What is the best pet snake?

What is the best pet snake? #

So, what is the best pet snake? Which species is the best to handle? What snake is the calmest? This is the top 5 best snakes in our opinion

The royal protagonists #

Royal pythons (Python regius) are small to medium sized pythons originating from sub-Saharan west Africa. Called royal pythons due to their latin name, Regius, that translates to Royal in English but also known as ball pythons in the very literal Americas, due to their defensive response of “balling up” to protect their heads from attack. Growing to a maximum length of 6’ and weighing a potential 4kgs, these amazing snakes stay at a manageable size and have a wonderful and inquisitive nature. Easy to handle and exceptionally calm, these snakes are a great species to keep. Royal pythons are constrictors and like their relatives kill their prey by constriction, exerting enough pressure to stop circulation and interrupt neural functions, rendering the prey item unconscious within seconds and dead, usually, in under a minute. Royal pythons have also evolved heat pits on their upper “lip”, these pits can detect changes in temperature as low as 0.1°C and allow the snake to hunt and identify potential predators in complete darkness. There are over 6500 recognised morphs (morphs – royal pythons being selectively bred for particular colour, scale pattern or texture) the most expensive of which, a lavender albino, sold for $40,000. Breeders are constantly trying for different combinations of morphs to create a stable and beautiful colour or pattern.

A bit corny #

Corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus) are slender north American colubrids that can reach 6 feet in length and weigh just over 1kg. Corn snakes get their name from their habits of residing in and around corn silos and fields (chasing down the rodents that were attracted by the crop). Fast moving and inquisitive, adult corn snakes make a wonderful interactive pet. Corns are constrictors and subdue their prey by wrapping their bodies around their prey and squeezing until it stops moving, most the time….. the rest of the time (and if the prey item is small enough) the corn snake will just eat it. Alive. Corn snakes are one of the most popular pet reptiles in the world and, with more than 800 morphs recognised today, there is a colour and pattern to captivate everyone. Corns can live for more than 20 years in captivity if given the correct care and husbandry. The most expensive corn snake to ever be bought was a Pastel Vanishing Stripe Palmetto whose price tag was a hefty $20,000! One of the most adaptable snakes in the world, corn snakes can be found from semi-arid deserts to swamps, primarily crepuscular (active during dawn and dusk) and terrestrial (ground dwelling) corn snakes can be seen during the day and many specimens enjoy climbing. They’re also very good swimmers.

• The king of kings
Kingsnakes (specifically Californian kingsnakes – Lampropeltis californiae) are a firm favourite in the reptile hobby. Growing up to 6 feet in length and weighing just over 1kg, these slender north American colubrids are known to be voracious eaters and insanely pretty. Much like their corn snake cousins, kingsnakes are active and inquisitive and make an interesting, handleable pet. Kingsnakes are again constrictors, latching on to their prey with up to 50 small, backward facing and incredibly sharp teeth and squeezing until lifeless. Kingsnakes have an incredibly varied diet in a natural setting, even preying on rattlesnakes and other venomous snakes with casual abandon. Kingsnakes are immune to many venomous species of snake, allowing them to actively hunt and consume them. Many Americans enjoy having kingsnakes in their vicinity for this very reason. Kings will also prey on rodents, birds, lizards and have even been known to eat eggs of both reptiles and birds. Kingsnakes are fairly inexpensive, with the priciest specimen ever sold being a particularly pretty super-high white albino which went for more than $300. Interesting, fun, inquisitive and handleable (when they’re not hungry), Kingsnakes make an excellent pet snake.

• This little piggy…
…. Went to market and ate everything. The western Hognose (Heterodon nasicus). Everyone likes their noodles and some like their noodles spicy! The western hognose snake (or Hoggie for short) is another north American colubrid, but this one is built a little different. Given the name “Hognose” by their cute little upturned noses, this peculiar look, coupled with their keeled scales, is perfectly designed for digging. Hoggies are burrowers by nature, both to escape intense heat and cold, evade potential predators and to find food, their favourite of which is burrowing toads. Captive hoggies are now morphed and more than 30 different colours and patterns are recognised. But they all remain spicy and by that we mean they react defensively to everything. Not known to bite in defense, hoggies will put you on a show. Hissing, flattening their necks (almost like a cobra), bluff striking and headbutting to scare you away. If none of that works, hoggies will roll themselves over, open their mouths and stick out their tongues, trying to convince you that they are dead. These are one of the most entertaining species of snake to keep and with a maximum size of 3 feet (only for exceptionally large females, males stay comparatively small at 18”) and a varied captive diet that can include rodents, birds and even fish. Hoggies are rear fang venomous, but with their bluffing nature and inclination to not bite, they do make great pets.

• A common dilemma
The common boa (Boa constrictor – the most on the nose latin name outside of the Eurasian lynx, look that one up 😊) is a medium to large sized constrictor found in south America. With females reaching 14 feet and males pushing 10 feet, boas do get to an impressive size, but with their calm and balanced temperament (outside of feeding time at least) they can make sizeable, yet handleable pets. Unlike the other snakes on this list, boas are viviparous and give birth to live young instead of laying eggs. This adaptation lets boas breed and colonise areas very quickly, as they have done in the Florida everglades where they are now an invasive species. In the wild, adult boas will feed on rabbits, large birds, deer, pigs and even monkeys! In a captive environment, large rats, chickens, rabbits, and guinea pigs can be offered, and as they are boas, they will be readily accepted. Boa constrictors, if kept correctly, can live in excess of 20 years and will feed anywhere from once a week to once every 4 weeks. A large, inquisitive, and active snake that makes a good (if heavy) pet.

So, what is the best pet snake? Which one is the best to keep and handle? That is not our choice. That’s up to you.

Why not check out our YouTube channel for some cool videos on our reptiles and helpful tips on husbandry!