Your First Snake

If you think that a snake is the pet for you, then do as much research as you can so you know the requirements needed in the raising and care of your new pet. Here are some suggested choices for your first snake based on temperaments, ease of handling, and overall level of maintenance required.

Ball Python:
Like most pythons, the Ball Python is a curious and gentle snake. They are a slow moving, calm reptile that will grow to be 4-5 feet long and live for 20-30 years. These snakes are called 'Ball Pythons' because, when frightened, they coil around their head and into a ball.

Corn Snakes:
The Corn snake will stay fairly small at 3-4 feet and live to be 8-12 years old. This snake is a hardy, docile species that comes in a large range of bright colors. They are good eaters and can tolerate a range of environments, so maintenance is fairly easy. Corn snakes received their name from the pattern on their belly which looks like Indian corn.

King Snakes:
The King snake will grow 3-7 feet long and can live for 20 years, or more. This snake is relatively docile, but will try to eat its cage mates, so they should be housed on their own. Because they prey on and eat other snakes, they became known as the King snake.

Milk Snakes:
The Milk snake is closely related to the King snake and, like its cousin, will feed on other snakes so it should be housed by itself. The come in a range of colors like the King, but slightly less brilliant. They grow from 3-7 feet and may live to 20 years. They received their name from a legend that says they would ‘milk’ cows.

Those are the four recommended choices for your first foray into the world of snakes.