Garter vs. Corn

[Cobra Kai]

Hey my snake experts,
I ‘m thinking you guys may be a little bias. LOL! But seriously, I’ve noticed most of you have many different breeds. So if anyone can help me decide, I know you guys can. Now I’m torn between a Garter and a Corn for our first snake. I want to get a hardy breed that my little boys (5 & 2) will enjoy. So I was wondering what the difference in personalities and behavior are?
Thanks!

[Hornets23]

Hey there. I have both and I love both. There are different advantages to each. Garter snakes are interesting and active...but they are generally not the easiest to hold. My corn snake is a lot slower and a lot more calm. If you want something that your kids can handle...I would go with a corn. However if youre planning on looking more than touching....the garters are a lot of fun to watch.

[ssssnakeluvr]

Hey my snake experts,
I ‘m thinking you guys may be a little bias. LOL! But seriously, I’ve noticed most of you have many different breeds. So if anyone can help me decide, I know you guys can. Now I’m torn between a Garter and a Corn for our first snake. I want to get a hardy breed that my little boys (5 & 2) will enjoy. So I was wondering what the difference in personalities and behavior are?
Thanks!

both have great personalities and behaviors...most of us would reccomend garters... baby corns can be a little tough in my experience to get started feeding....some baby garters can be too, but they have a more varied diet and can be easier to get started. baby garters can be real small so handling wouldn't be reccomended for them. adult garters would be ok, however they are very active snakes. they don't just sit there like boas and pythons....very easy for a little one to drop and injure. garters don't get as big as corns either....making for easier cage requirements....an adult male garter will average around 2 feet long and be happy in a 10 gallon tank, females around 3 feet, and best in a 20 gallon long. corns can get up to 5 feet long and need at least a 20 gallon long. hope this helps you in your decision to buy a garter snake.....

[Cobra Kai]

Yeah…this is the stuff I’m looking for. Thanks for the great info. Is it true that garters are diurnal and corns are nocturnal? And does it make a big difference?

hope this helps you in your decision to buy a garter snake.....

You're too funny man.

[Sid]

I keep both Garters and Corns as well and will continue to keep them both. The corns are slower and generally more easily handled, but for the larger part simply stay hidden all the time. Garters on the other hand are far more active, out and exploring a great deal more than the corns. I guess the bottom line, if I could only have one or the other, I will always have the garters.

[Hornets23]

Just give in and get one of each lol.

[Cobra Kai]

Just give in and get one of each lol.

Now that's the best advise yet! A blue puget & a coral snow. YUM!

[Stefan-A]

Had a corn for a while and I'm not getting another one anytime soon. It wasn't interesting in any way at all (I'd place it somewhere between "rock" and "log"), but you could carry it around, pet it, hug it and call it George. My two female wandering garters are about as easy to handle, but they're far more often out in the open and moving around. The corn only came out after dark and only for a few minutes.

[Cobra Kai]

Had a corn for a while and I'm not getting another one anytime soon. It wasn't interesting in any way at all (I'd place it somewhere between "rock" and "log"), but you could carry it around, pet it, hug it and call it George. My two female wandering garters are about as easy to handle, but they're far more often out in the open and moving around. The corn only came out after dark and only for a few minutes.

Since I've been hanging out here on this cool forum, I've noticed everyone says garters are "interesting". I find that intriguing. Stefan-A, I noticed you mentioned wandering garters are easy to handle, is there any particular garter species that's really known for that?

[Lori P]

Since I've been hanging out here on this cool forum, I've noticed everyone says garters are "interesting". I find that intriguing.

It's really one of the best ways to describe them. They are so active... if you give them an enclosure full of things to climb and explore, they will!! They are out and about and active and curious and just a huge pleasure to watch.