Starter Snakes

When you have an interest in snakes and wish to purchase one, you may come across conflicting information about what is the best snake to start with. Many reptile keepers will advise you to get corn snakes or a royal python. I will try my best to make this post unbiased.

Firstly I would advise going to your local reptile shop and try handling various snakes to see what you feel most comfortable with. For anyone nervous or slightly scared of snakes, I would recommend holding something smaller, for example, a sand boa or corn snake. Don't be shy about asking to hold different sized animal. Some people may find larger snakes easier to handle as they are not as quick.

Kenyan Sand Boa

Secondly I recommend doing some research. There are many ways to conduct research, from reading blogs, looking at care sheets online and even buying books/lending from your local library. It is vital to know what size your snake will grow to and what housing requirements they have. There have been many cases of people buying a snake such as a reticulated python and then dumping it because it has become too large and hard to handle.

Burmese Python

After finding out more information about various snakes and their requirements, it should be easier to make a decision to what will suit you. Also, try talking to different reptile keepers and breeders as the information and help they provide is invaluable.

Blue Beauty

A few snakes that I would recommend holding are: royal pythons, corn snakes, sand boas, rat snakes, milk snakes, blue beauties, red tailed boa and burmese pythons to mention a few. There are so many options to choose from as well as colours and morphs. It is really important to find what suits you as an individual. 

Red Tail Boa

 

Corn Snake