Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a Western Hognose (great snake) and a Ball Python (great snake but theres a problem). I am wanting to sell the Ball because I just do not like rats. He will not eat F/t, so live rats are the only choice. I hate working with live rats and want a snake that as an adult will stay with mice. Please don't lecture me about it, I just don't want to handle rats anymore, they creep me out and the wife hates them as well. He eats one rat a week, and I dread feeding days.

Looking at corns because the care sheets list mice as food even for adults. Is this true? I also hear they are a calm snake, is that true. Actually, what is their temperment? I handle my animals a lot, so that is important to me as well. The corn would be kept in a 4' X 2' reptile tank with proper heat and hides.

I have 10 years experience keeping snakes and never have real feeding or care problems. I just want to get an idea how a corn is from the "Pet" viewpoint. Thanks!
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0.1 Western Hognose
1.0 Ball Python

Hello....I have 3 corns, (along with a couple of other snakes). They are just pets to me although I was thinking of maybe someday trying to breed. I have a amel, ghost and now a baby normal with a zigzag striping.
My 2 bigger ones are eating adult f/t mice every 10-14 days and the baby is eating f/t pinkies. I hear some corns can get quite large enough to take rats but mine aren't that big. My ghost is 3.5 foot long and my amel is probable 2.5-3 foot long. The reptile tank you have would be fine for an adult corn. Babies, however, don't need such a big tank at first. I have my baby in a little 5 gallon tank.
My corns are calm with handling although the baby wants to eat me right now. I can disturb them at anytime and pick them up. My ghost has never ever tried to bite me but my amel used to 'taste' my fingers when she was little. She don't do that anymore.
I know what you mean about rats. My python eats f/t large rats. I don't mind them since they are already dead but could not deal with a live one. Corns are great pet snakes.

Thanks for the input, just the kind of info I need. Anyone else have corn experience? I tend to like normal/naturals, not into morphs.... any breeder advice? Any types to stay away from?
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0.1 Western Hognose
1.0 Ball Python

You can't go wrong with a corn. Unlike ball pythons though, corns seem to be always on the move. In my expierence ball pythons kind of just sit in one place and only move thier neck or upper third of their body around to explore.
Corns aren't crazy on the move though say like young milk snake. They're just curious creatures.

I too prefer the normal/natural morphs. I'd recommend an Okeetee or hypo Okeetee (only corn I currently own).

Many good breeders out there. Just browse around at the breeders that are listed here. I bought my hypo Okeetee from Kathy Love and I couldn't be happier.

good luck

If you are into the normal or natural animals you simply will not get better value for your dollar than a normal corn. They are beautiful animals in their natural form and just about a perfect snake. I would say that they are not always as active as suggested above, as they do tend to hide (especially young ones and during the day). The usual "complaint" about them, however is that they are "too common"........Well...The reason they are so "common" is they are simply great all-around snakes: Easy to keep, easy to breed (and therefore inexpensive), good-looking and good-natured. Once they get started, they are usually great feeders (all of mine are). Duffy

>>You can't go wrong with corn snakes.
Corn snakes are easy to care for, cheap, calm and beautiful.
What more could you ask for in a pet snake?
As Duffy stated, they may not be quite as active as most people believe. They are more nocturnal so most of the time they can be found under one hide or another. Once you get them out the have a tendency to move more and crawl though your hands.
They will spend some time exploring, especially as they get older but don't expect to be able to just sit there hours on end and enjoy the show. Unfortunately that won't happen. The closest to a show will be after dark when they come out probably looking to escape. They are escape artists so properly secured habitats are a must.
Hatchlings can be a little nippy at times but that is simply because everything is a threat to them. With regular handling they calm dowm extremely well.
The normals or naturals as I prefer to call them are what got most of us interested in corn snakes to begin with.
They are beautiful corn snakes and can usually be purchased from $15.00 to $40.00 depending on where you find them.

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Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"resistance is futile"
Jimmy (draybar)

Draybars Snakes

Corns are the best pet snake in many ways. Size, ease of handling, easy to feed, attractive appearance, and they cost very little. And the best one I think is the normal or natural corn. I mean the very best pet snake in the world for 15 to 40 dollars!!! Thats a deal.
Good luck
Chuck