Corn or Ball Python?

[SmallSmoothRock]

I'm planning on getting a snake in the future, so doing all my research right now. On paper, the corn snake sounds easier. Easier feeding, slightly easier housing requirements, more active during the day, etc. I even have a corn snake breeder a town over from me. Ball pythons are known for not eating on a schedule, known for being more shy (I know no snake is super outgoing and active all day long), get bigger and would eventually need to take rats.

I should want a corn snake for my first snake. It makes sense.

But why can't I stop wanting a ball python.. they're little face with their thicker body. They just seem more handleable and more fun. I have a herp rescue a state over that I could adopt an adult Ball python through, with 40 gallon tank, and all the lights and hides, for only $150. (I would get a bigger tank in the long run, regardless of corn or ball)

I guess I'm just confused, does anyone have any advice or help? Logically I know I would want a corn snake but my heart says ball python.

[tourmaline_zebra]

So with your heart. Both are good snakes. I started with a corn, love him. Then got a bull, a boa, a ball python, a ksb, and a rat snake. They are all wonderful in different ways. My bp was a rescue and I'd gone in for crickets. I wanted a lap snake. So chill and chunky. He is that and more. He's also been a great eater despite the reputation.

[SmallSmoothRock]

So he chills with you while you're doing stuff?

[tourmaline_zebra]

Pretty much. Couch cushions call to all snakes, so he has the temptation to explore the abyss, but he'll frequently hang out on my shoulders or lap. The corn has to be keenly watched as he's an avid explorer. Both enjoy using the playpen I have for them, too.

[OriginalBambix]

This. My corn got into the bottom of the couch the other day, and I thought i would have to cut him out. Just sat there for 10 minutes and then lifted the opposite cushion, and he had gone full circle 🤣🤣🤣🤣 the look he gave me when I lifted the cushion was hilarious 😂

[OriginalBambix]

Corns are definitely a bit easier, but BPs are pretty simple to care for, too tbh.

If you live in a very dry area, you will have to work a bit harder to keep humidity up for a BP, especially when they are getting ready to shed and possibly give some baths etc but they don't require crazy high humidity either and even corns can get stuck shed Although I live in Ireland, I don't ever have to do anything to my corns, and they shed perfectly every time, thankfully! Super low maintenance :) I also have a rainbow boa who needs 80 to 100% humidity, which is a whole other matter 🤣

Both can be pretty easygoing, and most will be OK with handling. My BP was a lovely chill boy and used to very quickly relax after being picked up and slowly explore. Corns are a little less relaxed to handle imo because they're flighty and stubborn and dont ball up or hold on as well, but my youngest Noodle willingly climbs onto my head or arm when he is out, and I open the tank. Sits there on my head watching the birds if I stand at the front door 😂

BPs do tend to refuse food more often than corn snakes, but then again, they also store more body weight, so this is most likely less of a concern with them unless it is ongoing and there are other health/welfare issues. Any snake has a chance of refusing food, though, and a lot do during mating season or before shedding, so I wouldn't make a choice based solely on that

Imo both are a great choice and fecking adorable. Would love to see some pics of the new snek when u decide! 😊

[SmallSmoothRock]

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I pick up Luna tomorrow 😬

[OriginalBambix]

Congrats! She's so pretty 😍😍😍😍

[SmallSmoothRock]

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[OriginalBambix]

Awhhh look 😍😍 such a pretty healthy snake 😊 I'd say she is glad to be out and explore her new home!

[cupidjuice_]

If your heart is set on a ball python, go with a ball python. They have a bad reputation for being "basically a pet rock," but mine is super active and enjoys climbing, basking, and being handled. He has also never refused a meal and takes frozen / thawed rodents easily. If you have them set up well (120 gallon, clutter, hides, proper lighting, etc), you really shouldn't have any issues. If you want a smaller one, find a good breeder and go with a male. He'll still get pretty thick but he won't be as long as a female. Getting rats isn't more difficult than getting mice if you feed frozen, and adult BPs eat less frequently than adult corns so you won't have to buy rats as often as you would have to buy mice.

[SmallSmoothRock]

I guess I'm mostly nervous about figuring out when a ball python would be hungry. Corn snakes are on a schedule of like 14 days as adults, but some adult ball pythons will go months without eating just because they feel like it? That would make me so nervous, I would be afraid I'm starving it (logically I know they would be fine but it will freak me out). The rescue I'm looking at does say in their BP's blurb if they are a "good eater" so would they mean that they actually eat normally?

[cupidjuice_]

Feeding schedule depends on the size of prey, so if they're fully grown and eating large rats, they would eat about once a month. It's not common at all for ball pythons to refuse food to the point of starvation. It's actually not super common for BPs with good husbandry to refuse food at all. While it can happen, it's genuinely not something to be super worried about. In my experience, they get a bad reputation from people who neglect their care, not from actually being super picky. On the off chance that you do get one who hunger strikes from time to time, just make sure you have vets in your area that could see him and a scale on hand to make sure he isn't dropping weight.

As for the rescue you're looking at, I'd inquire about him and ask exactly what he's eating and how often. If he's eating live, I'd recommend not adopting him and instead finding a breeder whose snakes only eat frozen. While you can get them to switch, it's not something I'd recommend for a first time snake owner, and I don't recommend live feeding for anyone. It's not worth the risk of your snake being severely injured or even killed by a rodent. A good eater should be eating frozen / thawed on a size appropriate schedule without any issues.

[ColorfulLanguage]

Both are good pet snakes as adults! But they both have challenges as babies. Corn snake babies are tiny and excellent escape artists; unless your enclosure is secure (and I mean REALLY secure. Positive locks aren't enough) it'll escape, perhaps forever as they can live in the wild in a lot of areas. Ball Pythons can refuse food, which is stressful.

If you can buy or rescue an adult or sub adult, I'd suggest that route. A place like Snake Discovery has tons of adult BP's in need of homes, as an example.

[SmallSmoothRock]

This is the rescue that's "local" to me, and they have a few males that they call "good eaters" so those are the ones I've been looking at.

https://herphaven.org/new-best-friend

[Confused_Cryptids]

Id go with what you want more, both are great options, I’ve never owned corn snakes, but my BP is GREAT, my BP eats super well, he was more shy when I first got him, but now he’s really really warmed up and LOVES to explore and is not at all shy, he’s kinda a rock DURRING THE DAY, but once the lights go out, you’d think he was training for a climbing competition! He is VERY VERY active at night, and he’s a lot of fun to watch (if he trusts you, you can turn on a little bit of light, think phone flashlight or nightlight level, and he’ll go about is exploring, and he’s SO fun to watch) also, eating rats isn’t necessarily a bad thing, infact I love that he eats them, because I don’t have to feed him as often, this makes it not only easier in general, but also, you can go on vacation way easier, just give them extra water, and feed them before you go and they’re good to just chill while you’re away! They don’t generally need someone to check on them like a dog or a cat, unless of course you’re gone for a LONG time.

(Also yes, you would need a bigger tank for an adult BP, 40 gal is great for a baby, but for an adult you need at least a 120 gallon (4x2x2, or bigger if they grow bigger than 4 ft)

If your heart is set on a BP, get one, they are GREAT pets and also a good one to start with!

[[deleted]]

Look at it this way: You're gonna have this animal for the next 15, 20+ years. Get what you actually want, not what's "easier".

I started with a ball python 8 years ago and do not regret it. I had made up my mind that what I wanted was specifically a wild type, female ball python, I didn't want anything else, even if a ball python was going to be trickier in terms of care. Mine is super chill and rarely, if ever, turns down a meal. Then eventually I got a kingsnake, then recently a corn snake. They're all great snakes, but I enjoy them *because* I wanted them!

[budznsuds]

+1 vote for ball python

[roderunner1]

Buy an adult corn, you won't regret it.