Reptile & Amphibian Forums

which of the two would you choose the ball python or the milk snake.. i cant really dicide between the two but i narrowed it down. to them.. i knwo alot about the ball python but dont hear much about the milk snake.. i like the milk snakes color better.. but dont know how docile it is.. any and all info will be greatly appreeciated thanks

Well it depends. First off i'd say milksnake. I just like them better. Here are some big differences between the two. I'm going to add in the ratsnake in comparison (thats always been my favorite)

Attitude in the cage -
Python - Lays around, very lazy. Rarely moves or whatnot.
Milk - grows to be somewhat active, however not as much as a ratsnake.
Rat/Corn - very active throughout life, loves to climb.

Attitude when being handled -
Python - very docile. Usually non agressive. Once they get used to you, they will lie around your neck or whatnot.
Milk - Keep ahold of this snake as a baby, will try everything to get away from you. Calms down as an adult, but still active (interesting to me).
Corn/Rat - I have one rat who is the most docile thing who just lies around on my arm and doesnt do much, I have some that tried to run out of my hands until they got used to me and now they just crawl around my arms and whatnot.

Housing -
For all snakes its reccomended to house them seperately.
Python - hoenstly dont know if they are cannalistic or not.
Milk - will eat other snakes, can even kill those larger than it easily. (they are a subspecies of kingsnakes)
Corn/Rat - can have some cannibalistic tendencies as babies, however i've never had a problem.

Feeding -
Python - Get ready to feed large mice, maybe even baby bunnies if they grow large enough (I know burmese will eat a rabbit a week, unsure about balls)
Milk - lizards, other snakes, rats, mice
Rat/Corn - rats and mice

If you had to choose between those two, i'd go with a milksnake. However I love ratsnakes. But I also really enjoy having a very active snake..I don't want something that's going to lie around in the bottom of the cage and do nothing all day and all night, like a python will. Also be prepared to get a fairly large house for the python.
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The reason mainstream thought is thought of as a stream is because it's so shallow. -George Carlin

Battling ignorance one stupid person at a time.

Current snakes:
0.1 Licorice Stick Black Rat(Lola)
1.0 Neonate Black Rat (het for Lic Stk's) (Frankie)
1.1 Texas Bairds ("Bill" and "The Bride aka Beatrix Kiddo"

Can't say as I know much about ball pythons. Except I've heard they can be picky eaters. Will go off feed for weeks at a time. They are bigger in girth then milks so need bigger enclosure. Also need humidity? Like I said I don't know that much about them.

I have a tangerine honduran milk that has cool coloring. It hides 24/7. Mine doesnt' come out that often. I was debating on getting rid of him becasue he hides 24/7. But he has cool coloring, (orange/black) and he is a neat snake. I just have an UTH on his 20 gallon long tank and he is doing great with just that. He was hatched in July 2003 and is about arms length.

He's still a baby...and remember being a cannibalistic snake he's thinking everything and everyone is trying to eat him, because he's willing to do the same. So being a baby of course he's going to hide...wherever he can find a place to. Give him a year or so and when he grows more you should see him out a considerable amount more.
-----
The reason mainstream thought is thought of as a stream is because it's so shallow. -George Carlin

Battling ignorance one stupid person at a time.

Current snakes:
0.1 Licorice Stick Black Rat(Lola)
1.0 Neonate Black Rat (het for Lic Stk's) (Frankie)
1.1 Texas Bairds ("Bill" and "The Bride aka Beatrix Kiddo" )