Would a Milk Snake or a Corn Snake be better for a first-time snake owner?

Question

I'm trying to see if a milk snake, corn snake, or even a king snake would be best for a first-time snake owner. I need to know which is easiest to care for, feed, and handle. To me, Milk snakes are absolutely gorgeous, though all snakes are beautiful in their own way. I've read that corn snakes are the best for people like me but id like to see what my options are.

Answer 1

To answer that question would depend somewhat on what type of king snake or milk snake you are interested in. Corn snakes (Pantherophis Guttatus) make excellent pets, feed well, and are generally very easy to handle. I have noticed Okeetee corns do tend to be a little more nippy then other forms of corn snakes but as they mature this seems to sub-side. This snake is generally considered the first domesticated snake and is available in a wide variety of designer morphs.



Milk snakes are gorgeous and some of the larger ones will tolerate handling better the some of the smaller species. If you are seriously interested in a milkshake I would recommend a Honduran (Lampropeltis t. honderensis) or a Mexican milk snake (Lampropeltis t. annulata). Both of these species are relatively large for milk snakes reaching 40"-50". Both also tend to mellow out more as adults and become more tolerant of handling. That is not to say that other milks will not tolerate handling but experience has taught me they are far more nervous when handled though I have maintained other species of milk snake in which individual animals calmed down where as the species in general was considered nervous. In snakes as with people each individual will have characteristics specific to their personality.



King snakes are another topic all together. Their temperments and care requirements can be quite varied depending on the subspecies. I would stay away from Grey-banded king snakes (Lampropeltis alterna) and tri-colored kingsnakes as a beginner. These snakes can have feeding requirements and care requirements above the skill level of a beginner. Most of the king snake species I am going to recommend will stay around 40"-48". They are all cannibalistic (milk snakes have the potential to do this but it is by far not as common) and should not be housed together. All of these king snakes from my experience are extremely voracious feeders which should not be confused with aggression. They are all reasonably tractable temperament wise and all make good pets that generally tolerate handling well. They are as follows:



California King snake (L.g. californiae)

Flordia Kingsnake (L.g. floridana)

Eastern or Chain King snake (L.g. getulus)

Speckled Kinsnake (L.g. holbrooki)

Desert Kingsnake (L.g. spledida)



All of the animals I have listed are fairly common on dealer and breeder lists. They may not be as common in pet stores. Price will be somewhat dependent on the animal you pick. Some are more common then others and some of the morphs available are more common then others. In general you will find prices ranging from $15-$2500 and a few morphs that may be even more expensive. In there nominate forms none of these animals will run above $150.00

Answer 2

The level of care these snakes need are all about the same, all very good snakes for a first time owner. Corn snakes are generally very docile, but they can be very quick when they're young. Kingsnakes are sometimes a bit bitey, as they are quite food orientated, but not all are like this, and as long as you don't smell like food you should be fine. Milk snakes aren't just for display as someone else said, they can be handled, but are quick, more nervous and may musk. However all 3 species can be tamed down well. Personally I think if you want to get a milksnake then go for it, they are beautiful snakes :)

Corns are all one species, but have different colour morphs. There are different species of milksnake, a quick google search will tell you about the different species though, I'm not an expert on them!

Answer 3

well any snake can be a good starter snake as long as you know what your doing.

depends on what you want in a snake all tree of the ones you listed are good snakes to start with.

i never worked with milk snakes. but corn snakes are mellow king snakes are nippy when babies but with handling can be just as mellow as a corn snakes. to tell you the true just go with the one you like the most they are all simple to care for just read up on them king/milk snakes are the same thing so a king snake care sheet can work with a milk snake.



please note that king/milk snakes eat other snakes so you never wanna put to of them in the same cage unless you trying to feed it a snake. so if you planing to breed in the future start off with cornsnakes they are easy n they wont eat oneanother so makes breeding easy if you not planing to breed then just pick the snake you like the most.





oh yeah milk snakes tend to not want to be on your hands they are more of a display snake then a handling one

Answer 4

I think you should totally get the corn snake. here is a great corn snake site and one for general care, hope I have helped :)

Answer 5

corn snakes are easier to take care of and millk snakes are none to be temperamental