Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Here's a shout-out to all you ball python lovers, especially those with some knowledge of corn snakes:

I've never owned a reptile before, but I've been around snakes and I'm very fascinated with them. I know that snakes can live for quite a long time, much longer than my goldfish, so before I bring home a new reptile buddy I need a little advice.

I can't decide between getting a corn snake (I hear it's the best for beginner snake enthusiasts) and a ball python (I hear that they're even better for beginners than corn snakes). What're your opinions? What are the pros and cons of keeping a ball python vs. keeping a corn snake?

And most importantly -- which would you buy, and why?

I have one of each, so I think I might be able to help you with this one. My first snake was a cornsnake, and my second is a ball python. In my opinion, a cornsnake is a better snake for beginners. Ball pythons need higher humidity than corns, and as a result, are more susceptible to shedding problems. They're also less expensive, and you have far more choices for color and pattern morphs without breaking the bank. Really, it just comes down to preference. What are you looking for in a snake? Corns are more energetic, and as babies are a little on the crazy side. But they're fun. Ball pythons, on the other hand are more laid back and are content just to sit with you...some people get bored with this. Both have fairly similar requirements. Corns start eating pinkies and balls can eat adult mice right out of the egg. I'm not sure if this makes a difference to you. Some people like to start small and work their way up. Because balls are a heavier bodied snake, they *feel* bigger. They also grow faster, reaching mature size much quicker than corn snakes. Corn snakes also have smaller space requirements. An adult could be kept in a 20L it's whole life, while a ball will require a little more space. Honestly, it's pretty much a matter of personal preference...my vote's on a corn.

Hope that helps!

Kristine

actually, corn snakes need more room than BPs i think. Ball Pythons seem to just stay in one spot and wait for the ambush (of imganiary prey) corn snakes cruise around there cage. Also, corn snakes can reach 7 feet with no problem. BPs get 4-5 feet and they stay about that length. I am saying cornsnake, cuase they dont need as much attention.

I hate corn snakes. Too wirey for me. Think about it; corns can be pretty long (seen some 6 1/2 footers before) and usually pretty wirey. In my experience they bite way more readily than balls. Thats not the impression a beginner wants on a snake; a wirey animal. I would say BP because they are in fact mellow, even agressive ones...they bite and slowly move around. They dont crap all over you- I like them so much more. Humidity is easy, you spray the cage with water. I think any human being with a brain is a capable of this!
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Many feel that I need to be balanced with equal time. Wrong. I AM equal time.

-Rush Limbaugh, 1992

I have had several corns and two balls. The balls definitely take a little bit more care (very minimal...nothing a new owner can't handle). The corn is much easier when it comes to eating. I have never, ever been bitten by any corn (or ball for that matter). Make sure you don't feed your snake in its home. Have a separate container for feeding or you will get snapped at when you reach in to their cage.

I would suggest taking time to handle each snake to get a feel for what you prefer. They are definitely very different in feel and their activity levels.

Doesn't really matter which one you get because before too long you will probably get another!!! Good luck.

I have never heard of a 7 foot corn snake. I had a female for >15 yrs. She reached 6-2 and I have never heard of one larger than that. My male >10ys was 5-10 and the second largest I ever heard tell of.

I have never seen one over 5'. That being said, it does not mean you won't find one. I agree with just about everything said in the previous (long) post.
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Jay A. Martin

And now I have 3 corns, two balls and one jungle carpet python. I'd like to say I prefer ball pythons to corns because of their husky size, slow dispositions and there is just something I can't really put my finger on about them that makes them my favorites. But I do love my corns, and I think having the easy-to-care for corn helped get me ready for ball ownership. The big problem everyone mentions with balls is feeding trouble. If you get a captive born and bred ball from a reputable breeder, that can be less of a problem. I'd say look at both animals (even look at some type of carpet python- I LOVE my jungle and they have pretty similar requirements to the balls) and pick what you like best. As long as you research the species you decide on and properly set up their environment, you'll be a sucessful snake owner.

I have had snakes now for 32 years. My two favorites over that time still have to be my corns. But guess what I don't own any corns currently. I gave my last two to my son. I now have about 30 ball pythons, a couple red bulls with two more coming, a couple of McQuards Beauties, a couple Hog Islands and a one of a kind corn/cal king.

I cannot agree with the post below that says corns bite more than balls! I had two corns for 15 & 10 years and was NEVER bitten. I know they are not all that reliable but I think they are more reliable than most. Besides if you do have to endure a snake bite and you likely will if you have them long enough. A bite from a corn will be a lot less tramatic than one from a ball.

From the point of view of begining in snakes I would definately say a corn is a better first snake than a ball. You might get a ball and never have a problem or you might get one and drive yourself nuts trying to get it to feed.

In that it's all in preference. I own both, and love them both for different reasons, pretty much the same as Steen listed. Corns are less expensive, less "thick", faster, more morphs that are reasonably priced, etc. Balls are stocky, slower, good to chill with, etc. My first was a ball, and after a year we purchased another ball and a corn on the same day at an expo. The corn is so different! Fun, and quirky. I suppose some things to keep in mind....balls will be eating larger food from the get-go. They poop less often, in more solid form. Corns are easier to feed, like little garbage trucks. BP's can be picky, I've heard, although I have never had a problem with either of mine. Do you like to have a snake that will slowly explore while you hold it(bp), or one that will keep your hands moving like a treadmill(corn)? Do you want to spend $20.00 or $50.00 (for a normal corn or ball)?
Whatever you get, I'm sure you'll enjoy it! They are both good beginner snakes.
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1.1 Ball Python
0.0.1 corn snake
1.0 Bearded Dragon
0.0.2 fish
1.2 cats
3.1 kids
1.0 husband

I'll also have to disagree with the claim that corns will bite more than ball pythons. Rarely, hatchlings will be a little nippy (and you can hardly feel it when the do bite). But they grow up and calm down quickly. I haven't been bitten by a corn older than a couple months. Even if they -do- bite more often, their heads are so small when that's most likely to happen that it's not really important. I think it's kind of funny when an 11 inch, 8 gram snake tries to bite me.

In my experience, ball pythons and most other boas and pythons generally have a more aggressive feeding response than corn snakes. If your hand smells like a mouse, be careful. I've been bit twice (my fault) by my ball python because I forgot about her feeding response. My corns don't care one bit if my hands smell like mice. They've never made a feeding strike at my fingers. (but then again, they usually don't strike at anything. They're lazy eaters, usually nudging the mouse before opening their mouth and eating it. Sometimes they constrict, but don't seem to 'strike' in they way that my ball python does)

Corn snakes are a bit easier on the maintenence side. Humidity has never been a problem with mine, no humid hides/misting/what-have-you to increase the humidity - the house humidity is fine for them. Also, they don't need temperatures as high as ball pythons - 84 on the warm side will suffice, with room temp on the other side.

Hatchling corns are flighty, but they do calm down with age. My 2 year old corns are content enough that I can sit down and do something with them on me, with occasional checking up to make sure they're not going away.

Also, you have such a wide variety of colors available, and they won't require you getting a second mortgage to pay for them. You can find nearly every corn morph is under $100 - with many for $50-30 and some even less.

Ball pythons are much thicker than a corn snake, so they look a lot bigger, even though they get to around the same lengths. They don't squirm around as hatchlings. They do need slighly higher temps and humidity than a corn, but nothing too extreme.

I think either one is a good choice. It depends on what you're looking for. If you can't choose, get both
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-audri
Webpage/Pics

Everyone advised me to get a corn snake, but I wanted something with a bit more personality. I had planned to get a spotted python to get some snake experience before I got my ball but I met Gretchen in my local shop in a pitiful state. I doubt she would have survived if I hadn't taken her, but cut a long story short it turned out a ball was inadvertantly my first snake. I couldn't resist her, and she's turned into quite possibly the most perfect ball ever. She's bold, friendly, never missed a meal after the first assist feed and doesn't care what or when she eats, even eats 2 hours after being handled. Thats the main thing that put me off having a ball was the bad-feeding rep they have and I think it would have helped me out if I'd had that bit more experience to be able to say well I know for sure that I'm taking care of this snake OK and so you're confident in your abilities, but in terms of actual looking after they don't really ask for much. You just need to be prepared for the faddy feeding and understand a little of their psychology, they have their own unique thought processes it would seem! Just be sure to ask if you aren't sure, even if it sounds dumb, better safe than sorry, and get a CB thats feeding reliably and comes with records from a good breeder. I'm not sure I would neccessarily recommend them as a first snake as the learning curve is very steep I found, but it can be done if you pay attention and gain the right knowledge.

Good luck with whatever you choose!