Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've already decided after being with a lot of my friends' cornsnakes and ball pythons that I'd really love to have two snakes in my life to love for, but I can't decide which to choose.

I like a loving kind of personality, kind of slow and not very rapid, and also can stay still or at least on you for a good period of time. Maybe the kind of snake you could just 'chill' with versus pick up, hold for a minute to show to friends, and put back. Prefferably I'd like ones that are easier to take care for or at least aren't prone to a lot of problems or diseases that may go with one specie. I'm definitely planning to feed them mostly already dead mice and so forth, frozen or otherwise. I don't believe in struggle and all that, kind of cruel when there's other options.

Ahm, I can afford up to a good 30lb tank, 40lb kinda pushing it. I looked into Amazons, and although expensive, the vertical housing is a lot more convienient. (I kind of move around a lot, travel every 3 months or so... yes I'm a college student )

The thing I worry about with corn snakes is that they wouldn't be a great pet, rapid and not really into being handled or just not 'chill', if that makes any sense.
I worry about ball pythons' health and the excessive needs, huge tanks etc.
I just heard of Amazons and they crazy intrigue me.

So, any thoughts? Sorry for making this so long.. thankyou!
I don't know, suggestions?

Corns are skiddish while younger but calm down as adults. They are really docile and will "chill" with you for a while. Ball pythons are the same way. A 40 gallon tank is all they need. Amazon tree boas...big no no. If you want a snake that will chill with you while biting you in the face repeatedly, then by all means go for it. They are more decorative, like the emmies and green tree pythons. And remember, all snakes are individuals. If you are a looking for a super calm cornsnake, find someone selling retired breeders or older snakes that have outgrown their "jumpiness." Andy
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Andy Maddox
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

Who are you who can say it's ok to live through me? Alice In Chains

Amazons are great but not the kind of snake you'd want to hang around with. They're more like fish - nice to look at, can't put it in your lap . Corn snakes are jumpy as hatchlings but they do calm down a lot with handling and time. My 2 year old corns will sit on me without 'running' away. They move, but much slower and with curiosity, instead of babies which the objective to get away as fast as possible.
On the other hand, ball pythons even as babies can be so calm they're boring.

The ideal solution would to be get one of each . But that's probably not possible.

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-audri
Webpage/Pics

Both corn snakes and ball pythons are docile animals that will chill with you. Ball pythons are so chill they are almost boring, in my humble opinion. Other people love them though. I prefer the colubrids, like corns, rats, and kingsnakes. Have you looked into California kings? They are nice too. Once tame, corns and kings are friendly and will relax in your hands, but they are also more active and curious. After a while you'll probably want a snake that DOES something anyway.

I haven't worked with Amazon tree boas but I've heard they can be nasty, and they definately aren't as easy to care for as the other two.

So in conclusion, I'd recommend a corn snake or kingsnake, although a ball python would work just as well. It depends on your taste. Just make sure that you by a CB animal, especially if you get a ball python. Don't get a WC ball! You are likely to run into finicky eaters that way.

Good luck whatever you choose,
Andy

I agree with everyone here. Basically tree pythons are nasty and a decoration only type of pet (I love the analogy to fish!). Corns, kings, milks, ball pythons and rosy and rainbow boas, in my research, seem to be great candidates, esp. for beginning herpers. They don't get over 6 ft, if that and are generally easy to handle. Also, I have seen on the net mesh cages for snakes (probaly more for colubrids rather than tropicals that need more heat and humidity). They are alot less expensive than tanks. Anyone heard of them or used them? I am considering one if I decide on a colubrid like a corn or king and wondered if anyone has used them yet.