Many beginner reptile keepers want a small pet snake as the taught of owning a large snake can be intimidating to a beginner. There are many great snakes that stay small that a beginner can choose from.
There are a number of things to consider when purchasing a small pet snake. This includes the overall size of the snake, their husbandry requirements, and their temperament.
There are other important factors to consider which we will not go into too much detail about in this article. This includes how prone the snakes are to illness, dietary requirements and so on.
The snakes we have picked for our list are suitable for beginners and experienced keepers who are looking for a snake that will stay small. But it is important to note that a small pet snake will have their own individual characteristics.
So, what are the benefits to getting a small pet snake? First of all, snakes that stay small will not need excessively large enclosures. The overall size of the enclosure depends on the size of the snake and their activity level.
There is also very little risk of injury from snakes that stay small. If they bite, you will not require any medical attention. A small pet snake will not be able to cause any injury if they constrict around your arm while you are handling them.
So, let’s take a look at some of these snakes!!
5. Rosy Boa
The Rosy Boa is a great option for a small pet snake. These Boas are native to the American South-West and can be found in places such as California, Arizona and parts of Northern Mexico.
These snakes generally only grow to 2-3 feet in length and they get their name from the rosy or salmon coloration of their belly. However, these snakes can vary greatly in color that can range from orange to brown or black.
One common feature of most Rosy Boas is the presence of 3 longitudinal stripes that run down their back. One of these runs through the middle of the back while the other two run along the sides of the snake.
In terms of temperament, this is a very docile snake that will rarely bite. Their first defensive mechanism is to curl into a ball with their head in the middle, similar to a Ball Python.
Most bites in captivity come from a feeding response so by simply removing the snake from their enclosure with a hook before handling is usually enough to prevent a bite from a food orientated snake.
One thing you do need to watch out for is getting musked. This is where the snake emits a foul-smelling odour when they feel threatened.
4. Corn Snake
The Corn Snake is another great option if you are looking for snakes that stay small. While these snakes can grow to lengths of 4-6 feet, they are a slender species that are very manageable.
The Corn Snake can be found throughout much of the South-Eastern United States. These snakes are renowned for being the ideal starter snake as they are relatively small, extremely easy to care for and very docile.
Juveniles can sometimes be a little nippy, but they are so small that a bite won’t even pierce your skin. With regular handling, they will quickly grow out of this and will become very relaxed and curious when out of its cage.
These snakes also come in an endless variety of morphs (color and pattern varieties) so there is a corn snake out there for everyone. They are also very easy to breed so it is a great often if you want to breed in the future.
3. Ball Python
When considering small pet snakes, it is hard to look passed the enormously popular Ball Python. This snake can be found in the collections of almost every reptile keeper due to their ease of care and endless color and pattern combinations.
These snakes are heavier bodied than the other snakes on the list but they do not grow to excessive lengths. Most Ball Pythons will only grow to around 3.5 – 4.5 feet in length which is very manageable for a beginner.
These snakes don’t need excessively large enclosures as they are not as active as other species. In fact, a lot of Ball Pythons can get stressed if given too much space.
The downside to owning a Ball Python is that you need to be that bit more careful regarding temperatures. However, with a decent thermostat, this problem takes care of itself.
These snakes are also renowned for being picky eaters and can often go off food for months at a time, especially during the winter months. This is completely normal and safe for the snake as long as they are not losing an excessive amount of weight.
2. Western Hognose Snake
Another great option when considering snakes that stay small is the Western Hognose Snake. This snake can be found in the United States and is very closely related to the Eastern Hognose Snake.
Unlike its name suggests, the Western Hognose Snake is not actually found in the Western United States. Its range extends from Southern Canada, through the central states of America and down into the Northern parts of Mexico.
A Western Hognose Snake is actually mildly venomous, but the venom isn’t considered to be medically significant. Their venom isn’t very potent, and they are not able to inject enough to cause harm to a person.
These snakes rarely bite. Their preferred defensive mechanism is to bluff. They will often puff up and hiss when they feel threatened. This is designed to intimidate a potential threat and allow the snake to get away.
With these snakes only growing to lengths of around 2 feet, they are an ideal small pet snake. The do not need very large enclosures and they are very easy to take care of.
1. Kenyan Sand Boa
The Kenyan Sand Boa is a great option for anyone looking for a small pet snake. This Boa grows to a maximum length of around 3 feet, but most specimens will be smaller than this. They are relatively heavy bodied for their size.
These snakes can be found in countries such as Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan and the Southern parts of Egypt. They can be found in semi-deserts, savannahs and rocky outcrops where the soil is loose and sandy.
These snakes are not very active and will not need an excessively large enclosure. In the wild, they will spend most of their lives in a burrow waiting for a meal to come withing striking distance.
Out of all of the snakes that stay small, the Kenyan Sand Boa is one of the best options. They are a very docile species, they do not require an excessively large enclosure and their care requirements are easy to master.
Conclusion
There are many different species of snakes that stay small. Many of these species make great pets while there are others that do not. The list we have put together is not exhaustive and there are a number of other species that could easily make the list.
However, we chose these species as we believe that they make great pets and they are easy to care for once you do your research.
