Ball or Corn??? I can't decide...

[Cohazard]

I've been thinking about keeping a snake for almost a year now. I've been reading up on care/housing/feeding/etc.. for the past few months and I now have the knowledge to keep one in good health.


I've decided that I'm either going with a ball python, or a corn snake, but I'm having a hard time picking between the two.

There's plenty of time to decide since all I have right now is the 20g L tank.


I do plan on handling it from time to time; how often is too often? I know I need to wait around 5 days after it eats before handling.

I like the way the colubrid corns are readily available and fairly cheap compared to the BP's, but I like the way a BP will curl around your hands and what not.


What are some pros/cons IYO about each?

thanks

 

[davo]

I don't know about pros and cons but IMO i prefer corns for interacting. Go to a reptile place and ask to hold them, they shouldn't mind if they haven't fed, and it might help you find the temprement of an individual.

 

[Bogwoodbruce]

Ive got 3 corns and one ball, balls are much better handler i think but you can't beat corns for the diverse colouration and are quite cheap, but if i had the chioce id get a ball.

 

[Ophiuchus]

Corns
- very active (less likely to sit still than a ball)
- usually very docile and tolerant of handling
- 99% of the time will have great feeding responses
- comes in countless colors and pattern morphs, most of which are fairly inexpensive
- one could probably live in a 20 gal Long all its life, though something a little bigger would be better for an adult

Balls
- every guy has a pair (lol...j/k, had to throw that in)
- very laid back
- usually very docile
- sometimes can be finicky to feed
- also comes in many colors/patterns. but most are rather pricey compared to "normals"
- adults would need a 30 or 40 gal breeder

I've kept both and IMO, its a pretty close match, but I'd say for a beginner snake, overall the scales tip in favor of the cornsnake only because: a.) more colorful options and b.) hardier in terms of feeding. Even though, balls are a little more placid, their occasional finickiness could be frustrating for a beginning snake owner. Plus, they do get larger. However, I don't want to discourage you from getting a ball. After all, my first snake was a BP and I still have him today and wouldn't trade him for the world (well...maybe for $50,000 but thats another story).

so what it boils down to is:

Do you want a slender snake that is very active and probably more colorful, or do you want a hefty snake that is very laidback?

 

[Bogwoodbruce]

Corns
- very active (less likely to sit still than a ball)
- usually very docile and tolerant of handling
- 99% of the time will have great feeding responses
- comes in countless colors and pattern morphs, most of which are fairly inexpensive
- one could probably live in a 20 gal Long all its life, though something a little bigger would be better for an adult

Balls
- every guy has a pair (lol...j/k, had to throw that in)
- very laid back
- usually very docile
- sometimes can be finicky to feed
- also comes in many colors/patterns. but most are rather pricey compared to "normals"
- adults would need a 30 or 40 gal breeder

I've kept both and IMO, its a pretty close match, but I'd say for a beginner snake, overall the scales tip in favor of the cornsnake only because: a.) more colorful options and b.) hardier in terms of feeding. Even though, balls are a little more placid, their occasional finickiness could be frustrating for a beginning snake owner. Plus, they do get larger. However, I don't want to discourage you from getting a ball. After all, my first snake was a BP and I still have him today and wouldn't trade him for the world (well...maybe for $50,000 but thats another story).

so what it boils down to is:

Do you want a slender snake that is very active and probably more colorful, or do you want a hefty snake that is very laidback?

A lot of good information and points there.

 

[elevatethis]

I agree with a corn snake being the best choice for a first time snake owner. The lessons that keeping a corn will be useful for keeping balls or others in the future, while the corn will be much more tolerant of the mistakes that you make along the way.

 

[loconorc]

Whats been needed has already been said. But dude, go for what YOU like! If you prefer a ball though, PLEASE be sure to get a captive bred one! Itll make like 1000000x easier for both of you.

Dont rule out other species too! You could go for Childrens pythons, kings, milks, and house snakes in a 20L.

 

[Cohazard]

Thanks guys, a lot of good info here.

I will definitely be going with a CB snake. I'm lucky enough to live near Amazon Reptile Center's Covina location.

Last time I stopped by (earlier this year) they had all kinds of corn colubrids, but according to their site, they don't really have that many right now. (at least not the ones I'm looking for). They also have '07' juvie BP's for $30 right now.


I'm not too worried about the slightly inclined learning curve with BP's because I understand the patience a snake owner needs to have.

Do you want a slender snake that is very active and probably more colorful, or do you want a hefty snake that is very laidback?

Both, that's why I can't pick

I was browsing youtube vids last night to get an idea of how the two species behave while being handled.

The corns are really really active, and the BP's are faily laid back. I think I'm leaning towards a BP... time will tell.

Thank you for the help everyone.

 

[Bogwoodbruce]

Thanks guys, a lot of good info here.

I will definitely be going with a CB snake. I'm lucky enough to live near Amazon Reptile Center's Covina location.

Last time I stopped by (earlier this year) they had all kinds of corn colubrids, but according to their site, they don't really have that many right now. (at least not the ones I'm looking for). They also have '07' juvie BP's for $30 right now.


I'm not too worried about the slightly inclined learning curve with BP's because I understand the patience a snake owner needs to have.



Both, that's why I can't pick

I was browsing youtube vids last night to get an idea of how the two species behave while being handled.

The corns are really really active, and the BP's are faily laid back. I think I'm leaning towards a BP... time will tell.

Thank you for the help everyone.

Thats an excellent price for a BP, mine was £45 but i got it for free.

 

[Cohazard]

Thats an excellent price for a BP, mine was £45 but i got it for free.

That's an even better deal! Nice score bruce!