Before deciding on a pet snake, it’s essential to choose the one that fits your lifestyle. In this blog post, we’ll be doing a quick comparison between some of the easiest and most popular pet snakes such as corn snakes, king snakes, rat snakes, milk snake and California king snake.
We’ll discuss their temperament, size at maturity as well as feeding habits so that you can make an informed decision on which type is best suited for you. Whether you’re new to owning pet snakes or just looking for more information about them before making a purchase decision then this blog post is perfect for you.
By the end of this article, we hope that our comprehensive guide will help educate potential snake owners on what they need to know when choosing between different types of smaller-sized active pet snakes such as corns kings rats milks or californias!
Table of Contents:
- Corn Snake vs King Snake
- Size and Appearance
- Habitat Requirements
- Temperament
- Feeding Habits
- Breeding
- FAQs in Relation to Corn Snake vs King Snake
- Conclusion
Corn Snake vs King Snake
For those looking to get a pet snake, it is important to understand the distinctions between corn snakes and king snakes. Size and appearance is one major difference between the two species. Corn snakes typically grow to 3-5 feet in length while king snakes can reach up to 6 feet long. Additionally, corn snakes have distinct orange or yellow stripes running down their bodies with black borders, whereas king snake patterns vary depending on the subspecies but generally feature blotches of black or brown along its body.
Habitat requirements for both species also differ significantly. Corn snakes favor a drier habitat, with daytime temps of 70-85°F and night temperatures 65-75°F; humidity should be kept around 40%-50%. King Snakes need more humid conditions (60-70%) and warmer temps (80-90 F) in the day, with nighttime temperatures of 75-80.
Compared to other reptiles such as iguanas or bearded dragons, both species of snakes are renowned for their docility which makes them suitable pets for inexperienced reptile owners. However, corn snakes tend to be more skittish than kingsnakes when handled which may make handling difficult if they’re not accustomed to it from an early age.
Feeding habits also differ between these two types of snake; while both enjoy rodents like mice and rats in captivity, cornsnakes favor smaller prey items due to their smaller size while kingsnakes will take larger meals if available since they are bigger themselves. Additionally, cornsnakes feed mainly on live food while kingsnakes can learn how eat frozen/thawed prey over time so you don’t need access live animals every week if you own a king snake instead of a cornsnake
Finally, breeding practices vary greatly between these two types of snake too – although both species reproduce through oviparity (egg laying), female cornsnakes usually lay clutches containing 8–12 eggs per season whereas female kingsnake clutches contain anywhere from 4–25 eggs. As such, potential pet owners should consider all factors carefully before deciding whether a cornsnake or a kingsnake is right for them.
Overall, corn snakes and king snakes have some similarities but also many differences. Moving on to their habitat requirements, let’s explore how these two species differ in this regard.
Size and Appearance
Two of the most widely-kept pet snakes are corn and king serpents, but they contrast in size and look. Corn snakes are smaller than most king snake subspecies, reaching an average length of 3-4 feet when fully grown. Corn snakes have a unique, patterned coloration of yellow, orange, red, black and white that makes them distinct from other snakes species; in contrast to king snakes which can reach up to 6 feet long depending on the subspecies. On the other hand, King Snakes can grow much larger depending on the subspecies; Californian King Snakes or Mexican Black Kingsnake typically reach 4-5 feet while Florida King snake can get up to 6 feet long.
King snakes come in a variety of colors including solid blacks or whites as well as combinations such as black/white bands or mottled patterns. They also have a more distinct pattern than corn snakes with large blotches running down their bodies rather than stripes like corn snakes possess. In contrast to their physical dissimilarities, the temperaments of these two species also vary; though both typically make amenable pets for novices, there are still certain behavioral variations which should be weighed before opting for one or the other.
Size and Appearance can vary greatly between corn snakes and king snakes, but both species are generally characterized by their long slender bodies. Considering the diverse needs of these two species, it is essential to provide them with an appropriate habitat.
Habitat Requirements
Realizing the natural environment of each type of snake is essential when it comes to devising a habitat for them. For corn snakes, temperatures of 77°F – 85°F Fahrenheit should be maintained to replicate their natural habitat in the southeastern United States. An appropriate substrate such as cypress or coconut fiber should be used along with rocks and at least one fully sheltered hideout so that your corn snake can feel safe and secure. Additionally, make sure there’s enough space for your corn snake to move around comfortably.
On the other hand, kingsnakes are found in tropical forests, shrublands and deserts where they hunt lizards, rodents, birds’ eggs and more using constriction as their primary method of killing prey. Therefore it’s important that their enclosures reflect these environments too by providing plenty of hiding places as well as items such as logs or branches for them to climb on if possible. Temperature wise you’ll need something similar to what you’d use for a corn snake: 77°F – 85°F degrees Fahrenheit being ideal although this may vary slightly depending on the type of kingsnake you have (color morphs will typically require cooler temperatures).
Lastly, when it comes time for breeding season, it’s important that owners provide additional sheltering options within the enclosure so that mating pairs can get some privacy away from any potential predators lurking nearby.
Habitat requirements for corn snakes and king snakes vary greatly, so it is important to research each species thoroughly before making a decision. When considering temperament, both of these snake species have their own unique personalities that should be taken into account when deciding which one will best fit your lifestyle.
Temperament
Corn snakes and king snakes have different temperaments, which is important to consider when choosing a pet snake. Corn snakes are generally placid and not prone to hostility, thus making them a great selection for those new to keeping pet snakes. They rarely bite or strike out of fear or aggression, but they can be skittish if not handled regularly. King snakes on the other hand can be more aggressive than corn snakes and may even attempt to strike at anything that moves including themselves.
Although they can be more challenging to handle due to their larger personalities, many people enjoy owning king snakes because of their curious nature. Giving both kinds of serpent ample opportunity to get used to handling and build trust with their owners is key. It’s also important that both species are kept in appropriate habitats with the correct temperature, humidity levels, and substrate materials so that they feel secure enough not to act aggressively towards potential threats such as humans entering their space.
When it comes to feeding habits, both types of pet snake require similar diets consisting mainly of insects such as crickets or mealworms supplemented with occasional rodents depending on size and age requirements. However, king snakes may need slightly higher protein content due to their active lifestyle compared with corn snakes who tend towards being more sedentary by comparison. Although some exceptions do exist among individual specimens within each species group as far as activity level goes, always check your specific animal’s needs before setting up its enclosure habitat accordingly.
When it comes to temperament, corn snakes tend to be more docile and easier to handle than king snakes. Still, when mulling over their nourishing practices, there are certain contrasts between the two that should be noted.
Feeding Habits
When it comes to feeding habits, Corn Snakes and Common King Snakes can be quite different. Hatchling Corn Snakes can be notoriously difficult to feed compared to adult Common King Snakes which swallow pinkies without any problems. The measure of nourishment required by either species may contrast contingent upon their size and age, yet in captivity they share a comparable eating routine.
Corn snakes usually eat a diet of rodents such as mice or rats. The prey should be no larger than one-third the diameter of your snake’s body so that they don’t struggle while swallowing them. In the wild, corn snakes will also eat birds, lizards, frogs and other small animals but these are not necessary for captive care as long as you provide an appropriate sized rodent every week or two weeks (depending on how much your snake eats).
Common king snakes typically feed on rodents like gerbils, hamsters and mice but they also enjoy eating amphibians like frogs or salamanders if given the opportunity. When selecting prey items for king snakes make sure that it is no more than half the diameter of your snake’s body so that it doesn’t cause choking hazards when swallowed whole by your pet reptile. It is recommended to feed juvenile king snakes once a week with adult specimens needing fed every two weeks due to their slower metabolism rate.
The price of keeping both species in captivity is generally comparable; however, it’s wise to weigh certain factors before making a purchase. Always choose high quality food sources such as pre-killed frozen rodents over live ones – this eliminates potential risks associated with handling live prey including accidental bites from frightened animals. Additionally, opt for smaller meal sizes since large meals may lead to regurgitation issues in both types of reptiles – this means offering multiple small meals throughout the day instead of just one big meal at night. Finally, keep in mind that both species prefer variety in their diets so try alternating between different kinds of prey items whenever possible.
Feeding habits for both corn snakes and king snakes are quite similar, but it is important to note that they do have some differences. Moving on to breeding, color morphs can vary greatly between the two species of snake.
Breeding
Breeding either a corn snake or a king snake is relatively easy and straightforward. Corn snakes are egg layers, while kingsnakes lay live young. Both species require similar temperatures and humidity levels in order to successfully reproduce.
For those interested in breeding their own kingsnake, there are many color morphs available for them to choose from. Mexican black kingsnakes have particularly beautiful patterns on their bodies that make them stand out among other varieties of the same species. Other popular color morphs include California mountain kingsnakes, speckled rattlesnake-kingsnakes, desert snow-kingsnakes, and Arizona mountain kingsnakes. All these different types can be bred together to create even more interesting variations in patterning and colors within the species.
Providing a large enclosure, ranging from four feet by two feet per pair of adult corn snakes or king snakes plus an additional foot or so for any offspring produced during each cycle of reproduction, is essential to successful breeding efforts. The temperature should be kept between 78-82°F with relative humidity at around 50%, as well as a water dish and hiding spots such as logs or rocks to help keep stress levels low. By ensuring the necessary conditions are met, breeders can expect positive results in their endeavors. Keywords: Breeding, Enclosure, Temperature, Humidity, Water Dish
Due to the increased energy demands associated with producing eggs/live young, it is important for breeders to provide their corn snakes and king snakes with larger prey items than what they would normally feed them on a daily basis (i.e., mice instead of pinkies). Furthermore, one should exercise caution when feeding pregnant females since overindulging could cause complications during birth due to the extra weight placed upon her body from all the additional food consumed before delivery. Keywords: Breeding, Feeding Habits, Prey Items, Complications.
Finally, when it comes time for birthing/hatching periods, ensure that no males are present since they may try to eat newly hatched babies if given the opportunity. The best practice is to separate genders until after all offspring have been safely delivered into the world and then reintroduce them back together once the danger has passed.
FAQs in Relation to Corn Snake vs King Snake
How to tell the difference between a corn snake and a king snake?
Corn snakes have smooth scales with alternating red-brown or yellow-orange blotches on a grayish background color. They also have round pupils and a white chin, whereas king snakes typically have black or brown stripes along their bodies and vertical elliptical pupils. On average, corn snakes are longer than king snakes, with an adult size of 3 – 5 feet compared to 2 – 4 feet for the latter.
Are king snakes or corn snakes better?
It is difficult to definitively answer the question of which type of snake, king or corn, is better as both species have their own unique characteristics and needs. King snakes are generally more docile than corn snakes and tend to be less active during the day. Corn snakes can also display a greater variety of colors and patterns in their scales compared to king snakes. Therefore, it is important to conduct thorough research on both species before settling for one that best suits your needs and preferences.
What are three facts about corn snakes?
1. Corn snakes are a type of non-venomous rat snake found throughout the southeastern and central United States. The average length of a corn snake is 3-5 feet, though some may reach up to 6 feet.
2. Corn snakes can vary in hue from vibrant oranges and yellows to muted browns or grays, depending on the subspecies and their geographical location.
3. Given proper care, these reptiles can easily exceed two decades in lifespan, making them a popular choice among those who enjoy keeping exotic pets like iguanas and chameleons due to their low maintenance needs.
What is the biggest trouble with corn snakes as pets?
Corn snakes are generally easy to care for and make great pets, however there is one potential issue that can arise. Corn snakes require a specific temperature range in order to stay healthy, so it’s important to ensure their enclosure has the proper heating equipment installed and monitored regularly. If the temperatures drop too low or become too hot then this could lead to health issues for your corn snake. Additionally, they need access to hiding spots as well as clean water at all times – these two things should also be monitored closely.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is important to remember that both corn snakes and king snakes are popular pets. Both have unique characteristics which can make them a great choice for different types of pet owners. Potential owners should be mindful of the dissimilarities between these two types, such as their size and disposition, prior to selecting either one of them as a pet. Ultimately, understanding the distinctions between corn snake vs king snake will help ensure that you find the right pet for your home and lifestyle.
Are you curious about the differences between corn snakes and king snakes? Visit AltPet.net for detailed information on their care, diet, habitat requirements and more! Get started now to learn all you need to know about these fascinating reptiles.
