snake. I have BP's that will stay in one spot and not move, then I have ones that don't stay still and zoom off in a blink of an eye. My corn snake on the other hand is very mellow and rather just wrap around my neck and hang out while I sit at my computer, do dishes... or take my dog. Some corns, specially young ones do tend to be a bit hyper.

Thanks Allison. Is there any way to tell from handling and spending some time with baby BP's that might foreshadow what kind of adult temperament they'll have? Perhaps I'm wishing for too much certainty.

With wild animals---with ANY animal really---there's always going to be a little uncertainty. Even dogs and cat don't always follow by our rules. And snakes have been in captivity a lot less time than dogs and cats.

i would say every animal is different...

i have a corn that sees me and heads for the hills, but then i have a corn that will literally crawl into my hand. it all depends on the snake. if you get an older corn they tend to be a little more laid back then hatchlings. in fact hatchlings of any species are going to stress more and be flighty.

a ball python is a nice starting snake, side from the fact that they can be picky eaters. my corns are garbage disposal.

and as a little side note, there is a wide variety of corn snake morphs out there that are priced very reasonable. where as ball python morphs tend to run a little high.

Both are great first snakes. However, I would tend to lean more towards a corn snake. They are much more forgiving in just about everything; eating, temps, etc. That being said, as was already stated, a well cared for bp will do just fine, too.

One thing to possibly think about, is that corn morphs are a lot less expensive than ball morphs. You can get some very colorful and cool patterned snakes for not that much money.