Should I buy a corn snake hatchling?

[Nate Phillips]

I am thinking about getting a corn snake but don't know whether to get a hatchling or if I should get one a bit older. It's my first time owning a snake and I want to make it a good first time

[Johnny]

Well, if you know how to take care of a corn snake, then I would get a hatchling. This is only because you wouldn't want to get an older one because someone has probably already owned it. Get a younger one so you can watch it grow. Good Luck!😃

[ferrisulf]

It depends on the snakes in question. When going to pick out a baby, you want to pick one that is fairly calm but also alert and healthy. There can be some touch and go for a bit. Some babies can be a bit nippy or flighty, but nothing bad. They generally calm down nice.

If you were to get an adult, I would get it from a breeder at an expo or from a reputable rescue. Do not buy one from an individual, as people tend to lie about how well they cared for their snake (or sometimes they think they were doing a good job when in fact it's atrocious) As a beginner, you wouldn't always know some of the more subtle warning signs. Lots of rescues that specialized in reptiles have adult snakes, including corns. They have it checked by an experienced vet, will go over all of the husbandry with you, and can tell you about the individual snakes' personalities so you know what to expect.

So really, it depends on what you want to do. If you want to watch the snake grow into an adult, get a baby. If you want to skip the flighty baby stage, consider adopting a calm and healthy adult from somewhere trustworthy. I actually prefer adopting adults. While you won' t get to watch an adult grow up, you don't have to worry about only having a short time with it. Most corn snakes at rescues aren't that old and their lifespans average 15-20 yrs. So you would have plenty of time with it.

[Christopher]

I would go with the babies. This way you raise it up and you will know that it is healthy. Buying an adult you will see if its unhealthy by not having clear nose. You will not know how good of an eater the snake is. When the last time they have shed. I think its just better to buy a baby corn. Check out my facebook page at Corn Snake Facts and Questions. On this page you will learn a lot of info on them. As well as post pics and question you may have.