Popular Pet Snakes: A Guide to Choosing Your New Reptilian Friend

Are you considering a pet snake? Over 3,000 snake species have been identified worldwide, with new ones still being discovered. However, not all are suitable as pets and for good reason.

Common pet snakes usually belong to the Boidae, Pythonidae, and Colubridae families. While many snake species can be found at reptile shows or online, here we list the most popular pet snake species from these families.

Boidae

Red-Tail Boa

A kind of boa constrictor, is common in the pet trade. These boas typically grow to about 10 feet, though some reach up to 15 feet. They're not suitable for those unwilling to care for a snake that consumes large rats or rabbits, especially given their potential lifespan of 30 years or more in captivity.

These snakes are easily identified by the distinct red tip on their tails.

Kenyan Sand Boa

These unique burrowing snakes grow to about 18 inches and are usually docile. They bury their bodies under the sand while keeping their small heads exposed to strike passing prey. They have striking yellow and brown patterns.

Pythonidae

Ball Python

Arguably the most popular pet snake there is, the ball python is perhaps the most popular pet snake due to its even temperament and docility. They grow only to 3-5 feet and can live up to 35 years in captivity. Named for their tendency to curl into a tight ball when threatened, these snakes require minimal heating or lighting and make great first snake pets but do have specific requirements to stay healthy.

Burmese Python

Despite their large size, Burmese pythons remain popular pets. They grow 15 to 20 feet long (sometimes even longer) and are typically docile, though more active than smaller ball pythons. Caring for them requires handling large prey like dead rats, so they're better suited for adult owners prepared for their great size and weight.

Green Tree Python

Arboreal snakes such as green tree pythons add visual interest to snake enclosures. They often curl into elegant clumps on tree limbs. As adults, they are vibrant green, sometimes with yellow or blue dots, growing up to 5 feet. They're commonly mistaken for emerald tree boas.

Blood Python

Known to be a little temperamental, the blood python is a stocky snake with lovely patterns. They have short tails and can grow to be between 6 and 8 feet long. They get their name from the brick-red blotches commonly found in their patterns.

Colubridae

King Snake

Closely related to the milk snake, king snakes grow to be about 5 to 7 feet in length, making them among the smaller pet snakes. They got their name from the fact that they will readily eat other snakes so they should definitely be housed alone. King snakes are native to North America and breed regularly in captivity, so finding a captive-bred pet shouldn't be difficult.

Milk Snake

Actually, a species of king snake, the milk snake is most commonly seen in the pet trade and closely mimics the color patterns of the venomous coral snake (known as Batesian mimicry). The common saying, "Red on yellow will kill a fellow, but red on black is a friend of Jack" refers to the band patterns found on coral and milk snakes. Coral snakes have red bands next to yellow bands while milk snakes have red bands next to black bands.

Black Rat Snake

Perhaps one of the plainer-looking snakes, the rat snake makes up for his lack of luster in his athletic abilities. Able to swim and climb trees, this is an active snake. They will wrinkle their bodies up to resemble a rattlesnake and even vibrate the ends of their tails when startled or frightened. The rat snake constricts his prey before eating it and is native to the central and eastern United States.

Corn Snake

A species of rat snake, the corn snake is a popular beginner's snake due to its small size but also a well-loved snake to the experienced keeper because of their varying color patterns. Corn snakes usually max out at about 5 feet and are excellent escape artists, as are many snakes. They aren't known to bite and are pretty docile snakes.