Hey Cobra Kai!

I have been breeding corns for 7 years now, and although I would tend to agree that garters are more fascinating to observe than corns, I personally would not recommend them for young children. In general, corn snakes are easier to handle.

I currently have 7 corns (1 normal, 1 amel, 1 hypo motley, 1 amel motley, 1 pastel motley, 1 anery, and 1 snow). I also have 6 normal motley "super hets" left from this year's breeding. Next year I will be downsizing my corn population; even though I also am fascinated with the genetics, corn genes have been over-bred (and often irresponsibly), and there is an increasing % percentage of birth or health defects being found in pet stores (kinked spines, etc.).

I also have 3 garters (1 Coast, 1 CA Red-sided, and 1 Oregon garter) - all wild-caught... So far I have only had the Coast stop musking me when I try to hold them. My Oregon (they're snappers!) still nips regularly.

In regards to cage requirements, I might disagree with some on the forum. I concur that corns do need a terrarium that's about 20 gallons minimum, as they reach adulthood. All of my adult corn cages are 20 gallon tanks or larger hand-made cages. As for the garters, this is where I would tend to up-size the posted recommendations, and many might not think it necessary. Since garters are a lot more active, I like to set their cage minimum at 20 gallons as well. In fact my yearling Coast looks limited in his 20. My yearling Oregon actually has a 45 gallon tank! All my native wild-caughts have natural habitat-specific decor.

Oh! And in regards to racers. I personally have not yet kept a racer, but I will say that the Western Yellow-bellied Racers we have here are speed demons and will out maneuver and pass a garter any day! Catching a garter is generally a light challenge; getting hold of a racer can be a chore!

Hope you find the right snake!

Steven Krause

P.S. Hope you have some other local options where pet stores are concerned. Petco is infamous for their lack of specific knowledge, care, and often have sick animals. Affiliates of our herp society have persistently filed complaints with corporate and have had stores be put on notice. Funny how the cages all are suddenly clean after that happens, and their corns are no longer fed crickets!