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moorey1973
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
3 Posts |
 Posted - 11/12/2008 : 23:25:33
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| Hi, my son has wanted a snake for the pass year (he's 10 years old) and I am considering getting him one. He really likes royal pythons but I'm not sure as some pet shop owners say a corn snake is a better first snake and others say a royal python is ok !! help me out guys. never had a snake before and have been reading up on them but can't decide which snake to get. Whats your advice? |
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lee2308
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
2597 Posts |
Posted - 11/12/2008 : 23:56:14
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| Hi and welcome,both are good starter snakes but royals can give you a few more headaches by not feeding and being very fussy eaters,but saying that mines been no trouble.I personly think for a 10 year old who's gonna want to be handling the snake every day i would go for a corn as a royal might go off his food if handled too much and corns tolerate it more.hth |
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Blackecho
Royal Python Admin
United Kingdom
11327 Posts |
Posted - 12/12/2008 : 06:29:13
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Lee makes a couple of good points, especially about the over-handling. However, on the flip side you've got to remember that snakes can live for 20+ years, so if you don't get the one you really want, how long before its no longer wanted?
Also, due to the length of their life, if in 8 years he goes off to University, who will be looking after it (a lot of landlords aren't happy with pets), will it become a family pet? |
 
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Paulusworm
Fully Grown Royal
Azerbaijan
1550 Posts |
Posted - 12/12/2008 : 08:58:28
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Hi Stuart and welcome to the forum  .
It's a tricky one you've got there. Corns are definately less hassle. That's the easy bit. I set the minimum age for my son at 10 years old for his first snake (he's only 6 at the moment). The only bit of advice that I would give would be to approach it as if you're buying the snake for yourself because if he gets bored in a few years it will be you that is stuck with it 20+ years.
Good luck. I don't envy you one bit having to decide on that one. |
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Blackecho
Royal Python Admin
United Kingdom
11327 Posts |
Posted - 12/12/2008 : 09:49:55
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| Corns may be less hassle food wise, but you hear so many stories of Corns escaping compared to Royals. |
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moorey1973
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
3 Posts |
Posted - 12/12/2008 : 11:10:54
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Wow what a quick response do you people not sleep !
I take all your points on board. Yes it will become a family pet as I'm keen myself if he decides to go to uni. I prefer the royal python myself as its a lovely looking snake that looks like a snake and I like the idea of it only growing to around 4ft max. He's always wanted the pyhon in fact he would have a boa given the choice. I take your point with regards to handling. I'm sure the novelty will wear off and he will handle it less anyway. Whats your advice regarding handling royals ? I read 15mins 3 to 4 times a week is this about right ? I also note to leave them for 48 hours after feeding before handling them so theres another 2 days out of the week gone.
I've been looking at a 30in long by 15in deep by 18in high timber vivarium with sliding doors to the front. I will of course being purchasing a lock and key for the sliders. Is this ok for a royal or cornsnake? |
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Blackecho
Royal Python Admin
United Kingdom
11327 Posts |
Posted - 12/12/2008 : 11:21:21
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Just a couple of points.
While a lot may average around 4', you will have to be prepared for it to reach up to 6'
3 times a week is probably the most you'd want to handle a Royal Python, they can get stressed with overhandling and be put off their food.
You are right about not handling for 2 days after feeding.
A general rule of thumb for viv size is length of viv + width of viv = length of snake, so a 3' x 2' is about right for either a Royal or a Corn.
However, as young snakes are quite agoraphobic, most people will recommend starting them off in something quite small and cramped (it may seem cruel when compared to a dog say, but its right for snakes). |
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Blackecho
Royal Python Admin
United Kingdom
11327 Posts |
Posted - 12/12/2008 : 11:22:31
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PS. Good on you for doing the research first, see too many people buying one and then working out how to look after it.
This website has a sister one, www.thecornsnake.co.uk if you're after specific Corn info.
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lee2308
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
2597 Posts |
Posted - 12/12/2008 : 11:42:12
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quote:
Originally posted by Blackecho
you hear so many stories of Corns escaping compared to Royals.
too true,my corn spends all his awake time trying to escape while monty is happy to lay on his branch and pauls right in saying "treat as your buying it for yourself" as my 13 year old has'nt cleaned or watered the corn once since i got him ,just interested in feeding and handling. |
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dazb
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
2847 Posts |
Posted - 12/12/2008 : 17:43:54
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hi and welcome to the forum...
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Gingerpony
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
2663 Posts |
Posted - 13/12/2008 : 21:50:30
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heya and welcome
i think if i'd had a Royal as my first snake i wouldn't have ended up with 7 snakes! (that could be a good OR bad thing  ) i'm finding Royals one of the most over-rated snakes ever, sorry folks, if i could guarantee Queenie would go to an excellent home he'd be gone tomorrow. sounds harsh i know, the corns and boa are much more handleable, much more interesting to handle and observe, easier to care for and a LOT easier to feed. i'd go for a corn any day (after a Dumerils boa of course ) |
Dumerils boas, BCO hybrids, Sinder Hypo boas, cornsnakes, ratsnakes, Day Geckos
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Blackecho
Royal Python Admin
United Kingdom
11327 Posts |
Posted - 13/12/2008 : 22:01:04
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| tut tut! |
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dazb
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
2847 Posts |
Posted - 13/12/2008 : 22:30:59
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GP how dare you...
but it is a case of each to there own...
I prefere my royals to my corns cos they are alot more handleable, my corns are forever trying to escape and cant be left alone to explore.
i also prefere the size of the royals compared to corns... |
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Edited by - dazb on 13/12/2008 22:32:42 |
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Gingerpony
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
2663 Posts |
Posted - 14/12/2008 : 10:24:13
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sorry folks 
I'm sure i'll prefer Queenie when he's bigger like Marilyn  |
Dumerils boas, BCO hybrids, Sinder Hypo boas, cornsnakes, ratsnakes, Day Geckos
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matty18714
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
2016 Posts |
Posted - 14/12/2008 : 12:49:24
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| They are a nice size when fully grown, im sure you will enjoy him more then GP. |
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Gingerpony
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
2663 Posts |
Posted - 14/12/2008 : 19:20:54
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| if you don't see him in the classifieds first..................... |
Dumerils boas, BCO hybrids, Sinder Hypo boas, cornsnakes, ratsnakes, Day Geckos
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lee2308
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
2597 Posts |
Posted - 14/12/2008 : 21:55:46
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quote:
Originally posted by Gingerpony
sorry folks
I'm sure i'll prefer Queenie when he's bigger like Marilyn
Just out of interest gp,why name a male snake queenie,doe's the snake have issues,lol |
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baldyman666
Hatchling
United Kingdom
90 Posts |
Posted - 14/12/2008 : 23:28:39
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quote:
Originally posted by Blackecho
Corns may be less hassle food wise, but you hear so many stories of Corns escaping compared to Royals.
our first snake was for our 11yr old (thats how i personally got hooked ..thru him) he was bought a corn
it escaped..........been 6 mts now
probably still in the house in the airing cupboard
prob with corns to is that they are fast aswell, and if you get a plastic viv PUT A HEAVY BOOK ON TOP cos they are stronger than they look and can lift the feed hatches even when they are locked down.
remember they are nocturnal and they like to bury themselves in the substrate, so seeing them before bedtime is not always gonna happen
BUT - feed time is awesome and they don't always hide, great to handle easy to look after and eat like pigs (well ours did before he made like steve mcqueen)
I personally prefer pythons cos they are slower, great to handle , chunky snakes - but mine NEVER comes out during the day , and cos she is a striker to feed it still gets my heart racing when she strikes the mouse cos it is SOOO quick, and eyesight isnt the best and has struck my thumb thinking it as the mouse.... it doesn't hurt ...more of am adrenaline thing it don't bother me, but she bit our mitchell (11) and he didnt buck up the courage to handle her again for weeks (he even admitted it don't hurt but it was psychological, i think it was good for him cos he loves snakes and has overcome his fear of biting, made him stronger , and now can handle her with confidence)
like everyone has said , both snakes are great ...but both require reading up and they do live for a long time :) hope he enjoys what you get him and don't forget to post your photos |
STARDUST
DOB: 10 jul 08
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Kazerella
Royal Python Admin
United Kingdom
1196 Posts |
Posted - 15/12/2008 : 17:59:09
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I always say corn for a first snake, even if some people would say that royals are a beginners snake, I think getting a royal to eat and keeping it in the right conditions is not something that a beginner might be ready for. At least you can't go wrong with a corn. Excellent eaters, very active, shed well (Don't hurt me  )
But Royals are ok too, if your son is willing to put the extra effort in. |
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moorey1973
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
3 Posts |
Posted - 17/12/2008 : 06:11:28
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Thanksfor all the wise words of wisdom. Gone with a corn for the first snake but will consider a royal next if the bug gets me !!
Will continue to log in to this forum as you can never learn too much
Cheers Guys |
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Gingerpony
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
2663 Posts |
Posted - 17/12/2008 : 14:26:24
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quote:
Originally posted by lee2308
Just out of interest gp,why name a male snake queenie,doe's the snake have issues,lol
he's not necessarily a 'he', i thought Queenie was a good unisex name |
Dumerils boas, BCO hybrids, Sinder Hypo boas, cornsnakes, ratsnakes, Day Geckos
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