Ball python or corn snake or bearded dragon or leopard gecko

[testdasi]

I am looking into getting my first reptile. Was considering corn snake, bearded dragon, leopard gecko and (recently) ball python. Not sure which one I should get though... the only thing I know is that they all come in different color morphs and are not too difficult to care for. I think in term of size, leopard gecko < bearded dragon < corn snake < ball python, am I right?

So what do you guys think I should get first? Pros and cons of each of them? Which one has more personality/interesting to keep?

[t lover]

well i have had a ball python before and i own a bearded dragon right now i would say that i like the bearded dragon better because it is very funny and fun to handle but watch out when i got mine it liked to sky dive hahaha. although i am more into snakes and i will always love snakes, they are very easy to care for and take little to tame as do BDs so both are very good choices. as for a leopard gecko and corn snake i have not had either but want to get a male leopard gecko i am kind of confused about their uv requierments some people say they need uv rays but others say they dont because they are nocturnal so i would look into that before choosing a leo but other then that i really want one but corn snakes to me are not that interesting at all but then again i have only held and seen a friends.

[shsftbll71]

Well first off for size it kind of depends on how you look at it. Ball Pythons/Cornsnakes both get to roughly 4-5 feet. give or take some length depending on the individual, but bearded dragons get to roughly 2 feet long but are much larger in girth than the snakes. As for personality they are all usually very friendly if they get attention. The BD's at my work all pose for people when they walk by and are always very curious, while the snakes tend to stay back. Although personally I like the snakes better because I like the way they wrap themselves around my arm and stuff. I have a 3.5 foot Milksnake that is the sweetest snake I have ever seen.

Pretty much the choice is going to depend on your preference. Between those I say they all make great pets, but are you going to want a big lizard, or a 6' python. Most people don't think about the long term outcome of pets so they think don't realize how large they actually get. If you are fine with a large lizard/snake then I would choose either the BD or the Ball Python. They make excellent pets and can be very loving as long as they are socialized and their individual personality isn't aggressive.

Personally I have alway been more of a snake guy so I would probably choose the Python or the cornsnake. Hope that helps, and let us know if you have any specific questions.

[Mina]

It really depends on what you want. The first thing you need to decide is if you want a lizard or a snake. Then you can narrow it down more. I have 2 cresties and a leo and they are sweet and wonderful and fun, I couldn't recommend one over the other.
As far as the snakes go, I have both ball pythons and corn snakes. Ball pythons are a bit pickier about husbandry, they need specific humidity and heat. If you do your research though it shouldn't be a problem. Ball pythons are the G. roseas of the snake world. They tend to be very shy, but sweet. You have to move slowly when you hold them, no sudden moves, and they won't move much, they are the perfect "lap snake". Corn snakes are full of energy and very curious. They want to investigate everything! They are always on the move and its an almost constant hand movement to keep up with them. They have great temperments in general, and come in tons of different colors. Both of them are wonderful pets and love to interact with their people, once they settle into their new homes and become accustomed to being handled.
I hope this helps.

[m14assault]

they are all great pets. if you want a pet that lasts, id get a snake personally. because they live for a longgg time. make sure that you keep the ball python warm during the winter. i failed to do that and my phython went into a hybernation state and never woke up. if you want to get a pet thats handable, id get all of them but the gecko. because some are really skittish and they run away from people. and one more thing, id recommend getting the pets when they are either babies or juveniles.

[Tarantula_man94]

I would definitely look into a Ball Python. There are tons of different morphs and pretty docile. Also my personnel preference is snakes.

[JohnnyT]

My first reptile was a Corn Snake, she was very docile, actually loved to sit around and watch TV with me, never ever showed any kind of aggression. I've never had a Ball Python but I hear they are great, and very docile. I had a Leopard Gecko as well. very cool reps, but maybe not the best to start with, they are pretty good at escaping lol.

[babypiggy]

I keep all of these


the con of a bearded dragon vs. leopard gecko, ball python and corn snake is they need UV lighting

ball python
CON - they can off feed and are known to do it
- finicky eaters
- need larger enclosure compared to a corn snake
- if humidity isn't right, may have issues with shedding
- they are head shy when young, but this can be resolved with continous handling
PRO - the come in many different morphs wiht many different price ranges anywhere from $30 - 5000
- the are very docile (the reason why they are called ball pythons is when they are scared they roll into a ball)
- they need little care
- dont need UV lighting (any type of lighting will do that will let them differentiate day and night time)

corn snake
CON - they CAN be nippy at hatchling stage
- hard to find proper prey size at hatchling stage (i use to have to split a pinkie in half the long ways to feed to new hatchlings... it wasn't pretty and u gotta do what u gotta do)
PRO - like the BP they dont' need UV
- smaller cage than a bp
- dont' have to dangle or wiggle the food (and this can be a while for a BP).. just throw place it into the feeding container
- easier to manage due to their size in girth (they are long and skinny snakes unlike the ball pythons that are "BUFF" snakes)


Bearded dragon
CON - large enclosure
- need UV (which the bulbs should be changed every 6 months)
- their poop really really stink
- they eat A LOT , and i mean A LOT
PRO - super docile temperments
- after the age of 1 u dont' have to feed them lots of bugs (protien) veggies shoudl be offered everyday and with bugs every other day, they eat a lot during their juvie stage as that is when they go through a grwoth spurt. i had one that easily ate 40 crickets in one sitting and she was fed twice a day with bugs
- they live 15-20 years s this guy will last
- they are cool with just chilling on your shoulder
- rarely bite

I am looking into getting my first reptile. Was considering corn snake, bearded dragon, leopard gecko and (recently) ball python. Not sure which one I should get though... the only thing I know is that they all come in different color morphs and are not too difficult to care for. I think in term of size, leopard gecko < bearded dragon < corn snake < ball python, am I right?

So what do you guys think I should get first? Pros and cons of each of them? Which one has more personality/interesting to keep?

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