Reptile & Amphibian Forums

How are they temperament wise? My son cant decide if he wants a cornsnake or the black kingsnake.I know about corns but not the kingsnake how do they compare?
Thanks all

Also if you happen to know Im personally interested in the pyro? Are they hard to maintain?

Pyros can be tricky, but I am not a pyro guy so I will let them tell you what they know. If I had to pick a snake for a kid and had a king and a corn to pick from. I would pick the corn just because the overall temperament and personality of the corn is only a little more likely to be a better kids snake.
I really can't say anything bad about the black king as being a good kids snake either. But I think more kings can be nervous and picky eaters a little more often than corns. It would be a close call though. Ask questions about the temperament of the snakes you are looking at if you are looking on line. Be aware though that a person wants the sale. LOL
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Noah was the first snake collector. ~Eric~

I have been keeping corns for several years in decent numbers. I had a pair of adult MBKs about five or six years ago, and have a pair of juvie MBKs currently. So most of my experience is obviously with corns. The babies of both can be skittish, but I think the baby MBKs are more flighty and reclusive. However, right now I have baby corns of the same age or younger that are less flighty and spastic, but definitely more prone to bow up and strike/bite than the MBKs!! The adult MBKs I had were tame, but I definitely felt they were less comfortable with handling and not as overall placid as many adult corns I have had or have currently. I will state that this is based on minimum handling. MBKs are still considered a good to decent pet snake based on general behaviour much like most of the L. getula complex, and I am sure with consistent and proper handling would make excellent pets. Many claim they are one of the best common kings to keep. The key to any great pet snake is handling. You cant expect any snake that lives in a cage and only gets interaction to clean, feed, and water to behave perfectly at your whim when you decide to take it out to show friends or relax with it in front of the TV once in a blue moon. If I had to give a nod one way or the other, I would probably go with the corn. But I certainly wouldnt put the MBKs in the "aggressive and untameable" category either!!

Kevin all well said. This is for the most part what I was trying to say but I think you did it better.
As for the cornd bowing up I find that some peoples lines and even some morphs do it more than others and some don't at all ever. But either way handling is the key here as you said.
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Noah was the first snake collector. ~Eric~

I'll let him get a corn first then .We are going to the reptile expo in April so hopefully we can find the perfect one for him, hes 8yrs old and loves animals so I know he'll take good care of it....Maybe I'll get the MBK and we will have both that way.

Their care will be pretty much identical in terms of housing, temps, and feeding. YOU WILL NEED TO HOUSE THEM SEPARATELY!! The king may very well make a meal of the corn if housed together LOL!!

While at the show, dont be afraid to ask questions. For a first time snake like a corn, the issue is usally a matter of price for the first time buyer. You will see a myriad of corn morphs from normals on up, and prices ranging for $15-20 upwards to several hundred $$$. If you dont understand about a morph or costing, just ask whats the difference. Most vendors will be glad to answer questions and some may have pics of the adults. Ask to handle the animal. Most vendors will allow it if they sense you are a legitimate buyer and not just a "hawker" out for the day looking to play with cool creepy snakes and stuff with no intention of buying. Keep in mind most vendors produce many babies to sell. So, these baby snakes are not necessarily handled on a consistent basis. I have had calm snakes at a show turn into little devils once home and set up in their cages!! This is where the new love usually dwindles rapidly for most folks. The new keeper is afraid and doesnt even want to stick their hands in the cage to clean, feed, or provide fresh water. If you have too, put a pair of gloves on and go for it in a gentle and calm manner. Baby corns and kings are usually only capable of a tiny pinch or peck to us adults and MAY produce a bit of blood on a child. Still, relatively painless except mentally LOL!!

If you see two vendors selling the same corn morph at much different prices, ask why!! Sometimes the lower priced animal is a non-feeder/picky. Sometimes it is a deal and the vendor just wants to move them out. Seek out reputable vendors. Its too easy to find a good animal feeding reliably on frozen thawed pinks to take a chance at saving five bucks IMO. With both the snakes you are considering to buy, I doubt you will have any problems finding a good feeding animal that will make a great pet.

Also, be open to buying a young adult animal. Many breeders sell their young adult males that they no longer need or have replaced in their breeding programs. These are usually priced reasonably, feeding well, are tame and have been handled more, and you dont need to switch cages as they grow.

Good Luck!!