What kind of snakes are friendly

As a general rule, snakes require a habitat with a perimeter of at least twice their length. In other words, a 6-foot-long snake would require an enclosure that measures 4 feet long and 2 feet wide. Such habitats may not be prohibitively large, but few people have the room for anything much larger. Additionally, large snakes can represent a safety hazard. Large snakes are not only stronger than small snakes are, but they are also equipped with larger teeth too.

In fact, it is generally advisable to avoid handling snakes over 8 feet in length without the help of a friend. Aside from concerns relating to body size or temperament, diet is another roadblock that prevents some people from keeping a snake as a pet. The majority of pet snake species require a rodent-based diet, which many people find upsetting. This causes many would-be keepers to wonder if there are snakes that can survive eating other types of foods.

Unfortunately, all snakes are carnivores, who require other animals for food. Some species, for example, can subsist on insects and other invertebrates, and a few species will live long healthy lives on a diet of frogs or fish.

A few such species are detailed below:. It is important to note that modern snake keepers typically feed rodent-eating species pre-killed, rather than live, rodents. Pre-killed rodents are not only safer for snakes to eat, but they do not suffer at the hands of a hungry snake either. This may make it easier for some keepers to keep rodent-eating species. Corn snakes are typically docile, hardy and they rarely present feeding difficulties or health problems.

Corn snakes do require a rodent-based diet, but they remain relatively small most individuals are about 4- to 6-feet-long. Ball pythons Python regius are likely the best python for beginning snake keepers to maintain. They are typically quite calm, who rarely bite. Instead, they prefer to bury their head in their coils when frightened. Captive bred individuals are typically very easy to feed, and they are available in a wide variety of color varieties, including albino, hypomelanistic and others.

See our Ball Python Guide. Coastal Rosy Boa, or Northern three lined boa Lichanura orcutti. Super excited about this find from today! It was a cool and foggy morning and I wasn't sure how things would be. Eventually the sun made an appearance though and as I walked around a boulder pile this gorgeous boa was stretched out and on the crawl! Unfortunately, rosy boas Charina trivirgata are not as commonly seen in pet stores as corn snakes or ball pythons are.

Nevertheless, they make very good pets, especially for beginners. Rosy boas are very attractive, and they are generally undemanding captives. Garter snakes Thamnophis spp.

There are a number of garter snake species on the market, but most are relatively similar. They primarily differ in terms of color pattern and food habits. Common garter snakes, for example, will typically live on a fish-based diet, while others prefer to eat worms.

House snakes Lamprophis spp. Ringneck snakes Diadophis punctatus are very small snakes, who are generally brown to black, with a yellow to red belly and matching ring around their neck. They typically feed on elongate ectotherms, which means keepers can usually feed them an earthworm-based diet. Ringneck snakes do have a mild venom, but only the largest individuals can effectively bite humans.

Small and mild-mannered, brown snakes are usually a great choice for beginners, and they can subsist on a diet of earthworms, snails, and slugs. It may, however, be difficult to find captive bred individuals on the market. There are two species of green snake that are available to hobbyists: the smooth green snake Opheodrys vernalis and the rough green snake Opheodrys aestivus.

Both make good pets, remain pretty small and will thrive on an insect-based diet. They are adorable! If you have any questions about these snakes, their care or if we have any in store please do no hesitate to get in contact. We are available to call on or email at sales reptilecentre. If you are ever on the website you can reach us through the chat box in the bottom left corner.

Contact Us My Account. Livefood Subscription Automatic livefood deliveries. By Luke Tansley on May 28, in Snakes. Recommended Products. These guys are on special offer so be quick! How to Incubate Corn Snake Eggs! Which is best? Want your very own piece of Royalty? Get a Royal Python! Did They? The smooth green snake is a small and docile species that are native to many regions around North America. They can live in many different environments, including meadows and open woods.

They often stick to moist and lush environments that are close to permanent water sources. This snake is appropriately named for its appearance. They are covered in bright green scales that are uniformly colored. Not only that, but the scales on its back are very smooth to the touch. At most, they will reach lengths of only 20 inches.

These pet snakes prefer to live in solitude. However, they will tolerate interaction from humans. They rarely bite, choosing to flee instead when threatened. They may also release some musk from their anal glands to scare off potential predators. While not as common in the pet trade, Colombian rainbow boas are highly sought after. At first glance, the Colombian rainbow boa looks like any other common boa. It has a light brown color with some darker vertebral rings. However, the scales have a unique finish to them.

Colombian rainbow boas are semi-arboreal. They prefer to have a network of branches to climb up when they want to get off the ground. That said, their docile behavior can fade at times. Juveniles can be a bit nippy and aggressive before maturing. Often considered one of the most beautiful snake species around, the green tree python is a beautiful pet to care for.

They come from New Guinea and Northern Australia. Usually, you can find them living in lowland scrubs or forests. While there are a few different variations available, the standard green tree python is the most iconic. Most of the body is covered in light screen scales. However, sporadic blue and white scales adorn the body. This creates a stunning spotted pattern. Climbing is the name of the game with green tree python.

In captivity, closures must have several sturdy branches for the snake to rest on. Usually, the snakes will curl up on those branches to bask. Not to be confused with their close cousin, the Brazilian rainbow boa is a unique snake in its own right. This species looks strikingly similar to the Colombian rainbow boa, but the biggest difference comes down to color.

Brazilians have more color variation in them. You will often see more vivid patterns and different shades of maroon and mauve. Of course, they also have that layer of iridescent scales. Coming from the jungles of Brazil, these snakes need a hot and humid environment. They require hot basking areas and humidity levels as high as 75 percent. These snakes are largely terrestrial, but they do like to climb every once in a while. So, having some climbing vines and perches are a must.

When first introduced to a new environment, Brazilian rainbow boas can be a bit defensive and nippy. Based on the name alone, the false water cobra sounds like a scary snake to own. However, it actually makes a great pet! These snakes are not true cobras. They can, however, produce venom. False water cobras will use venom when attacking prey and eating.

Some can be released during a bite on humans as well. Fortunately, bites in captivity are rare. They usually only occur when you agitate the snake or catch it by surprise. Even if they do bite you, these attacks are quick. This species can get pretty big. Females may reach lengths of up to eight feet. Males stay around four and five feet long. Thanks to their large size, false water cobras can be a handful to care for.

But if you handle their needs, they can be a joy to own. Naturally found throughout sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, egg-eating snakes have some unique husbandry needs.

Instead, they rely on a diet of fresh eggs! Egg-eating snakes are comparatively small. Most will stay between 24 and 30 inches long. Because of its small size, you must choose egg meals carefully. They cannot consume standard chicken eggs you get at the grocery store. Those eggs are far too large. However, eggs from smaller animals like quail, finches, and canaries work well. Most egg-eating snakes in the trade are wild-caught.

The species is known for being a bit skittish and defensive in the beginning, but they will get more comfortable with time and allow human handling. There are a number of factors to consider when deciding which type of pet snake is best for you.

While we tried to make things easy by covering the basics when it comes to each species on our list, we know that still leaves you with a lot of options. About two inches of substrate will enable your rosy boa to burrow. You can spot clean the enclosure as you come across wet spots and snake poop, and change out the substrate every other month or so. As with the other snakes on the list, special lighting is not necessary, but a heat source is.

The best heat source is and under tank heat pad or tape on one side of the enclosure so the snake can thermoregulate. This also aids in digestion. Feed your rosy boa an appropriately sized frozen thawed mouse two to four times a month during the spring and less during the winter. Gopher snakes Pituophis spp. They come in a variety of morphs, are fairly easy to find for sale, and their prices stay very reasonable.

You can find them cheaper at local reptile shows. The gopher snake grows to about 3 to 6 feet in length, with an average length of 4 to 5 feet. You can start these snakes in a gallon long enclosure and move up to 30 gallons as adults, with four foot long enclosures the optimum size for adult gopher snakes. For substrate, about two to three inches of aspen wood bedding is ideal as this allows the snake to burrow. Special lighting is not necessary for the health of a gopher snake.

Keep a single heat source on one side of the enclosure so the gopher snake can thermoregulate as they prefer temperatures from the mids to the mids. Keep a water bowl that is large enough for them to soak in full of non-chlorinated fresh water. The ball python Python regius is currently the most popular pet snake, made so primarily by the crazy amount of morphs that are available as well as their generally very shy demeanor.

With proper care techniques, it is not too difficult to keep a ball python. Unlike most of the other snakes on the list, the ball python needs some humidity in its cage as they are native to central and western Africa.

The snake is not a large python but is heavy bodied. The female ball python grows to about 3 to 5 feet in length while the male is smaller at around 2 to 3 feet in length. Your size may vary.