Nowadays there are plenty of various species of snake at the moment out there within the pet commerce. This raises an fascinating drawback: what are actually the finest small pet snakes that are appropriate for rookies and require minimal house in captivity?
Because it seems, whereas some snake species are tough to take care of due to their pure habits, eventual dimension or degree of aggression, there are a surprisingly massive variety of snakes that are completely suited to the newbie.
In case you’re contemplating investing in your very first pet snake and are on the lookout for the perfect choices then learn on for my private “sizzling listing”.
Corn Snakes (Pantherophis guttatus)
Corn snakes are a number of the hottest small pet snakes, and for good purpose.
Typically referred to as the “purple rat snake”, corn snakes usually make very docile and forgiving pets. Because of this they’re one of many best – and therefore finest – pet snakes to maintain for a newbie.
As this species has been “the” snake that the majority house owners begin with so lengthy, they’ve been bred in captivity for many years.
This has two advantages for the keeper. Firstly, child corn snakes are on the market in most good reptile outlets frequently. Not solely are child corn snakes unbelievably cute however they’re additionally usually less expensive than shopping for a bigger snake.
Simply as importantly, shopping for a hatchling means that you can get your snake used to dealing with early on, and so to make certain that it stays tame and docile all through its grownup life.
The second good thing about so many corn snakes being bred annually is that there are actually dozens of various colours (recognized within the commerce as “morphs”) out there.
Whereas I’ve to confess I’m a bit boring and nonetheless have a desire for the standard “wild sort” of corn snake, it’s totally attainable nowadays to buy corn snakes which might be an nearly limitless mixture of reds, oranges, pinks, whites, blacks and brown.
Listed below are a number of the extra fashionable corn snake morphs which can enchantment to the first-time keeper:
Amelanistic Corn Snake
Typically referred to as the “amel corn snake” this shade kind lacks the black pigmentation seen in “wild sort” snakes. Because of this this selection actually exhibits off the reds and oranges, although the eyes too usually match these colours.
Anerythristic Corn Snake
Typically referred to as an “anery corn snake” this shade kind usually lacks the reds and oranges seen in wild corn snakes.
This provides it deep grey or black saddles on a pale grey or white background.
Whereas this sounds slightly boring in look, the result’s a really beautiful snake which might be exquisitely patterned.
Snow Corn Snake
Apart from the wild sort, I need to admit that the snow corn is my favourite shade kind. Bred by crossing each an amel and an anery corn collectively, the resultant is a pale white/pink snake with delicate pink saddles. These actually are beautiful snakes and completely not like the widespread sort.
Butter Corn Snake
The butter corn is one other beautiful selection. One of the simplest ways to explain the butter corn snake could be taking a look at a wild sort snake by means of a yellow digital camera filter. All of the markings stay, however slightly than a base shade of reds and oranges this selection is primarily deep yellow in shade – therefore the “butter” identify.
Extra info on the assorted corn snake morphs out there might be discovered on the following wonderful web sites:
Frequent Corn Snake Questions
Are corn snakes toxic?
Corn snakes are constrictors, which means that they kill their prey by limiting the respiration. In contrast to many different species of snake they don’t possess venom and so are unable to trigger hurt to you if dealt with.
Are corn snakes constrictors?
Sure. Corn snakes feed totally on rodents within the wild (therefore their various identify of “purple rat snake”) and kill them by coiling across the rodent tightly, thus suffocating it earlier than consumption.
Why are corn snakes known as corn snakes?
Quite a few theories exist as to why corn snakes are so-called. Probably the probably is that previously these snakes had been mostly encountered round farmer’s fields, the place they might hunt the small rodents discovered dwelling among the many corn.
Another suggestion comes from the yellow/orange coloration of those snakes which in some specimens is the colour of corn.
Are corn snakes innocent?
Except you’re a small rodent then corn snakes are usually innocent. They possess no venom, and as an alternative constrict their prey earlier than consuming it. Corn snakes are usually fairly docile. A wild corn snake would slightly slither away to security than stand its floor, whereas pet corn snakes can usually be dealt with with ease.
Ball Python
I’ve received to be trustworthy with you; ball pythons are certainly one of my all-time favourite snakes, and one which I nonetheless preserve to at the present time.
There are a variety of the reason why I believe this is without doubt one of the finest pet snakes.
When new acquaintances of mine hear that I preserve pythons in my bed room they typically think about one of many bigger pythons – maybe a burmese or reticulated python that they’ve seen within the zoo.
They think about I’ve a vivarium the scale of a small residence and danger life and limb each time I open it. In actuality, nothing may very well be farther from the reality.
Firstly, ball pythons usually solely attain round 5 toes in size. Because of this they’re a surprisingly small pet snake. Maybe simply as apparently they’re additionally usually fairly stocky and sturdy-looking snakes.
This may make them much more eye-catching as a pet. Moreover, they have a tendency to maneuver slightly extra slowly than corn snakes, making them excellent for dealing with.
Then in fact there are all of the completely different shade morphs out there. Simply as with corn snakes, this implies there are colours appropriate for nearly each style, from the unique “wild sort” by means of to all method of reds, whites, yellows and browns.
Listed below are a number of the extra fashionable shade morphs:
Albino Ball Python
As with different species, the albino ball python lacks the darkish pigmentation, which due to this fact removes the blacks and browns from the physique. What you’re left with is a red-eyed snake with yellow/orange saddles on a pale cream background.
Piebald Ball Python
The piebald ball python is an interesting snake, with variable patches of white and coloured sections. Every of those piebalds is completely different, making each distinctive.
For a great deal of info on ball python morphs check out:
Reality be instructed, whereas I believe the ball python is without doubt one of the finest small pet snakes it’s not with out it’s weaknesses. Probably the largest of those is that ball pythons might be fussy feeders. Many go off meals for lengthy durations of time – particularly the males.
Whereas this will trigger anguish for brand new snake house owners, when their pet refuses to eat for weeks and even months at a time, that is totally pure. As long as your snake isn’t shedding situation visibly it ought to be nothing to fret about.
It’s only a quirk of conserving ball pythons and one that you simply’ll have to get used to in the event you’re not going to tear your hair out taking care of these improbable snakes.
Frequent Ball Python Questions
How huge does a ball python get?
Ball pythons are surprisingly small snakes by python scales. On common ball pythons will attain roughly 4-5 toes in total size, with the grownup females typically being bigger than the males. Observe that it is a stocky snake, so even at these modest sizes they’ll look very spectacular certainly.
How lengthy do ball pythons dwell?
Ball pythons are recognized to be very lengthy lived snakes. Estimates counsel that 40 years or extra isn’t unrealistic for a captive ball python. This implies it’s best to think twice earlier than shopping for one because it’ll outlive a cat or canine many instances over so actually represents a long-term dedication.
What do ball pythons eat?
Like all snakes, ball pythons are carnivores. Which means that they should eat meat, versus plant matter. In captivity most ball pythons feed on rodents. Grownup ball pythons will usually eat massive weaner (sub-adult) rats, whereas smaller specimens eat correspondingly smaller rats or mice.
Sadly, keepers have discovered that some ball pythons be taught to want mice over rats, which may make feeding the grownup snakes slightly costly. It’s less expensive (and simpler) to feed one rat than a number of mice. For that reason it may be sensible to introduce your snake to the style of rats early on.
Hognose Snakes
Hognoses actually are small pet snakes, rising to solely round 3 toes in size (males might be even smaller than females). Because of this they’re probably the greatest pet snakes for these people with restricted house out there for vivariums. The hognose is so-called as a result of it has a novel up-turned snout, resembling a pig’s snout.
Now, fact be instructed, hognoses are far much less widespread than both ball pythons or corn snakes, so in the event you go for certainly one of these little beauties you’ll have to do some extra searching round for a specimen, however it may be nicely definitely worth the effort.
Simply handleable, sturdy and straightforward to take care of, and small in dimensions, the hognose makes an uncommon however simply cared-for pet snake.
Because the hognose snake is much less widespread than lots of the different recommendations right here they haven’t undergone fairly the identical degree of breeding. This can’t solely imply barely larger costs, but in addition a a lot smaller vary of shade morphs.
For a full listing of the choices out there check out:
- http://www.worldofhognose.com/morphs/
Kingsnakes
King snakes characterize a big group of snakes, with big quantities of range inside that group. Small pet snake examples embody the attractive chocolate-and-cream Californian kingsnake and the stunningly-spotted Florida King Snake (the primary species of snake I ever personally bred).
Many such snakes attain very modest proportions certainly, with my Florida kings rising to solely round 3-4 toes lengthy in whole. This makes them significantly smaller than both ball pythons or most corn snakes.
Different much less regularly-seen king snake species embody the black king snake and the attractive mountain king.
Observe that not like corn snakes and ball pythons, many king snakes aren’t naturally docile. If you are going to buy a snake that hasn’t been dealt with frequently these snakes can show to be slightly skittish, and should even defecate on you with the intention to encourage you to place them down.
In different phrases, when deciding on a king snake it’s crucial that you simply truly get the specimen out and get to know its distinctive character. It’s additionally essential that these snakes are dealt with frequently with the intention to preserve them comfy with the method.
Milk Snakes
Milk snakes characterize probably the greatest small pet snakes for my part. After over a decade of taking care of milk snakes I nonetheless really feel that they’re one of many single most engaging teams of snakes out there, with their unimaginable purple, white and black rings.
Only a few different species of snake even get near the general look and distinction of colours you’ll find in these snakes.
They’re additionally sturdy feeders who not often cease consuming (except a moult is coming) so can develop fairly rapidly. That is nothing to fret about, nonetheless, as many milk snake species not often attain 4 toes or so in total size. This makes them straightforward to accommodate within the residence.
I’ve additionally discovered that milk snakes are extremely unlikely to chunk. Even in spite of everything these years I’ve but to have a specimen go for me, which is sort of some achievement. Certainly, when it comes to their personalities, milk snakes appear much more more likely to try to make a break for freedom than they’re to show round and chunk.
That mentioned, try to be conscious that milk snakes might be fairly fast after they need to be. Whereas one can usually open up a ball python cage and easily scoop the little snake out with none fuss, if you open your milk snake tank you’ll should be on full alert.
Gently take away the conceal after which gently however swiftly pay money for your snake. Keep in mind: the probabilities of being bitten by a milk snake are near zero, however in the event you take your eye off them they are often out of the cage within the blink of a watch.
For that reason, whereas they’re beautiful and small pet snakes, they will not be the perfect resolution for youngsters or rookies. As a substitute, a extra “plodding” snake like a ball python or corn snake is perhaps extra simply cared for and dealt with.
Observe that as a consequence of their small dimension and pace, milk snakes might be true escape artists. Once I received my first ever pair, again in my late teenagers, I used to be ceaselessly getting residence to search out the cage empty and the snakes enjoyable by the radiator in my room.
In different phrases, in the event you’re going to maintain milk snakes, make certain to spend money on a very good high quality vivarium with none nasty gaps or holes by means of which these pure escape artists may make a break for freedom!
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Picture c/o Carlitos Pereira, highlander411, forestwildlife, mariposavet, robertnelson & golgarth 
