reptilesunleashed
New member
Which do you think are better for beginners and kids? The cost, maintenance, handling etc.
Ball Pythons vs Corn Snakes
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Aimless
Super Moderator
cost isn't that different. this will vary wildly when it comes to morphs, of course.
I would say corn snakes are better for beginners. every snake is an individual, but both species are generally pretty docile if handled on any kind of regular basis (a few times a month). corn snakes require a bit less humidity and a bit cooler basking temperature, but both require similar space and feeding, substrate, etc expense over time.
some ball pythons are picky eaters, and that can be vexing to beginner reptile keepers. corn snakes tend to be dumpsters for any appropriately sized rodent, lol. life span is similar as well, with ball pythons possibly being slightly longer but either species you can expect to live about 20 years, give or take, if other illness or injury doesn't happen to shorten their span.
I would say corn snakes are better for beginners. every snake is an individual, but both species are generally pretty docile if handled on any kind of regular basis (a few times a month). corn snakes require a bit less humidity and a bit cooler basking temperature, but both require similar space and feeding, substrate, etc expense over time.
some ball pythons are picky eaters, and that can be vexing to beginner reptile keepers. corn snakes tend to be dumpsters for any appropriately sized rodent, lol. life span is similar as well, with ball pythons possibly being slightly longer but either species you can expect to live about 20 years, give or take, if other illness or injury doesn't happen to shorten their span.
Herpin Man
Member
Having kept both species, I will tell you that corn snakes, far and away, are more suitable for beginners. That's not to say that a ball python isn't potentially a good first snake, however corn snakes eat more reliably, tolerate a wider range of temps, humidity, and other environmental situations, and (in my opinion) are better looking and more personable. What's not to like?
Another good beginner snake is kingsnakes of the getulus complex; California, desert, speckled, Florida, Eastern, etc. They are a bit more high strung than corns, but are good looking, hardy, aggressive feeders.
Another good beginner snake is kingsnakes of the getulus complex; California, desert, speckled, Florida, Eastern, etc. They are a bit more high strung than corns, but are good looking, hardy, aggressive feeders.
reptilesunleashed
New member
Thanks. I have another question though. How do you convince a family member that snakes are cool and are not scary and to let you have one ? How do you convince your family that feeding rodents to snakes are not that bad?
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reptilesunleashed
New member
I am 10 and still in my parents house.
GeckoLeen
New member
Some people just have an aversion to snakes and to feeding rodents, whether alive or dead, and no matter what you say or do, you may or may not change their minds. Your best bet would be to do a lot of research and present it to them in an organized way, so that they can see you are serious about wanting to care for a snake, and do it properly. Then start earning money to buy supplies. If they are open to it, great! But if not, and it's set in stone with your parents, you will probably just have to wait and plan until you are old enough to live on your own. The good part about that is, if you are really and truly interested, you will keep learning until then, and can save up to have everything set and ready to go at that point. See if your parents will let you attend any reptile shows in your area so that you can learn from those already in the hobby; if there's a reptile club you can join, that would help show them you are serious and responsible, and you will find people there who can answer your questions first-hand.
Parents tend to think that their kid's interest in a pet will be temporary, and they will end up taking care of it. You'll have to convince them over time, that that is not the case with you.
Good luck! Joining this forum is the first step!
Parents tend to think that their kid's interest in a pet will be temporary, and they will end up taking care of it. You'll have to convince them over time, that that is not the case with you.
Good luck! Joining this forum is the first step!
reptilesunleashed
New member
Thanks GeckoLeen. I used do everything I could to get a leopard gecko. My mom noticed that after a while I am taking the leopard gecko thing seriously so I got a leopard gecko. Now that I want a snake, she said that I am not serious in things and just get obsessed with something and lose interest. How do I show her that it is not like that and I actually want a snake? My dad is so scared of snakes. He is scared that they will bite you and kill you . He got bitten by a snake. I told him that Corn Snakes are NOT venomous and yet he's still scared. I have a Google Slides ready to present to him but I still don't know if he will be convinced.
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GeckoLeen
New member
Perhaps your mom is looking at it like, "First you got a leopard gecko, now you want a snake, in 6 months you'll want xxx, and then...and then...and then...
So maybe it will just take some time to show her that your interest in the gecko is not going away just because you want a snake. Convincing your dad might be a lot harder. Some people really do have bad phobias. Can you convince your dad that your snake would be safely enclosed in a tank, and that you would only handle it in your room with the door closed, so that there is NO CHANCE of escape? Show him photos of the tank you would buy - including lock mechanism!, and that you will save up the money for all supplies ahead of time, that you are caring for your gecko properly and plan to continue to do so.
Parents also worry about what happens when their kid gets a pet and then they get to be teenagers and have other interests (like dating, etc.) that take up their time other than pets. Your pets would have a long lifespan. Your parents want to know they will not be taking care of it at the other end of its life.
It may take some time. Do be considerate of their feelings, and above all, DON'T NAG OR ARGUE!
You can present your wishes, and if they are turned down, ask if you can discuss it again in three months, so that they can see you are serious but are not being a "whiny little kid". Parents always want their kids to grow up to be responsible. It sounds like you are well on your way to that, now just to keep showing them. Good luck!
So maybe it will just take some time to show her that your interest in the gecko is not going away just because you want a snake. Convincing your dad might be a lot harder. Some people really do have bad phobias. Can you convince your dad that your snake would be safely enclosed in a tank, and that you would only handle it in your room with the door closed, so that there is NO CHANCE of escape? Show him photos of the tank you would buy - including lock mechanism!, and that you will save up the money for all supplies ahead of time, that you are caring for your gecko properly and plan to continue to do so.
Parents also worry about what happens when their kid gets a pet and then they get to be teenagers and have other interests (like dating, etc.) that take up their time other than pets. Your pets would have a long lifespan. Your parents want to know they will not be taking care of it at the other end of its life.
It may take some time. Do be considerate of their feelings, and above all, DON'T NAG OR ARGUE!
You can present your wishes, and if they are turned down, ask if you can discuss it again in three months, so that they can see you are serious but are not being a "whiny little kid". Parents always want their kids to grow up to be responsible. It sounds like you are well on your way to that, now just to keep showing them. Good luck!
reptilesunleashed
New member
Thank You!
reptilesunleashed
New member
Yeah. My dad is grossed out by the gecko, and he said snakes are the WORST!
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
Could you guys attend some reptile show together? I don't know whether it would help your dad seeing how others feel about leos and corn snakes.
reptilesunleashed
New member
I don't know if there are any near us. I might take my dad to the pet store ( not petsmart) and show him the different animals.
reptilesunleashed
New member
There is this show on August 24, 25 2019.
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
That's an awesome plan!!!
reptilesunleashed
New member
Perhaps your mom is looking at it like, "First you got a leopard gecko, now you want a snake, in 6 months you'll want xxx, and then...and then...and then...
So maybe it will just take some time to show her that your interest in the gecko is not going away just because you want a snake. Convincing your dad might be a lot harder. Some people really do have bad phobias. Can you convince your dad that your snake would be safely enclosed in a tank, and that you would only handle it in your room with the door closed, so that there is NO CHANCE of escape? Show him photos of the tank you would buy - including lock mechanism!, and that you will save up the money for all supplies ahead of time, that you are caring for your gecko properly and plan to continue to do so.
Parents also worry about what happens when their kid gets a pet and then they get to be teenagers and have other interests (like dating, etc.) that take up their time other than pets. Your pets would have a long lifespan. Your parents want to know they will not be taking care of it at the other end of its life.
It may take some time. Do be considerate of their feelings, and above all, DON'T NAG OR ARGUE!
Oh yeah, before, I wanted a turtle, then tortoise so my mom must have gotten really angry when I said I wanted a snake. She says I will lose interest in the gecko, but I will make sure that will not happen and he wont be neglected.
Aimless
Super Moderator
one important consideration: the snake will still be likely to have another decade or more of life when you reach adulthood and move out. finding a place to live when you are young and have pets can be very challenging. also, if you decide to go to a university most dorms do not allow pets at all. I know it's hard to wait and be patient, but I would advise waiting until you're on your own and can do this yourself, and are in a position where you won't be forced to choose between your pet and other important things in your life.
to continue to learn and be engaged, I would also offer a few suggestions: 1. if there's a herpetological society near you, go to meetings. talk to other people that keep reptiles. also, 2. if you can connect with an adult in your area that keeps reptile pets, maybe help care for their animals and that way you can learn more about different species and what's actually required over the long term.
I love that you're putting so much thought into this!
to continue to learn and be engaged, I would also offer a few suggestions: 1. if there's a herpetological society near you, go to meetings. talk to other people that keep reptiles. also, 2. if you can connect with an adult in your area that keeps reptile pets, maybe help care for their animals and that way you can learn more about different species and what's actually required over the long term.
I love that you're putting so much thought into this!
GeckoLeen
New member
If you do find a herp club in your area, see if your parents will let you attend meetings, and maybe you could even help out the club at pet expo's, etc. That way you can learn more, help educate your community, show your parents you are responsible, and find out over time which reptile(s) would work the best for you in the long-term. (And get your reptile fix without the commitment - for now...)
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reptilesunleashed
New member
Thank you all so much!