Snakes
Snakes are endlessly fascinating pets — low maintenance compared to many other reptiles, quietly impressive to watch, and available in a staggering variety of species, sizes, colours and temperaments. From the gentle corn snake that fits comfortably in a 40-gallon tank, to the striking ball python with hundreds of available morphs, the snake world has something for every kind of keeper.
One of the biggest misconceptions about keeping snakes is that they’re difficult or dangerous. The reality is that most commonly kept pet snakes are calm, manageable, and rarely bite when handled regularly from a young age. Ball pythons, corn snakes, kenyan sand boas, and hognose snakes are all excellent choices for beginners — none grow to an unmanageable size, all feed readily on frozen-thawed mice or rats, and all tolerate handling well with regular socialisation.
The fundamentals of snake care are consistent across most species. You’ll need an escape-proof enclosure with appropriate dimensions for your snake’s adult size, a thermal gradient with a warm side and a cool side, a suitable substrate, at least one hide on each end of the temperature gradient, and a clean water bowl large enough for your snake to soak in if it chooses.
Feeding is simpler than many people expect. Most pet snakes eat pre-killed or frozen-thawed rodents on a schedule that ranges from every five days for hatchlings to every two to three weeks for large adults. Live prey is rarely necessary and carries a risk of injury to your snake.
Our snake guides cover species care, feeding schedules, enclosure setups, health issues like mites, scale rot and respiratory infections, and help choosing the right snake for your experience level and living situation.
