Choosing Your First Snake
Saturday March 3, 2007
If you are interested in a snake as a pet, it is best to choose a species suited to beginners. You might want to have a look at this short video based presentation about some recommended species of snakes for beginners (along with what to avoid) to help you decide on a pet snake.
More on snakes: Snakes as Pets
More on snakes: Snakes as Pets
Comments
I am looking for a pet snake, one that has the same characteristics in terms of adulthood length as the corallus caninus, something around 6 ft or so. I recently saw a snake I loved, which was blue (think it was a Burmese Ball Snake), but it grows to be 20 feet long. I want a snake that is very docile and can be handled, as for aesthetics something blue or some variation of black/silver, I’m not a fan of the red corn snakes or typical green snakes. I cannot find anything I like at local pet stores. Can you assist me on where to shop, or which snake to purchase? Thank you. - Anthony
Hi Anthony
Sorry not to get back to you sooner (I have been away). Anyway, have you considered a king snake - here’s a good variety here:
http://www.bigappleherp.com/ANIMALS-LIVE-REPTILES/King-Snakes
and even more, but with only small color “swatches”:
http://www.reptimania.co.uk/calimorphs.htm
The other option is ball pythons - they also come in some more exotic colors and patterns these days, for example:
http://www.newenglandreptile.com/nerd/index.php/ball-pythons/nerd-s-ball-python-collection.html
The more exotic the morph, the harder it will be to find and the more expensive it will be. However, with the king snakes, even the basic colors of the California or Mexican king snake sound like they might appeal to you - and both king snakes and ball pythons are relatively easy to care for.
Best wishes,
Lianne
im lookin for a pet snake and i want one that doesnt grow so big the maximum i think would be 8ft i was thinkin of the king or milk snake but i want one that wouldnt try to escape bcuz i do have a pet dog and i want one that i can handle very well and is friendly can u help me out?
Jasmine - I’d suggest a king or corn snake, though it might be hard to find one that won’t try to escape
Ball pythons are fantastic first snakes!
, Theyre extremely docile. Much more than a kingsnake, their very easy to look after although they can have some problems shedding. Their too thick to easilly escape from a vivarium but they only grow to about 4-6 ft. Ive had ball pythons for 10 years, and none of them has ever even attempted to bit me, and they LOVE being handled. theres nothing like curling up on a warm arm to go to sleep