Hey everyone. My boyfriend and I have been pondering on getting a snake to add to our collection and Rich had mentioned before that a corn snake might be more prefferable than the ball python because it dosn't have as strange an eating habbit. I was kind of hoping that anyone who has one might be able to give us an idea on what to expect. We came up with a few questions for you.
1. Are they generally fast moving? we were hoping for one that moved calmly opposed to moving very fast for our first snake.
2. Do they stay generally slender or do they become thick when they mature?
3. We researched on the enclosure and found that adults can live in roughly a 30 gallon tank but we were wondering what should be included (other than a water dich of course). Should we include trees or rocks or a mixture of both?

I think thats all for now. Thanks to everyone who replies and I'm sure there will be more questions

Corns are great snakes. They are a bit wiggley and fast moving as hatchlings but will settle down as they get larger. However they will remain an active snake and will almost constantly want to be on the move. That doesn't mean that they will be constantly flailing around uncontrollably! They will just never behave like a boid and be content to just sit still in one place for very long. The are more slender thatn BPs but they do get a bit meater as they age and will be a nice handleable weight.
A 20 gallon long will handle a corn for its entire lifespan.
Their needs are simple.
Warmth.
A water dish big enough for them to get in and soak if they want.
A hiding place on both the warm and cool end of the tank so they don't have to choose between security and temperature.
Something rough to rub on when its time to shed.
Any optional decoration is more for our aesthetics than theirs.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

I think Merlin covered everything. I just wanted to add that I've seen mellow cornsnakes and very active boids.
I seem to have always owned VERY active snakes: all of my rainbow boas, my ball python and our current green tree pythons are all insatiable explorers.
An active snake can be handled; and I find them more interesting than lazy slow ones. In my opinion, one of the most fascinating things about snakes is the way they move.
As far as terrarium decor, you'll want to keep it simple in the beginning. Paper towel substrate, two hide boxes and a water dish. Just until you're absolutely sure that your new corn is healthy and doesn't have any external or internal parasites. (Getting rid of mites in an elaborately decorated terrarium is horribly difficult.)
Once you're sure there are no mites, and the vet has checked his stool for internal parasites, you can put in all kinds of decorations: branches (be sure to brush them off well with a rough brush. -- even the store-bought ones. Fake or real plants can also be nice. If you use real plants I recommend keeping them in pots (even if you sink the pot into the substrate), it'll be easier to remove for cleaning, etc. Don't put your favorite plant into the tank: probably the snake will bulldoze it or rip it out of the pot or burrow under the soil and kill it. (For that reason I use fake plants -- my husband uses live plants in the Green Tree Python cages.)
Good luck.
I look forward to seeing pics of your new corn!

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Andrea

And keep in mind the dangers of generalities! Cornsnakes are generally very docile,... BUT,.... there are variations in temperment in snakes just as in everything else. I have seen cornsnakes that would flail and strike anything close. They are rare but it is something to consider.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Between Merlin and Andrea, they pretty well covered most of the bases. I would also suggest buying something you could handle first (like at a rep store, or rep show, or nearby breeder) and see how you feel about it. Our corn snake was a great snake, he didn't strike out, and he was pretty calm. Our ball pythons are pretty great too, they tend to be more calm and all, but my little baby was highly energetic and explorer oriented. I'm glad you are doing research first. Good luch.

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Kat

Thanks for all the information everyone, I'm going to do some more resarch and if I have any more questions I'll present them here first. I really sppreciate it.

Corns are a great starter snake..I had one for years and got a new one a year or so back.

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Live for today Not tomorrow.

Never had one but my cousin love's his

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brazilian rainbow boa--- Pandora
Cali King---Oreo

Life is to short to worry about your mistake's as long as you learn from them.