Wanting to get a new smaller snake- trying to decide on which one

[Cheesenugget]

Boger is the expert for this type of question.

I have all 3, plus a gray banded kingsnake which is also in the small in size.

Corns: love love love my Corndog and Popcorn. I don't agree with the care sheets that say a 20 gallon long is sufficient for an adult. My corns are about a year old, still growing especially the female is bigger, and they were both in 20 gallon long tanks until they are moved to bigger enclosures. If you want something in no bigger than a 20 gallon long, I don't think it will be fair for a snake as active as corns.

Corns are active, curious, cute, docile, easy to feed, and so easy to handle. Insane number of morphs, patterns and new ones are in the works. Prices vary, like you can get a normal baby corn for $20 or a palmetto corn for $500 at a discount due to bug eyes or $800-900+ with no bug eyes. I got my male Blizzard White-out for about $300 I think and less for my female Okeetee albino (The breeder I was buying from is a little pricey but the quality in his care, easy to use website that's updated constantly, great reputation, easy transaction and fast email response was worth it). If you don't mind using a 40 gallon breeder or bigger when it grows up, corns are so much fun to keep.

Children's python: Nippy as babies, not for everyone. Not for kids to handle because of how defensive they can get. Great eater, beautiful snake, looks like a mini retic. Tank at minimum should be a 29 gallon tall or something tall enough for it to climb. It is semi arboreal, so climbing decor as well as some floor space will be good for them. They are not mean snakes, they can be handled but they are not shy to bite if they find something they don't like. No morphs available at this time, but rumor has it some breeders are working on morphs in the UK or the Netherlands.

Rosy boa: my recent addition so I don't have much to say other than what information is already available. Rosy boas are distinguished mostly by locality but snows and other designer morphs are available too. Mine is from the Dulzura locality, a female baby born in Sept 2020. Babies don't eat right away, so Boger is right: find a breeder who feeds their rosy before being listed for sale. Mine ate for me with no issues, but she was from a reputable rosy boa breeder who doesn't sell their rosy if they haven't been fed several times. I handled her one time so far, and she is very calm, curious and wasn't fearful. I look forward to watching her grow.

Gray banded kingsnake: they are not as active as a corn, but I wouldn't go smaller than a 24" x 24". Babies can be difficult to start eating, these are lizard and frog eaters. However, they can be switched over to rodents. I got mine as an adult who was already eating rodents, so if you don't want to risk dealing with difficult feeding, go with an adult or a baby that was already switched over. Docile, curious, great eater, beautiful colors. Like the rosy boa, breeders focus heavily on locality. Price is higher because they are not commonly available.

[Capricornmoon]

I like the gray banded kingsnake, they are pretty. Do they require similar conditions as a corn snake? I have a 40 gallon terrarium I am looking as the set up. (I also have a 10g if needed first) and of course would upgrade if needed. No small children so no issues there. Overall I would love to do a rescue, but not sure I have enough experience. Of course it would depend on the why and needs......And to think, I thought I was down to only a few choices.