Milk VS Corn

[QueenHerper]

I have a few questions about these 2 type of snakes. Are they both fairly good snakes for a beginner? Is one more tempermental than the other? I have been looking at both of these kinds of snakes and can't decide on which type I'd like to go with. I think milksnakes are prettier in color but I was told that they are really moody and fussy eaters. Anyone have any thoughts on how to help me decide on which one to lean towards.


sandy

[Katt]

Milks are pretty skittish, but if you're willing to deal with some musking and maybe a few bites (they hardly count as bites), a milk is not a bad choice. Especially when they grow up in cool and calm adults.

[vanderkm]

Corns are certainly one of the easiest snakes to care for and have very reliable temperaments - tolerent, calm but active and most don't bite. They come in such a wide variety of colors and patterns that there is something for just about everyone and they get to a nice intermediate adult size. Most of them are very good dependable feeders and while they are more active than a boa - I like them because they are not too hyper, they tend to wrap their tail around some part of you and at least sort of hang on. Our milksnakes, especially as youngsters just want to head for the hills - they slither through your hands as quick as they can. Despite that - our hondurans are some of our favorite snakes - they do grow out of it and become big, placid puppy dogs when they are adults - but not all milk species are the same.

The milksnake species vary a lot in size (from a 2 foot Louisiana milksnake to the Hondurans that are often 6 feet) and in how active they are - but they tend to be more hyper than corns. Ours have also varied in how good they are as feeders although the big species are great, some of the smaller ones have been more sensitive to environment. We only had one Peublan but could never get him to settle into being handled, and they have a reputation for being excitable throughout their life.

good luck in your choice.

mary v.

[Vanan]

Doubt there's much difference in feeding responses between both groups of snakes. It depends on the individual snake.

I would recommend the corn as the #1 choice. Like I always say, can't go wrong with a corn. But then again, if you want a snake with more "character" (I think corns are pretty dumb up there! ), can't go wrong with a Lampro. My opinion of dumbess is a snake which does what you want it to do all the time. Kinda like a dog vs a cat as a pet. Hehe. I like the best of them both. But yea, not to confuse you, I would go with a corn for a first snake. A fiesty, musky snake can put a beginner off from snake keeping.