Snakes are attractive and intriguing to watch, and if docile… they are fun to hold!

Snakes are fascinating to watch as they make their way gracefully around their enclosure. They are elongated reptiles that are flexible and legless. Snakes are found in the Suborder Serpentes and both the word serpent, and the word snake, are derived from terms that mean “to crawl” or “to creep”.

Legless lizards look similar to snakes, but snakes differ from all lizards because they don’t have eyelids and external ears. Yet there are several ways that snakes are similar to lizards as well as other reptiles. They are ectothermic, meaning cold-blooded, and they have overlapping scales. They are also amniotic vertebrates, meaning they have terrestrially adapted eggs and a backbone or spine.

In the animal world, there are approximately 2,900 distinct species of snakes. They are found on all the continents except Antarctica. Most types of snakes are non-venomous, and those that do have venom primarily use it for hunting rather than for defense. Snakes range in size from as small as 4 inches (10 cm) to over 30 feet (9 m) in length, but most are fairly small, only reaching about 3 feet (1 m). Snakes kept as pets are generally less than 5 feet in length and many make good pets that are docile and easy to hold.

Snakes are quiet and easy to care for. They are very clean and virtually odorless. Other than the large boas and pythons, they don’t eat much, so they are also inexpensive to feed. There is a wide variety of non-venomous snakes to choose from for a pet.

The list of Snakes below includes popular pets as well lesser known species and venomous snakes. Each snake guide provides snake identification, snake pictures, in-depth species information, and information about living with them. Snake care covers housing needs, diet and feeding, activities and behaviors; tips for handling snakes, and breeding information.

When getting your first snake, its a good idea to start with a common species that is smaller in size. Some popular common snakes of this sort include the king snake, corn snake, garter snake, rat snake, milksnake and ball python. Larger snakes, like many of the boas and other constrictors, the more exotic snakes, and venomous snakes are best left to experienced keepers. The care and handling of larger snakes requires more space and strength. They are more costly to maintain and can be potentially dangerous. The more exotic snake species are often less understood and generaly there is less information available about keeping them in captivity.

Snake Species

Albino Ball Python

albino ball python
Image Credit: Tatem Marie Miley, Shutterstock

Python regius


Albino Corn Snake

Albino corn snake in a person's hand
Image Credit: PauloPadrao, Shutterstock

Elaphe guttata


Arizona Desert Kingsnake

arizona Desert Kingsnake
Image Credit: Viktor Loki, Shutterstock

Lampropeltis getula splendida


Ball Python

ball python lying on a tree
Image Credit: BikerPhoto, Shutterstock

Python regius


Banded Water Snake

Banded water snake
Image Credit: Patrick K. Campbell, Shutterstock

Nerodia fasciata


Colombian Boa Constrictor

colombian boa constrictor close up
Image Credit: Opayaza12, Shutterstock

Boa constrictor


Corn Snake

tessera corn snake on the branch of the tree
Image Credit: Kwiastku, Shutterstock

Elaphe guttata


Garter Snake

Plains Garter Snake
Image Credit: Joe Farah, Shutterstock

Thamnophis sirtalis


Milksnake

Eastern milksnake on white background
Image Credit: Michael Benard, Shutterstock

Lampropeltis triangulum annulata


Rat Snake

Black Rat Snake
Image Credit: Wileydoc, Shutterstock

Elaphe obsoleta


Red-tailed Green Rat Snake

red-tailed green snake
Image Credit: Opayaza12, Shutterstock

Gonyosoma oxycephela


Rough Green Snake

rough green snake
Image Credit: Jason Patrick Ross, Shutterstock

Opheodrys aestivus


Snow Corn Snake

Snow Corn Snake drinking water
Image Credit: aixklusiv, Pixabay

Elaphe guttata


Sonoran Gopher Snake

Sonoran Gopher Snake
Image Credit: Matt Jeppson, Shutterstock

Pituophis catenifer


Tangerine Honduran Milksnake

Tangerine Honduran MilkSnake
Image Credit: norsemein, Shutterstock

Lampropeltis triangulum hondurensis


Featured Image Credit: aixklusiv, Pixabay