Popular snake species often kept as pets
There are very nearly 2,800 diverse snake species that have been found on the planet. What’s more, that number changes frequently as more are found. In any case, not all types of snakes are kept as pets. The most ordinarily kept snakes are in the groups of Boidae, Pythonidae, and Colubridae but besides them, several other species of snakes are kept as pets.
Red-Tail Boa
A sort of boa constrictor, the red-tail boa is frequently found in the pet exchange or trade. Red-tails can grow up to 10 feet of length and don’t make great pets for those reluctant to make the duty to care for a snake that can live around 30 years and feed on rabbits or large rats. They are known for the particular red tip usually appearing at the end of their tails.
Kenyan Sand Boa
Growing to be about a foot and a half long, these are remarkable tunneling snakes. They are generally mild snakes that burrow their whole body under sand while keeping only their small head afloat the sand while stalking their prey. They are flawlessly shaded with brown and yellow patterns.
Ball Python
Ostensibly the most mainstream pet snake there is, the ball python is a docile and calm snake. They can grow for up to 3-5 feet and this can be achieved in just a few years. They earned their name from the tight ball they twist up into when they feel compromised or threatened.
Burmese Python
This species of snakes can grow up to be very large but they are still seen as pets regardless. They are pretty docile, a little bit active than the regular ball python and can achieve a length of about 15-20 feet long. Sustaining these huge snakes isn’t for people who are not comfortable handling dead rats or other bigger prey items snakes are known to feed on.
Green Tree Python
Arboreal snakes add somewhat more enthusiasm to a typical snake enclosure. Green tree pythons love to constantly twist up in a rich cluster and cling to a little tree branch. Extremely dynamic green and sometimes yellow when fully grown, they can grow up to be about 7 feet long. This is the specific reason why they are often mistaken for an emerald tree boa.
Blood Python
The blood python is a stocky snake with beautiful patterns are known to be a little temperamental. Their tails are usually short and can achieve a length of about 8 feet when fully grown. They earned their name from the block red blotches generally found in their patterns.
King Snake
King snakes are smaller pet snakes, can grow up to 6-7 feet long and are closely related to the milk snake. They do not hesitate to eat up other snakes when they come across them, earning them their “king” name. It is always ideal to house them alone.
Milk Snake
Being of the same species like the king snake, the milk snake is most generally found in the pet trade and it bears the patterns of the Batesian mimicry, also known as the venomous coral snake. Whenever you hear someone say “Red on yellow will kill a fellow, but red on black is a friend of Jack”, just know that they’re referring to the band patterns found on the milk and coral snakes.
Black Rat Snake
Maybe one of the plainer looking snakes, this beautiful snake compensates for his absence of luster in his athletic capacities. Ready to climb trees and swim, this is a rather vibrant snake. They will wrinkle their bodies up to look like a rattlesnake when they feel threatened. They can even vibrate the end of their tails to achieve this feat.
- Species Profile: Cottonmouth / Water Moccasin
- Cottonmouth – North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
