If you’ve come to this page, then chances are that you’re looking for information on how to care for your current or soon-to-be pet snake. If so, that’s great, we will go over the following information on this page:
- How to choose a pet snake
- The most common pet snakes (and their care guides)
- Where to buy snakes online
- Snake care FAQ
You can find a lot of general information on this page, but you can find specific and detailed information for your specific species of pet snake in their care guide.
How to Choose A Pet Snake
With so many different species of snakes being kept as pets, you may find it difficult trying to decide which one you want. While it may be tempting to make this decision based on how each species of snake looks, we would highly recommend doing your research and making the following considerations before making a final decision:
- Your experience level
- The amount of time you are able to dedicate
- Your budget
- The availability of the species you want
Your Experience Level
Your experience level with caring for snakes should be one of your biggest considerations before choosing a pet snake. If you have never owned a snake before, it is probably best to choose a species that is considered to be more beginner-friendly. Some of the most popular beginner-friendly snakes include garter snakes, corn snakes, and king snakes.
If you have some experience caring for snakes but are not an expert, there are still many different species that would make good pets. A few of these include milk snakes, pythons, and boa constrictors.
If you consider yourself to be an experienced snake owner, then you will have a much larger selection of pet snakes to choose from. However, even if you have owned snakes in the past, we would still recommend doing your research on each individual species before making your decision.
The Amount of Time You Are Able to Dedicate
Another important consideration is the amount of time you are able to dedicate to your pet snake. Some snakes require more care than others, so it is important to choose a species that you will be able to properly take care of.
If you do not have a lot of time to dedicate to caring for your snake, we would recommend choosing a species that does not require as much maintenance. A few examples of these include garter snakes, corn snakes, and king snakes. These types of snakes are relatively low-maintenance and can often go several days without being fed.
On the other hand, if you have plenty of time to dedicate to your pet snake, then you may want to consider a species that requires a bit more care. A few examples of these snakes include milk snakes, pythons, and boa constrictors. These types of snakes will need to be fed more often and will require more frequent cleaning of their enclosure.
Your Budget
Another important consideration is your budget. Snakes can vary greatly in price, depending on the species you choose and where you purchase them from. In general, the larger the snake, the more expensive it will be. Additionally, some species of snakes are simply more expensive than others.
If you are working with a limited budget, we would recommend choosing a smaller snake or a species that is less expensive. A few examples of these include garter snakes, corn snakes, and king snakes.
If you have a larger budget, you may want to consider a more expensive snake. A few examples of these include milk snakes, pythons, and boa constrictors.
The Availability of the Species You Want
Another important consideration is the availability of the species you want. Some snakes are simply more difficult to find than others. If you have your heart set on a particular species of snake, you may need to do some extra research to find where you can purchase one.
If you are having difficulty finding the snake you want, we would recommend contacting a local reptile store or breeder. They may be able to special order the snake for you or point you in the right direction.
Most Common Pet Snakes
Like most other reptiles, not every species of snake is going to be a good fit as a pet. In fact, there are many dangerous types of snakes in the world that are illegal to be sold and owned by individuals. Luckily, there are just as many, if not more, non-dangerous snakes that make great pets for beginners and experienced reptile owners.
Some of the most common types of pet snakes include:
- Ball pythons
- Corn snakes
- Kingsnakes
- Milk snakes
- Garter snakes
Ball Pythons
Ball pythons are one of the most popular types of snakes to keep as pets. They are a small to medium-sized snake, averaging 3 to 5 feet in length when fully grown. They are relatively docile and easy to care for, making them a great choice for first-time snake owners.
Corn Snakes
Corn snakes are another popular type of pet snake. They are a bit larger than ball pythons, averaging 4 to 6 feet in length when fully grown. Corn snakes are also relatively docile and easy to care for. They come in a wide variety of color morphs, which makes them fun to collect.
Kingsnakes
Kingsnakes are a large type of snake, averaging 5 to 8 feet in length when fully grown. They are generally very docile, but can be more aggressive than other types of pet snakes. Kingsnakes are also easy to care for and come in a wide variety of color morphs.
Milk Snakes
Milk snakes are a medium-sized snake, averaging 3 to 5 feet in length when fully grown. They are docile and easy to care for, making them a great choice for first-time snake owners. Milk snakes come in a wide variety of color morphs, which makes them fun to collect.
Garter Snakes
Garter snakes are the smallest type of snake on this list, averaging 2 to 3 feet in length when fully grown. They are very docile and easy to care for, making them a great choice for first-time snake owners.
Where to Buy Snakes Online
Lucky for you, there are many great places online that have snakes for sale. Not only this, but there are many out there that offer exceptional service and operate within their full legal boundaries. If you’re looking for the best and safest place to buy a snake online, then you should consider one of our following recommendations:
Imperial Reptiles
Imperial Reptiles is by far the best place to buy a snake online. They feature a good variety of snakes and have an excellent price point compared to other online pet stores.
They also boast the best selection of ball pythons in the industry. Some of the types they have available include:
- Baby & adult ball pythons
- Albino ball pythons
- Banana ball pythons
- Clown ball pythons
- Pied ball pythons
Their 100% live arrival guarantee also helps to make them one of the best online reptile stores there is.
XYZ Reptiles
Similar to Imperial Reptiles, XYZ offers a 100% live arrival guarantee for all their pets. They also are one of the few vendors that can claim to have a correct gender guarantee for all the pets they sell.
XYZ Reptiles has a HUGE selection of different snakes. They also have great prices and manage to keep everything in stock on a regular basis. Some of the snakes they have for sale include:
- Milk snakes
- Pythons
- Boas
- Corn snakes
- Hognose snakes
- Rat snakes
CB Reptile
CB Reptile exclusively features ball pythons, so if you’re looking for a different type of snake then we recommend choosing one of the vendors above. However, if you’re looking for a ball python to buy as a pet, then they feature a great selection at a great price. Their shipping guidelines also make them one of the safest vendors in the market.
Snake Blog Posts
Can Ball Pythons Safely Live Together?
If you’re a ball python owner and considering adding another snake to your collection, you might be wondering if you can keep…
Keep reading
Are Ball Pythons Venomous?
When it comes to certain creatures on this earth, there are many that pose a bigger danger to humans than others. Many…
Keep reading
Best Snake Names: 65 Best Names for Your Pet Snake
Trying to find the perfect name for your pet snake? There are many great names to choose from, and when it comes…
Keep readingSnake Care FAQ
There are many species of snakes that can make great pets with proper care. However, you should always be cautious with your purchases and have a full understanding of snakes and how they socialize.
There are many types of snakes that can be kept as pets. Some of the most common include ball pythons, boa constrictors, corn snakes, and milk snakes.
Yes, there are many great online pet stores that legally sell snakes online. Just place your order and be ready to accept the delivery the following or same day.
This depends on two things. First, your definition of expensive. Second, the types of snake you’re looking to buy. Like with other pets, certain species of snakes are more expensive than others. As a general rule of thumb, you can expect to pay anywhere between $100 – $500 for your snake.
If you take the time to prepare properly, and have a great enclosure set up and ready to go, then snakes can be relatively easy to care for. Like other pet reptiles, you’ll need to keep their tank clean and regularly feed them, but in general snakes tend to be rather simple to care for.
