15 Best Friendly Pet Snakes For Beginners

Always make sure that you are ready to have a pet. Before starting with any new pet, make sure that you have all the necessary information about it. If you do not know anything about the pet then it will be a difficult task to keep it alive.
The process of taking care of it will be more challenging. You may face a lot of problems if you do not understand them.
With these animals, you will not have any problem getting familiar with them. Moreover, these pets do not cause any trouble to anyone. They do not bite humans.

They are the most comfortable and friendly pets for beginners. If you’re interested in owning a pet, then these pets are a good choice.
Always remember that these pets need a lot of time and patience. You will have no problem training them if you are patient with them. So, if you want to have a pet then these are the best pets for beginners.

So you’re looking for a pet? Here is our list of 15 easy-to-care snakes for beginners that will make great companions.

Snakes that are best for beginner

Corn snakes are relatively small snakes. They are one of the most friendly snakes. They do not bite humans. Moreover, they do not cause any trouble to anyone. They are the best pets for beginners. So, if you want to have a pet then these are the best pets for beginners.

The Corn Snake is the most popular beginner’s pet. It has a wide variety of colors and types, but they all share one thing: an ability to be grown in captivity!

Corn Snake

These snakes can grow up 10-13 inches long when young or 2 – 5 feet if fully mature; their average size would make them appropriate for either type (although there are smaller species). 

They come from North America where it becomes difficult to identify individual ones because many look similar besides coloration differences between individuals based on genetic patterns within populations across large areas such as deserts–so unless you catch your own wild caught animal then expect

The pinky mouse is a popular food for corn snakes in captivity. They have few medical issues and any complications that do arise are usually due to lack of care, not an underlying disease process

Rosy Boa

One of the friendliest snakes around is the rosy boa. They do not bite humans. Moreover, they do not cause any trouble to anyone. These are the best pets for beginners. Both California and Arizona, as well as northwestern Mexico, are the native habitats of the Rosy Boa.

The rosy boa is the smallest boa species in the world, measuring around 2 feet in length. The average size of a captive rosy boa is around 6-7  feet in length.

Rodents, other small animals, and tiny birds are prey for rosy boas in the wild. It is important to provide your neonate with a variety of food items, including pinky or hopper mice every week.

As needed you can add more nutritious adult mouse prey once every 7-10 days for an average-sized rosy boa lifespan (180 – 240days).  

Milk Snake

The milk snake is a small, harmless species of snake. These are sometimes called garter snakes. The term milk snake is only used in the United States and Canada where the species is widespread, although this name is used for several different species worldwide.

 Milk snakes are usually yellow or tan colored, but they can be any color, including black, green, and red. Some individuals have two yellow stripes on their bodies.

Distribution and habitat milk snakes are found throughout North America. The small, drab-colored milk snake can grow up to 2 feet long during its first few years.

It is found in North America and Central America as well but not in Mexico or South American natives which surprise me because they’re so close together! Milk Snakes, like other Kingsnakes, are calm and rarely bite.

Habitat and Nutrition:

This active, typically nocturnal hunter prefers mice, but will also eat other small animals, snakes, birds, and their eggs, as well as slugs. Constrictors are milksnakes. They immediately wrap their body around the prey animal after striking and grabbing it.

Common Boa Constrictor

The boa constrictor, also known as the red-tailed or common boa, is a big, non-venomous, heavy-bodied snake that is commonly kept and produced in captivity. It belongs to the family Boidae and the genus Elaphe. The scientific name of this species is Boidae constrictor and Elaphe.

 Because of their vast size, which can exceed 14-17 feet in length, Boa Constrictors are not usually advised for novices.

They require a confident handler who is capable of holding them. This isn’t to imply that this Constrictor won’t make an excellent starter snake. The Boa is a common pet in many parts of Central and South America.

They eat deer, fish, lizards as well as other creatures from the wild. They require the same general care as most snakes, with the exception that they will need a larger enclosure to fit their size.

When handled frequently, boa constrictors can become tame, but they are also quite strong and will coil themselves securely around you if they feel threatened.

 Rough Green Snake

Rough green snakes have long, slender, bright green bodies and are non-venomous. These Snakes are widespread in North America and have a good population.

They dislike being handled and prefer to be left alone in their enclosure. They, on the other hand, rarely, bite. Size of the habitat Provides an adequate sized and shaped habitat to accommodate the regular behavior and exercise of an adult rough green snake.

It is important for the snake’s habitat to be long enough so it has room both in length and width. A 20-gallon tank would suffice well as a juvenile, but 30 gallons will provide more space if you’re housing an adult!

Diet:                                                                                     

Soft-bodied invertebrates such as crickets and spiders should be fed with care. They’re delicate, so handle them carefully! Don’t let your pup chew on one of these unless you want to deal with an upset stomach or worse – like stitches for example (spider bites can cause serious injury).

Rough green snakes have also been observed eating vertebrate prey such as tree frogs and maybe tiny lizards, indicating that they enjoy a live reptile diet.

Kenyan Sand Boa

Northern Africa is the home of the Kenyan sand boa. As the name implies, these small pet snakes spend most of their time burrowed in the sand.

A Kenyan sand boa is a fantastic starter snake, and if you enjoy touching your pet on a regular basis, this is the snake for you. It doesn’t get very big—adult females rarely exceed 2 feet, and males rarely exceed 20 inches—and is normally rather accommodating. Kenya’s sand boas have heavy, short bodies and tails with an obese head.

The small eyes are surrounded by thick fur that covers most of their facial structure making it difficult for them to see where they’re going in life or what’s happening around them at all times. Males grow to about 15 inches in length, while females develop to between 26 and 32 inches.

Tank capacity:

15-20 gallons Sand boas can be housed in a compact and convenient enclosure due to their modest size and sedentary behavior. Single adults should be kept in a 15-20 gallon tank, while young boas should be kept in a 10-gallon tank. 

Gopher Snake

Pacific Gopher Snakes are typically bigger than rattlesnakes and have an adult rattle that will usually be large. Baby snakes may just possess one button at their tail end or rings upon graduating up into more pointy scales like those found on gophers themselves! 

Although these nonvenomous creatures cannot kill you if bleeding happens – so don’t worry too much about it–you’ll still want to avoid handling them carelessly as bites do exist among some types of this species

Pacific gopher snakes are huge, well-built snakes that grow to be 48 to 66 inches long as adults. The upper side of their bodies is white, yellow, or light grey with many brown or red blotches, while the underside is white with dark dots down the edges.

Ball Python

Ball Pythons are an incredibly popular pet choice, not just for their variety of morphs but also because they’re generally quiet and disposed to being handled.

Keeping a ball python is not difficult if you use proper care practices. Because they are native to Central and Western Africa, the ball python requires some humidity in its cage, unlike most of the other snakes on this list.

The snake is not a big python, but it has a big body. The female ball python can reach a length of 3 to 5 feet, but the male can only reach 2 to 3 feet.

The ball python is the easiest snake to keep as a pet. They are docile and do not bite. Their diet consists of mice, rats, birds, frogs, and lizards.

They require a lot of room, about 2.5 feet per inch of body length. It is possible to feed them every two or three days. 

They eat very small amounts every day. Although they are not aggressive, they do have their own way of handling things.

The Ball Python, also known as an “outhouse” snake because of its preferred habitat in sheds and other outbuildings across Australia can be found shaking its tail at any intruder.

In the wild, they have been estimated to live up to 10 years but this is rare for snakes so if you want one that will last longer then look no further than our friendly Asian! 

These adaptable animals are great around beginners since care requirements aren’t too intense; just make sure not to let them get dry or hungry during captivity. This can be a problem if you don’t want them to get out. 

Pastel Ball Pythons are morphing (genetic variants) of the wild-type Ball Python. Codominant genes cause this morph to be colorful. They have brighter colors than conventional ball pythons, and their pale green eyes make them easy to spot.

Diet:

Ball pythons are not just constrictors that eat small animals, they also have a variety of prey depending on their size. Snakes smaller than them can consume giant insects but as you grow bigger your diet should include pinkies and fuzzies until adulthood when ball pythons become able to take down adults in lengthwise rows!

Western Hognose Snake

The Western hognose snake is a fascinating creature with a unique appearance and behavior. The greatest length of this squat, heavy-bodied snake is 3 feet (90 cm), but the average length is 2 feet (60 cm).

The distinctive facial pattern of the western hognose snake is a triangular head and white stripe down its middle. It also has black-and-yellow stripes on its belly that resemble. A sunburst, or more literally “ committees” because there are so many colors in this design!

Its body color varies from brownish-black to pale yellow-brown. Hognose snakes are known for their unique hunting behavior.

Hog-nosed Species Eastern Hog-nosed  Snakes pose no threat to humans or pets. However, they do produce a minor venom that is used to subdue victims. Two expanded fangs at the back of the upper jaw administer this moderate venom. 

For reptile enthusiasts, hognose snakes are among the best pets. They’re the perfect pet for someone who wants to have an exotic animal but doesn’t want to commit too much time or money.

Children’s Python

The Children’s Python, named after biologist John George Children, the guy who discovered it in the 1800s is a medium-sized python that lives in Australia’s rocky terrain and grows to be around 2.5-5 feet long.

Many reptile enthusiasts recommend the children’s python as a nice pet snake for beginners because of its placid nature.

The Children’s Python is a large, exotic snake that can live up to 25 years in captivity with proper care. It eats anything it desires including meat and fish but mainly feeds on insects such as crickets or snails!

The children’s python is not a venomous snake, but it can bite if provoked. It is non-venomous but can kill a small animal if it is hungry enough. 

Amazon Tree Boa

Amazon Tree Boas are a diverse and rewarding species to own. They are too aggressive for inexperienced keepers, but with patience and effort on both the snake’s and the handler’s parts, they may be hand-tamed.

One of the more fascinating and beautiful species on Earth, the Amazon tree boas spends much time climbing around branches.

This means that they need an owner who can provide them with a large extent or room to move about in order for their natural habitat – trees!

 When selecting an Amazon tree boa for your collection, consider these points:

1. Size. 

The Amazon tree boa is small enough to fit in most standard snake tanks. However, they are still too large for the average pet owner to handle safely.

2. Habitat. 

These snakes are primarily arboreal and spend their time curled around tree branches and vines. They prefer to remain in trees, so if you choose to keep them in a tank, it should be a well-ventilated one.

3. Coloration. 

Most are light gray or tan, but some are a dark brownish-red color with a white belly.

4. Diet. 

These snakes are Carnivores, so they require a diet of live insects and other animals. They will eat anything that is available to them–even if it’s dead!

5. Behavior. 

The Amazon tree boa is a shy snake. It does not like to be handled and will try to bite if you get too close. It should be housed in a quiet area with lots of hiding places.

6. Sexing. 

You can tell the sex of your Amazon tree boa by looking at its head. Male Amazon tree boas have two small bumps on their head, while female Amazon tree boas have only one bump.

7. Litter Size.

 Amazon tree boas lay two eggs at a time. Females usually produce three eggs per clutch, and males may produce as many as six.

8. Temperament. 

The Amazon tree boa is a timid snake, and it should be kept in a quiet area where it can hide. They will attack if they feel threatened.

9. Health Issues. 

The Amazon tree boa is prone to a condition called fang marks. These marks are caused by their sharp teeth.

Egg-Eating snake 

Many people think that snakes are cold-blooded creatures, but it is actually their heat that controls the rate at which they digest food. Colder temperatures will slow down this process and make for easier cooking!

The egg-eating habits of these wild animals have been studied extensively over many years by both scientists researching animal husbandry practices as well as extreme enthusiasts who just want to know what goes into making pet snake meals. 

They can eat huge eggs by expanding their mouths wide, just way they can eat large rodents, birds, or lizards. Rubber Boas 

They do not have to be fed every day, however, they do need a healthy diet to stay healthy. If you feed them a poor diet, the snake will become thin and weak.

Eggs are one of the easiest reptiles to feed. You can easily keep a large clutch of eggs alive by hand-feeding them in a glass bowl with a damp sponge. 

A live food diet, such as crickets, mealworms, and small frogs, should be provided to the baby snakes after they hatch from their eggs.

If your snakes are kept outdoors, they will need a reptile house for winter, and a heated terrarium during the summer months.

 A Rubber Boa will not be interested in anything other than their egg-eating habit, so you don’t have to worry about them trying to eat you.

They are docile animals that will allow people to handle them without fear. This is an ideal pet for children who are just learning how to care for reptiles.

carpet python

Carpet pythons are pythons that are medium in size. Their gorgeous markings, which mimic an oriental carpet pattern, have earned them the moniker.

On a light yellowish-to-dark brown backdrop, they can feature black-to-gray blotches, cross bands, stripes, or a combination of these characteristics.

 The Carpet Python’s name comes from its appearance, and its scientific name is Python regius. It is a member of the python family, which includes the Burmese Python (Python molurus bivittatus), the Chinese Crested Python (Python bivittatus Sinensis), and the Reticulated Python (Python reticulatus).

A male Carpet Python averages about 30 inches (76 centimeters) in length, whereas a female is approximately 25 inches (63 centimeters).

Dekay’s Brown Snake

It can be kept in a 10-gallon tank with ease. They’re perfect for naturalistic terrariums with live plants, and they’ll show a larger range of natural behaviors if they’re kept that way. 2-3 mature people can be accommodated in a 20-gallon tank.

The availability of this species means that you can take it anywhere! It does not require high temperatures, making caring for one quite easy. The Dekay’s Brown Snake is a naturally curious snake that is rarely agitated by human interaction.

California Kingsnake

California King Snakes make excellent pets and are relatively common snakes. This is especially true for first-timers. These slithery little critters are easy to care for, don’t get very large, and are usually nice and docile.

In captivity, they should be fed readily available rodents, mainly mice. Your kingsnake can get wounds from live adult mice. Freshly murdered meat is a better option. 

They are not very fussy about their diet and will eat just about anything. The average length of a captive king snake is around 20 inches (50cm) and the weight is usually between 2 and 3 pounds (2.9kg).

Some specimens have been recorded at 10 pounds (3.5kg). A captive king snake is much less active than its wild counterpart, but it still moves around quite a bit. 

They will bask and sun themselves during the day, and will also come out at night to hunt for prey. Their hunting is nocturnal, so if you don’t want them in your house at night, you’ll need to keep them inside. Like other snakes, king snakes have a heat-sensitive pit organ called the pit organ. 

This is a specialized sensory organ that allows the snake to locate prey by sensing the temperature difference between air and ground.

When the snake finds prey, it will bite the animal and release venom into the wound, which causes the prey to losing blood. The blood will then flow through the snake’s system and make the snake feel warm.

Choosing The Most Appropriate Pet Snake

When determining which type of pet snake is ideal for you, there are several aspects to consider. While we tried to make things as simple as possible by addressing the fundamentals of each species on our list, we understand that you still have a lot of alternatives.

So, to assist you in making your decision, we’ll go over a simple method for selecting the ideal pet snake for you. Our recommendation for beginner snakes is based on a few types.

They are as follows:

• Ball python 
• California kingsnake
• Corn snake  
• Gopher snake
•  Rosy boa

Due to their ease of care, these are all excellent beginner snakes. The time and space you’ll need for caring can become an issue if your lifestyle doesn’t allow room in both schedules or home sizes, so take this into account before getting too attached!

In addition, try looking at what kind of animal would best suit the needs – some may require more attention than others- like large snakes who require lots of feedings on occasion (though they usually eat frozen food).

It’s all about personal preference once you’ve discovered a snake that fits your lifestyle. The behavior and appearance of a species are usually what attract you.

Summary

And as a final note, remember that no two snakes are the same. Your small pet snake will be a unique individual that will need a unique and specific environment to thrive.

thanks so much for reading and I hope that this guide has helped you find the perfect snake! Whether you are looking for something unique or common, fossorial or arboreal, plain-hued, or flashy, there is undoubtedly an ideal small pet snake for everyone.

What do you think? Leave your feedback below, and we’ll take a look.

And as always, stay safe and happy snake-keeping!