These 11 Snakes Are Perfect to Keep as Pets

For some people, snakes are dangerous creatures that shouldn’t live in homes. But most times, this is not the case. Snakes are fascinating and low-maintenance pets, perfect for reptile enthusiasts. They have unique needs and behaviors that require careful consideration and research if someone wishes to own one. To provide the best care for them and ensure harmony in your home, here are the best pet snakes to consider.

Children’s Python

Native to Australia, the Children’s Python is a fantastic choice, usually reaching just 2-3 feet. Due to its calm behavior and manageable size, this snake breed is perfect for beginners. With beautiful patterns of brown and tan, these snakes have a gentle and curious nature, making them a joy to handle. Their housing requirements are minimal—a small, secure enclosure with proper heat and humidity. Feeding on small rodents, Children’s Pythons are easy to keep, with a lifespan of up to 30 years. This makes them ideal for families and first-time reptile enthusiasts.

Common Boa Constrictor

Boasting a striking mix of brown, cream, and red patterns, boas have an average length of 13 to 16 feet. And so, you need experience to handle them. They’re known for their calm nature and are non-venomous, capturing prey by constriction. Originally from Central and South America, boas can be defensive when threatened, but they rarely strike. Their ideal setup includes a spacious vivarium with proper heating, and their diet consists of appropriately sized rodents. Living up to 20–30 years, these impressive snakes are perfect for dedicated owners seeking a larger, interactive pet.

Western Hognose Snake

These snakes are small, reaching just 1.5–2 feet, making them easy to house. They puff up and hiss when scared, which can be amusing. But don’t worry, they are harmless to humans. Western Hognose Snakes are native to North America. They are mildly poisonous and usually feed on amphibians, lizards, and rodents. With their manageable care requirements, like needing a small terrarium and appropriate substrate, Western Hognose snakes are perfect for someone seeking a unique, low-maintenance pet. Plus, they have a lifespan of about 15 years, giving you plenty of time to enjoy their quirky personalities.

African House Snake

The African House Snake is a fantastic choice for beginners. Native to sub-Saharan Africa, this snake showcases sleek patterns and bright colors. Growing to about 2-4 feet, these snakes are relatively small and thrive in simple enclosures. They love to hide, so minimal décor works best. These snakes are harmless but can get nervous around loud or unfamiliar noises. They feed on small rodents, and their maintenance is easy. Living up to 15 years, the African house snakes are delightful companions for any snake lover.

Milk Snake

Milk snakes are a perfect pick for beginners. Native to the Americas, they flaunt striking bands of red, black, and yellow. They can mimic dangerous snakes to protect themselves, which is a fascinating defense mechanism. Milk snakes are best kept alone due to their solitary nature. Housing them together can lead to stress, fights, and even cannibalism. They feed on small rodents and are also non-poisonous. Plus, these snakes usually grow between 2 and 4 feet, fitting comfortably in modest terrariums.

Gopher Snake

The gopher snake, commonly found across North America, stands out for its impressive size and striking appearance. Their tan and brown blotched patterns are quite eye-catching, and they are about 6 feet long. Gopher snakes are generally calm and great for intermediate snake keepers. They are harmless, and they would rather hiss and shake their tails like rattlesnakes when they feel threatened. With a spacious enclosure and a diet of appropriately sized rodents, these snakes can live up to 15 years.

Kenyan Sand Boa

The Kenyan Sand Boa is another beginner-friendly snake that originates from East Africa. These small, burrowing reptiles have vibrant orange bodies dotted with dark brown spots. They rarely exceed 2 feet in length, have a docile nature, and are harmless. You’ll enjoy watching them burrow in the sand to ambush their prey. Kenyan Sand Boas thrive in simple setups filled with sandy substrates and plenty of hiding spots. Their diet mainly consists of mice, and they can live up to around 15 years.

Rosy Boa

Rosy boas originate from the southwestern United States and Mexico. They typically grow up to 4 feet in length and have rosy-colored scales. These snakes are known for being slow-moving and docile, which makes them fantastic pets for beginners. To thrive, rosy boas need a simple enclosure with secure hiding spots and rocky terrain. They feed mainly on rodents and can live for up to 30 years with proper care.

Rough Green Snake

The Rough Green Snake, native to North America, dazzles with its vibrant green color that seamlessly blends into leafy environments. Typically measuring between 2 and 3 feet, these slender snakes are perfect for beginners because of their gentle nature. They thrive in vertically spacious enclosures with plenty of branches. Watching these snakes climb is truly captivating. Their diet consists mainly of insects and small invertebrates, and they typically live 6–8 years.

Dumeril’s Boa

Native to Madagascar, Dumeril’s Boa showcases earthy tones with beautiful blotchy patterns that camouflage them perfectly in the wild. These snakes grow to about 4-6 feet and thrive in a moderately sized enclosure with hiding spots. Their diet consists of appropriately sized rodents. Dumeril’s boa lifespan can reach up to 20 years. And when threatened, they remain calm and rarely become aggressive. These reptiles are simple to care for, needing steady humidity and temperature, making them perfect for both new and experienced owners.

Ringneck Snake

The Ringneck Snake is a petite, secretive species native to North America, easily recognizable by the distinctive yellow or orange ring around its neck. These snakes are small, usually no longer than a foot, making them a manageable size for a pet. They’re shy and solitary, which makes them best suited for intermediate keepers. The snakes’ unique coloring and gentle nature make them charming pets. However, they require a moist environment with plenty of hiding spots and, unfortunately, have a relatively short lifespan of around 6 years.

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