Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was hoping to get some feedback on the right type of snake for me. Here are the characteristics that I would like my snake to have:
1. Albino in color
2. 8 ft. in length maximum or less
3. Tame or docile demeanor

Please let me know what you think. Thank you. Eric

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Eric

Corns, gophers, pines and kings all come in the albino morph (and a few other morphs), you can check their respective forums for pictures. They're also within your size range and with a few exceptions, generally considered docile.
Medium sized docile species of pythons and boas are also available as albinos, but they're less common and more pricey.
My suggestion is to look at various species, and when you find one that you like the shape, demeanor, size and hardiness of, check if albinos are commonly bred.
Hope you find something you like.
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0.1 chickens (Condor)
0.2 dog mutts (half ownership, only mine when they misbehave, Lucy & Amy)
0.1 Halflinger horse (Crissy)
0.1 Normal phase California Kingsnake (Sophia)
1.1 parents
Still searching for 1.0 WC human

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0.1 chickens (Condor)
0.2 dog mutts (half ownership, only mine when they misbehave, Lucy & Amy)
0.1 Halflinger horse (Crissy)
0.1 Normal phase California Kingsnake (Sophia)
1.1 parents
Still searching for 1.0 WC human

Thanks for the advice Drosera....I'll look into the Albino Corn...what is the difference between a ghost corn and albino corn...is it just that the ghost is pure white or do they also have different demeanors? Do the babies just eat crickets or are there other things babies can eat? Thanks...
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Eric

The main difference is in color. They're the same species so they have similar temperments. Albino snakes are sometimes more sensitive to light and possibly irrtable in the light, than normal colored snakes but otherwise they're the same.

Very few snake species eat crickets. They need to eat rodents. Baby corns need baby mice and they're given larger mice as they grow. (always frozen/thawed for convenience, humaneness and safety reasons) And be sure to buy a well started snake from a reputable breeder who can give you some support/pointers if anything comes up.

Here are some resources I very highly recommend that helped me. There's a book by Bill and Kathy Love about corn snakes. (I forget the title) It's published by AVS (Advanced Vivarium Systems). The BARRONS series of books is also pretty good. And also for more info, type in www.anapsid.org for Melissa Kaplan's website which has tons of good articles, and check out the corn snake forum here. The people there can point you in the right direction. And enjoy! Snakes are very addicting.
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0.1 chickens (Condor)
0.2 dog mutts (half ownership, only mine when they misbehave, Lucy & Amy)
0.1 Halflinger horse (Crissy)
0.1 Normal phase California Kingsnake (Sophia)
1.1 parents
Still searching for 1.0 WC human

Thanks Drosera....one more question....how long to corn snakes typically live for? I will use your advice and update you on where my progress is...
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Eric

>>I will use your advice and update you on where my progress is...

Cool! I like to hear how people are doing. I'm not 100% sure how long corn snakes live, but I think the range is between 15-25 years. Longer than most dogs. I've known a gartersnake who hit fifteen, and have heard of burmese pythons passing thirty-five. The all time record for snakes I think, is a ball python who hit forty-seven.
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0.1 chickens (Condor)
0.2 dog mutts (half ownership, only mine when they misbehave, Lucy & Amy)
0.1 Halflinger horse (Crissy)
0.1 Normal phase California Kingsnake (Sophia)
1.1 parents
Still searching for 1.0 WC human

I like the eyes on the albino checkered garter snake because they are red. Are the eyes on the snow corn red also? Can you please tell me why you recommend the corn snake (snow) over the garter snake (albino checkered) as a starter snake? My decision will be over these two snakes. Thank you...also, is it better for me to get a baby, juvenile or adult?
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Eric

I dug out a book with pics of various corn morphs, and the photo of a snow corn they have has pinkish red eyes. I don't know if it's normal for that morph, or just normal for that one specimen, or if the photo just had redeye glare. You can probably websurf and Kingsnake has links to breeders with pictures of many different morphs.

Garters are very lovely and underrated creatures. They're hardy and incredibly graceful. Active, alert and fun to watch. However they're fast, skittish and generally eat fish. Corns are larger, slower moving and calmer. They're both worth a shot as a first snake so it's really up to you.

As for baby, juvenile and adult, they each have their advantages. As long as the snake in question is healthy, good tempered and eating ok, it's pretty much personal preference. Babies are cute and you can watch them grow, but they're kind of squirmy and delicate. Juveniles are but less delicate and in theory, they're well started since they've grown from babies. With adults, the advantage is you can be certain of what you'll get, temperment and colorwise.
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0.1 chickens (Condor)
0.2 dog mutts (half ownership, only mine when they misbehave, Lucy & Amy)
0.1 Halflinger horse (Crissy)
0.1 Normal phase California Kingsnake (Sophia)
1.1 parents
Still searching for 1.0 WC human

Kingsnakes are cool too. They're docile. They come in albino also. Personaly, I like kingsnakes. Corn snakes bore me.

Why do corn snakes bore you?

I'm not taking offense at the statement. I'm looking for my first snake, and many people have recommended corn snakes. My first thought is that I'd rather have a kingsnake, but some people say that my perceptions are wrong. I'd be interested in hearing another opinion.

Thanks,

Bill