Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Yes, I know it's apples to oranges, but I figured this would be the only way I could determine whether I would like to own a cornsnake in the future, since I already own a baby ball python. I once owned a desert kingsnake (when I was young), and that was the most intimidating little snake. He'd rattle his tail in the wood chips, get in striking position, and then rush back and forth across the cage. So that's why, after having a few years experience with lizards, when I decided to try snakes again, I opted for something slower and calmer (captive bred ball python).

So I'm just looking for some comparisons between Ball Pythons and Corn snakes. Even size comparisons. I know ball pythons are obviously built much heavier than cornsnakes, but what about lengthwise? Any comparisons at all would be helpful. Temperment, ease of care, feeding, etc. etc. etc. etc.

Thanks in advance

OK, I'll give this a shot. I work at a shop and sell both.

BP can be eaier for kids to pick up due to the girth.

Corns generally get a bit longer, not a huge difference.

BPs are a bit boring, they like to find a spot and sit, and sit unless real hungry,,, Hmmmm just like me!

BPs can go off feeds at times, not all but they can. They also do not come in a huge variation of colors, unless you can afford a piedbald. Stil range is 1 more yellow, 2 albino, 3 piebald.

BPs might need less space in cage size? They just are not to active. IN the wild they find a hole, or a spot under a stump and sit.

So, if you like a very inactive snake and enjoy the colors, a BP is a great snake, I sure sell a lot of them

Corns are more active, but nothing like a pine/bull. A nice level of active to me. as they get older they seem to become calmer as a general rule.

Far more color options, and "true" genetics if you want to breed.

Corns eat great, there is always an exception. A friend of mine has my small BP male. He told me he never seen a BP feed with such power. He said it his a mouse aand knocked it out on the glass. I think he exaggerated, but that little bugger bit me in the shoulder and constricted my shoulder. It took me nearly 15 minutes to get him off. He is NOT a normal BP.

Corns offer more variety, they are like jelly beans pick a color. Great eaters. Hardy. Durable. Breed easy. And most are $100 or below, depending where you shop and of course there are a few around $300.

NOW, I never liked corns. I only have a few. But I think hands down corns win. The exposion in the high end balls, is making many people buy balls. IMO, no real logic, but I did it to, I had 5.4. 2 females well over 7 pounds.

Corns are more fun and I see people happier with corns in general. I get a lot of 2-3 year balls back as people get tired. I get far less corns back, and adult corns sell much faster then adult BPs, except females. And that is only due to people wanting s many females as they can get to breed.

The more important info in this long post. The people I see with corns keep them far longer, and are happier with them.

Corns win.
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ontogeny recapitulate phylogeny

Charlie Mike

I am your worst nightmare! I have a three-line phone and plenty of time to kill!
(Dale Gribble)

1.3 Bearded Dragons
6 baby female Western hognose, 3.5 adults some friend some mine,,,building breeding stock)
1 Corn snake (bloodred) 0.2 1 MIA In the house I hope
1 baby creamcycle 0.1
2 Okeettes I think? 1.1 youngens
ochrocephala oratrix 0.0.1? Adult, and a killer!
ochrocephala auropalliata 0.0.1? Adult
2.0 Dogs,
0.2 Cats,,
0.1 Wives, (Long term captive!,, I mean ME!)
1.1 Kids (Paininthearsius takamemonii) J/K great kids
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tom

www.herpzilla.com

i have 3 corns and 3 ball pythons. i like my corns because they are a bit more active than my bps.
but i like my bps because they are larger and less active, i can sit on the couch with one of the ball pythons and he will just sit there curled around my arm looking around....
yes corns come in more colors than ball pythons... but i do want to point out there are alot of morphs of ball pythons..... pastels, piebalds, spiders, jungle balls, lemon blast, black pastels, super pastels, orange blast, ringers, granites, stripes, anxanthanics, mojaves, bumble bees, silvers, there are alot of the "big breeders" who have several morphs check out the ball python forum.
my favorite is the normal.

I agree, and maybe I mislead in the AMOUNT or BP morphs. But most are pattern variations, and the amount of yellow. I love the bumble bees.

But how many are affordable to the average person? If I really wanted a bumble be I could get one. I'd just beg the wife for a month or two and promise to do a ton of stuff to the house lol. But I think in a few years there will be so many of most of the morphs they will be cheap compared to todays prices. Piebalds are one exception. And I have HEARD? that someone has some ball pythons with legit orange in them. Orange is not to thiling to me, but if true can orange lead to red? And BPs are a great pet. When someone is in question. I have them handle a corn for 20 minutes, then a BP. People seem to find their own grooves in life.

>>i have 3 corns and 3 ball pythons. i like my corns because they are a bit more active than my bps.
>>but i like my bps because they are larger and less active, i can sit on the couch with one of the ball pythons and he will just sit there curled around my arm looking around....
>>yes corns come in more colors than ball pythons... but i do want to point out there are alot of morphs of ball pythons..... pastels, piebalds, spiders, jungle balls, lemon blast, black pastels, super pastels, orange blast, ringers, granites, stripes, anxanthanics, mojaves, bumble bees, silvers, there are alot of the "big breeders" who have several morphs check out the ball python forum.
>>my favorite is the normal.
-----
ontogeny recapitulate phylogeny

Charlie Mike

I am your worst nightmare! I have a three-line phone and plenty of time to kill!
(Dale Gribble)

1.3 Bearded Dragons
6 baby female Western hognose, 3.5 adults some friend some mine,,,building breeding stock)
1 Corn snake (bloodred) 0.2 1 MIA In the house I hope
1 baby creamcycle 0.1
2 Okeettes I think? 1.1 youngens
ochrocephala oratrix 0.0.1? Adult, and a killer!
ochrocephala auropalliata 0.0.1? Adult
2.0 Dogs,
0.2 Cats,,
0.1 Wives, (Long term captive!,, I mean ME!)
1.1 Kids (Paininthearsius takamemonii) J/K great kids
-----
tom

www.herpzilla.com

What I like about corn morphs, is they're a lot like leopard gecko morphs. They're attractive morphs that are easily afforded (for the most part) by the average keeper. Most of the ball python morphs are somewhere between $1500 and $500,000. Who would pay that for a snake besides a breeder looking to make a return on the investment? Personally, I love the look of the natural colors anyways.

If I do go for a cornsnake in the near future, I think I would get an okeetee (spelling?).

thanks for some comparisons!

I already have the ball python, and I adore him! Even if he doesn't like to come out of hiding very often. He is just such a great little snake with a great temperament. I asked the question mainly because, since I'm going to be living at home for a while longer (starting college next year...it will take me 7 years to earn my degrees), I figure I'll probably get the snake itch sooner or later, and corns seem like a pretty good bet.

Thanks again for the input.

I love my snakes too. I have ONE ball python but i have 9 cornsnakes.,,,,,need I say more LOL...
The ball is terrible feeder.....I also have a pr of trinkets and a pr of bubblegum rats. But I must say corns are my fave....I do so want to add a boa...that will make my snake family complete!! LOL. Never want to own anything larger (burms). Too scary for me LOL

I know people here will agree...it becomes an obsession with some..I bought 1 corn and 1 ball last summer.....now I have 4 balls, 3 corns, 1 western hog and 1 striped cali king...just finished a rack system for sterilites and am still expanding...LOL they are all so much fun for slightly different reasons, balls do go off feed but that tends to be more of a patience issue for the owner.....I still dont know wich I like more so I'll keep getting more of each until I decide
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1.0 het albino ball
1.0 norm ball
0.2 norm ball
0.1 snow corn
1.0 butter corn
1.0 norm corn
1.0 striped Cali king
1.0 western hog

I know what you mean! I'm trying to keep the reptile collection to a steady 5-7 reptiles for now. Don't want to get too many Right now I'm at 5. A bearded dragon, a mali uromastyx, a leopard gecko, a russian tortoise, and my baby ball python (who is shedding right now and therefore kind of grumpy). In the future I'd like to get a cornsnake (I'm pretty sure). It's funny how all of this started just 4-5 years ago when I got my bearded dragon. He was an adult at the time, so he's getting older in age My uromastyx is a rescue and she is at a bare minimum, 10 years old...most of those years under very poor care. She's most likely more around 20-30 years old. This is her retirement home

I think the reason it's so easy to get into reptiles and end up with a lot of them is just the fact that there's so many different kinds, all a little bit different, and they are for the most part pretty easy to take care of (though you need to be intelligent to keep them properly). You don't see tons of people going out and buying like 10 dogs or 10 cats, but that's because they really need more space, they are more expensive to maintain, and they need way more attention. Not to mention they tend to be messier and more mischievous.

Yep they are addictive for sure...I got my ball python around 2 yrs ago but I got my 2nd snake (albino corn) last october and that was all it took. I know have 13 snakes. Most are corns but I have a pr of bubblegum rats and a pr of trinket rats too.