The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
19,000 people fit into the new Barclays Center to see Jay-Z perform. This blog was viewed about 94,000 times in 2012. If it were a concert at the Barclays Center, it would take about 5 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.
Slimy, ugly, disgusting, gross, evil, creepy and scary are among the first adjectives used by most, to describe snakes. My experience, is that many people feel that “ugly” creatures do not deserve our attention or conservation efforts. We smash spiders in our homes, step on beetles on the sidewalk, poison small rodents, and use our magnifying glasses on ant piles. Snakes have been demonized since the dawn of time, and have constantly been at odds with humans. Perhaps it is because they slither, or because some of them can deliver venomous, life-ending bites. Or maybe it is because books, folklore and the media have perpetuated the fear of snakes. Regardless of each circumstance, it is my personal belief that snakes would have less human enemies, if only they could win a beauty pageant once in a while.
How to photoshop your snake pics 101
As you can see above, this post is all about photoshopping your snake pics, to make them beautiful. Just kidding! Although I can appreciate the talents of photoshop, I’m out to prove that natural snakes can look even better than the one above!
Admittedly, “pretty” isn’t typically the first descriptor that comes to mind, when we see most snakes. However, although beauty is certainly in the eye of the beholder, I thought I would share some photos of a handful of snakes that I personally think are extremely attractive.
I’ve spent a lot of time searching the web for photos of snakes with “normal” patterns (not genetic mutations), taken by people that know their way around a camera*. Great-looking snakes aren’t super common, and really nice photos of them, are even more rare. Perhaps you might appreciate that beauty can be found in the most unexpected of places, and even admit to yourselves that not all snakes epitomize our unattractive expectations. I invite and encourage you readers to share this blog with a few of your snake-leery friends or family members, in hopes that you might just change someone’s opinion of our scaly pals.
Before we get started, let me admit that as soon as I put this list together, I thought of several other attractive serpents that likely deserve a spot on this blog. Please don’t feel insulted if your favorite snake doesn’t make the list. I would love to hear what snake/s you think should be included, so feel free to share your opinions and/or photos, and put me in my place! Happy reading….
Speckled Racer - Drymobius margaretiferus
The Speckled Racer is one of my favorite non-venomous snakes, from a purely aesthetic perspective. They just barely range in the United States, found at the extreme Southern tip of Texas. The high-contrast, jewel-like, blue-green specks on a dark background, and that pretty cream-colored face, take this Racer from “wall-flower” to “Prom Queen”. I really hope to go on a trip to see these magnificent snakes in person.
Speckled Racer – Drymobius margaretiferus photo by Rio Bravo Reptiles
Bamboo Rat Snake - Oreocrypthophis porphyracea laticincta
The juvenile Bamboo Rat Snake, is simply stunning! They are small, and live in areas much cooler than your average home, making them more suitable to the wild, than in a terrarium. As they age, they also lose most of their orange banding, and become predominately red with black stripes. I could stare at these snakes all day!
Bamboo Ratsnake photo by TGE
African Bush Viper - Atheris sqaumigera
Some snakes are not only beautiful, but highly variable. The African Bush Viper is perhaps the best example of a venomous snake that can be born in just about any color imaginable, which makes them very popular in the exotic pet trade. As with any potentially lethal critter, it’s best to live by the “Look, but don’t touch!” philosophy.
Ethiopian Mountain Adder - Bitis parviocula
So our Ethiopian Mountain Adder may be a little more appealing to you folks that like a little bit of “junk in the trunk”. In the words of Lane Bryant, “Big is beautiful”. Bitis species (Rhinoceros Viper, Gaboon Viper, Puff Adder etc.) are notoriously heavy, but have unbelievable patterns. This one in particular, is quite new to the pet trade, and there is still a lot of work to be done before anyone can completely understand the nuances of this one. It comes from a very small range in the wild, and it has been reported that legally collected specimens do not exist. Since no one has yet to breed and produce any captive babies, I feel compelled to suggest that they not be purchased, even by experienced venomous keepers. Additionally, there is no antivenin to treat the extremely toxic bite of this gorgeous critter.
Ethiopian Mountain Adder – Bitis parviocula photo by HGHjim
Wagler’s Temple Viper - Tropidolaemus wagleri
Wagler’s Vipers have been a long-time favorite of mine, with their big heads, brilliant colors and pattern, and a notably docile demeanor. These are another snake that can be quite variable in pattern and color, depending on its geographic range. Also known as Temple Vipers, these snakes are famous for their abundance in and around the Temple of the Azure Cloud, in Malaysia. They are openly abundant within the temple, where many people visit regularly, yet bites are virtually unheard of.
Wgler’s Temple Viper – Tropidolaemus wagleri photo by Graeme
Mangrove Snake - Boiga dendrophilia
The Mangrove Snake is bumblebee patterned, with striking yellow stripes on a jet black body. This snake is nocturnal and more active/aggressive at night. Although the Mangrove is venomous, its bite is usually not medically significant to humans. However, it is likely best to leave this snake to an expert who knows how to take care of an occasionally aggressive, long and very agile snake.
Mangrove Snake – Boiga dendrophilia photo by HGHjim
Cape Coral Cobra - Aspidelaps lubricus
Though not a true Cobra, this small and attractive snake is venomous. The Coral Cobra is another snake on the top of my wish list (in another life). I love its striking pattern, bold colors, and somewhat vulnerable appearance, perhaps enhanced by the black teardrops under each eye. Don’t ya just want to pick him up and give him a hug?
Coral Cobra – Aspidelaps lubricus photo by HGHjim
Pope’s Pit Viper - Trimeresurus popeorum
The Pope’s Bamboo Viper is yet another handsome arboreal species. These snakes are sexually dimorphic, meaning that males and females have visually identifiable differences. The males sport vibrant greens separated by two distinct white and red lateral lines. This is also one of only a few snakes that has ruby-red eyes!
Pope’s Pit Viper – Trimeresurus popeorum photo by Thomas Calame
Malaysian Blue Coral Snake - Maticora bivirgata
Like many Coral Snakes, the Malaysian Blue is shy, reclusive, and has knock-out good looks. Like other coral snakes, this one is an elapid, and has a bite full of neurotoxic venom. Nature often warns us to steer clear of potentially dangerous critters, by brandishing them with bright colors and patterns, but the Blue Coral is an absolute show-stopper for me.
Malaysian Blue Coral Snake – Maticora bivirgata photo by Peter Engelen
Mangshan Pit Viper - Protobothrops Mangshanensis
This is another pit viper that is fairly new to the snake show. They have made their way to the U.S. exotic pet trade, and have made quite the splash among reptile enthusiasts. They are masters of camouflage, with their moss-like pattern, but place them against a contrasting background, and the color and pattern absolutely pops!
Mangshan Pit Viper – Protobothrops Mangshanensis
Kanburian Bamboo Viper - Cryptelytrops venustus
The poster-snake for Christmas, has to be this hot little viper! Do yourself a favor, and pass on the urge to ask Santa to stuff one in your stocking though. Those red and green scales may look photo-shopped, but rest assured, he’s all natural.
Speckled Rattlesnake - Crotalus mitchelli pyrrhus
A friend of mine, (Brendan O’Connor) took this photo in the Southwestern U.S. This is a completely naturally-occurring color variation of the Speckled Rattlesnake. This is an absolutely stunning specimen, that I look forward to seeing in the wild some day. If you enjoy great photos of venomous snakes, check out Brendan’s phenomenal book here:
http://www.amazon.com/A-Guide-Rattlesnakes-United-States/dp/0975464124
Speckled Rattlesnake photo by Brendan O’Connor
Maybe it’s just me, but I can’t look at the photos in this post without a great deal of admiration for the vivid, natural beauty of the snakes that call our planet home. If these serpentine super-models can be the inspiration to humankind to think twice before wielding shovels or bird shot in their direction, they are worth their weight in gold.
Ultimately, it is up to us nature-lovers to educate those around us, and find opportunities to share our passion, and “preach” the message of conservation. With networks like Animal Planet airing hideously backward “reality” shows like Rattlesnake Republic, and glamorizing the thoughtless slaughter of snakes, and destruction of our ecosystem, it is more important than ever to make our voices heard, and be the advocates that snakes need us to be.
Lastly, it should be noted, that none of the snakes in this post, though beautiful, would make ideal pets. Only the first two on the list are non-venomous, and even they should only be kept by very experienced reptile experts. Many of the snakes above are also quite rare, and the last thing I want to do, is encourage the capture of sensitive species for the pet trade. Therefore, please reserve your “Where can I buy one of these snakes” comments, for a more pet-oriented blog.
Warmest regards and Merry Christmas to all,
Jamison “Snakebuddy” Hensley
*A very special thanks goes out to all the folks that used their time and resources to capture the amazing photos in this blog post. This topic would not have been possible without you. I gave credit for all photos when available, but if I have inadvertently infringed on your work in any way, please let me know, and I will gladly remove your photos.
The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and here’s a high level summary of its overall blog health:
The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads Fresher than ever.
A Boeing 747-400 passenger jet can hold 416 passengers. This blog was viewed about 6,400 times in 2010. That’s about 15 full 747s.
In 2010, there were 12 new posts, not bad for the first year! There were 242 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 63mb. That’s about 5 pictures per week.
The busiest day of the year was December 7th with 136 views. The most popular post that day was Snakes 101 – An introduction to the Mighty Serpent. .
The top referring sites in 2010 were fieldherpforum.com, facebook.com, sukie.mt-wudan.com, uglyoverload.blogspot.com, and healthfitnesstherapy.com.
Some visitors came searching, mostly for snakes, emerald tree boa, python snake, boomslang, and snake eating itself.
These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.
Snakes 101 – An introduction to the Mighty Serpent. September 2010
Holy Weird Snakes, Batman! October 2010
6 comments and 1 Like on WordPress.com,
Red and Yellow Kills a Fellow? Your Identification Guide to Tri-color snakes. September 2010
Variability of the Great Basin Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus lutosus) October 2010
2 comments and 1 Like on WordPress.com,
Dragon Snake? November 2010
You all know that I love snakes, and if you’ve read more than one of my posts, you likely realize that venomous snakes are my passion.
As much as I love snakes, however, there are some animals that completely creep me out! I have a theory that the more legs an animal has, the creepier it is. Snakes are great, humans and birds are tolerable, four-leggers are decent enough, but after that things start getting more uncomfortable. Insects are a mixed bag for me, but spiders and scorpions give me the willies. At the top of the creepy ladder, are the centipedes. Their flesh piercing, chitonous legs, their formidable venomous fangs, and the grotesque fleshy membrane, visible between their protective plating makes my skin crawl. The thought of one of those nasties crawling up a pant leg is what nightmares are made of! Just writing about them makes me want to take a scalding shower in a mixture of Clorox and Raid.
Perhaps my literary description fails to impress upon you readers how genuinely “yucky” centipedes are. Maybe a photographic account will help shed some much needed light on the insidious qualities of these nefarious demons….
It was shortly after midnight, as we drove down a deserted road, deep in the Sonoran Desert of Southern Arizona. The previous day’s 16 hour drive, followed by a grueling hike, had left me exhausted and wary. Trying to stay awake, I scanned the surface of the paved road in the dim headlights ahead, hoping to see the familiar serpentine shape that brought me so close to the Mexican border. My hands were slightly shaking from the copious amount of Mountain Dew I had ingested to help keep me conscious for the last 40 plus hours, when all of a sudden, I saw a flash of light reflect off a shiny snakish body moving quickly off the road. Shaun slammed on his brakes and I jumped out of the car, flashlight in hand, as he rolled to a stop. We’d passed the yet unidentified critter by about 20 yards, so I ran back quickly – followed by Shaun, scanning the warm blacktop with my light for our slithery target. I saw quick movement out of the corner of my eye, as the beam of my light bounced over the fleeing fugitive. As we approached the animal, our heavy footsteps caused it to stop. My excitement quickly turned to morbid curiosity, and I broke out in a cold sweat when I looked down and discovered that our “snake” was actually a Giant Desert Centipede!
Wanting to document my find, and illustrate how large these things are, I told Shaun to put his hand down next to the bug for scale, while I took a photo. It was pitch black, so I used my flashlight to make sure I was centered on the centipede, then turned it off and snapped the picture. Right as the camera made its audible click, I heard a rapid flutter and stepped back, thinking the centipede was on the run. I quickly turned on my flashlight and this is what I saw.
Mantids are one of the bugs that I do find fascinating, and anyone who has studied them much, knows that they are formidable hunters, making quick work of their prey. I’ve see them take down large spiders, bees, and even a skink! This knowledge made this scene all the more unnerving, considering the centipede took all of one second to catch, overpower, and start consuming one of the greatest hunters in the insect world!
It wasn’t until we were in the car again, going through my photos, when I scrolled back and saw the original image I captured that night….
Not only does the image detail Shaun’s fantastically manicured nails, it also shows the Mantis in mid air just a split second prior to its death!
As it turns out, this was the smallest of the centipedes we spotted during our trip, being less than half as long as the biggest. In case you are not creeped out enough yet, here is one more picture of a larger specimen on Shaun’s boot.
It may not look it, but this one was nearly twice as long as the one in the other photo!
So why all the talk of centipedes in a snake blog, you ask??? Well, as it turns out, despite decades of snake-related research in books, on line, and talking with other snake enthusiasts, my attention was recently directed to a type of venomous snake I had never seen, or even heard of before in all my life. What’s more, is that this species appears to have evolved in such a way, as to have a strange similarity to centipedes. If you were to ask me what I would get if I crossed a venomous snake with a centipede, I don’t think, in my wildest imagination, that I could have come up with anything close to what mother nature has created.
Pseudocerastes urarachnoides
So what’s so special about this serpent? It’s not an overly attractive species. It almost looks to be covered in moss. What makes this snake different, is better seen in the following photo:
That’s right! This unique snake has mastered the art of mimicing a centipede with its tail. This snake is one of a handful of species in the world, that uses a caudal lure to attract prey. A caudal lure, is a tail that looks like a potential prey item to other animals, and is moved in such a way as to mimic a worm or bug, in hopes of attracting the hungry predator close enough, that the snake can bite, envenomate, and consume it.
To be fair (or at least make me feel better), this species, found in a small corner of Iran, was only described within the last 7 years or so, and so little is known about it, that it does not even have a common name. If you google this snake, you will find that all links point back to just one or two existing (yet very short) papers or photos of the animal.
As if the photo isn’t convincing enough, check out this short video!
I can’t imagine what on this earth would choose to make its living, consuming live centipedes, but I can only imagine its surprise when it jumps on this lure, thinking it will get a tasty snack, only to be ambushed by a much larger predator equipped with long fangs and potent venom.
Odd, rare and unusual animals make it easy to identify and appreciate Mother Nature’s hand in the evolution of them, but hopefully also help us understand that every animal on this planet is unique and fills an important niche in our ecosystem. Here’s hoping you came to this site and learned something completely new or unexpected. It’s exciting to wonder what new oddity in our animal kingdom might be discovered next. I definitely look forward to it!
Your resident Snake Buddy,
Jamison
A recent post in a forum I frequent, reminded me that I totally forgot to include one of my favorite snakes in my recent Halloween blog. Few snakes are either this cool, or unusual.
Though discovered in 1846, this unique serpent, called Xenodermus javanicus by scientists, is very rare in the pet trade, and is still quite unknown, even amongst herpetologists. There is very limited information about this snake on-line or elsewhere, and its relative ambuguity, has led to several common names, adding to its mystery. Commonly called the Dragon snake, Javan Mudsnake and Tubercle Snake, this animal, found in Southeast Asia, and belongs to its own genus, meaning that it currently has no close relatives currently accepted by science.
Boring details aside, how amazing are the scales on this snake?!? It looks like a cross between a snake and a crocodilian, making it easy to see why some commonly call it the Dragon Snake.
The albino example of the Dragon snake above, does indicate that breeding projects do exist, and may indicate that this snake will become better known as more hobbyists observe the animal in captivity.
Here’s to mother nature for continuing to keep us on our toes! I hope you enjoyed this quick introduction to yet another intriguing animal, and asure you that this is more to come!
Your Snake Buddy,
Jamison
Perhaps the title seems a little redundant, since many people think that snakes are weird by definition. However, in keeping with the Halloween spirit, we’d like to introduce you to some of the oddest snakes out there. Like the ghouls, freaks, and grotesque haunts of this pagan holiday, some snakes have managed to make their way into the extra creepy hall of fame. Without further ado, here are our “award-winning” candidates…!
What’s eating you, buddy?
Going one step further than Hannibal the Cannibal, is our first NOM-inee, “eating himself” into our hall-of-fame. This photo has made it’s rounds to the point where I have no idea who to attribute it to, but appreciate the chance to highlight the great dilemma snakes that like to eat snakes, must face on a daily basis. If reptiles had Darwin Award winners, this little California King Snake may just take the grand prize! At least he won’t die of starvation.
Frankensnake!?!
One of the most viral snake stories of 2009, was compliments of this one-legged weirdo who was discovered in a lady’s home in China during the night. She immediately killed the nightmare-ish mutant, and pickled it. Though scientists believe that snakes once roamed the earth on legs, this critter seems to have swallowed a large lizard that subsequently ruptured through the side of the snake, making it look like the handy-work of the infamous Dr. Frankenstein.
The better to bite you with!!!
This two-headed albino Rat snake named We, was born at the World Aquarium in 2006. Though this conjoined mutation is not incredibly rare, it is rare for the twins to live to adulthood.
What’s scarier that a scaly reptile???
For those of you who think that scaly animals are creepy, I would like to introduce you to exhibit A. Only when I see this scaleless rattlesnake from the Barcelona zoo, do I come to the realization that reptiles are much less frightening with scales, than without! These scaleless mutants are the by-product of man-kinds attempt to selectively inbreed certain genetic traits, to the point, that (genetically speaking), all heck breaks loose. To each his own, but I am personally not a fan of these inbred freaks!
Is there something on my Face?
This naturally occurring “weirdo” is found in the waters of Southeast Asia. While the Tentacled Snake is a known oddball, the functionality (if any) of its tentacles seems to be debatable. It’s an ambush predator feeding on small live fish, which means that your odds of coming across one of them in a dark alley on Halloween night, are very slim.
Honey, where did you leave the iron?
Photo courtesy of Myke Clarkson - See
http://mykeclarkson.com
Another homely aquatic species is the Elephant Trunk Snake. These wrinkly, saggy Shar peis of the snake kingdom, reminiscent of the scaleless rattler above, are nature’s poster-children for plastic surgery. That’s a face that even a mummy couldn’t love. 
I’ve got no strings to hold me down….
Pinnocchio may not be a fearsome Halloween character, but this freshly hatched Rhino Ratsnake, born in London Zoo, certainly makes for an odd, if not funny looking snake. Perhaps it gives them character, and I do think they are kind of cute, but I feel they deserve a spot in our Halloween Spook alley!
Here comes the clown… of your nightmares!
The wildly colored, morbidly obese Rhinoceros Viper might look like look the part of the bulbous-nosed, big shoed comedian, but packing some of the longest fangs in the snake world, sporting those sinister twin horns on its nose, and carry a devastatingly venomous bite, you wouldn’t want to hire him to entertain at your kids birthday party! This clown is more along the lines of a Stephen King thriller!
Does this branch make my nose look big?
I “Wiki’d” (Get it? “wicked”) this critter, and though it is similar to the aforementioned Rhino Ratsnake, this male Madagascar Leaf-nosed snake seems just a tad freakier. Who needs a costume when you look like this naturally? As a tree dwelling snake, this odd appendage makes for good camouflage from the prey animals it hunts.
Look Ma, No cavities!
This photo is compliments of yet another fear inducing viral email with so many sources, that it is impossible to track down the photographer. This African Rock Python, which found its way into an electric fence shows that you don;t have to be venomous, to put a good scare into trick-or-treaters! I think I’d rather take candy from strangers, thank you very much!
Welcome to the real freakshow!
At this time, we at Snake Buddies, would like to remind everyone, that no matter what natural oddity may be discovered in the wild, the grand-prize for the freakiest side-show attractions in the world, will never fall to any animal other than humans. Every animal fills an important niche within our ecosystem, and though many snakes have evolved to acquire odd physical appearances, they are masters of their habitat.
We hope that you all have a very fun and safe Halloween!
Snake Buddies
So you want a pet snake, huh? Well, as much as we love all snakes at Snake Buddies, it is important to remember that there are many variables to consider before buying your scaly critter. Most first time snake shoppers will simply pick out the one that appeals to them the most, aesthetically. Looks are certainly important, but there are other factors that should not be overlooked when deciding which one may be the best for you.
In this article we will discuss several aspects that one should take into account before handing over the credit card. Admittedly, there are many topics we will not cover for the sake of keeping the article readable and simple. Please understand that each individual animal may have its own personality and buck the trend entirely as well.
Today we will take a look at 10 of the most commonly available snakes in the pet trade. It should be noted that, when grouping snakes of multiple varieties together, there is an ample amount of wiggle room and subjectivity. My OPINIONS are the result of personal experience only, and though debatable, should be considered as “approximately” correct. Please don’t take it personally if I’ve rated your favorite snake toward the bottom of any certain category, as ALL of the snakes we look at today can make excellent pets for the right person.
The categories we look at today, will be hardiness, temperament, cost, feeding issues, breeding success, variety of colors, and size. Some of these factors, (i.e. cost and size) may be very important to you, while others (breeding success and color morphs) may not matter at all, so you are welcome and encouraged to add or subtract points based on those components that matter to you personally.
First, lets give some detail to each of these categories to help you understand how they might apply to your purchase.
Hardiness – This topic has to do with how healthy your snake is likely to be so long as you provide it with all necessary husbandry requirements and care it needs. It may also be an indicator of how likely your pet may be to survive if you happen to drop the ball at some time. Simply put, some snakes are easier to take care of, and can handle wider swings of consistency than others. If you worry that you may not be able to provide optimal care for your new pet, both you and the snake would be better off if the purchase is not made. However, a hardy pet will be more likely to survive, should you temporarily lose focus.
Temperament – In short, some snake species are quite docile, while others can be exceptionally nervous and shy. Regular handling of your pet will likely help it become “tamer”, but be aware that during this transition, you may need to be prepared for the occasional attempt to escape, bite, musk or even poop while being held. If you wish to avoid these experiences, your odds will improve with a more laid back species.
Cost – Depending on the species, gender, color and age of your pet, you can expect to pay anywhere from $10 to $100 for regularly available specimens of the snakes we have highlighted. For less common morphs, you can pay a great deal more!!! Please be aware that this is the cost of the snake only! Be prepared to spend more on an appropriate cage, bedding, heat source and place to hide etc. Some snake do require larger cages than others adding expense to your pet purchase.
Feeding issues - This category can be looked at in several different ways. Your snake may be prone to go off feed every once in a while making it very difficult to get it to start eating again. Perhaps you decide on a Garter Snake, and must resort to feeding it fish. Or maybe you have that great eater, that assumes you want to feed it every time you open his cage and comes out mouth open and ready to bite whatever it sees first!! Most of these issues can be dealt with, but should be a consideration for a new snake owner.
Breeding success – Most of us buy a pet because we like it and want to take care of it, but some of us have hopes to produce our own at some point down the road. Breeding snakes can be a trial if you have King snakes that would rather eat each other than mate. Perhaps you have snakes that simply don’t express interest in one another, or maybe you’ve successfully bred them, they’ve laid eggs that have hatched, but now the babies refuse to eat. If you plan to try breeding for the first time, it might save you some grief by starting with any easy one.
Variety of colors – This one is pretty self-explanatory, but you are more likely to find a rainbow of colors and patterns amongst Corn Snakes and Ball Pythons than you are with a Mountain King or a Garter. This can also come in to play if you plan to breed your snakes down the road.
Size – There is no good size or bad size of snake, just make sure to purchase one that will fit your preference as an adult. For the purpose of the spreadsheet below, a “1″ indicates the smallest snake, and a “10″ represents the largest.
Rating system – We will be looking at 10 families of snakes, and 7 purchasing factors. Each snake will be rated 1 – 10 amongst its peers in each category. For all factors, a “1″ will be given to the snake with the most “appealing” trait, while a “10″ will be given to the animal with the least desirable tendency. There is a sum of all scores in the last column. The snake with the lowest total score would, all things being considered, make a better first snake, than the snake with the highest score.
So is there any surprise that Corn snakes are the most common pet snakes in the U.S.? They are hardy, easy-to handle, inexpensive and pretty. Does this mean that a Corn snake is definitely the first snake you should buy? Absolutely not! The snake is as individual as the owner and you should purchase the one that appeals to you the most in all categories important to you. Let’s quickly discuss the individual snake families we’ve highlighted in this chart, and work our way from number 10 to number 1.
Boa Constrictor
The Red Tail Boa is certainly one of the most common snakes in the pet trade, but they are also one of the most commonly gotten rid of. They are attractive enough, and make a fun show-piece, but ultimately get much larger (in excess of 10 feet) than most people are comfortable with long-term. Add to this, that they are a tropical species requiring high humidity and temperatures that are difficult to duplicate in captivity, and it’s easy to make the case that these snakes are better left to those that have at least moderate reptile experience. They certainly can still make a great first snake, however, for those resolved to give it proper care and attention.
Mountain Kingsnake
As pretty as they are, these snakes can still be a challenge to a novice snake keeper. As mountain dwellers, they prefer cooler temperatures than many of their close relatives. Babies can be very difficult to get eating, and even adults may occasionally become problem feeders. That said, they still tolerate some handling and are a good size to work with. So long as you are confident in be able to meet its needs, a Mountain Kingsnake can be a very rewarding pet.
Gray-banded King
Though they live at lower elevations, Gray-bands, like Mountain Kings, are notoriously poor feeders as babies, and may often die before eating. It is best to pay a little extra, and buy one that has already been eating regularly. They come in a variety of patterns and their buggy eyes give them a unique personality for the moderately experienced snake keeper.
Milk Snake
Milk snakes come in a wide variety of colors and sizes. They can make great pets, but it should be noted that they are commonly more shy than King snakes, and especially as babies, will typically be more prone to musk or bite when being held.
Hognose Snake
These snakes are amongst my personal favorite! They are relatively small, but have as much or more personality than any other snake I have ever seen. Though they are rarely defensive, they are masters at bluffing, and will sometimes hiss loudly, hood up almost cobra like, and even play dead if threatened. These behaviors are rather uncommon in captive conditions, but if it happens, don’t let them fool you!
Gopher/Bull Snake
Bulls and Gopher snakes are some of the hardiest snakes on the market, and they rarely have feeding issues. Some varieties, can however get a little on the large side, may exhibit some aggressive behavior, and will eat much more than most pet snakes.
Ball Python
Ball Pythons make some of the best pet snakes out there! They come in as many different patterns as you can imagine. Normal Ball Pythons can be found for around $50, but it is not uncommon to find rarer color schemes upwards of $10,000 and higher! They stay relatively small for a Python (5 feet), are durable and calm for handling by even the inexperienced person, and are fairly hardy and easy to breed.
Common King Snake
There are multiple subspecies of common kingsnakes (California, Mexican Black, Desert, Speckled, Brooks etc. etc.) and many different morphs of each. Common Kings attain a manageable size, are hardy, and eat well. They are extremely common in the pet trade as well, and most of those available are captive bred. All things considered, this is one of the best starter snakes on the market.
Garter Snake
Garter Snakes are one of the most common snakes in the U.S. and are often kept as pets. Though they are typically inexpensive ad hardy, Garters can have the tendency to musk more often than most pet snakes. They also tend to do better on a diet of fish, which may make feeding a bit more problematic.
Corn Snake
Cheap, hardy, common, readily available as captive bred, good eaters and pretty to boot. A well started (already eating readily) Corn snake is hard to beat for the novice snake keeper. These snakes come in more colors than anything else on the market and can make for exciting breeding projects as well!
Conclusion
Welcome to the exciting world of snake ownership! Keeping snakes as pets requires an additional amount of care and consideration. If you bring a snake home, be prepared to be confronted by family members and friends that do not care as much for snakes as you do. It is important to show understanding to their preferences and try to educate them. It is NEVER a good idea to tease, chase, or surprise anyone with your pet snake. Snakes are not meant to be prank material, and treating them as such, is a good way to end up with an injured or dead pet, and costly therapy bills for the one exposed to the traumatic event. Please exercise common sense and responsibility when introducing others to your pet.
We hope that this blog has been informative and useful. We openly admit that while trying to be completely objective, our own opinions and preferences have likely bled into the data. That said, if it were entirely up to me, the Hognose would have placed much higher, and the Garter much lower, but the math simply went in favor of the Garter.While we concentrated today on some of the best pet snakes, it is also important to recognize that there are some species that make VERY poor pets. Please consult with a snake expert prior to any purchase to avoid costly mistakes and bad experiences.
Keeping pet snakes, can be a very rewarding hobby, and an extremely educational experience. I learned many fascinating things while keeping snakes, that I never learned from reading the countless books I had my nose in as a kid. Snakes are one of the easiest pets to keep, yet can still be as stimulating as a bird, cat or fish.
If you are fellow snake keeper, we would love to hear what your first pet snake was, and what you would have done differently, given the chance. If you are thinking about buying your first pet snake, please share the experience with us!
Yours truly,
Snake Buddies
