Choosing your first snake can be an exciting, wonderful time. You’re about to form what can be a 20+ year relationship with a cool animal that a lot of people don’t have the joy of meeting. With that said, proper consideration and research into the kind of snake you want is always important before making a final decision.
To assist you in the first step of your journey, here are some things you should consider – as a beginner – before committing to owning a snake.
Size
It’s no exaggeration to say that size can and should be a primary factor in choosing a first pet snake. After all, the size of your animal will impact what type of food it needs, its enclosure/space requirements, and how easy it is to handle.
For the most part, snakes that are commonly available in the pet trade remain at a moderate 4-6 feet. While this is still a sizable animal, it is important to remember that certain pet snakes can reach up to 10 feet – such as the Columbian red tail boa constrictor. Of course, there are also those who stay at a compact 3-4 feet, such as the dwarf boa.
Appearance
While appearance should never be the only deciding factor in getting a pet, it can certainly be important. The physical makeup of snakes – even within the same species – can vary quite a bit. In fact, there is an entire industry in passing down and refining the genetics of certain “morphs”, or types of color and pattern.
Certain snakes can have a wider variety of morphs than others. For instance, the ball python has over 4,000 morphs, ranging from albinos and bright yellows to melanistic. Of course, color isn’t the only factor that changes between snakes. Face, body shape, scale appearance (or lack of scales in some cases), can all heavily alter the appearance and appeal of a snake. Whatever your preference, there is bound to be a snake that matches it.
Temperament
How any pet behaves and interacts with you will – naturally – be incredibly important to deciding if it’s compatible with your home or not. While most snakes widely available in the pet trade make for tolerant, docile pets, there are still certain aspects of behavior that you want to keep in mind. This includes shyness, behavioral quirks, and feeding habits.
Some snakes with notably good temperaments include:
- King snakes
- Ball pythons
- Corn snakes
- Milk snakes
- African house snakes
- Boas
To ensure that your pet’s temperament is predictable and stable, be sure to seek out snakes for sale from a captive bred colony, and avoid wild caught animals. It’s also worth remembering that you will likely be receiving your snake as a hatching – meaning that it is particularly important that you spend the time to interact and bond with them.
Closing Thoughts
Determining which snake is right for you doesn’t have to be a difficult process. By carefully considering what you can accommodate and what you want, you are primed to ensure that you’re giving your reptile pet the best quality of life possible.