Becoming a first-time pet snake owner can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but choosing the right snake is crucial. Although most snakes make low-maintenance pets, not all species are suited for first-time owners. Let’s take a look at the eight best pet snakes for beginners!
1. Corn Snake
Known for their beautiful color variations, corn snakes are one of the most popular choices for beginners due to their calm nature. They are generally docile and friendly, easy to care for, and don’t get very large. Their sizes range from 2 to 6 feet, and their lifespan ranges from 15 to 25 years. They require a 20 to 30-gallon enclosure and feed on rodents.
2. Ball Python
Ball pythons are another popular choice among beginning snake owners. They’re calm and shy but friendly once they become accustomed to handling. They grow to an average size of 3 to 5 feet and require a habitat of at least 20 gallons with higher humidity levels. They can live up to 30 years and feed on frozen or thawed rodents.
3. Rosy Boa
Rosy boas make an excellent choice for beginner snake owners. Known for their calm and gentle nature, they are highly tolerant of handling. They have a hearty appetite and feed well on rodents, but they can also go longer periods without food, making them relatively low-maintenance. They typically grow to a manageable size of 2 to 4 feet in length and, with proper care, can live up to 20 years!
4. Gopher Snake
Gopher snakes are hardy and adaptable, making them suitable for beginners. They are medium to large snakes, growing between 4 and 7 feet long. They tend to be calm and easier to handle. They feed on rodents and have a low-maintenance feeding schedule. They can also live up to 20 years.
5. California Kingsnake
Known for their striking patterns, California kingsnakes are great for beginners who want a snake that is easier to handle and requires less space. They’re on the smaller side, growing between 3 to 4 feet long. They require secure enclosures with proper heating and humidity. They are good eaters and feast on rodents. When properly taken care of, they can live for up to 20 years.
6. Garter Snake
Garter snakes are fantastic pets for beginners due to their manageable size and friendly temperament. They’re small, active, and curious. Garter snakes typically grow to an average size of 18 inches to 4 feet, and their diet includes fish, worms, and small rodents. With the right care and environment, they can live up to 10 years.
7. Milk Snake
Milk snakes are good beginner pets because of their comfortable sizes and good eating habits! They are tame and calm and can be shy at first. They require secure housing with proper heating but should not be housed with other milk snakes due to their cannibalistic tendencies. They feed on rodents and can live for 20 long years!
8. Kenyan Sand Boa
The Kenya Sand Boa is an excellent choice for beginner snake owners. They have minimal humidity requirements and are low-maintenance snakes. They can grow up to 2 to 3 feet long and prefer a sandy substrate for burrowing. They are good eaters and can live for up to 15 years.
9. Honorable Mention: House Snake
The house snake is another popular choice among first-time snake owners. They are mild-mannered, easy-going, and comfortable to handle. They require moderate temperatures and humidity levels in their enclosure and are easy to geed. They can also live up to 15 years.
10. Honorable Mention: Ringneck Snake
Ringneck snakes are secretive and rarely seen during the day. Although they are slightly venomous, they are nonaggressive and have small, rear-facing fangs that pose little threat to humans who wish to handle them. They can grow between 10 to 30 inches long and can live for up to 5 years in captivity.
11. Honorable Mention: Brown Snake
Brown snakes are often found near human habitation and make good pets due to their mild temperament. They can grow up to 2 feet long and require small enclosures with proper humidity. They eat earthworms, slugs, and small invertebrates and can live up to 10 years when properly taken care of.
12. Honorable Mention: Hognose Snake
Hognose snakes are known for their unique behaviors, variety of morphs, and upturned snouts. They are generally docile but may play dead when threatened. Hognose snakes produce a mild venom that is used for subduing prey, but they are generally non-aggressive. They feast on small rodents or amphibians and can live for up to 15 years.
Source:
8 Best Pet Snakes for Beginners (Plus Care Tips)
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