There are thousands of types of snakes that live around the world, but few of them make good pets. While some are harmless and strong enough to survive varying conditions, others can be venomous and fragile. Here are some of the types of snakes that make good pets.
Ball Python
Ball Pythons make good pets because of their size. They rarely grow longer than five feet, with most averaging around three to four feet. Like the other types of snakes that make good pets, the Ball Python is generally a good-tempered snake.
When deciding to get a Ball Python, you must be aware that they have the potential to live very long lives; living up to 50 years is not unheard of. You also must be prepared to face challenges in feeding a Ball Python. They can refuse to eat or be picky (preferring fresh over frozen mice or vice versa), making your job to nourish them quite difficult.
Gopher Snakes
Gopher snakes have an excellent temperament, making them a popular choice for a pet. Handling them is generally easy. They're relatively easy to feed, not being picky or resistant. The major downside to Gopher snakes is their size; most reach over six feet. They have an average lifespan for snakes kept in captivity, ranging anywhere from ten to twenty years.
Corn Snake
The corn snake is one of the most popular choices for a pet. They're one of the most beautiful snakes available, easy to care for and not dangerous. They come in a wide variety of colors including "snow," "candy cane" and "creamsicle." Corn snakes only get to be about three to five feet, which means you should be able to maintain a habitat large enough for them. Corn snakes are sturdy and can live long lives - up to twenty years, in some cases. Another benefit of the corn snake is their versatility regarding food. They will eat both fresh and frozen mice, meaning feeding them can be much easier than other types of snakes.
The downside to the corn snake is that they get out of their cages easily, so you should spend some time creating an environment that will keep them secure. They're also nocturnal, so unless you're a night owl you'll probably miss out on a lot of their action.
King Snake
The king snake is another good choice for a pet. Like the corn snake, king snakes are calm and generally not aggressive. King snakes get a little bigger than corn snakes, reaching between four and seven feet long. They also live between 15 and 20 years, meaning they're a long-term commitment. King snakes cannot live with other snakes, as they see them as prey.
There is another type of snake called the Milk snake which is very close in species to the King snake. Milk snakes also make good pets.
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