Bp or corn snake ?

Hey everyone ! I'm new to this forum as well to the snake world. I was wondering if some of you could help me out with choosing my first snake. I'm thinking about getting a bp or a corn snake but I can't decide between the two. I own a bearded dragon as a personal experience with reptiles, and I've already done a ton of research on the both snakes and know that bps need higher humidity and temps than corns and are more calm than corns, have longer longevity as well as they eat more, so could you give me your personal opinions on owning them as pets ?

Respectfuly,
Matias

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Hey everyone ! I'm new to this forum as well to the snake world. I was wondering if some of you could help me out with choosing my first snake. I'm thinking about getting a bp or a corn snake but I can't decide between the two. I own a bearded dragon as a personal experience with reptiles, and I've already done a ton of research on both snakes and know that bps need higher humidity and temps than corns and are more calm than corns, have longer longevity as well as they eat more, so could you give me your personal opinions on owning one or both as pets ?

Respectfuly,
Matias

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I can't help but feel like any opinions on this forum are going to be biased. It is a ball python forum after all lol

I have both .... Royals are happy to stay on your lap for a whIle whereas Corns will be on the go non- stop .... Both are generally very friendly and calm ....you do find exceptions to the rule of course .


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Thank u man. In your opinion wich one would you say it would be a better choice ?

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Yhea ur right ... anyway, there might be someone who can help me out

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Corn snakes are better beginner snakes as they are easier to feed. Ball pythons need thier husbandry to be perfect to eat and sometimes even then they go on hunger strikes that tend to stress new owners. :)

If you want a faster-moving snake who will mostly keep running through your hands, or one that will just sit on your lap and move slowly. And of course, whichever you think looks better.

Something else to think about is ease of feeding. When BP's get older, some of them go on seasonal fasts and will refuse food for months. Some young bp's are hard to convert to f/t prey, and it takes time and patience. But you might also get lucky and get a pig who eats everything. While for corns, I've never heard of one refusing a meal, and they're much more tolerant of setup and husbandry issues.

PS- I do have and love both. :) Ball pythons aren't rocket science but corns tend to be more forgiving on care.

Thank you =) I guess that will help !

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But are those periods of bos not eating harmful or sign of bad care or just natural ?

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Depends on how much work you want to put into it (BP have needs that MUST be met to a T as they are very unforgiving) and what your exceptions are as far as the snake itself (BP hide% of the time and do not tolerate handling as well as corns)

bps*

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Thanks Deborah ! =)

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Originally Posted by matiasc.c.32

But are those periods of bos not eating harmful or sign of bad care or just natural ?

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Some adult bp's fast naturally, and it's not harmful, assuming their husbandry and temperatures have always been fine. You'll see some others posting online who won't eat for husbandry/temperature issue reasons, and that isn't natural and is because of bad care.

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Originally Posted by redshepherd

Some adult bp's fast naturally, and it's not harmful, assuming their husbandry and temperatures have always been fine. You'll see some others posting online who won't eat for husbandry/temperature issue reasons, and that isn't natural.

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So, say that I have a thermostat set on the right temp and control the humidity (as well a warm and cold hide and all that) would it be a worst choice to begin than the corn ? Or would it be fine for the snake to thrive ?

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Originally Posted by matiasc.c.32

So, say that I have a thermostat set on the right temp and control the humidity (as well a warm and cold hide and all that) would it be a worst choice to begin than the corn ? Or would it be fine for the snake to thrive ?

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Are you choosing just based on your current setup? Maybe you can post pictures of the setup, and we can tell you if it's yet suitable for a bp.

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Originally Posted by redshepherd

Are you choosing just based on your current setup? Maybe you can post pictures of the setup, and we can tell you if it's yet suitable for a bp.

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The setup I got is this one:

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Complete-Lar...257Ciid%253A23

That setup looks pretty complete and a step up to where you may just have to continue to tweak certain things as you go forward. One important difference between the two species is that ball pythons are essentially nocturnal and prefer the darkness where as corn snakes are diurnal and are active during the daytime and require lighting. The main thing to do is to get what you really want and like. :D

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Originally Posted by Albert Clark

That setup looks pretty complete and a step up to where you may just have to continue to tweak certain things as you go forward. One important difference between the two species is that ball pythons are essentially nocturnal and prefer the darkness where as corn snakes are diurnal and are active during the daytime and require lighting. The main thing to do is to get what you really want and like. :D

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Thank you for your review Clark =) I think I'll get a ball python after all :D

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Much as I dig ball pythons, I tend to recommend corns as a first time snake. You can pretty much throw a corn snake in a secure location, make fresh water available, and feed it every 1-3 weeks - the thing will thrive. Sure, you can fancy their care up if you really want but their basic needs are extremely simple and require little extra effort. They do fine with temps ranging from the 60s to low 80s so the ambient in most houses is perfectly acceptable. Much higher than that(sustained) and you're going to have issues with most snakes. On the lower end you'll probably want to feed less or cut feedings completely until things warm up a bit.

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Originally Posted by matiasc.c.32

Thank you for your review Clark =) I think I'll get a ball python after all :D

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Either way you won't be disappointed ...

I had a friend around last year with her two daughters looking at my Corn snakes and Kings ..... the eldest daughter was insistent that she wanted a King snake anyways ..... after holding my Albino Royal for ten minutes as we all chatted - they went and bought a Royal Python and set up a few days later :)

The main thing to TRY and so is buy off a breeder rather than a store as it will be cheaper and probably better quality and you'll have more choice of morphs / colours ..... the MAIN thing is to get a GGOD eater then you're half way there :)


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Originally Posted by John1982

Much as I dig ball pythons, I tend to recommend corns as a first time snake. You can pretty much throw a corn snake in a secure location, make fresh water available, and feed it every 1-3 weeks - the thing will thrive. Sure, you can fancy their care up if you really want but their basic needs are extremely simple and require little extra effort. They do fine with temps ranging from the 60s to low 80s so the ambient in most houses is perfectly acceptable. Much higher than that(sustained) and you're going to have issues with most snakes. On the lower end you'll probably want to feed less or cut feedings completely until things warm up a bit.

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I agree with John.

I keep Ball Pythons. They are my passion. But I also have a colubrid. Which is a kingsnake. He is my true pet, as the BPs only seem to "tolerate" handling. The king LOVES to come out of his tank and play. Colubrids are also MUCH easier in terms of care. They thrive in ambient room temperatures pretty much. Even though I do still provide mine a UTH and a daytime bulb. They are just, easy. Ball Pythons are finicky and will test your patience and worry the crap out of you sometimes.

But it really all boils down to what YOU want.


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Originally Posted by piedlover79

Corn snakes are better beginner snakes as they are easier to feed. Ball pythons need thier husbandry to be perfect to eat and sometimes even then they go on hunger strikes that tend to stress new owners. :)

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This. They will make you a nervous wreck if you haven't kept snakes before.

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Originally Posted by John1982

Much as I dig ball pythons, I tend to recommend corns as a first time snake. You can pretty much throw a corn snake in a secure location, make fresh water available, and feed it every 1-3 weeks - the thing will thrive. Sure, you can fancy their care up if you really want but their basic needs are extremely simple and require little extra effort. They do fine with temps ranging from the 60s to low 80s so the ambient in most houses is perfectly acceptable. Much higher than that(sustained) and you're going to have issues with most snakes. On the lower end you'll probably want to feed less or cut feedings completely until things warm up a bit.

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Thanks for the response John !

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Originally Posted by Zincubus

Either way you won't be disappointed ...

I had a friend around last year with her two daughters looking at my Corn snakes and Kings ..... the eldest daughter was insistent that she wanted a King snake anyways ..... after holding my Albino Royal for ten minutes as we all chatted - they went and bought a Royal Python and set up a few days later :)

The main thing to TRY and so is buy off a breeder rather than a store as it will be cheaper and probably better quality and you'll have more choice of morphs / colours ..... the MAIN thing is to get a GGOD eater then you're half way there :)


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Thank u, I'll try to find one if i get a bp =)

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Originally Posted by Mangiapane85

I agree with John.

I keep Ball Pythons. They are my passion. But I also have a colubrid. Which is a kingsnake. He is my true pet, as the BPs only seem to "tolerate" handling. The king LOVES to come out of his tank and play. Colubrids are also MUCH easier in terms of care. They thrive in ambient room temperatures pretty much. Even though I do still provide mine a UTH and a daytime bulb. They are just, easy. Ball Pythons are finicky and will test your patience and worry the crap out of you sometimes.

But it really all boils down to what YOU want.


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Thanks, I'll take that in consideration before choosing the right snake

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Originally Posted by cletus

This. They will make you a nervous wreck if you haven't kept snakes before.

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I'll maybe give it a shot, and get a bp after I setup the enclosure and get it all on point

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I'm a brand spanking new owner and I went with a BP. I don't regret it at all. BPs are amazing and have their own unique charm that's different than colubrids. Haha their finicky eating habits and husbandry are more of a challenge than kings or corns but I honestly enjoyed getting everything together and creating my own little box of BP paradise. It's a great educational experience.
A very kind user on here pointed out that every snake is different so there's different ways of approaching issues such as feeding and handling. You just have to find what works best for YOUR snake. I'm still learning how to read Buddy and figure out if he's scared or comfortable, etc.
One thing I will say is that I think colubrids are way more tolerant of handling than BPs. BPs aren't usually aggressive as far as handling goes to my knowledge and I'm working on getting Buddy used to being touched by me, but I don't plan on taking him out and playing with him everyday. The best way to show my love for him is to leave him alone haha
I hope whichever one you pick is a great eater and is the perfect snake for you! :D

Honestly, I think a matter of "first snake" is just putting in the research and knowing what you're getting into, whatever it may be. Someone can get a green tree python as their first snake, once they did proper research and get their setup, equipment, and husbandry on-point, keeping it just like the experienced keepers keep it. Snakes aren't dogs, each individual within a species are practically thumbprints of each other with nearly the exact same care. And I only say "nearly", because of variation of feeding response LOL. Just copy the pros, and you're good.

And research includes knowing the temperament and common issues and medical issues (and what usually causes them) of the species as well. Past that, it's just a matter of choosing what you love.

A ball python was my first snake and a dumeril's boa was my third, all within the first 4 months of owning my first snake in my life. Nothing unexpected happened and nothing bad happened, because I did thorough research on whatever species I was getting, so I already knew the species (at least on a second-hand level) before I got it.

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Originally Posted by kath_

I'm a brand spanking new owner and I went with a BP. I don't regret it at all. BPs are amazing and have their own unique charm that's different than colubrids. Haha their finicky eating habits and husbandry are more of a challenge than kings or corns but I honestly enjoyed getting everything together and creating my own little box of BP paradise. It's a great educational experience.
A very kind user on here pointed out that every snake is different so there's different ways of approaching issues such as feeding and handling. You just have to find what works best for YOUR snake. I'm still learning how to read Buddy and figure out if he's scared or comfortable, etc.
One thing I will say is that I think colubrids are way more tolerant of handling than BPs. BPs aren't usually aggressive as far as handling goes to my knowledge and I'm working on getting Buddy used to being touched by me, but I don't plan on taking him out and playing with him everyday. The best way to show my love for him is to leave him alone haha
I hope whichever one you pick is a great eater and is the perfect snake for you! :D

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Thanks very muck Kath =), that's kind of inspiring :D ! My thoughts are very similar to yours, I'm still deciding but I think I'll go with the bp afterall ! Thank u once more =)

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Originally Posted by redshepherd

Honestly, I think a matter of "first snake" is just putting in the research and knowing what you're getting into, whatever it may be. Someone can get a green tree python as their first snake, once they did proper research and get their setup, equipment, and husbandry on-point, keeping it just like the experienced keepers keep it.

And research includes knowing the temperament and common issues and medical issues (and what usually causes them) of the species as well. Past that, it's just a matter of choosing what you love.

A ball python was my first snake and a dumeril's boa was my third, all within the first 4 months of owning my first snake in my life. Nothing unexpected happened and nothing bad happened, because I did thorough research and I already knew the species (at least on a second-hand level) before I got it.

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Yes I completely agree with you even being new to this hobby. I've been doing research on both snakes for over 2 weeks and I'm pretty well informed in my opinion so I hope everything it's allright so I can get sucess on possibly getting and keeping a bp !

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I vote corn for a starter. Easy to feed, not fusdy, outgoing, smaller mouth in case you have a fear of that first bite. lol

Others have pointed out the pros and cons to both.

However, none of us can actually tell you which is a better snake for you. Only you can decide that. Size(length & width), prey(food item accessibility), long term plans(breeding/collection), morphs, price.

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Originally Posted by kath_

A very kind user on here pointed out that every snake is different so there's different ways of approaching issues such as feeding and handling. You just have to find what works best for YOUR snake.

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"Very kind"? Awwwww shucks. :) lol



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Originally Posted by Mangiapane85

"Very kind"? Awwwww shucks. :) lol



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Haha! Oh my gosh I didn't even realize you had posted in this thread too! Thanks again for helping me out with all my questions and helping me with my new owner stress.
Matiasc, I might as well use this as an opportunity to point out this community is amazing at helping new owners with any questions or concerns they may have so definitely feel free to consult the forums. Haha sorry my advice is to ask for advice but it's really helped me out with feeding issues, handling questions, and even new owner freak out moments/existential crisises about snakes. :P

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Originally Posted by kath_

Haha! Oh my gosh I didn't even realize you had posted in this thread too! Thanks again for helping me out with all my questions and helping me with my new owner stress.
Matiasc, I might as well use this as an opportunity to point out this community is amazing at helping new owners with any questions or concerns they may have so definitely feel free to consult the forums. Haha sorry my advice is to ask for advice but it's really helped me out with feeding issues, handling questions, and even new owner freak out moments/existential crisises about snakes. :P

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Thank you for all that have been giving your thoughts on my issue here ! I can see that everyone is very helpful and friendly =) , and thanks kath as well =)

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I'm new to keeping my BP in fact I am 5 weeks into it and love it, The first thing I done before purchasing my BP is to make sure everyone in my house is fine with him and the next step was to do my home work on looking after him. I always wanted a BP so a corn snake did not enter my thoughts.
From my knowledge BP's are not as fast as corns and maybe better if you have kids that were going to handle it under your supervision, They maybe a bit harder to look after but if you do your homework on how to set up his home and the signs to look out for on his general health they are not to hard to look after. I have so far not had any problems with health, Feeding, tank set up or general problems but tonight is his feed night again so fingers crossed.
As other people have mentioned try to buy from a reptile dealer rather than a pet shop as they should be able to advise you on his needs but only you know what you want.

Good luck.

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Originally Posted by Russdent

I'm new to keeping my BP in fact I am 5 weeks into it and love it, The first thing I done before purchasing my BP is to make sure everyone in my house is fine with him and the next step was to do my home work on looking after him. I always wanted a BP so a corn snake did not enter my thoughts.
From my knowledge BP's are not as fast as corns and maybe better if you have kids that were going to handle it under your supervision, They maybe a bit harder to look after but if you do your homework on how to set up his home and the signs to look out for on his general health they are not to hard to look after. I have so far not had any problems with health, Feeding, tank set up or general problems but tonight is his feed night again so fingers crossed.
As other people have mentioned try to buy from a reptile dealer rather than a pet shop as they should be able to advise you on his needs but only you know what you want.

Good luck.

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Thanks Russdent, that's really nice ! I hope I can start the same way you did. Wish you the best of luck and your new beautiful Bp =) tell me after if she accepted t her meal ! Thanks again =D

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My first snake as a teen was a corn, but that was 10 years ago and I didn't have access to the same resources as I do now, since I was not yet a member of this forum. She was from a chain pet store and during the 6 months I had her she only ate for me once. She died 6 months after I got her. As far as BP's, I adopted my first two off Craigslist and just bought my 3rd from NW Reptiles, and I love having them. I prefer BP's over corns partially because of the size, as BP's are thicker in the body and feel less frail in my opinion.

Just a funny after-thought .

My wife prefers the Royals / Boa / Pythons over the Corns/ Kings etc ..... She says they have lovely shaped 'heads' and the Corns / Kings are just like big worms .. :)


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Originally Posted by matiasc.c.32

Hey everyone ! I'm new to this forum as well to the snake world. I was wondering if some of you could help me out with choosing my first snake. I'm thinking about getting a bp or a corn snake but I can't decide between the two. I own a bearded dragon as a personal experience with reptiles, and I've already done a ton of research on the both snakes ...

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Just curious, have you seen the several python and colubrid species on FaunaClassifieds and MarketKingSnake? If so, why do you limit yourself to either a Bp or corn snake ?