The 4 Best Breeds of Snakes to Have as Pets
The Ball Python is one of the best snakes to keep as a pet. Check out what makes it and three other types of snakes good pets for beginners!
The Best Snake to Have as a Pet
People who are interested in getting a pet snake always have a few basic questions. The most important is which type of snake is going to be best for them. Following that come questions about how to take care of the new snake, what to feed it, and what other things a new owner should know. The answer to all of those secondary questions can't be made until you've chosen a snake, so you'll want to do that first.
What to Consider
There are many different snakes that are safe to have as pets. The decision about which one to get will depend on a few different factors. Before choosing a pet snake, take the following things into consideration:
- Size: Some people want small snakes that can stay in little terrariums. Others want big snakes that they can carry wrapped around their shoulders.
- Level of care: Different snakes have different diets and clean-up needs. If you don't have a lot of time to care for your snake, you'll want to get a low-maintenance breed. If you've got more interest in the total investment, there are nice snake breeds that require additional care.
- Typical age: Do you want to get a snake that's going to live for the next 50 years, or are you interested in one that's going to last about two decades?
Once you've decided these basic things, you can figure out which is the best snake breed for you. Here are some of the most common snakes that new pet owners tend to like.
4 Best Pet Snakes
Here are four snake breeds you should look into.
1. Garter Snake
This is the kind of snake that you might see outside and trap to keep as a pet. It's not the most favored of pet snakes, but it's ideal for people who are looking for a small snake. At around three feet in length, it's about two feet shorter than the other pet snakes you'll find on this list. If, for some reason, you need a little snake, this is probably the one you'd want to look into learning more about. Just realize that it's going to take a little bit of time to get used to caring for this pet.
2. Corn Snake
This is the most common type of snake that people tend to get as pets if they don't know a whole lot about taking care of a snake. That's because this snake is considered to be the most domesticated of snakes. It's an easy breed to care for, and it acclimates to a variety of climates, so it's the kind of snake that you can get, even if you only plan to learn the bare minimum about taking care of your snake. They average about five feet in length, so they're long-ish, but they're thin snakes; they aren't necessarily "big." They come in a wide range of colors, so you should be able to find one that you like.
3. Kingsnake
At first glance, you might think that this snake is a vicious snake because the "king" in its name comes from the fact that this snake will eat other snakes in the wild. They'll also eat them in some cases if they're caged together, so you only want to get one of these. Despite this tendency, the kingsnake is a good pet snake that is fairly easy to take care of. It's slightly longer than the corn snake, but it's also a thin snake.
4. Ball Python
Those people who are seeking to get a big fat snake probably have something like a python in mind. It's about five feet long, but it's a fat snake and is the kind of animal you'd wrap around your shoulders and take for a walk. In terms of the fat snakes, the ball python is considered the best for people who are getting their first snake. The only downside to this snake is that it requires more attention than the other ones on the list because of a tendency to refuse food for long periods of time, which causes it to get ill. This isn't a major problem, but it does mean you need to watch it during feeding time.
These snakes (which all usually live between 20 and 40 years) aren't by any means the only snakes that you can keep as pets. However, learning to care for a pet snake takes a little bit of effort in comparison with more common pets. Because of this, you should start off with one of these easy pet snakes and see how you like being a snake owner before moving on to the tougher species.
Which snake will you adopt?
Comments
harambe on September 30, 2016:
i want a taylor swift one
Jennifer Schober on April 03, 2016:
A few corrections.
1. Snakes are not dogs, there are no "breeds". There are species.
2. It is not a good idea to trap a wild snake for a pet. Some can be difficult to feed and they can be more defensive than a captive bred snake. You also should check your local laws regarding trapping and keeping wild animals for permit needs and such.
3. There is no such thing as a domesticated snake. Being popular in captivity doesn't make a species more domesticated than others. You will never be able to put your snake in the yard and make it come to you. That is part of domestication. It will take off in search of food, shelter, or a mate.
4. ".....if you only plan to learn the bare minimum about taking care of your snake." If that quote applies to you, don't get a snake. Do not get any pet unless you are willing and able to do whatever necessary to care for it, including proper housing, feeding, and (if needed) vet care.
5. Kingsnakes are not the only species prone to cannibalism when housed with another. I don't know of any species other than MAYBE garter snakes that can be housed together. If you can only house one, you should only have one. Period.
6. What the bloody mother of pearl......why is this person going on and on about ball pythons being "fat" snakes?! They're really NOT that big/fat. Smh
7. Do not EVER "....wrap around your shoulders and take [it] for a walk." Not for any snake. They're not fashion accessories and frequent/extended periods of improper temps/humidity can and most likely will lead to refusal to feed and/or illness.
8. Ball pythons have a "tendency" to refuse to eat for extended periods because people have a "tendency" to provide incorrect husbandry (housing, temps, humidity, etc) for them. If your BP is in a tank with a hot spot of 80 and ambient temp in the mid-70s, it's not eating because your setup sucks for maintaining proper temps and your temps are way too low.
9. If you are a lazy pet owner, don't get a snake. If you want a pet that you can take out and about with you, don't get a snake. If you have issues with feeding whatever necessary to your snake (whether mice or rats, live or frozen/thawed), don't get one. If you don't have a reliable, legitimate reptile vet relatively local to you (they are rather uncommon and the average dog/cat/small mammal vet won't know proper care and keeping, much less how to treat issues/illnesses), don't get a snake.
Shelbs21 on September 15, 2015:
It is not okay to just trap wild snakes such as a garter snake. You need a special permit to have any wild animal. If caught wih any wild animal as a pet you could face big fines.
Pandula Siribaddana from Sri Lanka on May 20, 2012:
I am not much of a snake lover but when I read this hub, I had the thought of having a pet snake even for few seconds!!
jessbrown on March 30, 2012:
great hub. ive got 2 cornsnakes an d an albino python she is called sunny !!!
CZCZCZ from Oregon on March 16, 2012:
This is an excellent hub wit a lot of great information for a potential snake owner, i always thought it would be fun to have a snake as a pet, just never done it yet, but maybe sometime in the future.
Demi from Mobile, Alabama on January 09, 2012:
Great hub; my son wanted one but I am so frightened of them. Thanks to you, I am at least willing to consider it and the best type of snake. Demi
PADDYBOY60 from Centreville Michigan on January 07, 2012:
Very nice hub. Thanks.
Patty87 on December 02, 2011:
We have a huge tank and been looking for some snakes. i never had one as a pet but just love them. also i have 3 small children age 4 and under. what's the best snake and very calm i can get and would like one that will get around 5 to 7 feet and not too fat. where i can care around with me. but i'm really concerned with its temperament around the kids. what do you sugest best? please help
emichael from New Orleans on August 23, 2011:
Good to know, thanks! I actually just found some dark colored aspen at the petstore that looks really nice. His first feeding will be thursday. Where I bought him from said they only feed their snakes live, so their not sure if he'll eat thawed mice. I'm going to give it a try though. From I've heard, Kings aren't so picky with their food. Is that what you find?
smichael on August 23, 2011:
Aspen is the best substrate for snakes. Sand is bad because your snake can accidently swallow it and get an impaction in its bowels. Also, the aspen is absorbant of urine and feces can be easily picked out. Plus, snakes love to burrow in the aspen. Hope this helps. I have both corns, kings, a milk snake and a ball python. They are all sweet but the ball python insists that I feed it a live mouse, she doesn't want thawed out dead ones. You need to take your snake out of the aspen to feed it. Put it in an empty plastic storage bin and dangle the pinkie from tongs in front of it's face. If you feed it while it is in the aspen some of it will get stuck to the wet pinkie and your snake will ingest it, which is not good for it.
emichael from New Orleans on August 22, 2011:
Hey, I just came across this article on google and got through the whole thing before realizing it was a hubpages article :)
I just bought my first snake. A desert king. It was between that and a ball python, but I went for the king since it is a thinner snake. Though if I get another, it will probably be a ball. I love the way they look and that they are slower moving. My king is feisty and quick! I love him though.
One question...what do you like for substrate? They gave me aspen at the pet store, which is fine, but I kind of want something a little finer. Maybe darker. Being a desert king, something like sand would be nice, though sand is messy. Any ideas? I've heard of coconut husk...
thomas22 on August 18, 2011:
i want to get a snake but need a few names so i can research them any ideas??
pokemontalk on August 14, 2011:
pokemon rock
boedz80 from INDONESIA _ SINGAPORE on August 09, 2011:
I love snakes!
fashion on July 31, 2011:
Great hub...
Obscure_Treasures from USA on July 18, 2011:
Awesome Hub......Jst loved it.Never knew snakes have so many breeds.Voted u up.good job
Felix J Hernandez from All over the USA on July 17, 2011:
Thank you for the insight. Makes me want a snake and I'll have some knowledge as to which kind I can get and possibly maintain.
EmpressAwesome from Virginia on July 17, 2011:
I love snakes! Was thinking about getting a ball python-- I'm a picky eater too, so at least we'd have something in common ;P
Ayeveryn on July 16, 2011:
I have a western hognose, they are , IMO , small
marimccants on July 01, 2011:
Wow!Great points on this hub! I think I must have a pet snake.
philipandrews188 on May 10, 2011:
That is scared you know, But I love snake if you train successful. Great HUb.
hejay on March 05, 2011:
I am looking to buy my first snake and i was considering getting a corn snake, i was just wondering how much will it cost to get the whole lot ( inclosure etc.)
Emma from Houston TX on March 05, 2011:
I hate snakes. Anyway is good for those that like having it as Pet
TheSmurf on March 02, 2011:
My first snake was a lampropeltis mexicana, then i passed straight to a boa constrictor and a burmese python. snakes are great pets! in my opinion, best place to buy is Reptile's Day.