Heyyyyyy... snake people...

Okay, so I was bad and looked at the CL pet section. (I was supposed to be looking for a china cabinet... yeah... oops.) Anyways, I just saw these two.



Posted today:
5 y.o. Albino Corn Snake

Okay, so this guy is not really albino as far as I can tell. I believe he is actually an amelanistic(sp?) snake. Anyways, I already have the exact same tank that the poster has pictured (from back in high school when I used to keep a blue-streak garter snake), and a LOT of reptile "toys" left over from my skink. I've never actually owned a corn snake, but I used to work with about four of them when I used to volunteer at the children's museum. There was one amelanistic, and he was my fav.

Anyways...



Posted yesterday:
Ball Python

This guy caught my eye since there has been such a surge of BPs here on the forum. I am not as familar with them, but I'm a fast learner. The poster seems... uninterested... which makes me a little nervous, but I thought maybe somebody could read more into this than I can? Or not. Honestly, the corn snake really caught my eye first, and then I kept looking.



Soooooo yeah... Your job now I suppose is to either talk me into it (one or both, preferably just one, though), or talk me out of it, or if you feel the need to fill me in on some general information about either of these animals. I would love to hear any of it!

wow that second person with the ball python sounds like a jerk. Ummmm... my only concern with the BP is that the poster seemed so disinterested in the snake so who knows how well he was taken care of. I don't know a whole lot about Corns, but I know that BPs are relatively easier snakes to care for in comparison with some of the other breeds of snakes.

albino and amel are the same thing.

That snake is actually a form of albino called a "sunglow" which means there is no white on it. It looks like its in good shape, and would make a nice pet.


Don' be surprised about the non chalant attitude of the BP owner. BP's are common in swapmeets and hole and the wall places, so they are often a very very impulse buy animal.

maybe you should get both?

ETA: btw...$75 for that cornsnake is kinda pricey IMO. Thats a retail price....not a a craigslist price. Heck, even a tad high for retail...especially if its a male. 50-60$ is more reasonable.
The ball python is too much too..... retail on those is like $40-50 and he's asking $65

Corns are the easiest of the two I have both at my apartment right now and I know from experience. Corn snakes will eat just about anything, don't need specific humidity and can almost always survive in your room temperature house without extra heating if you don't want to invest. They're referred to at bomb-proof on most snake forums

Oh, and amelanistic is a type of albino They're lacking their black/brown coloring and it's still technically a kind of albino often calls "Red Albino"

So, if you want a good beginner snake, go for the corn ^.^

Neato beans on the sunglow. That's cool to know! I had been told way back when that no black = amel, so I didn't really think to look any further into color variations. Now that I'm reading, there are TONS of different ones! Wowza!

I know that $75 is a high for the corn snake, but he's advertising the snake and all that comes with it (20-gal terrarium, hidey-things, etc.) and since I have most of those accessories already, I would intend to try and adjust the price for the snake only. I'm sure he could get a good price for the habitat equipment on its own...


Yeah, the corn snake poster seems much more like someone I would want to talk to. Lol!

Thanks for the info! I feel kinda dumb about this albino vs. amel thing. LOL! I was really proud of myself for recognizing amelanistic.

Soooo... I am still thinking about the corn snake. I am too skeptical about the BP poster, and I have always been fond of corns.

Problem is, there is no good reason why I should get this snake. It is almost a complete impulse on my part, and that is never a good time.

I told myself (and my husband) that I would wait, and if the corn snake gets reposted in a the next few weeks, I will reconsider contacting them and take a shot at it.

However, since I decided this (about an hour ago), I have been struggling with the idea MORE!

I really want to, but the closer I get to contacting the poster the more my conscience nags me that I shouldn't give in to the impulse.

Gah!

Okay, you all can officially think I'm insane now. :rofl1:

Snakes are sooo easy to care for...it would be hard to regret it. You' have to be insanely busy to neglect a snake.

Good on you for thinking it over tho.

Yeah... like I said earlier, I have had snakes before (garters, so not quite the same thing, but the general time commitment should be about the same), so I know that the care isn't an issue. The problem is I know that I CAN get this snake, but I have no reason why I SHOULD. Hence, my inner struggle.

I am one of those people that can barely go to the mall because I'm scared I'll buy something stupid. I have an impulse-phobia or something. LOL!

Uuuurgh I SO want a snake now after all the pics on here.... always admired, now I WANT!!!!

I'd prob go with the 1st if it is a "beginners" snake. The second one sounds like it might come with all manner of issues, and while it's always tempting to take in the sad case, it's not always practical.

OR, I'd take both and donate the 2nd to a rescue

ETA - I'm also totally taken with the colour of the corn snake

Yeah... though I have had snakes before, but it's been long enough since my last one I'd definitely consider myself a "beginner" again. As much as I would like to help a snake in need (the BP), I just don't think I'm going to be prepared for whatever "issues" it may have, so I am leaning towards the corn snake if I take either.

Of course, I am supposed to be waiting a week or two to think about it...

Waiting...

Waiting...

Bah, I think you've done a decent amount of thinking already... And it might be GONE in a week!!!!

Then you'd be sad...

I knowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww...

I'd go for the corn too. Ball Pythons are nice snakes, but they're less bulletproof than corns. I swear any of my corns would eat a mouse scented rock. In five years with two adults haven't missed a feeding. The ball goes on a feeding strike every year for a few months. The corns are also as a whole less nervous about everything.

Either snake is a cheap pet. Ball Pythons and corns of common colors are close to given away at reptile shows. I bought a female hatchling Okeetee corn for $25 at a show a few months ago. Same thing retail is $40-50. For me feeding is $0.80 at the moment per snake, but I bought a box of frozen mice online and have several snakes to feed them to. It can cost up to $4.00 a feeding depending on what you're using.

Though I own a ball python, unlike the corns I don't think I'll buy another one. The one I have is not particularly social, a picky eater, and unless I pull him out is always hiding. My two normal color corns are always out exploring. (The amelanistic is only out when it's dark, I've since read they can be more sensitive to light than those with dark eyes. )

As to it being an impulse. They're easier to care for than a puppy or kitten, the traditional impulse pets. :lol-sign:

--Mia

i LOVE corn snakes, there incredibly easy to care for, cool personalities and absolutly GORGEOUS (theres not another snake species i enjoy the colors of more than corns!)

personally id contact him now, let him know your very interested but already have all the set up...see how much hed let you take the snake for and go from there...
worset comes to worst you can always let him know your interested but not sure and if he still has the snake in a week or 2 let you know...

I'll be the black sheep... I say go with the BP!

IMO, corns are good beginner snakes as far as husbandry is concerned, but ball pythons are good beginner snakes from a handling standpoint.

I've dealt with both, and I love how BPs pretty much just chill out and let you handle them. Lazier, not as keen to twist and shimmy away.

But I'm biased...

And I suppose I'm different, IMO every pet snake (including a cornsnake) needs some sort of regulated heat. If you can't get a thermostat and a decent heatsource, don't get a snake.

Well, it's all a moot point now. The poster has removed the ad, so I'm assuming the snake has already found a home.

Guess I snooze, and I lose. :cry:




Sizzle, I was going to have a heat source, corn snake or BP. I used to have an under-tank heating pad setup, and would like to get one again (I accidentally broke the last one ). It's nice that the corn snake doesn't need much by way of humidity control, but I would definitely have a heat source.

Well... it's been 24 hours with a full night of sleep, and I STILL want that corn snake as badly as I did yesterday morning. Despite the fact that he's already spoken for.

Guess this means I might have a corn snake in my near future. Only now I don't have to be so rushed about getting together the terrarium and supplies, and I can be a little more selective about where I get one.


I also want to add that you are all terribly bad influences, which is why I love it here.

yay, i want a coral corn snake...(dont remember ther actual name, but its the white, but with maturity the markings are PINK! theres some stunning color patterns out ther

Now you can pick the morph you really like best....ppppsssst....bloodreds *cough cough*


Coral Snow.....they are gorgeous!