Popular Snake Breeds for Beginners: Safe & Easy Pets

As snakes grow in popularity as pets in the UK, the variety of beginner-friendly species has expanded. These fascinating reptiles can become surprisingly tame and rewarding companions when captive bred and properly handled. However, snakes have specialised needs and delicate health, so thorough research and preparation are vital before choosing one as a pet. Responsible breeders only sell captive bred snakes to ensure animal welfare and your peace of mind, and wild caught snakes should never be purchased due to their higher risk of stress, illnesses and parasites.

The three most accessible snake breeds for beginners in the UK are the corn snake, the milk snake, and the ball python. Each offers a manageable size, calm temperament, and straightforward care requirements, making them excellent first choices. Here’s a closer look at these popular snakes to help you make an informed decision.

The Corn Snake

The Corn Snake (Elaphe guttata) is a species of rat snake native to the south-eastern United States. It is renowned for its docile nature and suitability for novice keepers. Corn snakes are mainly active at dusk and night, thriving in enclosures that provide secure lids as they are curious climbers and escape artists. Their name derives from their historic role hunting rodents in corn cribs, providing natural pest control.

Corn snakes are non-venomous, calm, and easy to care for. Through selective breeding, many colour and pattern morphs are available, adding visual appeal. Young corn snakes start small but can grow up to six feet. Their lifespan in captivity can reach 20 years or more with proper care. They are carnivorous constrictors, feeding mainly on pre-killed pinkie mice, which need to be thawed before feeding.

The Milk Snake

The Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum) is another gentle, slow-moving constrictor available in many striking colour variations. The well-known red milk snake features bands of red, black, and yellow. There are 25 recognised subspecies, including the scarlet king snake, terms that are sometimes used interchangeably.

Milk snakes inhabit a wide range of regions from Canada to South America and tend to be nocturnal and ground dwelling, although they can climb. They grow to about six or seven feet in length and live up to 15-20 years in captivity. Due to their tendency toward cannibalism, milk snakes must always be housed alone. Their diet includes rodents, birds, amphibians, and occasionally other snakes.

The Ball Python or Royal Python

The Ball Python (Python regius) is named for its defence behaviour of curling into a tight ball with its head protected inside its coils when frightened. Known also as the Royal Python, it is the smallest of the African python species, usually growing to three to five feet—smaller than many other constrictors. Cleopatra is rumoured to have adorned herself with one, giving rise to the "royal" nickname.

Ball pythons have a natural black or brown base colour with lighter blotches and a cream or white belly. Some rare colour morphs exist due to selective breeding. They often live 20-30 years in captivity and occasionally much longer, so they represent a long-term commitment. Their diet mainly consists of rodents and small birds in the wild. It is particularly important to choose a captive bred ball python because wild caught individuals can be fussy eaters and may refuse to feed in captivity.

Snakes to Avoid for Beginners

First-time snake keepers should avoid larger constrictor species such as boa constrictors, red-tailed boas, tree boas, and water snakes. These species require specialised housing, complex feeding routines, and experienced handling skills and are not suitable for novices despite their striking appearance.

Choosing the right beginner snake requires careful consideration and a commitment to ethical ownership, ensuring your pet’s health and happiness throughout its life. Captive bred corn snakes, milk snakes, and ball pythons provide a wonderful entry point to the captivating world of snake keeping.