Corn Snakes vs Ball Pythons

[EtR_Bliss]

Okay... I know this is a Corn Snake forum, but I also know that many of you guys/gals have both Corns and BP's...

I am planning to get a snake in a month or two (I'm in the process of closing on a house tomorrow and then moving in after that :crazy02: yay), and I just can't decide between a Corn and a BP... I've been researching them both, and every time I read about BP's, I lean more towards BP's, and every time I read more on Corns, I lean more towards Corns...

If you guys could help me, please give me some honest opinions on Corns vs BP's... I know this is a Corn forum, so it might be a little biased, but hopefully I will get some un-biased opinions as well.

Mainly, I would like to know your opinions on their pluses and minuses...

Also, I would like to know:
-Which can be handled longer/more w/o stressing them out?
-Which are more prone to biting?
-Which can I let just crawl around on the couch/floor with supervision?
-Personality types... (what kind shows up more often in which snake)
-Anything else that would be good to know....

And yes, I do know about the technical parts, such as feeding problems with BP's, temp, humidity levels, and whatnot... But you can still mention them if you'd like... lol

Thanks for everyone's input

 

[kshannon]

Maybe a stupid question, is this your first snake? I started off with a corn, they are easy to care for and most are easy going. I love BP's also, that is one of my latest snakes. He was rarely handled and is was very jumpy, he never tried biting.

I love them both, hard decision. I think corn's are easier to care for just for the fact you need a warm side and a cool side, BP's need it more humid than corns (corns I don't worry about the humidity). I am relatively new to owning snakes so the experts will go into more details.

I would start out with a corn if it your first snake, that is what I started out with, I got him at a show, he only cost me $10 (normal) but I wouldn't trade him for the world, since he is close to 2 now whenever I get off of work he comes out of hiding and climbs the glass on the door until I bring him out.

 

[EtR_Bliss]

Cool

Thanks for your input. Your corn sounds awesome, greeting you whenever you come home :crazy02: And yes, this will be my first snake

Hmmm.... I wonder what LBoz posted up... LBoz deleted the post...:shrugs:

 

[SnakesRule1234]

-Which can be handled longer/more w/o stressing them out?

Ball Pythons are usually more prone to getting stressed out easily, so corns can be hanled much more, IMO.

-Which are more prone to biting?

Both are usually calm, but you hear more stories of corns being agressive than Ball Pythons. Ball Pythons are rarely the mean ones.

-Which can I let just crawl around on the couch/floor with supervision?

Corns can be very jumpy and they are really, really, fast. Ball Pythons are slow, most of the time. So, Ball Pythons.

-Personality types... (what kind shows up more often in which snake)

As said before, corn snakes can be very jumpy and although they can be nice they can also be agressive. BPs are calm and are rarely agressive.

-Anything else that would be good to know....

Ball Pythons are more picky when feeding, they can refuse food out of the blue, they can not accept a certain food item and so on. They can also refuse if they are stressed by something.

Overall, and in my opinion, I've had better luck with Ball Pythons, so them. They can be just as colourful as Corn Snakes (but with a bigger price tag) and they are much calmer.

 

[kshannon]

I love all my snakes, but he holds a special place in my heart! I have a variety of different snakes. I do have 2 corns, I got both of them as hatchlings and they were flighty at first but with lots of handling, not enough to over stress them, they have become very calm. My brother has lots of corns and he only handles them to feed them and they are all flighty. None of them are bitey.

I also love my BP, he has come a long way from when I first got him he is a 06 hatchling that was just maintained by the breeder, he fed him live every 2 weeks and rarely if ever handled him. When I got him he would ball up and was extremely jerky, but I sucessfly switched him over to f/t, and he is becoming more relaxed when I handle him and I have only had him since January.

Too bad you can't get both!!!! I wouldn't want to chose between one or the other!

 

[mynamesrick]

I think corns are a really good starter snake, easy to handle, most of the time they are good feeders, and their colors are amazing!

Then in a few weeks/months you will just have to give in to getting another snake, then you can get your ball python! thats exactly what happend to me!

 

[tricksterpup]

Also, I would like to know:
-Which can be handled longer/more w/o stressing them out?

It really depends on the animal. Some corns do not mind being held for away while others stress out. Same goes for ball pythons, but The 7 day holding period we give for a newly brought home corn, I have to add another 7 days for a ball. They seem to be more sensitive.

-Which are more prone to biting?

I have seen mean corns and mean ball pythons. It happens, some snakes are like this, personalities are like people.

-Which can I let just crawl around on the couch/floor with supervision?

Neither, its not good to let your pet crawl around, always keep an eye on it. Corns are faster than balls but I have seen balls move really fast. I prefer to hold my snakes unless they are over 6 feet, then I let them on the ground. Small snakes, its not a good idea.

Thanks for everyone's input

No problem, but since this is your first snake, I recommend a corn instead. They are easier to care for and you rarely have the problems with them like a ball. I rarely have difficult feeders in corn snakes, ball pythons? well I own 7 and they all have given me hunger strike. Start off with the easier guy first, learn snake care from them and then maybe 6 months down the line, get a ball python.

 

[Voodoo]

I actually started with a Pueblan milk snake. He was pretty calm.

Then, I moved onto corn snakes. I own two of them now. They are fierce eaters. One is more than happy to slither to my hand and come out of his viv at any time. The other rattles his tail and sometimes strikes at me until he realizes that I'm not trying to eat him. He's never bitten me though, and I doubt he ever will, as long as I remain patient with him.

Corns are really quite easy to care for compared to some other types of snakes.

I've only had my ball python for about a month, and she's already freaking me out. She handles well. She doesn't ball up much and never strikes or acts jumpy. However, she refuses to eat. She's only about 6 weeks old, so the biggest thing she could eat right now would be a mouse fuzzie or a small rat pup. I've tried both....and I've tried both live AND frozen/thawed. I've also tried frozen/thawed/brained. Yesterday, I bought a small live green anole and dropped it in her feeding viv with her. She has no interest in the lizard either. In fact, she actually nudged the anole with her "nose" and then curled up for a nap.

I guess my only next option is a vet visit, which makes me kick myself for not buying another corn snake instead of the ball python.

 

[kcaven]

Corns All the Way! (Unbiased of course!)

Being a first time snake owner (I got my first snake MoJo a week ago tomorrow!) I completely agree with tricksterpup. I did a lot of research before I decide on a corn. I asked many differnt people their expert opinions and they all basically said the same thing as above. Think about it, corn snakes are from the US.. they are used to our climates, humidity, habitats etc... BP's are from Africa where the temps and climate, habitats are completely different...which do you think would be easier to duplicate? I am completely happy with my descision with getting a corn..in fact, I never thought I could love a snake this much!

 

[MichellesCreatures]

I agree depends on the snake in question. I have Balls that are eating f/t food items and have from the start...Im even selling a few cause I got too many in trade last year. I think Balls are wonderful lap snakes, whereas a corn usually wants to go explore.
But even if a corn was to bite, its really nothing...kinda like a bunch of pinpricks. Now if an adult BP bites ya, well...alot more than pinpricks.
I've been bitten by almost every type of snake I keep over the years, so I can say from experience. I'd say corn first, BP later!

 

[TandJ]

-Which are more prone to biting?

Both are usually calm, but you hear more stories of corns being agressive than Ball Pythons. Ball Pythons are rarely the mean ones.

I have been tagged by more corns, well thats because those are what I do.. I have had my fair share of bite ( broken skin ) from BP's.. I know my corns are consistant eatters, unlike the BP's I have had, where some of them went on hunger strike for 6 monthes without eatting.. If this is your first adventure into snakes, I personally believe corns are the way to go.. I honestly don;t think BP's make a good first choice for a snake..

Regards.. Tim of T and J

 

[png_lovebirds]

I personally prefer handling my BPs....they always have a nice firm grip on you and just move at a nice relaxed pace! My corns are just flying out of my hands when I get them out!!

BPs are a lot more difficult in the husbandry dept! As you know they have more rigid humidity and temp requirements compared to corns. So, in that respect corns are easier to take care of.

I've been struck at more by my BPs.....but only the females!

Feeding...my corns rarely refuse a meal.....my BPs do it all the time!

I guess for me, I really like handling my BPs and don't so much enjoy handling the corns! I just enjoy how the BPs hang on to you! LOL!

If I had to say which snake I thought would be better for a first timer, I would say a corn!

 

[aztek]

Oh yeah, in addition to my PMS

If you want to feed frozen, the BPs are harder to get to switch from my experience(Still haven't gotten it) if they are not started out like that

 

[EtR_Bliss]

I would like to thank everyone for your inputs, advice, opinions, information, etc... Very helpful

What I'm hearing a lot is, get a corn first, then a BP... Oh, I wish I could get both... I don't think I would be able to... I already have 4 White's Tree frogs (now that's a hard humidity level to keep up with during the winter time... but I manage somehow... I bought a humidifier and aim it in the direction of their terrarium, plus, I have a misting machine...)
Back on topic... lol... And I want to get a large tank for the snake when it becomes an adult (I will use a smaller one when it's young)... I just don't know where I will be able to put another tank if I would get a second snake... But knowing myself, I could always find some way to make it work :rofl:

Oh, and I also know that I will want to get a male snake... I don't want to risk egg binding... very scary and depressing

Grrr... hopefully I will figure this out soon

Thanks again everybody, and if you guys think of anything to add on, go right ahead, I appreciate it

 

[clipclopclip]

Mainly, I would like to know your opinions on their pluses and minuses...

Also, I would like to know:
-Which can be handled longer/more w/o stressing them out?
-Which are more prone to biting?
-Which can I let just crawl around on the couch/floor with supervision?
-Personality types... (what kind shows up more often in which snake)
-Anything else that would be good to know....

Well, personally I enjoy ball pythons' personalities more. They tend to be more laid back and less jumpy. I have never been bitten by one of mine, whereas I have been bitten a lot by my corns.

They are harder to care for and they do need more specific husbandry. They also come in so many expensive morphs that you could go bankrupt easily LOL!

That said, normal ball pythons are all different and very beautiful. They tend to be more of the lap-snake couch-potato type, but some like to explore more. However, while I always have to watch my darty corns, I can hold my ball pythons and actually look away for a while. they don't go anywhere fast.

Here is my opinion in short:
if you wants easy husbandry, go for a corn. If you want something more challenging husbandry-wise but more laid back, go for a ball. Either way it is a good choice

 

[melanie]

I've had my BP for about three years and my corn for about 4 months. In my experience so far, I haven't seen a whole lot of difference between their personalities! My corn is pretty mellow. She's only tried biting me once and I didn't give her her way so she gave that up! My ball has also bit me once but I spooked him so I completely blame myself for that one. He doesn't really seem to mind handling at all but I don't take him out all that often, either. Whatever you decide, you won't be sorry! They're both great snakes!

 

[J&SReptiles]

Personally, I wouldn't recommend a Ball python to a first-time snake owner, just because of the fact they can be much harder to take care for (ofcourse there are exceptions).
I have started with corns too, and two years ago I decided to add some balls to my collection aswell. I've never had any problems with my corns when it comes to feeding, but all of my balls have refused meals sometimes.
Personality-wise, I have noticed some differences between my balls and my corns, and overall, my ball pythons are more laidback.
However, in my opinion, easy husbandry is more important for a first-time snake owner.
Hope this helps

 

[Voodoo]

My little BP finally ate last night. The magic trick was as simple as dropping a live fuzzie in her viv without moving her to a feeding tank, as I had done previously. So, I guess she likes to be left alone, and like her food raw and wriggling, precious.

I'm telling you, I would advise that you get a corn for your first snake. They're just far less picky about eating (for the most part). None of my corns have ever refused a meal and never bitten me.

My ball python strikes at me, and now with me feeding her live, I can only expect her striking habit to increase.

 

[LadyOhh]

My ball python strikes at me, and now with me feeding her live, I can only expect her striking habit to increase.

That is a fallacy. She is striking at you because she is stressed out, not because of the live prey... You need to check your husbandry to see what is the root of the problem.

As for the OP:

I like BPs better, because that is all I do. I find that corns are much more flighty... I don't like it as much. BPs are easy to do if you know what to do. A bit more work, heat, humidity, sure, but a great snake to have and to handle.

But consider this... You are asking in a CORN SNAKE forum whether or not to get a Corn or a BP. Keep that in mind.

 

[snakewispera snr]

Just to put a spanner in the works....LOL
If your only getting the one snake.(Yea like that ever happens) And you already know enough to manage frogs, so your not a real beginner. Have you considered any other types of snake.... Boa's or Carpets might be worth looking at....
As for the choice between corns and Bp, spend some time with both and see which one you like being around the most...