Looking for a pet snake? Many people see snakes as great pets and some of the most interesting creatures on earth, while others see snakes as scary creatures that only belong in the wild. A lot of potential snake owners would like a snake as a pet but do not know the type of snake to choose. This article is going to outline things that beginner snake shoppers have to put into consideration before deciding the type of snake that would be best for them to have as a pet.
Things that we should look into when picking a pet snake are their feeding habits, size, the space available for keeping them, cost, breeding success and color, temperament, hardiness, whether you'll have more than one, etc. There are a lot of things to consider, it all comes down to your personal decision.
Below we list some of the best pet snakes for beginners. These snakes are not by any means the only snakes that will make great pets, but this will kick off your own research to select which snakes would be best for you.
Milk Snakes
Milk snakes are good for beginners and they come in a variety of colors and sizes. They don't get much larger than a few feet in length. A 10 to 20 gallon aquarium with a secure lid is generally sufficient. Ensure that there are spaces for them to hide because they are shy and as babies they may be prone to musk or bite.
Kingsnakes
Kingsnakes come in several subspecies (Mexican Black, Desert, Brooks, Speckled, California, etc.) They are some of the best pet snakes for beginners because of their wide range of color and patterns, as well as their hardiness and simple care requirements. They are usually submissive and easy to look after. They grow in length to between 2 and 4 feet which makes them require smaller cages than other snakes. They are usually non-aggressive and common in the pet trade. Kingsnakes are arguably some of the best beginner snakes out there.
Corn Snakes
The corn snake is recognized as one of the best pet snakes for beginners. Their size is between 3 to 5 feet and they are very hardy, cheap and easy to feed. Their cage doesn't have to be too large and they come in a myriad of different colors. Corn snakes are often considered the best snakes for beginners.
Ball Pythons
Ball pythons are docile, calm, durable, easy to handle by beginners and fairly easy to breed. They are not large, so they don't require a lot of space. Females are between 3 to 5 feet long while males are often only 2 to 3 feet long. They feed on rats or mice and kill their prey by suffocating and constricting. It's better to feed them frozen food, but ball pythons can often be picky eaters, so you may need to feed them live food. They also come in a large variety of different patterns.
Garter Snakes
Garter Snakes are some of the most common snakes found in the wild in the United States. They are also often kept as pets. They are inexpensive and hardy; Garters can musk more than other pet snakes. They often feed on fish; so it could be difficult to feed them compared to other species.
Rat Snakes
Rat snakes aren't as popular as some of the other snakes we've discussed. Nevertheless, they do also make good beginner snakes. They usually range in size from about 3 to 5 or 6 feet long. They are strong and easy to handle. Rat snakes are constrictors, so usually feed on live food in the wild. When kept in captivity, it is better to feed them on frozen food to avoid the risk of being bitten by their prey.
It's important to do your research about any pets you wish to keep. There are many snakes that make a great pet, you just need to learn about them so that you can make an informed decision on which snake is right for you.