best snake to start with as a pet?

the best possible pet snake is a corn snake. they are a low mintanence animal that almost never bites, and it only stays at about 3 feet long.

I know people will say ball python. They are great snakes and I own 2 of them. A lot of people consider them "beginner" snakes but technically, they're not. Let me just explain the difference between a corn snake (a true beginner snake) and a ball python that makes corn snakes much easier...

1.) corn snakes are tolerant to changes in humidity while ball pythons need to be within 50-60% year-round. In the winter or in dry regions like Arizona this could be a challenge. Or if you're somewhere on the coast, summer tend to get too humid.

2.) ball pythons tend to fast (refuse to eat) if the conditions aren't right or if it is stressed. For a pet owner this can be quite hairy. This has been minimized by captive-breeding (be sure to get captive-bred... not wild caught, not captive-hatched) but it is still a common occurrence.

True beginner snakes are corn snakes, king snakes, milk snakes and they all come in a variety of pretty colors!

But, if you are a committed pet owner, the ball python is the best snake to train you in how to take good care of pet snakes! It will provide you with excellent snake-keeping skills that will be useful when you start expanding your collection to other snakes.

Hope this helps!

Ball pythons don't need much space, are fairly lazy, and heavy-bodied. They come in a lot of different colors, but they are sensitive, so they stress and go off feed easily. They also might require slightly higher humidity than normal and beginners tend to go all over the place with that. (Too much results in respiratory infections)

Rosy boas are heavy bodied, lazy, and don't need much space either. They also come in quite a few different colors, stay very small, and are extremely hardy and low-maintenance. They don't need any special humidity.

Corn snakes get long, but stay thin. They come in many different colors and are very active, so they make better display animals. They appreciate more space, especially when they're older. They can also be escape artists. They're pretty hardy and don't need any special humidity.

Milks and kings can be more sensitive, in paticular more flighty/nervous/defensive, but not always. Still be sure to get one that already has a good calm personality and eats well on frozen/thawed. They're a lot like corns care-wise. They enjoy burrowing in a dry substrate such as shredded aspen shavings, they enjoy tubes, and branches to climb on.

Your choice.

If you get a glass terrarium, make sure it has a solid locking slide-in screen top or they WILL escape. The ones that are larger and more active would appreciate more room, but consider a thirty gallon first. You can use a properly sized under the tank heater, this is basically a heating pad, and any heat source requires a thermostat to control the temperatures. Do NOT skip out on getting it! It is very, very important! You can get a cheap one for $25-$40.

A snake will need two hide-boxes, one on the hot side and one on the cold side. Plus a water dish large enough for it to soak in. You should get an adult snake, they are less sensitive than hatchlings, that is feeding on frozen/thawed rodents. This is cheaper and safer. Rodents can transmit internal parasites to your snakes if they aren't frozen and they will also bite. When it comes to handling, you can, but keep it to a minimum. Handling once a week when you go to clean up or feed it is enough. Overhandling can lead to stress.

Please keep in mind that these animals can live for up to four decades in some cases, easily two, probably longer than any of the dozen pets you have now and they aren't very interesting pets. You can't teach them tricks or cuddle with them, they won't love you like a dog or cat. Don't be the 99% who get one on a whim because they think they look cool and then get bored of it in a couple years, if that. Do your research, be prepared, and don't rush. Have your set-up ready and running for a few days before you get the animals. If the temperatures or humidity isn't right 24/7, then that gives you time to fiddle with things without the animal having to deal with a bad home. Also, give it a week to settle in to it's new home before you start handling and feeding it.

Good luck

I will 3rd the Corn Snake.. They are much more forgiving to new snake owner mistakes.. I agree that balls don't make great starter snakes.. they are wonderful, but tricky.. and having to figure out a way to get a stubborn snake to eat is not easy.. balls WILL starve themselves to death. Corns can be kept in a 20 gallon tank.. I prefer slightly larger so they can have things to climb in/on.

Now, the milk is only a little more difficult to keep then corns.. they do NEED their temps kept well.. or they get sick.. little room for error. They are also far more timid.. odds are, you will never see a milk snake investigating the tank.. they find the smallest, darkest place to hide.. and stay there.. until it is dark..

Once again, the corn snake is the best bet. Corn snakes are great beginner pets, and I believe they are the dogs of the snake world. Friendly and loving. If you are getting him as a baby, here are his requirements:

Housing- A baby corn snake should be perfectly happy in a 10 gallon tank, as long as it's properly ventilated and has a LOCKING screen top. Remember, it needs latches or clamps, as these little guys are great escape artists.

Substrate- I personally prefer aspen shavings, as they are easy to clean and provide a more natural, attractive look to the cage. He also likes to burrow in it. Never use any kind of pine or scented wood shavings, as these are toxic to snakes. And try not to use any kind of bark, like the fir bark they sell in pet stores, as they are way to dusty.

Heating- An undertank heater, or UT, as it is sometimes referred to by reptile enthusiasts, is a good heat source. It helps them digest their food better, and provides a more adequate heat source. Remember, never use any kind of heat rock. Many snakes are seriously injured and most of the time die due to burns. You can also use a 75 watt bulb, or better yet, a red light.

Food- Corn snakes eat thawed frozen rodents. For a baby, you need to feed him pinkies. Your local petstore should have them, and if not, you can order n bulk online. You should get a microwavable cup, fill it with about 1.5 to 2 cups of water, and nuke it for 2 mins. Then pour the water into a cup or bowl and place the frozen pinkie in there. Then put a lid on it, so it cooks faster. Leave it in there about 3-6 minutes. When it's completely thawed, using feeding tongs, wiggle it in front of your snakes face, and set it down in front of him. He should then eat it. The cup you microwaved the water in should be jut fine to put back in the dish drainer, as the heat killed all the bacteria.

Handling- You should never handle your snake after feeding. Wait 1-2 days.When he's a baby, make sure not to use any fast movements, as these babies are very jumpy. Don't let any of your other pets around it, especially your cats. They could scare him, and he would likely strike at them. Resulting in injury for your snake, as your cat will likely retaliate with a swipe of his paw.

Hides- You need at least 2 hides for the cool side and the warm side. Make sure they are small and provide dark, no open faced hides. Most people buy these as to see their pet better, but it makes your pet feel very insecure, and he will never go in there. I suggest small coconut hides, and if they have none for reptiles, go to the hermit crab section, and I guarantee there will be some there. There's really no difference. You should also provide some kind of foilage, as they like to slither around and hide in that. Also provide a water dish, large enough to submerge themselves in, and yu should change the water every 1-2 days.

Hope I helped!!

Corn snakes

king snakes

and if you choose a python choose a woma python not a ball python.

For species information and care sheets scroll to Reptile Care Section: http://zoocrewkids.blogspot.com/

Ball Python or Corn Snake. Ill choose Ball Python since they get big, but not too big.