"Best Snake Pets": what are your opinions?

What snakes would you pick as the “best” to keep as pets? This article covers my choices for the 5 “Best Snake Pets”, with care & natural history information http://bitly.com/Yce4oa

Corn Snakes, hands down. I currently have a 5/6yo "normal" corn. I've had a Lavender corn snake who was awesome, but developed a digestive issue and I've had a Ghost Corn, who was sickly.

I've talked to several people with Corn Snakes and I never hear bad things, but then I talk to people with Ball Pythons that turn mean when they get to be about 4ft, while my Corn is currently almost as long as I am tall, and I'm 5'5", not a mean streak in her to be found.

I own three out of the five species highlighted in the article (corn snake, garter snake, and ball python). I agree that they all can make great pets. I guess it all depends on what an individual's criteria are for what makes the "best" pet snake. My snakes each have different qualities that I like, but I can't really pick a favorite.

My female corn snake is actually quite feisty and has bitten me a couple of times. My male corn, however, is one of the calmest snakes I've ever met and is super easy to handle.

even though it isn't on the list, indigo snakes are awesome. my doctor had one and he said it was so gentle and friendly. it would slither across the room to find him and sit with him. i have caught them before and they never bit me. they are rare as pets, and expensive, but i think they're really cool!

ann said:

even though it isn't on the list, indigo snakes are awesome. my doctor had one and he said it was so gentle and friendly. it would slither across the room to find him and sit with him. i have caught them before and they never bit me. they are rare as pets, and expensive, but i think they're really cool!

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I agree, indigo snakes are amazing creatures! I would love to have one someday if I have the space and money. I know they require large enclosures as they are fairly large and active. I've also heard that they are extremely messy compared to other snakes.

A couple years ago, I had the chance to hold an indigo at my local reptile expo. I absolutely fell in love with the species. They usually go for around $1,000 though, so it will be a while before I can afford one.

Hi all,

Thanks very much for the feedback; as was mentioned re corn snakes and ball pythons, there are individual differences. Any snake will bite under certain circumstances, of course, and so they should never be handled carelessly.

Good point about individual preferences, thank you - handleability, behavior, size, breeding possibilities, needs, and so many other factors are important.

As one of the longest and most impressively colored US native snakes, Indigos are spectacular indeed. Many keepers report that they become unusually calm after a time; Raymond Ditmars recounts several such stories in his biography and other books as well. I've worked with many, mainly as part of a breed/release program sponsored by the Bx Zoo, US F&W Service, etc. Their reactions to captivity (wild caught and captive born) varied greatly; As mentioned by Future DVM, they do need large enclosures; when closely confined, most become high strung, etc.; also as mentioned, they have high metabolisms and produce a watery stool quite frequently, even when fed a rodent-only diet (wild individuals take a huge range of prey animals).

They are protected throughout their range, which in part accounts for the price, and are not all that easy to breed. Their southern relatives, the Cribos , are less sometimes less expensive and are very interesting to work with as well.

Happy Holidays, Frank

I believe that as long as you do the research and understand the proper care any snake can be a good pet(except venomous snakes).

Indigos are regulated in some areas. Check your local laws to see if you are able to legally keep one, and if so, which locales.

Copperarabian said:

I believe that as long as you do the research and understand the proper care any snake can be a good pet(except venomous snakes).

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Research is the key, thank you...I went with those that could be reasonably be kept by most snake enthusiasts; so many interesting possibilities, of course, but high strung species, those with specialized dietary requirements (snails, frog eggs) etc are for now limited to being kept in zoos, or by a handful of private folks; please let me know if you need any info on others,

Happy holidays, Frank

that depends on what you like. i love snakes so they ar all amazing pets to me im a bit bias. lol. but, best for beginner snake keepers. corn or ball python ae byfar the best. best for a slightly experinced keeper, maybe some smaller pythons but that need some speacal care. for more experinced keepers you can do whatever fits your wants or cage size. if you are expirinced enough to care for it and can afford it then get it. i consider myself a faily expirienced keeper. i would feel comfortable owning and snake under 12 feet long. and a few that are longer. next on my list is a jungle carpet python!

I have had ball pythons since 1997, and of my six, only two are nippy sometimes, but never when they are out of their cages. I find them easy to care for, and pretty to look at.

I do not own a snake (VERY VERY unfortunately ), however, I have done EXTENSIVE research and am good friends with numerous snake keepers, including folks who own "hot" ones.

When I researched them, I was determined to eventually be lucky enough to have one, but unfortunately my husband is DEATHLY afraid of them - no matter what type, no matter what color, no matter if they are a pet rock, no matter if they resemble a stuffed animal...so so much for my research and best attempts. (Heck, even blackmail didn't work )

My choice would have been a Ball Python, hands down. I have yet to meet a "nasty" one....and I've met and handled hundreds over the years.

I'd also say: Go with what you like, what appeases you. Do you absolutely have to handle the snake? If not, there are many, many options.

we have a cornsnake, belonged to my son and when he left for college Darnell came to my classroom

Carpet pythons! I have two Irian Jayas and they are great, my male (Ira) is a puppy dog sweety, my female (Peggy Sue) is a little nut sometimes but still a great snake. They are pretty active and curious, excellent 'display' snakes as they rarely hide. Mine are always out on a ledge, they only hide after eating or pre-shed.
Corns are good too, I am caring for my son's now and he is good little snake.
I am also caring for his Brazillian Rainbow boa, she hates me. lol. She is really fine when she's out but sometimes gets a little cranky coming out. She absolutely loves my son though, little jerk that she is.