Returning to Corn Snakes...pre-purchase questions!

[TX2Snake]

Hi! I'm new here, from Texas! I'm a 22 years old and a lover of all animals, and used to own three corn snakes when I was a kid. My parents made me get rid of them all because one got out in the house, but I just moved to my own place and want to get some more! I was young when I owned my last corn snakes and know I probably failed in some of their care and have a few questions before I start my snake journey. I have not bought any snakes or equipment yet, but plan to soon.


1- Purchase from a breeder or store? When I was a kid I got all of my snakes from petco and they seemed happy and healthy. I also have the option now to buy from a breeder. Which would be better? The only concern I have is price. $10-$20 dollars per snake from a breeder or $50-$70 at the petstore?? What gives? Should I be wary of lower prices?

2- Housing... I housed my old snakes in a 10 gallon tank with a red light plus bedding, grass, water, house, ect. Do I need anything more than that? Can the baby stay in a critter case for the first few weeks while getting used to being fed and handled?

3- how often do you guys recommend feeding? I fed my old snakes once every two weeks but they always stayed small. I would like my snake this time around to grow.

4- how fast does a properly fed snake grow?

5- I noticed the breeder had several types of snakes available - butters, lavender opals, bloodreds, commons, black albinos and kisatchies - are any of these more desirable than the others? I'm not planning on breeding ever. What do you guys have?

Thanks to anyone who answers and feel free to add in anything I forget!!

 

[Shiari]

1- Breeders are better. The price mark up at stores is so they can make a major profit on it. The stores buy corns wholesale for $5 to $10 and then mark them up 500%.

2- A 10 gallon is fine for a hatchling, though you will need at minimum a 20 gallon for an adult. Preferably larger. A heat light is not required; a UTH with a thermostat is better.

3- Babies are typically fed every 5 to 7 days.

4- It really depends on the snake.

5- If you're not planning on breeding, then market desirability doesn't matter. Get what you think is pretty. I prefer gray corn snakes so most of my collection is things like pewters, ghosts, charcoals, and my mess of charcoal-anery-lavenders.

 

[The Cat]

You do not have to be wary of lower prices. They are like that because they are a more popular breed. You can find really expensive ones from breeders, too.

Instead of a red light, I would get a under tank heat mat for a third of the tank. You will need a thermostat so the warm side temps stay around 82-85 degrees ferenheight. (I may not have spelled that right)

A 20 gallon or more tank will be good for an adult corn snake.

Your old snakes did not grow because they need to eat more. Babies will need to eat around every 5 days, older ones about every 7 days, and the adults every 7-13 days, depending on size.

Some are more rare and desirable, but those cost more. Normals, plain Aneries (Black albino), and Classic Amels (albino) are cheaper, along with other morphs.

Look up some good care sheets on here. Don't forget to ask tons of questions. A lot more people actually have snakes and will be more helpful.

Good luck.

 

[TX2Snake]

What's the difference in a king snake and a corn snake? I saw both at the breeders and kinda fell in love with the temperament and look of the king. Do they differ from corn snakes a ton? Anyone have one?

 

[The Cat]

I think corn snakes are more docile and their bites don't hurt as bad. Kingsnakes can get to 7 feet I think, and corns are about 5 feet at most.

I am not sure, really, I have never had either snake. I would stick to corn snake, but it's your choice.

 

[Chip]

1- Breeders are better. The price mark up at stores is so they can make a major profit on it. The stores buy corns wholesale for $5 to $10 and then mark them up 500%.

I agree with your advice, but the pricing is a little off! Just to check the price sheets of my biggest wholesalers, pricing (not including shipping) is something like this for normals:

Seagrest farms- normal corn $20.99
Reptiles by Mack -normal, amel, anery $17.50, snow $20
Vista Pet -Cornsnakes - $15 ea. 3 for $14.50 ea, 6 for $13.50 ea !! *SALE*

I don't know why they are so expensive from wholesalers compared to wholesale prices, or even show prices, but they tend to be around $15-20 bucks for babies before shipping. "Albino Oakates" are $69 on Seagrest's list this week!



OP, as a pet shop owner, from my perspective I would buy from a breeder every time.

 

[NH93]

Kings/milks and corns may have different temperments, and some species get larger, some species get smaller (3-4 feet), but if size doesn't matter, then get which ever you like most. Just make sure to look at the care sheets for individual species of snakes before you purchase, and set up in advance (like maybe a week or so prior).
There are some awesome care sheets on this forum as well that you should take a look at they have ALL KINDS of info, from feeding, to types of bedding, temperature gradients, etc.
GOOD LUCK!

 

[Lt. Dan]

My first was a King snake which was very docile and I learned with him as he grew. He was my first snake as well. 11 yrs later I decided to get another king but I saw how many different color morphs the corns had, so I chose to adopt an amel from a guy who no longer wanted it. My king only bit me twice (one because I didn't know proper handling and startled him. And 2nd because I smelled of another snake). My corn bit when I first got him because he was underfed. I think every snake owner gets bit sooner or later but it really doesn't hurt. More of a surprise than anything. My advice is go to a show and handle both kings and corns ( clean your hands after each) then Choose which ever you're drawn to more. Good luck and keep us posted on your new choice.

 

[Chip]

Biting power of an average adult corn:

You just have to get over the fact a rattling, striking snake just bit you!

 

[kathylove]

Actually, my kittens and cats have always caused MORE damage from scratches or biting when playing too hard, compared to any corns or similar size snakes I have had! Vicious little critters, lol! (joke - my kitties just forget I am not REAL prey when we play, haha!)

 

[subliminal]

I can't add much that hasn't already been said, but I will give my kudos to you to asking all the questions and doing research BEFORE getting your snake. I thought I had done all my research and still have had a few "seat of the pants" moments with my snakes. We are all, always learning

 

[Justine66]

owning a king and a corn, I would recommend getting a corn as a first snake.. their care is pretty much the same, but their personalitys are compleatly opposite from one another!

I have never been bit, tail rattled, or even struck at from my corn and he's just the sweetest snake I have ever met!! but my milk (which are closley related to kings) is soon beyond different! he's a loving little Guy when he's being handled, but when he's feeding, hell bite everything from me to himself!

honestly, pick which even you would like as their both very easy to care for but their personalitys can be soo different from one another that its up to you, on what type of snake do you want? a feisty king or a loving corn?

 

[Shaggy]

Good job asking. I'd suggest that you hit the library, read a few books, about corns, kings, reptiles, vivariums, etc... Whatever you can get your hands on.
Then, once you've educated yourself, start accumulating the _needed_ gear. Think: tank/housing, heat, thermometers, substrate, and secure cover. You can get thrift store items that will work for many other items such as a water dish (my advice is to get two, so you can clean and dry one while the other is on duty in the tank), hides, climbing decorations, etc. all have cheap substitutes. Often when we (I) jump into a hobby, we tend to over-purchase and under-learn.
Then, when you're ready, and have the tank dry-run tested, and have housing and heat just right, then make plans to get your snake. You may be surprised at the difference of what you think you want right now, and what you'll decide on once you're studied up and ready.
Good luck!!

 

[Guruofchem]

Repticon will be doing a show in Pasadena in October (26th and 27th) - that would be a great place to talk with breeders, look at lots of different snakes, and gather information. There is also a Repticon show in Baton Rouge this weekend, if you don't mind the drive. Just don't buy anything unless you have a setup ready at home...

 

[The Cat]

I guess you could get either snake, but I heard cornsnakes are more recommended for beginners. Your choice, but I would absorb all information possible.

 

[nfafan]

Hi! I'm new here, from Texas! I'm a 22 years old and a lover of all animals, and used to own three corn snakes when I was a kid. <snip>

1- Purchase from a breeder or store? When I was a kid I got all of my snakes from petco and they seemed happy and healthy. I also have the option now to buy from a breeder. Which would be better? The only concern I have is price. $10-$20 dollars per snake from a breeder or $50-$70 at the petstore?? What gives? Should I be wary of lower prices?

2- Housing... I housed my old snakes in a 10 gallon tank with a red light plus bedding, grass, water, house, ect. Do I need anything more than that? Can the baby stay in a critter case for the first few weeks while getting used to being fed and handled?

3- how often do you guys recommend feeding? I fed my old snakes once every two weeks but they always stayed small. I would like my snake this time around to grow.

4- how fast does a properly fed snake grow?

5- I noticed the breeder had several types of snakes available - butters, lavender opals, bloodreds, commons, black albinos and kisatchies - are any of these more desirable than the others? I'm not planning on breeding ever. What do you guys have?

Thanks to anyone who answers and feel free to add in anything I forget!!

You already had corns, consider trying something else?

Ball Python, Spotted Python, Childrens Python? Hog Island Boa? Hognose? Sand Boa?

Each are reasonably sized when adult and are almost as affordable as a "fancier morph" corn when bought from a breeder at the reptile shows.


1. Breeders at the reptile shows have all the kewl species of most everything that you can "test handle" and ask questions galore. Milks, kings, corns, boas - et al.
Their overhead tends to be very low, so they can be way more affordable than the big-box pert stores. EX: Normal Ball Pythons are what; $49.00-$79.00 at the pet stores, $20.00 - $25.00 or even less at the reptile shows. The typical Albino Amel corn is what, $38.00 at the store on sale; $10.00-$25.00 at shows.

OTOH, I look with EXTREME skepticism when at reptile shows with claims of specific morphs or "localities"...
I have seen just way too many amateur franken-breeders with bins of "crazy corns" as the one table-holder actually called them, or the Columbian/CA BCI red-tail franken-boa I just acquired.
Basically, if I absolutely want an Alabama corn or Okeetee corn or Miami corn or a Solomon Islands Boa - I'll turn to the 'net to a breeder with a good rep for solid product like the many breeders here.


2. Lots of posts here about tank/viv sizes. I started my baby corn in a 5.5Gal Exoterra, now she is in a 10gal fish tank used as a reptile tank, and she will soon be in my 20long top-loader with double locking screen top.
Look on Youtoob for vids from reptile breeders - they keep their livestock in basically 20"x17" Sterlite tubs. Your 5 or 10gal tank with hide and fake plants and deep aspen is really uptown living by comparo.


3. I feed my snakes every 7-10 days; the stretch to 9 or 10 days is if their last meal was particularly large, no later than a week if the last Frozen/Thawed was on the smaller size.
Also, eating habits are different based on metabolism; my corn is a glutton and would eat probably every 4 days if I fed her that often, my boa is pickier, my friend has ball pythons that are as picky as small children and by comparison make my boa look like a chow-hound. My 5-foot falsey was just fine at one small rat a week, or multiple smaller-sized mice. He took a hopper in a single gulp.


4. I would guess that growth rate is tied to frequency and sizes of meals. As I understand it, F/T rats contribute to faster growth than a diet of just F/T mice alone.


5. If you don't plan to breed, just get what is most appealing to you.
You can't beat corns for some of the most colorful - and affordable - "morphs" out there, with milks having some great color patterns too. My corn is a gorgeous orange and yellow albino motley lavender anery amateur breeder franken-corn. Not likely seen as such in the wild, but bred for eye appeal as a pet.

Good luck and have fun!