Snakes are one of the most popular reptile pets. This pet may scare some people, but it is a lovely friend to others.
For starters, who do not have much experience in caring for this legless reptile, choosing the best snakes for handling is important. With little experience, the beginner will surely want a better start.
The best snakes for first time owners are often not easy to choose. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you choose the best snake.
This article will cover the most suitable snakes for beginners including the best of snake for beginners, some species considered best pet reptiles for handling.
What Are The Best Snakes For Handling?
First, let’s take a look at some of the most ideal snakes for beginners. These are considered friendly, meek, and are some of the best reptiles for handling.
Starting by choosing easy-to-handle snake types that don’t require a lot of effort to take care of is a great option for beginners.
Here is a list of some of the friendliest, easiest-to-handle snakes you can consider:
#1 Corn Snakes
Corn snake is one of the snake species is considered the most friendly and easy to handle. This is a great option for beginners as you will be able to get used to the snake gradually from an easy-going companion.
Corn snake is also a popular reptile pet. It has ideal size and outstanding appearance and gentle temperament. It will become a lovely and safe friend even with your kids.
Corn snake is native to North America and its ideal environment is dense areas. Corn snake likes to live in lawns or wooded areas.
It is also a character that can effectively kill rodents. So corn snake is also one of the best snakes for rat control. You can raise corn snakes to control wild rodents that are destroying your living space.
A fully developed corn snake can be up to 60 inches long, so you need to ensure a comfortable living space for it as it grows. Except for this one, it requires no more special effort.
You can easily buy corn snake at reptile pet stores or buy it online. It has a reasonable price (if not cheap compared to other types of snakes).
Corn snake is also ideal for breeding. It is a reptile that is easy to breed and handle compared to many other snakes.
#2 California Kingsnake
California Kingsnake is also a popular snake, appearing in many areas as a pet friendly. This snake has an outstandingly stout appearance, making it one of the most sought after pet snakes.
California Kingsnake has the same origin as Corn Snake, both from North America. In particular, California Kingsnake appears more on the West Coast.
California Kingsnake is a stronger snake than Corn Snake and it is the best snake for you, who prefer a little stronger feeling. But it is still an easy-to-handle snake that does not require any crazy treatment.
In the wild, California Kingsnake can be a very aggressive snake. They can kill other species, even other snakes and even poisonous snakes. When tamed, they will become docile and softer.
A California Kingsnake is about 4 feet in average size and quite light. It does not require an extensive captive environment like many other snakes.
California Kingsnake is not picky about eating and you will hardly be able to meet the case where your pet does not cooperate in eating. However, one note in handling this snake is that you should not keep many California Kingsnake together, or between California Kingsnake and other snakes.
As we mentioned above, California Kingsnake can eat fellow and other animals. To be safe and avoid other accidents, it’s best to keep California Kingsnake in a separate cage and limit them from the cage.
#3 Rosy Boa
Rosy Boa is not as popular as the above two snakes, but it is still a good choice for beginners. Rosy Boa has many colors and they are quite docile.
The color of this snake is not too prominent but very beautiful. Rosy Boa is like beautiful roses gently and suitable as a gift for women.
Rosy Boa does not require much effort and time to care. Especially they have a long life, can accompany the owner for a very long time. A Rosy Boa has an average life span of 25 years. If taken good care of, that number could last up to 30 years.
Rosy Boa average size about 3 feet and not too heavy. While it does not appear popular in many pet stores, you can buy it on online stores. The price of this snake is not too expensive, about 40 dollars or less for a Rosy Boa.
There is a small note with Rosy Boa’s captive environment that holes should not be left. Rosy Boa is a mischievous snake, it often tries to escape so the owner should remove the holes of the enclosure.
#4 Western Hognose Snakes
Western Hognose Snakes are snakes that look different from the other snakes on the list. They have an upturned nose and this nose is great for digging. It is also considered as one of the best snakes for beginners UK.
Western Hognose Snakes is ideal for beginners. This snake is not too large, quite light and not picky eaters. The average size of 3 feet is ideal for easy handling by the owner.
They are gentle snakes, their intimidating appearance may make you misunderstand. They are like friendly friends, easy to cooperate. Western Hognose Snakes is considered the best snake for cats, it can play with other pets without attacking the enemy.
It can be said that Western Hognose Snakes is a passive and quite shy snake. When feeling threatened, they will bulge like a cobra and make a cry. Their defense is to escape.
When starting out with Western Hognose Snakes, you should pay attention to temperature and substrate. Because Western Hognose Snakes loves burrowing, you should choose the substrates that suit this hobby.
In general, this snake does not require too much, everything they need is very basic and you can meet easily.
#5 Ball Python
Ball Python is probably not a strange name and it is also one of the most popular and famous pet reptiles today. Ball Python is also a great choice for beginners because it is easy to handle, requires no special care.
Ball Python is native to Africa, so it is a tropical reptile. Ball Python is also quite popular in Australia and other tropical countries. They are favored as the best snakes for beginners Australia.
Ball Python is famous for being calm and friendly. It is not as dynamic and agile as other snakes, but it still receives a lot of love. Perhaps it is a much more adorable reptile than its large appearance.
Ball Python is the shortest python species and is, therefore, a great pet for beginners. It may be heavier and longer than the rest of the snakes on the list but it will not take you too much space. The female is usually bigger than the male.
In particular, Ball Python has a very long life span. It is one of the few long-lived reptiles, and if well cared for, it can live for at least 30 years. This is one of the ideal pets to stick with for a long time.
Ball Python is not picky eaters, requires no special treatment. It is also a good breed and you can hatch the Ball Python easily.
It is also the most morphological species. Each different form comes with different prices. But overall, Ball Python is an affordable species that you can afford.
#6 Gopher Snake
Gopher Snake may not be a popular snake, but it is also an easy-to-handle species and a perfect choice for those without a lot of experience.
Gopher Snake has size and weight superior to other snakes. It is quite heavy and has an average length of about 5 feet. Gopher Snake may not be small, but it’s very friendly and docile.
Gopher Snake is more common in many local reptile stores. You can also buy them online from breeders, or some ecommerce sites. It starts at around $ 40 to $ 50. This is a figure not too high to pay.
This snake does not require much special treatment. It can survive up to 15 years in an ideal captive environment.
Gopher Snake also has a hobby of burrowing, so you should prepare the right substrate for its captive environment. Just about 2 inches of substrate is enough to satisfy this preference of Gopher Snake.
Gopher Snake has beautiful colors but not too prominent. You can find them at pet stores (not so popular) or you can buy them online (easier).
When Gopher Snake, it will be significantly longer, so start with the 30 gallons enclosure. This is an economical option, you do not have to change a lot of enclosure according to the growth of the pet.
What Is Needed For Captivity Of Snakes?
In order for your pet snake to develop in the most comprehensive way, you should provide them with a suitable and ideal habitat.
The ideal environment is created by tools that help simulate the natural environment, or provide the snake with the most basic needs.
Before raising any snake, you need to know the most basic tools and equipment that a snakes captive environment needs. If you know this information, your snake will live much easier and happier.
Some of the equipment you need for snakes’ captivity is:
#1 Heat source
Snakes are cold-blooded animals, which is why they cannot control body temperature on their own. The temperature of the surroundings is what determines the body’s temperature.
Therefore, you should provide them with a source of heat to ensure the solid body temperature remains stable.
But you should also be aware of creating a temperature gradient so that the snake can cool the body. This means that you shouldn’t heat the entire living space of a snake, only partially. As such, there will be a high temperature area and a cool temperature area to prevent accidents.
You can refer to Zilla Heat Mat Terrarium Heater, this is a good source of heat for snakes.
#2 Substrate
Substrate is one of the important factors that you should not overlook. Substrates directly affect the physical and mental well-being of snakes. So you have to consider carefully before choosing.
For digging snakes, a substrate that can meet this preference for them is most ideal. Snakes will be happier and happier when he meets his hobbies.
You should also not choose those types of substrates that are too dusty as it can affect the sole and nose of snakes. Nor should the substrate have a sharp morphology because it may hurt them.
Should choose the easy to clean substrate to ensure the health of snakes. Zoo Med Forest Floor Bedding is the product we highly recommend for you.
#3 Food dish/ water bowl
You may feel that a food dish / water bowl is not important on this list, but it is here for a reason.
You should never place food directly on the substrate of snakes. This is the action that can seriously affect the digestive system of snakes.
When snakes eat food placed on the substrate, the food that sticks to the substrate will cause the snakes’ digestive system to get hurt. Severe can lead to ulcers and perforation.
For that reason, you should invest in a food dish to ensure the safety of your pet.
You should also invest in a water bowl large enough for snakes to wallow in. It should also be heavy enough that the snake will not spill any water.
Exo Terra Feeding Dish is a product you can consider investing in your pet.
#4 Humidifiers
Humidifiers are important equipment to provide suitable and ideal humidity for snakes’ captive environment. Each snake requires its own humidity and temperature, so you need to meet that demand.
Moisture affects the shedding process and reproduction of snakes. If not provided with the right moisture, snakes can have trouble shed its skin. Besides inappropriate humidity also affects the quality of their eggs.
Moreover, snakes will be less stressful and will be happier if provided with proper moisture.
EXO-TERRA Misting System is a wise choice when looking for the best moisture source for snakes.
Conclusion
For those who are inexperienced, taking care of a snake will be a lot easier if you choose species that are easy to handle. Besides personal preferences, you also need to consider what you can meet for your pet to make an appropriate decision.
Hopefully, through this list, you will probably choose for yourself the most suitable snake to be a companion. Thanks for taking the time with us!