Snakes are not for everyone but a lot of people are fond of having good pet snakes in their house. They make great pets and are also fun to look after. Most people are scared of snakes, but there are a lot of different varieties out there that can help broaden your mind.
Picking your first snake can be nerve-racking because snakes need specific heat and humidity requirements that can be difficult to maintain. But some types are much simpler to care for than others. Here are some of the best snakes to have as pets that are relatively harmless.
Table of Contents
Let’s have a look at the 11 Good Pet Snakes for Newbies
1: Cape House Snake
The Cape House Snake is a species of snake native to South Africa and is usually about 2-4 feet long. They’re mainly hunters of rodents and don’t really require the same level of care as other snakes.
Their personalities are typically excellent and are usually very quick to be managed once they have actually been adapted to their new surroundings. Cape house snakes are not excessively big, but if they do bite, they are not dangerous.
Although not as popular among snake lovers, the brown house snake is a good choice for people who are just starting out and don’t want a large snake. They have a shorter life span, normally living for only eight years.
It’s pretty easy to care for, and it’s got a fairly friendly personality. The first pets for those who have no prior experience owning a snake are the African house snake.
2: Rosy Boa
The Rosy Boa is a docile snake that’s also an excellent beginner snake. Rosy Boas are scientifically known as Lichanura trivirgata and they come from the Boidae family.
Rosy Boas has been known to reach up to 25 years of age in captivity. Their enclosures must be made to be escape-proof because rosy boas are known to be escape artists. They are called trivirgata because of the three unique stripes on their bodies.
It is very important to provide your Rosy Boa with a suitable-sized enclosure as it can reach over 3 feet in length and weigh up to one pound. Male boas can be as short as 1.5 feet, while female boas can be longer.
In the wild, Rose Boas are shy and seldom leave their caves. If you encounter them in a human-built environment, however, they’ll try to escape!
Their behavior is often poorly researched, making it difficult to determine if they are truly aggressive. But, indeed, they don’t usually bite.
Young Rosy Boas might be afraid of people and being dealt with. Before any handling begins, you need to give him at least two weeks to get used to his new home.
3: Kenyan Sand Boas
There are many different kinds of sand boas available; the Kenyan sand boa is the most popular one. Sand Boas are smaller-sized kinds of their big constrictor cousins and great beginner snakes for new snake-keepers. They are usually pretty easy to care for and are fairly tame.
They are not very active and spend most of their time in a state of relaxation in their enclosures.
The sand boa is a rather peaceful snake, which retreats beneath the sand when threatened. If you are interested in buying a sand boa, or any snake, as a family pet, please make sure that it was born in captivity so as not to support illegal pet trade.
- Sand boas are some of the smallest boa types in the world.
- Sand boas can live a long time without food if food is limited.
- The Kenyan sand boa hunters ambush their prey by waiting under the sand.
- The sand boa is believed to eliminate small prey by dragging it under the sand and suffocating it.
4: Western Hognose Snake
A Western hognose snake belongs to western parts of the United States, in addition to southern Canada and Mexico. They are most often misunderstood, as they are active mostly at night and during the early morning. Their coloration is variable and ranges from light to dark brown. Western hognose snakes have a broad head with a distinct upturned scale at the tip of their nose.
Hognose snakes are moderate and calm, so they rarely bite people when threatened. Western hognose snakes are therefore not a real hazard to people. These snakes are generally shy and do not like handling, but they will be more comfortable if the cage is large enough for them to hide in.
Hognose snakes are normally non-poisonous. There have been some reports of bite from Western hognose snakes, but the most noticeable sign is swelling, inflammation, blistering, and ecchymosis.
They’re expensive but worth every penny. These snakes range in price from about $100 to $700.
5: Garter Snake
Garter Snakes are good family pets for people who don’t have much experience with reptiles and amphibians. They are usually docile, easy-to-caring-for animals with simple feeding requirements. Due to the fact that they are easier to tame and deal with, it’s always better to buy captive-bred ones.
Garter snakes alternatively known as grass snakes are a very interesting species of snakes because they have a very specific lifestyle. Different species of Garter snakes have different feeding habits. Their diet consists mainly of small rodents and insects.
They like damp, grassy places and is often discovered near water, such as lakes. edges of ponds, and streams.
Garter snakes are commonly sold as pets. They are docile creatures that come in many colors. Adult garter snakes will typically weigh around 150 gm (5.3 oz) 18 to 30 inches in length, and they are usually priced between $40 and $200.
6: Corn Snake
This snake is beautiful because of its markings and patterning and they are a great first pet for beginner snake owners. The corn snake is a docile species and doesn’t usually pose a threat to humans. As an adult, corn snakes don’t grow very big, staying about 2-6 feet in length.
You’ll need to increase the size of your corn snake’s habitat as they grow. The enclosure should be large enough to accommodate the snake and its food. For adults, a tank with a secure, locked lid is needed to prevent escape.
They usually live to an age of eight years, but in captivity, they can live to a life of 23 years or more. The oldest corn snake in captivity was 32 years and 3 months.
It’s estimated that the average price for a corn snake is about 50 dollars. A typical morph corn snake can range from about $30 to $45.
7: California Kingsnake
The California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula california) is a very beautiful and perfect beginner snake. They are easy to care for, relatively inexpensive, and make a great addition to any home.
It can be found in the southern part of the United States, primarily in the states of California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
The average size of a wild-type California Kingsnake is approximately between 2.5 and 4 feet, and they can live up to 20 years. The wild-type California Kingsnake is a beautiful snake that is very popular in the pet trade.
They eat small to medium-sized rodents, lizards, and birds. Feeding them once a week will maintain the snake’s health. However, if you feed it twice a week or more, it will grow faster.
Once the snake reaches adult size, reduce the amount of food it eats. Kingsnakes are very sensitive to changes in their environment, so if they are not getting enough food, they may become sluggish and lose weight.
8: Ball Python
If you’re looking for a pet that’s easy to handle, the ball pythons are a perfect choice. They are non-venomous, and not as aggressive as many other snakes, so they are good for people with young children. These snakes are very calm, docile, and rarely bite.
Ball pythons are a popular pet in Australia, where they are bred for the pet trade. They are also popular as pets in the United States.
An average lifespan is simply the life expectancy of an animal in the wild. While a ball python has an average lifespan of 20 to 30 years in captivity, in the wild, it can live as long as 35 years.
Ball pythons are easy to handle. They eat rodents, including mice, rats, and hamsters.
It is easier to feed them when they are trained to accept frozen thawed mice. They don’t need to be fed every single day, but they should be fed at least once a week. They can have trouble with their digestion if they are fed less than once a week.
We think a ball python would make a wonderful pet for anyone who wants a low maintenance pet. They can live in any type of home and will thrive in an environment that is not too hot or cold.
9: Ringneck Snakes
The ringneck snake is the smallest snake on our list of good pet snakes. Ringnecks are a great pet for beginners and you can find them in many places such as the zoo, pet shops, and even at home. As long as you have the right knowledge about how to care for them, you can have a wonderful time with them.
This tiny snake is so small that it can be held easily with one hand. It often happily curls around just one finger. The average life span for this species in the wild is ten years. They live around 5 to 6 years in captivity.
Ring-necked snakes get their name because of the ring-like shape that’s found near the base of their heads. They are one of the most common snakes in North America and are typically found in grasslands, brush, and fields.
They have a very special and unique pattern, their venom is weak and they use it as a feeding strategy, rather than to defend themselves.
10: Milk Snake
A milk snake is a good pet if you are looking for a relatively docile snake that can be kept in an aquarium without a lot of maintenance. The only thing that you have to keep in mind is that they are prey animals, so they should be fed a diet of live crickets, mealworms, and occasionally baby mice.
Milk snakes are among the least dangerous snakes on Earth. They are generally nonvenomous and harmless. They are also very attractive snakes and are quite common in the United States.
When it comes to milk snakes, an average lifespan of about 12 years is not as long as some other snake breeds, but it is still a long-term commitment.
You can purchase a milk snake at any pet store for around $80 to 150.
The temperature in the enclosure at night should be kept between 78 degrees to 86 degrees. The ideal temperature for your snake is between 80 degrees to 84 degrees.
If the temperature gets too hot, your snake will be stressed and can have health problems. A vivarium with good airflow is needed to keep humidity levels down. This will help keep the snake cool.
11: Green Snakes
The green snake has been a popular snake for beginners because it doesn’t require any experience or training and it also requires little maintenance.
There are two basic varieties of green snakes: rough (Opheodrys aestivus) and smooth (Opheodrys vernalis). Many green snake enthusiasts agree that rough green snakes are the easiest species to care for.
A rough green snake should eat at least two or three times a week. During those meals, provide about 6 insects. Snakes of this species consume mostly insects and worms.
A 30-gallon hexagon aquarium is large enough for green snakes. Rough and smooth green snakes are some of the most sought-after snakes in the reptile hobby.
They have a very unique appearance and a beautiful color pattern. They are also very friendly and docile, which makes them great pets.
Conclusion
It is very important to take into consideration the personality of your snake before bringing them home. Do you have the time, patience, and money to care for a snake for many years?
If you are looking to buy a snake, you should first consider whether you have the ability to properly care for it. If you are not able to provide a healthy environment for your snake, you should not buy one.
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