Corn Snake, California Kingsnake, or Ball Python?

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Chijin

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 3, 2010
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Suburbia
I'm looking to get my first snake, and those three are the "universal" beginner snakes, in my opinion. So, I would like to know which one of these animals is the best choice for a beginner? Also, if you could answer these questions for me, that would be nice too. =D

How much space does each species need?

How expensive is the care of each species?

How hard is it to maintain these reptiles?

Also, I heard Ball Pythons not only have a worse bite than Corns, and maybe Kingsnakes, but people encounter feeding problems with them because of something wrong with their care. But, I also read that there are a little more chilled then they are, and don't go wandering off and stuff as much as the other two snakes. The possibility of having a feeding problem is a little off putting for me, but people still recommend as a beginner's snake.

So, uh, yeah. Which one do you think is the best?
 
Kingsnakes are probably the easiest to care for out of the three. However they are also a snake that doesn't typically like to be handled frequently (they can be skittish in other words).

Cornsnakes are about as easy as Kingsnakes and come in a lot of designer morphs for dirt cheap. Usually pretty good at being held.

Ball Pythons are a little bit more difficult, typical problems with them are temperature problems and humidity problems because they are a tropical snake. That is usually where your feeding problems are rooted. Also, when looking for a ball python it is important to know whether or not you have a captive-bred specimen or a wildcaught specimen. Wild caught snakes can be more difficult to get to feed and they run the risk of having parasites, whereas a good breeder will get you a snake that is eating and parasite-free.

You have more leeway with the Cornsnakes and the Kingsnakes because they come from temperate climates that are typically pretty dry. But of the three I enjoy the ball python the most because they are very mellow and very cool about being handled.

Before buying ANY reptile, make you have all your equipment up and running and ensure your temperatures are stable, the only way you can affirm this is to have it run for a few days while you monitor things and adjust as necessary.

For equipment all these species can be comfortably housed in a 10 or smaller tank as a juvenile and can be just fine in a 30 gallon tank as a full grown adult. One of the things a lot of beginner's overlook about most of the smaller terrestrial snakes (especially ball pythons) is they prefer security in tight spaces. Huge enclosures can be detrimental to their health as it makes them nervous (they feel exposed--meaning in the wild they can be easily snatched up and eaten). At a bare minimum besides the enclosure, you would also need a good primary heating source--an undertank heater no greater than 1/3 the length of the tank will suffice. A secondary source of heat (if needed), most people will use some sort of heat bulb. A rheostat or a thermostat (to control the temperature so your snake does not get burned). A couple of hides, water bowl, and a good thermometer. A thermometer that has a hygrometer (humidity reader) is also beneficial, but not necessary. Remember the temperature you will be measuring will be from the substrate so a thermometer that has a probe of some sort will be easier to get accurate readings of this temperature--a lot of herp keepers will buy one of those cheap indoor/outdoor thermometers from K-Mart, Target, etc to achieve this.

If you're serious about keeping any of these species,I would recommend reading up on them. Here's a few links to get you started:

http://www.anapsid.org/mainsnakes.html
http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules/Sections/index.php?op=listarticles&cid=1
http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules/Sections/index.php?op=listarticles&cid=2
http://www.newenglandreptile.com/care.html
 
Garter snakes are by far the easiest to care for.

Corns and kings are harder but more rewarding.

Balls are even harder then the latter, but still very easy to keep and a more handleable and interesting snake IMO.
 
I started out with cornsnakes and now have a ball python but I think the ball python is more social and in my opinion, easier to take care of
 
corn snake for sure, they are easy to care for, and you have a wide variety of colors to choose from. they are easy to handle and tame. they only need a maximum enclosure of around a 55gal size but you can get away with a smaller set up so long as it has a decent floor space.
 
think corn snakes are the ultimate. However make sure you get what you want, these guys can live to a ripe old age and if you are sensible and can recreate the environments needed for other species then you can look more outside of the corn/milk/king snakes and royal pythons. Also things like the Antaresia pythons and L. fuliginosus are amoung the easiest snakes to keep.
 
I went through the same process as you, picking out a begginer snake.

I decided on a ball python, I'm getting it tommorow.

IMO ball pythons are the coolest, I've done alot of research and to me, they are just the best. A bit harder to care for, a bit larger, and a bit more money, but I really like 'em. Go for the snake you like the most, not what's easiest.
 
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