Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a friend that told me they are thinking of getting a snake for their son. They have never had snakes before so.....she said they were thinking Milksnake because they are so pretty, I recommended a Cornsnake as a first. What are your thoughts, ideas, or recommendations?
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Jenea

1:1 Tricolor Hognose
0:0:2 Florida Redbelly Snakes
0:1 Gulf Coast Box Turtle
1:1 Red-eared Slider
2:0 Cats
1:1 Kids
1:0 Spouse

corns are probably the best first snake. Docile, easy to feed, and lots of great looking color morphs also. Not to mention the prices are reasonable. A great looking corn that is cheap would be the revearse okeetee. The link below is from Tim Spuckler, he is always available for real good advice as well on the corn snake forum.
Link

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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 southwestern rat
1.0 striped Cali king
1.0 western hog

Visual Morphs?....I love the normal looks. You can't improve on nature, you can only produce "interesting deviations".

I would definately without hesitation say corn snake, they are the best beginner snake IMO, I have my first 2 and they are docile, never had any signs of aggression, they eat very readily, and they come in so many different colors...milks aren't bad choices but they in my opinion are not as cute.

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A.J.
1.0.0- Amel Motley Corn- Valentine (R.I.P 5/20/05)
0.1.0- Snow Corn- Artica
1.0.0- Normal Corn- Ember
1.0.0- Ball Python- G.T.

For me there would be one deciding factor in which to reccomend and that is that they would never see the milk except when they go dig it out of the substrate. That would be a big down side for most kids, I think. As far as ease of care, I don't think there's enough difference to worry about.

If they're new to snakes though, make sure you point out that corn snakes would make Houdini proud. A cage that closes securely is a must...

Of those two, I would suggest a cornsnake. As other said, they are pretty, cheap, and easy to keep. Tell them to make sure it is feeding on mice/pinks if they get a baby. Some baby corns can be finicky and prefer anoles/frogs. It depends where the parents originate from.

Milksnakes are too high strung generally for most children. They don't really like being handled, particularly when young. They are also escape artists par excellence!
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

well, i haven't read everyones reply but this is my esp. i have 4 corns and 1 milk. my corns are much more active where as my milk hides 24/7. i love my tangerine dream honduran but the fact that he hides all the time isn't much fun. my corns on the other hand are out more often. both are good with handling although my milk was such a spazzy little thing when a baby. he has calmed down alot.
both have neat colors. it all depends on what you like. definately do homework on both. and go to reptile shows and sales. you can handle both and see for yourself. they also have the same general care requirements.

i would tell them to get a hybrid between the two, then they have the best of both worlds.

if they want an easy snake have them get an african house snake or a corn.
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jake

my addiction:
0.0.2 normal ball pythons (lazlo and izzy)
1.0 amelenistic corn snake (zyklon)
0.1 blizzard corn (blizz)
hybrid breeders association
hybrid haven

I can't recommend against the corn snake based on what others have said. I think the most important thing is that they understand the differences in these snakes and get the one that best meets their needs. The one thing I'd say in favor of the milk snake is that many species are smaller as adults than most corn snakes. If this kid is going to college in a few years and wants to take the snake when he moves into an apartment, space could be at a premium. A smaller aquarium more appropriate for a milk snake may be more convenient than a larger one that is appropriate for a corn snake.

Bill
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It's not how many snakes you have. It's how happy and healthy you can keep them.

He won't be going to college for about 10 yrs. LOL!
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Jenea

1:1 Tricolor Hognose
0:0:2 Florida Redbelly Snakes
0:1 Gulf Coast Box Turtle
1:1 Red-eared Slider
0:0:1 Green Tree Frog
0:0:5 Mediterranean Geckos
2:0 Cats
1:1 Kids
1:0 Spouse

Posted by: FloridaHogs at Tue Apr 4 11:08:43 2006 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ]

I have a friend that told me they are thinking of getting a snake for their son. They have never had snakes before so.....she said they were thinking Milksnake because they are so pretty, I recommended a Cornsnake as a first. What are your thoughts, ideas, or recommendations?
-----
Jenea

1:1 Tricolor Hognose
0:0:2 Florida Redbelly Snakes
0:1 Gulf Coast Box Turtle
1:1 Red-eared Slider
2:0 Cats
1:1 Kids
1:0 Spouse

Milks are cute but corns come in so so many colors that there is a color for everyone.
I have a Ruthven king and a new Mex milk and an albino corn. The corn BY FAR is not nervous easy to handle just so tame and BY FAR loves to climb out the most.
All eat great but the New Mex milk stays around 2 to 2.5 feet which for some is a big advantage.
Most milks other than that and 1 or 2 other types get same size as corns some like hondurans bigger.
For first time snake corn is the best. Its nice to look into the tank and actually see a snake every day as my other 2 come out average every other day for couple of hours only.
During mid summer you see every color you can think of when it comes to corns in the classifieds and at shows.