If you are on the hunt for a pet snake we’ve got a couple of options you should consider.  I’ll even go as far as to say that you’ll probably end up buying one of the three snakes recommended.  Hopefully the king cobra pictured at the right wasn’t on your short list of pet snakes.  While a king cobra certainly has some major cool factor, its just not practical for 99% of those looking to own a snake.  You want a snake that’s going to stay relatively small, always eat food presented, and can be handled without fear of being bitten.

#1 – Ball Python

The ball python is by far the most popular pet snake.  If buying a captive bred ball python as a baby you can expect a snake around 18″.  It won’t stay 18″ for long thought, it will quickly grow to around 5 feet and feed on mice or small rats.  These amazing pet snakes never grow more than 6 feet in length and most stay around 5 feet which is easily manageable for almost any snake owner.  Ball pythons are also extremely docile and don’t mind being handled.  They rarely bite even when provoked.

In the last few years genetic morphing of reptiles has exploded.  Ball pythons offspring literally come in multiple different colors.  You can spend $70 for a normal baby ball python or up to $1500 for a  perfectly white leucistic ball python.  If your budget allows for a couple hundred bucks or more you should really check out our ball pythons for sale.  Here you’ll find many of the different color morphs available from breeders who guarantee the snakes are healthy and feeding normally.

#2 – Corn Snakes

Corn snakes are extremely popular as well.  Some might argue they are even as popular as ball pythons and for many of the same reasons.  Corn snakes remain relatively small with most types staying less than 6 feet.  These snakes as well as ball pythons can easily remain in a 30 gallon long aquarium for their entire lifetime.  It should be mentioned that corn snakes are extremely adept escape artist so care should be taken to guarantee their snake cage is completely secured with a positively locking lid.

You have a wide range of choices with it comes to corn snakes.  Like ball pythons they come in several different colors and patterns so take your time when choosing your first pet snake.   Between the different morphs of corn snakes you can expect to spend between $50 and $300 on a healthy corn snake.

#3 – King Snakes

King snakes are extremely beautiful which makes them very popular as a beginners first pet snake.  Many people mistake the non-venomous king snake with the deadly coral snake.  The different is quite simple if you know what you’re looking for.  A king snakes black bands touch the red bands.  If yellow is on red – you’re dead! With that said there are several different morphs of king snakes.  There are some really remarkable patterns and color combos so shop around before making your purchase.  You can expect to spend about the same as corn snakes.

King snakes are pretty laid back but take some time to warm up to their owners.  They’ll try to slither away until they are comfortable with you.  They are also great escape artists so a locking lid is essential.  All in all king snakes are extremely good pet snakes and are worth considering.

Have any questions about your first pet snake?  Below you can feel free to question or comment at will!  I look forward to hearing from you.