Raising a pet snake is a great way to add a unique, quiet animal to your home. Most pet snakes are non-venomous and have beautiful colors and patterns. If you’re thinking about getting one, you can explore the Top 10 Most Popular Pet Snakes in the World that KnowAllAnimals has for you below.
1. Top 10 Most Popular Pet Snakes in the World
Most of the snakes on this list can be found in pet stores. They are generally docile, have beautiful colors, and aren’t picky eaters. In other words, they are easy to care for!
1.1. Ball Python
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Reptilia
- Order: Squamata
- Suborder: Serpentes
- Family: Pythonidae
- Genus: Python
- Species: P. regius
The Ball Python is arguably the most popular snake in the world. Almost everyone has seen one at some point, and most have probably held one. You might even see someone with a ball python draped around their arm. These snakes are gentle and don’t bite. They also can’t cause serious harm to humans.
Another reason why ball pythons are so popular is their calm demeanor. They move slowly and love to be held. People might even describe the ball python as “cuddly.” Because of this, they are often chosen as pets.
References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ball_python
1.2. Corn Snake
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Reptilia
- Order: Squamata
- Suborder: Serpentes
- Family: Colubridae
- Genus: Pantherophis
- Species: P. guttatus
Another snake that rivals the Ball Python in popularity is the Corn Snake. The corn snake is probably the best snake for a beginner reptile owner. They also come in more beautiful colors than almost any other snake in the world.
The corn snake may be the safest pet snake in the world. These snakes are known for their calm demeanor. They are also small in size and have an incredible beauty. You also won’t have to spend a lot of money to own one.
In addition, the corn snake has a very relaxed and pleasant personality. The reason for this is that they have been selectively bred for a very long time. Breeders have chosen the most docile and viable snakes for many generations, so that today’s corn snakes have a more pleasant and relaxed personality. Even if a corn snake bites you, it will feel like a tiny pinprick and won’t draw blood. This is the same process that breeders used with wolves to create the dog breeds we have today.
References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corn_snake
1.3. Boa Constrictor
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Reptilia
- Order: Squamata
- Suborder: Serpentes
- Family: Boidae
- Genus: Boa
- Species: B. constrictor
The Boa Constrictor can be mistaken for a Ball Python, but only when it is young. This species is much larger than the other snakes in this Top 10 list. However, it is one of the most popular and commonly kept pet snakes.
The Boa Constrictor is another great snake for beginners who don’t mind that a larger snake has specific dietary needs. The only reason the Boa Constrictor is not as popular as the two snakes above is because of their size.
References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boa_constrictor
1.4. King Snakes
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Reptilia
- Order: Squamata
- Suborder: Serpentes
- Family: Colubridae
- Tribe: Lampropeltini
- Genus: Lampropeltis Fitzinger, 1843
Most pet snakes are from the California Kingsnake species. These snakes are found in the wild in California. They are not as popular as some of the other snakes on this list, but they can be a great option for anyone looking to own a pet reptile.
The California Kingsnake is another wonderful snake for those who don’t want to get bitten. These kingsnakes are non-venomous, just like all the snakes on this list. They only grow to a maximum length of 3 to 4 feet. Because they have very beautiful colors, they are wonderful pet snakes for beginners.
References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingsnake
1.5. Rosy Boa
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Reptilia
- Order: Squamata
- Suborder: Serpentes
- Family: Boidae
- Genus: Lichanura
- Species: L. trivirgata
The Rosy Boa is another snake that is quite popular with many people around the world. It’s loved for its very docile temperament and beautiful colors. They actually live in the southwestern deserts of the United States.
The Rosy Boa is closely related to the Kenyan Sand Boa. It has a very gentle and lovable temperament but has different colors and patterns from the Kenyan Sand Boa. Rosy Boas almost never bite. And even if they do bite, they can’t hurt you no matter how small they are.
References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lichanura_orcutti
1.6. Milk Snake
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Reptilia
- Order: Squamata
- Suborder: Serpentes
- Family: Colubridae
- Genus: Lampropeltis
- Species: L. triangulum
The Milk Snake got its name from the old belief that it would drink milk from cows because it was always found in barns. Today, the milk snake is a popular pet and can be found all over the United States.
They are a bit popular as pets. However, they are not as popular as the Ball Python and Corn Snake. They have beautiful colors, are quite affordable, and are easy to raise and care for.
References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milk_snake
1.7. Western Hognose Snake
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Reptilia
- Order: Squamata
- Suborder: Serpentes
- Family: Colubridae
- Genus: Heterodon
- Species: H. nasicus
The Western Hognose Snake is an interesting species that is also growing in popularity. It is native to North America. These snakes have an upturned snout that makes them different from other pet snakes. This is also why they are called “hognose” snakes. They are very docile and friendly, making them perfect for beginners.
References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_hognose_snake
1.8. Rat Snake
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Reptilia
- Order: Squamata
- Suborder: Serpentes
- Family: Colubridae
- Subfamily: Colubrinae
The Rat Snake is more easily kept as a pet in the United States. They are great for beginners, they come in many different looks and colors, and they are not expensive. Rat snakes may only be second to corn snakes in terms of popularity. However, rat snakes are quick and don’t move as slowly as some of the other snakes on this Top 10 list.
References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rat_snake
1.9. Garter Snake
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Reptilia
- Order: Squamata
- Suborder: Serpentes
- Family: Colubridae
- Subfamily: Natricinae
- Genus: Thamnophis Fitzinger, 1843
Garter Snakes are some of the most common wild snakes across the United States. They have also become some of the more popular pet snakes in recent years. There are many different types of garter snakes, all with unique and beautiful patterns and a small size. Captive-bred garter snakes make good pets, but their quick nature can make them a little more difficult to handle.
References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garter_snake
1.10. Kenyan Sand Boa
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Reptilia
- Order: Squamata
- Suborder: Serpentes
- Family: Boidae
- Genus: Eryx
- Species: E. colubrinus
The Kenyan Sand Boa is growing in popularity and may become one of the most common snake species in the coming years. They are incredible small snakes that come from the desert and arid regions of Africa. Kenyan Sand Boas are great for beginners due to their pleasant temperament and low maintenance.
The Kenyan Sand Boa is one of the cutest snake species and is beloved by many reptile enthusiasts. This snake comes from the eastern deserts of Africa and spends its day hiding under the sand.
Kenyan Sand Boas have a stumpy, gentle-looking face. Essentially, they are a harmless and cute pet. They are short, don’t grow very large, and are not aggressive. They also can’t hurt you even if they try. They are also very easy to raise and care for. These are wonderful snakes for people who are afraid of snakes.
References: Eryx colubrinus – Wikipedia
2. Conclusion
This has been the Top 10 Most Popular Pet Snakes in the World that Know All Animals has shared with you. We hope that this information has helped you better understand the popular snake species today. Thank you for reading this article.
