Have you ever dreamed of owning a beautiful snake or a couple of beautiful and pretty pet snakes? Owning a snake could seem intimidating for people who aren’t used to being around snakes, however with the right perspective and knowledge over which snake you desire most you can make the best decision over which of the pretty pet snakes you love most!
Deciding which snake to start taking care of can be quite a challenge since they require special attention such as heating requirements and specialized diets, unlike other common pets such as dogs and cats.
In this article, I will describe the best most friendly pretty pet snakes ranging from the most common snake owned by people on social media to one of the most gorgeous (non-venomous) pet snakes anyone could have.
Here is a list of pretty pet snakes from the most commonly owned to one of the most vibrant-looking snakes a person can have as a pet.
- Cape House Snake
- Dekay’s Brown Snake
- Western Ribbon Snake
- Rough Green Snake
- Corn Snake
- Children’s Python
- Gopher Snake
- Garter Snake
- Dumeril’s Boa
- Four-Lined Snake
- Eastern Garter Snake
- Western Hognose Snake
- Ball Python
- Pueblan Milk Snake
- Kenyan Sand Boa
- Rainbow Boa
- Ringneck Snake
- Rosy Boa
- California Kingsnake
- Carpet Python
Quick Knowledge about these pretty pet snakes: Snakes are considered reptiles that are cold-blooded therefore most reptiles live where it is warm. Cold-blooded reptiles don’t actually have cold blood, however, it just means that the average temperature of the blood within reptiles changes with the temperature where they live.
In this article, we will describe each snake’s specialized requirements for care, costs, activity, description, and behavior as all of these attributes can either make or break a person’s decision who is interested in owning a reptile.
1. Cape House Snake
Native to South Africa ranging from Botswana to Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe which are non-venomous. These snakes are fantastic for beginners owning snakes as they generally fall into less tempered, relaxed, and require low-maintenance relative to owning other snakes.
Quick Fact: The average lifespan for the Cape House Snake is between 15 and 20 years which makes owning this snake optimal as it lives for a relatively long period of time than most common snakes enabling you to build a significant bond with it.
Heating requirements for the Cape House Snake are considered between 75 degrees Fahrenheit to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The color is usually brown on top but can vary from anywhere between as close as black and olive green. Female Cape House Snakes can grow to about 4 feet while males tend to reach up to about nearly 3 feet at most.
The cost of the actual snake can vary between as low as $30 up to $200 at most on some sites that sell this kind of snake.
2. Dekay’s Brown Snake
The heating requirement for this type of snake to flourish in is surprisingly room temperature, however, it is advised that the temperature does not exceed over 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Generally speaking, these snakes don’t exceed more than 13 inches in length (about a foot long).
Since these snakes are relatively small compared to other pretty pet snakes the cost range is from $10 to about $40 at pet shops that sell snakes. This type of snake is found in regions of North America since it doesn’t really require really high temperatures to survive.
The North American snake is usually brown but can vary between a yellowish, reddish, or sometimes even grayish brown with two rows of dark spots that are sometimes linked going along the back or a dark color streaking down the side of the head of the snake.
Overall it is relatively easy to own this kind of snake as its specialized diet consists of insects and earthworms since they are so little plus they are manageable as they tolerate infrequent (not so often) gentle touch or handling.
3. Western Ribbon Snake
The Western Ribbon Snake (otherwise commonly referred to as the ribbon snake) requires a bit more attention than the previous snakes described. The average temperature of this snake’s environment is between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Air that is too damp can cause respiratory infections and water that isn’t constantly changed can cause water-borne diseases and parasites that can be fatal. The specialized diet of the Western Ribbon Snake consists of eating small lizards, amphibians, and other small invertebrates.
The cost to purchase one can vary between $15 to $45 in some social markets where snakes are sold. These snakes are typically found naturally in parts of the United States, Mexico, and Central America.
This snake belongs to the Thamnophis genus which makes up various species of the Garter Snake and is relatively harmless making an accidental bite from your little reptilian friend not dangerous. The snake’s length in size can grow from 2 feet long to a maximum of 4 feet.
Many snakes of this kind can vary in appearance, however, have the exact same three-stripe dark coloration that runs across the body of the snake.
4. Rough Green Snake
The Rough Green Snake is perhaps the best snake recommended to keep as a pet since it is small and doesn’t require too much special attention. Throughout the day it is best advised to keep it at 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit and at night 75 to 80 degrees. The specialized diet of this snake is generally crickets, caterpillars, grasshoppers, snails, spiders, and small frogs.
Generally, the cost to purchase this friendly reptilian is usually on average $8 to $15, however, data online indicates that since the price is so low it could cause disruption in the population of Rough Green Snakes.
The location of these snakes is naturally found throughout parts of the United States specifically from Mid-Atlantic states such as New Jersey all the way down south as far as Texas and Florida.
These pretty pet snakes are pretty much docile and allow humans to approach them closely, but if they feel threatened they will freeze up and use their green coloring as camouflage in hopes that prey may not see them, thus blending in gardens, woodlands, and other areas where green plant life may exist.
Quick Fact: The snakes themselves can grow up to about 3 feet long with bright green on top and on the belly consistent with a cream-yellowish blend that runs up to the chin and lips of the snake a truly gorgeous yet simple and docile creature.
5. Corn Snake
Corn Snakes are an excellent choice for a pet snake to maintain as they generally are docile and have great traits that beginners who never owned a snake could manage. The heating conditions necessary for this magnificent snake are from about 75 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit with 75 degrees being the cool zone.
At night these beautiful reptilians like to be in their assigned cool zone. Corn Snakes are considered constrictor snakes since they squeeze their prey when they catch it to eat it. Corn Snakes normally eat rodents such as mice and can be quite a spectacle when seeing them consume the food they eat is quite fascinating to watch in my opinion.
The cost of purchasing this snake can run you anywhere from $40 to $120 but it’s worth the price considering the long life span it has and the relatively easy management it takes to take care of them. They are naturally found in the wild usually in the southeastern and central parts of the United States.
The color of the Corn Snake usually consists of orange or brownish-yellow with patterns of large red blotches outlined in black going down the back of the snake.
6. Children’s Pythons
A man named John George Children discovered this snake in the 1800s and thus the name of the python he found was given “Children’s Python”. I bet you thought the name was given to imply that it is good for children to play with, however, it is not merely the case as snakes generally don’t necessarily like being held for too long or played around with.
Humidity helps this reptilian shed and so 60 percent humidity is optimal for the snake. At day it is advised to keep it between 88 and 90 degrees and at night around 75 degrees. This medium-sized snake (about 3 to 5 feet in length) is located naturally in the northern half of Australia and most often it is found on the ground.
The python can cost you about $70 to about $200 depending on the size it has grown to. Being one of the few snakes allowed to keep in Australia it has a calm demeanor and can be a good choice for beginners who are educated about this snake.
7. Gopher Snake
Located in North America as one of the largest species its length in size can reach up to 6 or 7 feet while still being a good choice for a beginner to start with.
They love being in sandy deserts and in forests in North America the average Gopher Snake contains a tan or beige color with large brown to-block splotches on the body which result in a very distinctive chain-like pattern, however, there is a popular variation in color which is orange in coloration.
They consume rodents and are considered constrictors since they squeeze their prey before consuming them. Owning a domesticated gopher can be a bit tricky as it may involve you obtaining it from an exotic pet dealer.
8. Garter Snake
This pet isn’t as expensive as other snakes with the price of this snake being $15 to $50 which are mostly located in North America specifically in the United States.
Their specialized diet consists of consuming small fish and can eat worms, but despite the rarity in the diet, the heating requirement is usually common with good lighting and good heating typically around room temperature. The most they might grow into is about 2 feet in length and have a distinct stripe on their back. They like to be in the heat and enjoy being in bushy, woodlandlike environments.
Quick Fact: These pretty pet snakes are gentile and docile, however, it is advised not to hold or mistreat any type of snake as they can be quickly irritated and feel threatened.
9. Dumeril’s Boa
This snake likes to eat small rabbits, mice, and even small birds. They are generally not as widespread as other snakes and are best suited for people with at least some snake experience.
They may have some advanced caretaking requirements because they are large measuring from about 3 to 6 feet long and need to have a large area that is essentially sealed off to create an artificial or natural barrier as they require large space to move about.
10. Four-Lined Snake
This snake belongs to one of the largest groups of rat snakes in Europe that are not venomous. The name was given after the four stripes that may appear dark on the brownish-yellowish body. They can grow up to 6 feet long and are commonly present around parts of Italy, Slovenia, and Greece. Their main diet consists of eating mice, lizards, and rats.
The cost to own this snake can cost anywhere between $20 to a mind-boggling $5,000! That is an immense price, however for those looking to truly build a meaningful relationship with this beautiful pet snake the money is only a middleman in bridging the two together.
11. Eastern Garter Snake
Naturally found in parts of North America in grass-like habitats are practically harmless to people, however when they strike it is usually due to a disturbance or when they feel threatened which may cause allergic reactions in certain people. They sometimes release an extremely horrible smell through their glands to avoid and escape predators.
The size of this creature is a little longer than 2 feet (about 26 inches) and appears to have dark green to black color with three yellow stripes.
12. Western Hognose Snake
A distinctive upturned nose that the snake uses for burrowing provides several inches of an underlying layer. The size of this snake can grow to about 4 or 5 feet in length and come in many varieties of colors and many different distinctive patterns. When threatened they usually flatten their heads similar to a cobra and hiss or can sometimes play dead.
The snake is native to North America, however, it rarely bites people and is most of the time friendly.
13. Ball Python
These pythons are native to West and Central Africa and are nocturnal. They can range from a whopping 500 different variations in color and patterns. They usually grow about 5 feet in length and have an amazing life span of 30 years. These snakes however tend to be very picky eaters as they like their food only fresh and can sometimes suddenly stop eating.
The price for one of these pretty pet snakes can cost you anywhere from $40 to an astounding $1,500.
14. Pueblan Milk Snake
These are one of the most colorful snakes in the entire world. They contain dark blotches which are black and light stripes that vary from red, orange-yellowish, or white colors throughout the body. They sure do look alike to other venomous counterparts with a distinctive black head while the harmless Milk Snakes have a redhead.
Their habitat is located in parts of North America and Central America which usually are smaller than other snakes and manageable. They almost always prefer to be alone and release a pungent musk from their body, the smell might be bad, but it is not dangerous.
15. The Kenyan Sand Boa
They are known for burrowing in the sand and using it to suffocate mice. They require a warm environment and are smaller in size ranging from about 2 feet in length. They are relatively tempered and rather squirm away than head for an immediate bite.
They have a lifespan of about 20 years which is a relatively great lifespan considering the size of the snake and costs only about $75-$200.
Quick Fact: They are great for beginners and may be the perfect choice for people interested in creating a bond with the snake.
As the name suggests, the Kenyan Sand Boa is native to parts of northern and eastern Africa commonly seen in places such as Kenya, Libya, Egypt, Niger, Yemen, and Sudan.
16. The Rainbow Boa
It is native to South America, however not usually recommended to beginners as it may be shy at first contact. The price range of a Rainbow Boa can be from about $200 to $300 and may require constant attention. They are bright and have an iridescent gleam in the right light.
They are high maintenance and require patience when taking care of them. They require optimal heat and consume rodents, small lizards, and small birds.
17. Ringneck Snake
The average length of these snakes can range from 10 to 15 inches in length and weigh only about 2 grams at most.
The color of the body is usually consistent in brown, olive green or gray with a red, yellow, or orange band in the neck which looks like a ring separates the body from the head, thus the snake is called a Ringneck Snake.
The sad part is that they don’t live as long as 6 years compared to the life span of other snakes and usually depend on the overall health of the snake. This snake in particular can live with other snakes and not have a problem making it a social type of snake and is non-aggressive towards other snakes and people.
18. Rosy Boa
The Rosy Boa is truly one of the most beautiful of all the pretty pet snakes and is relatively easy to manage. The color that a Rosy Boa uniquely reflects what region they have come from with the common snake having a tan-based color. Distinctive stripes consistent with pinkish-orange or brown can be seen going down the length of the snake.
This snake performs very well when maintained in a secure environment designed to fit its needs such as a tight ceiling because they are well known for escaping from tiny gaps exposed. Truly a collectible type snake as the cost to purchase this snake can be from $50 to $100 on average.
19. California Kingsnake
This eye-catching, dark, and mysteriously gorgeous snake is covered in stripes of black or dark brown and white. As you may have guessed from its name the California Kingsnake is native to the west coast of the United States such as California, Oregon, Nevada, and Arizona with a phenomenal lifespan of about 20 years on average.
Quick Fact: This beautiful snake however requires a ton of care and commitment, but on the flip side can become comfortable quickly when handling it properly.
The California Kingsnake is known to show the behavior of cannibalistic habits which can lead to consuming other snakes, so it is best advised not to keep this snake with other snakes in the same exact containment as it may harm your other friendly reptilians.
20. Carpet Python
This python is quite beautiful with its variety of colors and patterns. With many different subspecies of this kind of snake, they can contain neon yellow colors and visually gorgeous bands. The size of this type of snake varies from a couple of feet long to an amazing 9 feet in length.
These types of snakes like to climb surfaces as they naturally feel inclined to climb trees or anything they see fit to climb upon. The price range to own one of these beautifully designed snakes can range from about $150 to over $1,000 depending on the subspecies you buy.
Generally, they are found all over Australia except in Tasmania as data suggest they can thrive in a wet tropical setting to nearly extremely dry desert areas.
This concludes our top 20 picks for pretty pet snakes and which one may be best suited for your liking. We hope that with this article you can arrive at a decision on which type of snake you feel most comfortable purchasing and building a meaningful long-lasting relationship with your reptilian friend or simply want to learn about the described snakes in this article.