Top 10 Beginner Reptiles and Amphibians-Snakes!

Here it is!!! A compilation of the top 10 best beginner snakes! There are many different species of snakes kept as pets out there, and many of them can make for great pets, but in order to really narrow down possible options for the new or beginning reptile enthusiast, we’ve decided to create this top 10 list, in no particular order! This list is based on many different factors which should always be researched and considered as to which animals do make good pets, and includes, but is certainly not limited to the species’ eventual adult size, lifespan and longevity, cost of care, temperament and handleability, overall ease of care, overall affordability and availability, and other factors.

There are many different opinions as to which species specifically make the best beginner’s pets. However, the best “beginner’s pet” is ultimately one that someone has done their research on and are interested in most. We hope these top 10 guides can better help YOU pick out your first, or even next reptile or amphibian! These guides are also great for choosing a classroom, or even office pet as well! And, if you have a species which does not appear on this list, but believe it should, let us know, and we may evaluate it for another top 10 list!

*Photo Credit: The BioDude

1. Ball/Royal Python (Python regius)
Pros: Small Adult Sizes Relative to Pythons, Many Color and Pattern Morphs, Docility and Handleability.
Cons: Can be Picky Eaters, Temperature and Humidity Requirements, Potential Size to Those Unprepared.

*Photo Credit: Gary Nafis

2. Rosy Boa (Lichanura trivirgata)
Pros:  Relatively Small and Manageable Adult Sizes, Low Humidity and Climate Requirements, Good Eaters, Docility and Handleability.
Cons: Some can be Nippy, Fewer Colors, Patterns, and Morphs.

3. Corn/Red Ratsnake (Pantherophis guttatus)
Pros: Relatively Small and Manageable Adult Sizes, Numerous Color and Pattern Morphs, Hardiness and Basic Overall Care Requirements, Good Eaters.
Cons: Can be Active and Faster Moving, Can be Escape Artists, Legalities and Availability (in Some States Where Native).

*Photo Credit: PetPlace.com

4. Milk Snakes (Lampropeltis triangulum ssp. complex)
Pros: Relatively Small and Manageable Adult Sizes, Colors and Patterns, Very Few Feeding Issues, Basic Overall Care.
Cons: Can be Active and Faster Moving, Handleability (Somewhat), Can be Escape Artists.

*Photo Credit: Reptiles Magazine.

5. Common Kingsnakes (Lampropeltis getula ssp. complex)
Pros: Relatively Small and Manageable Adult Sizes, Colors and Patterns, Very Few Feeding Issues, Basic Overall Care.
Cons:  Some can be Initially Nippy or Have Strong Feeding Responses, Can be Active and Faster Moving, Can be Escape Artists.

*Photo credit: Casey Lazik.

6. Garter Snakes and Ribbon Snakes (Thamnophis spp.)
Pros: Relatively Small and Manageable Sizes, Many Underrated Colors and Pattern Morphs, Do Not Require Rodents, Can be Housed Together, Basic Care Requirements and Hardiness.
Cons: Can Still Require Live Foods, May be Escape Artists, Legalities and Availability (If in States Where Native).

*Photo Credit: Cassidy Adams

7. Kenyan/East African Sand Boa (Gongylophis colubrinus)
Pros:  Relatively Small and Easily Manageable Sizes, Unique Appearances, Colors and Patterns, Easily Met Enclosure and Setups.
Cons: Some can be Nippy, Visibility and Display.

*Photo Credit: LLL Reptile

8. African House Snakes (Lamprophis spp.) and (Boaedon spp.)
Pros: Relatively Small and Manageable Adult Sizes, Basic and Hardy Care Requirements Overall, Unique Appearance, Increasing Number of Colors and Morphs.
Cons: Some can be Nippy, Can be Escape Artists, Still Fewer Colors, Patterns, or Morphs.

*Photo Credit: Third Eye Herp.

9. North American Ratsnakes (Pantherophis spp.)
Pros: Basic and Hardy Care Requirements Overall, Strong Eaters, Suitably “Large” Sized Colubrids.
Cons: Some can be Nippy or Irascible, Can be Active and Faster Moving, Legalities and Availability (in Some States Where Native).

*Photo Credit: Snake-Facts.Weebly

10. Spotted, Children’s, and Anthill Pythons (Antaresia spp.)
Pros: Relatively Small and Manageable Adult Sizes (Relative to Pythons), Unique Appearances, Increasing Number of Colors and Pattern Morphs, Low Maintenance and Setup and Space Requirements, Docility and Handleability.
Cons: Hatchlings can be Nippy, Can Sometimes be Somewhat Picky Eaters.

Other, And/Or Honorable Mentions:

*Photo Credit: Michael Price/San Angelo Standard Times

-Gray Banded and Mexican Kingsnakes (Lampropeltis alterna) and (Lampropeltis mexicana)
Pros: Relatively Small and Manageable Sizes, Colors and Patterns, Docility and Handleability, Good Eaters Once Established.
Cons: Can Sometimes be Picky Eaters, Upfront Price/Cost can be High.

*Photo Credit: Reptiles Magazine.

-Carpet Pythons (Morelia spilota ssp.)*For Medium to Larger Snake
Pros: Relatively “Large” Adult Sizes Without Becoming Too Large or Unmanageable, Colors and Patterns, Display and Viewability.
Cons: Potentially “Large” Adult Size if Unprepared, Some Can be Nippy, Can be Picky or Fussy Eaters.

*Photo Credit: ReptileKingdoms.com

-Boa Constrictors (Boa imperator) and (Boa spp.)* For Medium to Larger Snake
Pros: Suitably “Larger” Pet Snake Species Without Overly Large or Unmanageable Sizes, Many Available Color and Pattern Morphs, Strong Eaters, Even Smaller Dwarf “Locales” and “Races” Available.
Cons: Potentially Large Sizes if Unprepared, Slightly More Nervous Temperaments, Larger Enclosure and Space Requirements, Heating, Temperature, and Humidity Requirements, Upfront Costs High and Availability Lower for Some of the “Dwarf” Species and Locales.

*Photo Credit: Amino Apps.

-Western/Plains Hognose Snake (Heterodon nasicus)
Pros: Relatively Small and Manageable Adult Sizes, Personality and Handleability (Excellent Bluffers, but Not Likely to Bite), Increasing Color, Pattern, and Morph Availability, Cute and Appealing Appearance.
Cons: Neonates Can be Small and Picky Eaters, Some Other Occasional Feeding Issues, Legalities and Availability (in States Where Native or Protected).

*Photo Credit: Patrick H. Briggs

Bullsnakes, Pine Snakes, and Gopher Snakes (Pituophis spp.)
Pros: Basic and Hardy Care Requirements Overall, Strong Eaters, Suitably “Large” Sized Colubrids, Growing Availability of Color and Pattern Morphs, Personalities.
Cons: Potentially Larger Sizes (For Colubrids), Temperament and Docility, Legalities and Availability (in States Where Native or Protected).