What type of snake is best to get for a first time pet snake?

Question

I love snakes, and I have always wanted one. I am now getting to the point where I have told myself, IM GONNA DO IT! What kind of snakes are good starters, and what kind do I want to stay away from till I know for sure I want to keep snakes as pets?

Answer 1

Corn snakes are good straters! unless your a professional snake handler you'll wanna stay away from the poison ones, and there are places that sell poisonous snakes and tell u they are harmless!

Answer 2

Corn snakes and all kinds of king snakes are usually good for starters, If you don't mind the snake getting big you could get a red boa they are beautiful and by the time they are large you will be experienced enough to deal with it. All these snakes are pretty low maintenance they don't get very big except for the boa and they are friendly. I would stay away from pythons for now because they require a little more experience. All these snakes will need a decent sized enclosure and heat and they usually only need to be fed once every week or two.Good Luck, snakes are unbelievable pets and can be very enjoyable.

Answer 3

There are three types of good starter snakes that I have found. The king snakes, garter snakes, and the ball python are very good for the novice owner. King snakes and garter snakes are the most forgiving when it comes to improper temperature control (especially if you don't give them enough heat) as they are designed for a temperate climate. King snakes do not tolerate other snakes as they are cannibalistic and will engorge themselves on food even when they aren't hungry. So it's not possible to just leave the food in there and let the snake eat whenever it wants to. Garter snakes tolerate other snakes rather well and do not require massive terrariums as they rarely exceed 4 feet. Ball pythons are less likely to attack in that they'd rather ball up as a defense. They do eventually eat prey that is a little larger than what most king snakes eat and the food is significantly more expensive than fish/crickets you would buy for a garter snake. Also the ball python usually requires better control on the temperature, more humidity, and some items to climb on within their cage. All snakes require a very good lid, since they are excellent escape artists.

For a beginner I would recommend that you research your preferred choice of snake, have the tank set up for their arrival, have their food supplier secured (which pet store will you get the food from?), and most importantly, start out with a young snake, preferably a hatch-ling to 2-3 months old (older snakes might've been abused or they could be sick). Ask all the questions you can think of when you visit the pet store, it won't bother the salesman and it will help you out in the long run.

Snakes like most pets do not require 24/7 vet care, but there are still fundamentals. Give each new snake a check up from the vet when they first arrive, and quarantine any subsequent snake thereafter until they get a clean bill of health from the vet. If the snake looks or acts peculiar, turn up the heat to about 90 degrees or close to it and get them to a vet ASAP. There are numerous diseases that will kill a snake quickly and how your snake got the disease is not always apparent.

As long as you handle the snake often, they should retain their tameness. Keep snakes away from those who are fearful as the snake can sense their fear and may become scared too. Young children are not good to have around snakes as their quick movements and "squeezing" can stress the snake out. Pay careful attention the snake's neck, it will tell you a lot about its mood. Stretched out neck usually means the snake is either relaxed or uninterested in you (both good signs). A snake's neck that is held in an "S" shape is the position used for striking. The snake is nervous when they assume this position. Be careful of your movements and the movements of others as the snake may bite if spooked. Other than that, a snake is a fairly easy pet to maintain.

Answer 4

corn snakes are great first time snakes. For something a bit larger and just a tad more work is the Ball Python. Both of these are usually pretty calm and docile snakes. They are both easy to keep and care for. As long as basic heating and housing requirments are met they are great pets.
Irecommend buying from a reputabl breeder online instead of a pet store. Usually petstores buy in bulk and offer low prices for wild caught animals. It is better and easier for you to buy some nice captive bred snakes.
Also if you choose to get a cornsnake there are many diferent colors to choose from and buying from a breeder you can pick whatever you want and not be limited to what the pet store has on hand.

Answer 5

Hi I live in Australia but in my researching on what snake I would get if I could get one from America I decided a corn snake would be a perfect first snake. Or a garter snake but the corn snake has the colour and seemed to have easiest care requirements.

I own a Diamond Python, which are supposed to be difficult and fussy but she(Faith) is a gem gentle not fussy and after three years is about five feet long. Go for it snakes are great pets.

Answer 6

Corn Snake

Answer 7

A BALL PYTHON!!!!!
They come from africa and the can get to be about 5 feet if they are cared for.
Balls are seriously the best to get for a first time owner.
When they feel threatend they will curl up into a ball, with their head in the middle, rather then bite you.
There temputures are usually at 90.
And they are extremely easy to feed because the will eat live or frozen.
They can be worth alot of mone if you get a albino or pastel.
And they can be fairly cheap to buy if a normal type.

A snake to NOT get as a first time is a red tail boa, they can get extremely large.[7-8 feet]
And the can carry ibd[deadly snake disease.]

A BALLS THE BEST.
GOOD LUCK:)

Answer 8

Well my first snake was a ball python. So was my second. Do you know what my third will be? A ball python. I love this breed. There are many kinds of color morphs and they are fairly easy to take care of. Try joining a reptile forum as well. There is a lot of information on them.

Answer 9

My first snake grew to become right into a ball python with the aid of fact it grew to become into recommended to me to be between the least perplexing snakes to safeguard, and that i ought to agree that it particularly is, after possessing quite a few different kinds considering him. I nevertheless have my ball python too, he's easy to safeguard and has in no way been aggressive in direction of me. He eats a rat approximately each and every 2 weeks or so and loves his warmth lamp. He even curls up with me while i'm layin on the settee gazing television. don't get one nonetheless till you're rather in it for the long-term, i've got had mine 10 years now and plan on having him for a protracted time to return! ensure you get a captive born reptile additionally, the different style may be greater aggressive. I definately recomment balls nonetheless, they dont require a fabulous style of interest and develop right into a suitable length (no longer too vast, yet super adequate!) and their markings are all unique. Mine sounds like it has 5 suitable E.T. faces on it! they are additionally no longer too high priced to purchase and you will in no way want a extensive tank or cage to place them in. :) wish this permits!

Answer 10

A ball python!!!!!!!!!!!!! They are extremely calm and loving! They sit on your shoulder for hours while you are waqtching tv. While corn snakes and king snakes just are very fast and nippy. They don't really sit still. So please get a ball python. You can buy one on this site. he is a great breeder. www.rcreptiles.com
Thank you! Dont listen to all those other people who said corn snake! Get A Ball Python! They ROK!

Answer 11

garden snakes are small and green and they are good starters if you want to get a boa that's also a good snake to have as a pet