Corn Snake vs Ball Python

craigafrechette · 03-20-19, 01:51 PM

I'm not disagreeing that corns are great first snakes. But BPs are easy too. There's a reason they're by far the most common species in the pet trade.

I'm aware of all the pros and cons, I started keeping Kings and BPs sometime around 2000. And don't get me wrong, corns are pretty "bulletproof". And yes, corns will check off most "pros" on a pro/con list.

However, what people forget to mention is they are fantastic escape artists, they are fast and flighty and require constant hand-over-hand handling. I just don't enjoy that. With corns you can't just plop them down in your lap and chill with them.

As for my Kings (I've only kept Cali Kings) they've all outgrown the nippy stage. Yes, they are VERY food driven, but once out of their enclosures they always mellow right out. I've only been tagged by a sub-adult or adult one time outside the enclosure. Although one female I considered buying did bite and chew about a dozen times while I handled her in the shop. Not even one blood droplet though. I didn't take her home. I ended up bringing my boy, Django home instead and he's been the best snake I've ever kept (opinion obviously).

Any which way, I just think sometimes BPs are considered "not beginner snakes" simply for their food strikes. But if you're prepared, it shouldn't be an issue.

And with today's equipment and technology, there's no excuse for not having proper husbandry. All it takes is a few days to dial it in, then just monitor your equipment. Easy breezy. Clean the enclosure and hides, etc...