Ball Python or Cornsnake?

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Originally Posted by shelliebear

Cornsnake is probably cheaper, both morph and food wise. As adults a corn probably wouldn't eat anything bigger than a small rat, and as babies they eat pinky mice which are fairly cheap.
They don't require their temps or humidity be as high as BP's, and most will use Aspen shavings as a place to hide instead of an actual hide.
Cornsnakes could be put in a 10 gallon tank while younger, probably up to about 1.5 years (depending on growth), which would equal a pretty small tub. Not sure how many quarts--maybe 5 ish?
Something to think about is the age of snake you get. With corn snakes, (I own one! :D) as babies, they are wriggly little shoelaces. They won't sit still just like a ball python will most of the time. They're barely big enough as babies to wrap around anything so they can't hang from your neck while you do homework, if that's what you're looking for.
Both are beautiful kinds of snakes. Corn snake morphs are a lot cheaper, though it's sad that they are for breeders and future breeders. :(
As for temperament, both types of snake can be nippy as babies. My corn snake has never struck at me, but then again, neither have my BP's. It depends which snake you get. See if you can monitor one you're interested in for a few days. Hold it in your hands, see if it's aggressive when you're getting it out of the tank.
I'd say probably go corn snake. Especially since with a BP you have to be prepared to either hook a humidifier up in the snake room to keep the humidity up (you live in Canada, I'm in Washington state just beneath ya'll and our humidity is awful), or spray the tank with a bottle until you have arthritis, LOL.
Read some of the care sheets on this site if you haven't already. After that, it's up to you. Find a breeder if you can, and I bet you my left arm they'd let you hold the snake and look at it before you buy it.
Ask for one that doesn't bite a lot.
:)
Good luck! I want pics when you decide :D

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Well, I am not looking for a snake that will wriggle around. I am looking for a snake that will move, but wont move to much. The reason I am attracted to the ball pythons is because I think they are beautiful and exotic animals that need a good, permanent home. The only problem is, I cant get a humidifier in my room anyway, because I have reallly big windows that drip a lot. I am willing to spray, but about how many times a day do you have to? I do have school... so... and you will most definitely get you a picture! (I am looking t a pastel BP, because I really like the deep colours and they are a pretty cheap morph)
Thanks!

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Originally Posted by Plissken

I have both and they are great. My new girlfriend, who is not a snake person, actually touched the corn snake and thought it was pretty cool. She is interested in handling it, but not the others (ball, bull, rtb.) When anyone walks into the room, the corn snake will come out of it's hide and watch the person...if you go up to the tank, it will climb and see what's what (probably thinks it's getting fed.) The corn is very handlable, but is always on the move.
The ball definitely has more substance and moves slow...it will just hang out. The ball's head is very distinct from it's body...it looks like it has more expression...sounds weird, but just how it feels to me.
I'm in canada, so the corn is a lot hardier, as far as not needing as complex a husbandry and eats less, but eats regularly...balls are picky.
For a first snake, I'd say get the corn...smaller, easier to maintain, friendly and not as intimidating to nonsnake people. You'll have it and enjoy it for a little while before you go out and grab a ball for your collection...and you won't regret doing that in the least. Good luck

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I think I might get a corn first, and then maybe after a few months take on a BP. I really like the ball python though, and I really don't want a really active snake. I want one that I can hold for a while, with it only moving a little. More companion then moving a lot.

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Originally Posted by Daserh

I think I might get a corn first, and then maybe after a few months take on a BP. I really like the ball python though, and I really don't want a really active snake. I want one that I can hold for a while, with it only moving a little. More companion then moving a lot.

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That would be a ball python then :)

As far as how often you have to spray, it depends on if you're going to be keeping it in a tank or a tub. I have mine in a tank (but moving to a tub soon) and I normally have to spray about 3 or 4 times a day to keep the humidity at 50-60%, and then during the shed cycle I mist for longer and it goes up to 5 or 6 times per day. I bet with a tub it's a lot easier though, and you might only have to mist twice a day (which is one of the reasons I'm switching haha).

It also depends on the time of year. During the spring and summer it's a little easier, I believe I usually only have to mist twice a day then. Winters are just so dry around here!

Now, I'm still a little confused as to why you can't have a humidifier? :confused: I don't have one at the moment because I just don't have the room, but I thought most humidifiers just plugged into the wall... and if you put it as close as possible to where your ball python's enclosure will be, I think it would work fine.

Im new to owning a snake and wasnt sure what kind of snake to get first either It was between a corn, Ball python and spotted python I looked up every bit of info I could and went to my local reptile store over and over again (Ill bet I drove them a little crazy) I went to pet stores anywhere they would let me handle their snakes and asked questions Plus google is my best friend now! I decided on a BP and Im so happy I did hes a little jumpy but so friendly and very chill He is in a screen top tank and I maintain the humidity by wetting a small towel 2 times a day and placing it on the screen in between the heat lights My temps have been good I got him young hes like 5 months now so he eats good (crossing fingers) I dont know where your from in canada but there are some amazing places in Toronto for snakes (dont buy from a petstore!) any petstore snakes I handled all seamed to have some issues stuck shed, skinny and didnt seam like they had been handeled enough I wish you the best and hope you post picts soon :)

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Originally Posted by blushingball419

That would be a ball python then :)

As far as how often you have to spray, it depends on if you're going to be keeping it in a tank or a tub. I have mine in a tank (but moving to a tub soon) and I normally have to spray about 3 or 4 times a day to keep the humidity at 50-60%, and then during the shed cycle I mist for longer and it goes up to 5 or 6 times per day. I bet with a tub it's a lot easier though, and you might only have to mist twice a day (which is one of the reasons I'm switching haha).

It also depends on the time of year. During the spring and summer it's a little easier, I believe I usually only have to mist twice a day then. Winters are just so dry around here!

Now, I'm still a little confused as to why you can't have a humidifier? :confused: I don't have one at the moment because I just don't have the room, but I thought most humidifiers just plugged into the wall... and if you put it as close as possible to where your ball python's enclosure will be, I think it would work fine.

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The reason I cant have humidifier in my room is because even in the winter, my windows drip like heck. So, it would ruin the window even more. Thats probably the only reason a corn would be better for me.

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Originally Posted by Daserh

I really need to know, which one is better? I love both of they're morphs, and they are both great snakes, but I need to know, which one should I get? Think about this, don't just say BP because it is your favourite snake or likewise with the corn. These are the points I need to think about:

- Which snake is cheaper? Not fancy morphs, but with feeding, care and tub?
- Which snake is more people friendly? My mom will not react well if it is an aggressive snake at times.
- Which snake is easier to care for? I DO NOT CURRENTLY HAVE A SNAKE. I AM ON THIS FORUM FOR RESEARCH. So, please tell me honestly.

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Personally I've never kept a cornsnake but I have a ball, and he's about 7 months old. When ball's get to about 3 (an adult) they only need to feed every 10-14 days so they never are expensive to feed whereas when they are young they need to feed every 5-7 days or so. I think both snakes aren't 'usually' particularly bitey (I've never been bitten), but if you did get a jumpy/agressive snake just handle it more. I hope this helped :D

I have had a few corn snakes before and now I have 3 bps and here is my opinion


Corn snakes and Ball pythons are both great snakes especially for the first time snake owner and you really cant go wrong with either.All of my corn's and Ball python have been very tamed though they were a little jumpy until a good 2 weeks of consistent handling(but still have never been bitten). I got my corns when they were babies but got my ball pythons as babies and adults. Ball pythons have a little more upkeep but not much. IMO tho Ball pythons make better pets because their more still and laid back. Corns like to move and can very easily get lost or escape!!!! as well. You cant go wrong with a ball python.... and the best part is that theirs a ridicules amount of color combos. Lol ive currently caught the morph bug!!! only got one pastel for now but Mojave BP is coming soon!!!!

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Originally Posted by Daserh

- Which snake is cheaper? Not fancy morphs, but with feeding, care and tub?
- Which snake is more people friendly? My mom will not react well if it is an aggressive snake at times.
- Which snake is easier to care for? I DO NOT CURRENTLY HAVE A SNAKE. I AM ON THIS FORUM FOR RESEARCH. So, please tell me honestly.

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-They'd end up being very similar in terms of price, though a corn snake would probably be slightly cheaper in the end, being slightly cheaper as hatchlings and not as girthy as ball pythons.

-Both are very people friendly (as long as they are cared for and handled on a regular basis; a snake that is mistreated and/or improperly cared for will become aggressive. And the honest truth is that you're likely to get bit at some point anyways, it's part of the hobby. Snakes are wild animals, and though they can be "dog-tame" and very sociable, chances are there's going to be an accident at some point or another). However, they both have very different personalities. Ball pythons are typically pretty nervous, and don't move much when being held. Corn snakes, on the other hand, are less cuddly and more hyperactive. Both are very docile snakes, though.

-Husbandry-wise (temps, humidity, caging, etc.) they're basically the same; temps and things take a while to figure out, but after that they are fairly low maintenance. However, ball pythons tend to be very picky eaters and refuse food a lot of the time, whereas corn snakes are more often than not good feeders. While fasts can be a major pain, they are not harmful to a healthy ball python and are nothing to be concerned about.



I have been keeping ball pythons for many, many years, and though I have never owned a corn snake, I have worked with them. I personally prefer ball pythons because I like their girth, colorations, and I like "cuddly" snakes that are fairly relaxed. I also know tons of people who have corn snakes and absolutely adore them. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. What do you like the looks of? It is also really helpful if you can get to a pet store or reptile expo where you could hold both a ball python and a corn snake and see which personality you like best.

Either one that you choose you should be getting a brilliant snake, personally I'd written off corn's before I even had a snake because for me I don't like their morphs and I wanted a normal-looking ball python (only recently even interested in morphs). One thing you have to see is that every little snake is going to have it's own personality, I think I held about 12 BP's before I knew for sure which one I wanted, I like mine because he is nervous when coming out of his hides, but as soon as you have him in your hands he's really friendly, over the winter months you will get food refusals if you choose a bp, but that's nothing to worry about aslong as they have a healthy weight and there is no noticeable weight-loss i.e. loose skin. There are caresheets on here and if you did have any problems there are plenty of people with loads of their own experiences someone is bound to be able to help you, I remember when I first got mine, I used to wake up in the middle of the night because I was worried about if he was alright with his temps and humidity (luckily I'd been doing everything right so he was alright) all you have to really do is trust that you know your doing the right thing, if your doing everything to the best of your knowledge then your snake is goinhg to be okay, you really should just go to a reptile shop aswell and ask someone who knows the snakes, what they're like, you should hold them and see what kind of snake you personally are most comfortable with, have fun. :D