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Last Login: 11/25/2008 8:45:34 AM
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by Kathy Love
So you want a new pet snake – maybe always have wanted one, but now you finally are able to fulfill a desire you have had for a long, long time. But which snake? Which species will be the best one to start with? That question comes up a lot on this forum, so here are some pointers to help you make an informed decision so that you and your new pet will have a long, happy life together.
There are lots of species that make good pets, but in my opinion, nothing can beat a corn snake (Elaphe guttata previously, but now named Pantherophis guttatus) for your first snake. Kingsnakes (Lampropeltis getula spp.) are a close second choice. I will also include African house snakes (Lamprophis fuliginosus) in the “top 3” choices, and will discuss some pros and cons of each.
All three of these species feature attractive and variable colors and patterns, large enough size for sturdiness in handling, but not too big so that they are unwieldy or difficult to house. They also exhibit a tendency towards tameness along with ease of care and breeding. But if they are all so perfect, how do you choose one over another? There are some differences, and some traits will be more important to one person than to another.
Corns take first place in this discussion. Their highly variable colors and patterns, and wide availability for a very reasonable cost contribute towards making them THE most popular pet snake in the world. Although new hatchling corns occasionally need a little trickery for their first meal or two, most will start right out on either frozen / thawed (f/t) newborn mice, or at least live ones.
Once the breeder has gotten the baby started, it is usually trouble free as long as you follow the care sheet or book that you hopefully purchased with it. Most importantly, do whatever you can to reduce stress during the first few weeks until it is on a regular feeding schedule – this is true for all new pet reptiles.
Although corns are rarely cannibalistic and usually prefer mice (in the wild, babies may eat some lizards and tree frogs as well), it is still a good idea to house them separately. All snakes are solitary animals by nature. Cagemates can present more stress than is necessary.
To prepare for your new corn, all you really need is a very secure cage (a small plastic terrarium is fine for a baby, a 20-gallon long aquarium, or something similar, is the minimum size for an adult – even bigger is better). Corn snakes are great escape artists (just as all snakes are), so be sure the doors close tightly and that there are no large ventilation openings.
Add some aspen shavings as a substrate and a heat pad under, or an incandescent bulb over, one end of the cage so there’s a cooler, darker area at the opposite side to which the snake can retreat. Be sure any white lights are turned off when the sun goes down - let your snake enjoy a night period just as you do. A long, hollow log or hide box should ideally span the cage so the snake can shelter in either the warm or cool end. Add a thermometer that can be moved around the cage (not stuck on the glass) so that you can make sure the inside of the warm hide is in the mid-80sF and the cool side is at least several degrees cooler.
A heavy water dish that can’t be tipped is necessary so fresh water can be made available at least several days per week. Fill it only halfway so they don’t overflow it when they soak in it. Locate it on the perimeter of the cage where they’ll roam and find it easily, often at night.
How do kings differ from corns? They are very much alike, and the setup described above will work very well for kings too. Kings tend to be a little messier, so a bigger cage than for a similarly sized corn means the cage won’t get dirty quite as quickly. An important difference is, unlike corns, kings LOVE to eat other snakes, as well as rodents, frogs, lizards, even turtle eggs in the wild. But in captivity, we usually just feed rodents to kings because they do fine on that readily obtained diet.
Obviously, it is even more important to keep kings away from other snakes than it is for corns. Breeders put their kings together for mating, and they are generally fine. But when I bred kings, I always kept an eye on them. Another thing to watch for: I’ve had an occasional female king turn around and eat her own eggs while laying them, a problem I’ve never encountered with corn snakes.
If you think corns have a great feeding response, wait until you feed a king snake. Once they are established feeders, stand back! Some kings charge forward to grab food, or anything they see moving when they smell food. Most people like to feed them in separate containers so that they will not get used to expecting food every time their cage is opened. That might save a few fingertip nips!
Although the various subspecies of kings have quite a bit of variability, the adults do not possess the true reds of corns, so their colors are more limited. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Look at lots of kings and corns while taking into account feeding and personality traits to decide which is for you.
African house snakes are one of the few good pet snakes that I have never actually owned myself – so I am certainly not an expert on them. But I feel they have to be included among the best pets because of the enthusiasm of their keepers, and the hardiness and prolific nature of this species. If you are looking for an easy to care for snake that comes in a variety of colors and patterns, and is smaller than the kings and corns, then the African house snake may be what you are looking for.
Lamprophis fuliginosus, as they are known scientifically, seem to outperform even my first two choices in terms of fertility. Most breeders have to separate them part of the year so that they don’t just reproduce constantly until the poor things wear out. They are known to have some of the best feeding response of any snake, and although they are usually maintained on a rodent diet, they are known to eat lizards, frogs, and pretty much whatever they can catch. There are several colors and patterns available, even albinos. However, I have never seen any that compare in brightness to the reds and yellows of really brilliant corns.
The set up for corns and kings should work well for house snakes. But they often run a foot or two smaller, especially the males. They average considerably thinner than a heavy-bodied corn, so you can get away with a slightly smaller cage for them.
Don’t forget to buy a care book! These forums are great, but reading a good book cover to cover will give you a good foundation so you’ll know which questions to ask. Of course I may be prejudiced, because my own corn snake book is published by Bowtie, but the reason I recommend the Bowtie books is because each one is written by somebody who actually keeps and breeds the species, not somebody who just researches it for an hour and then writes an ‘authoritative’ book.
Any of the above three will make a great first pet for you. Do some additional research, look at lots of photos to see what appeals to you, and purchase (and read) the book before you get the snake. You may well save future problems and money on the snake, equipment, and supplies by reading and asking the right questions first.Here are typical representatives of the 3 species I've discussed: Corn snake Elaphe guttata guttata 
Eastern / chain king snake Lamopropeltis getula getula 
African house snake Lamprophis fuliginosus 
Stay tuned to Reptile Channel for the next installment - Best Beginner Boas and Pythons.
Kathy Love
www.Cornutopia.com
S.W. Florida
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Senior Member
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Thank you Kathy for posting this. I know what you mean about an increase in these kind of posts.
My Leopard Geckos
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1.0 Tangerine Albino het R.A.P.T.O.R (Jaws)
1.0 Tangerine Albino (Champ)
0.1 Super Hypo Tangerine Carrot Tail (Chewy)
0.1 Super Hypo Carrot Tail Baldy (Casper)
0.1 Super Hypo Tangerine Carrot Tail (Stumpy)
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My Bearded Dragon
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1.0 Normal (Draco)
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Starting Member
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Last Login: 11/24/2008 2:04:49 PM
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i knew corn snkae are illegal in Georiga but which african house snake or king snake is legal in Georgia
Pets 0.1.0 Leopard Gecko (Avalon)
1.0.0 Gargoyle Gecko (Zeke)
1.1.0 Chinese Hamster (Blizzard and Capi)
0.1.0 Dog (Aurora)
10 Gallon Freshwater Planted
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Kathy I love the scales off you! I think you are wonderful. I have talked to you several times on the phone re: my corn and rat snakes. You are always willing to help. I thank you for being a breeder thats not just in it for the cash but genuinely cares about the herps and their posterity. Kudos to you! And i totally agree that corns are an awesome first snake. It wasn't my first but they are wonderful little critters. Everyone check out some of the awesome genetics on Kathy's website. www.cornutopia.com
God Bless and Happy Herps to All,
Ashleigh
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House snakes should not be a problem in Georgia, since they are not native. You can't keep native herps there (except venomous!). I do not know if they allow other subspecies, such as California kings. Many states only go to the species level, and would treat all Lampropeltis getula or L. triangulum the same as the subspecies found in their state. You would have to check with the Ga. DNR to be sure.
However, now that corns and emoryi are considered separate species instead of just subspecies, you can have a "western corn" in Ga, even though it won't have the pretty red colors. Emory rats also come in a beautiful, yellow albino form, and would make a great, hardy pet - even in Georgia!
Kathy Love
www.Cornutopia.com
S.W. Florida
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Last Login: 10/17/2008 10:03:47 AM
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| I love my cornsnakes, and breed them every year... They are so great to have, but the stink- and I am constantly cleaning them... Any tips?
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Last Login: 11/30/2008 11:15:13 AM
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Thanks a BUNCH! I had my choices narrowed down to corn snake or king snake... I'm not sure... That helped me a lot! 
Current Pets:One Crested Gecko : GORDO! three dogs - japanese chin and 2 german shorthairs one fantail goldfish - name: Shiner CLICK ON MY DRAGONS TO HELP THE GROW!!!   
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New Member
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Last Login: 11/30/2008 11:15:13 AM
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Now I have to go feed my pets..
Current Pets:One Crested Gecko : GORDO! three dogs - japanese chin and 2 german shorthairs one fantail goldfish - name: Shiner CLICK ON MY DRAGONS TO HELP THE GROW!!!
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