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Reddit
reddit.com › r/snakes › i need a suggestion for a small snake that’s a good pet
r/snakes on Reddit: I need a suggestion for a small snake that’s a good pet
April 2, 2025 -

My son wants a snake so I just want the best suggestions for a small snake breed that make decent pets

Top answer
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how small is small and how old is your son? The smallest good pets will need around a 40 gallon enclosure (36"x18"x18"). Most 'beginner' species get around 4' long and will need a 120 gallon/48"x24"x24" enclosure.
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Just gunna throw this out there: you think you want a small snake. The smallest snake possible. You're probably wrong. Small snakes are more skittish, bitey, and stinky on average. They're difficult to handle. They require weird food. They ESCAPE ALL THE DANG TIME because they're too small. Garter snakes and ribbon snakes make awful first pets to all but the most committed owner. They're really, REALLY fast, agile, strong. And when they're nervous they're prone to musking, which is really gross. Western hognose snakes stay fairly small and are relatively easy to care for. They're less likely to musk, and they're more heavy-bodied so they don't get away as quickly nor as easily. They are, however, rear-fanged venomous, so I don't recommend them as a first snake. The venom will at worst cause achey localised swelling, but that's scary for a new keeper. Have you considered a corn snake? A 6 month or older corn that's been handled will be fairly calm, unlikely to musk, eat frozen thawed mice, and be relatively easy to set up. Younger corns can be flighty but calm down fast with consistent handling. The average corn snake will get about 3-7 feet long, which is quite a range, but you're likely looking at a thin-bodied animal that will get 5' max. They end up a really nice size, not too big but not so small that you'll accidentally lose them. And 5' really isn't as big as it sounds. If you can, go out and hold some of the different species so you can get a feel for their adult sizes. Another niche option would be a Kenyan sand boa. Females max out at 4' (more likely 3') and males are much smaller. But they're always hidden, so you end up with a pet box of dirt. If it HAS to be a small snake though, and can't be a corn, a sand boa would be my suggestion. They won't typically musk, they eat fairly well but can be quirky eaters, so you may need to try a few techniques until you find the right one, they'll take frozen thawed mice. These guys are escape artists though and as babies can be only 6" long. If you're set on a small snake, spend a lot of time researching enclosures. Lots of cages on the market have ventilation holes that small snakes can crawl out of, or enough wiggle room between the doors for a tiny snake to just leave.
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A-Z Animals
a-z-animals.com › home › 7 pet snakes that stay small
7 Pet Snakes That Stay Small - A-Z Animals
July 18, 2024 - These small pets are ‌inexpensive, simple to care for, and rarely have feeding issues in captivity. Corn snakes require a thawed or frozen rodent diet but rarely refuse food in captivity. Many of them eat raw chicken from the package.
Discussions

Best first pet snake - All Reptiles - MorphMarket Reptile Community
Many resources on YouTube and Google suggests that the first best pet snake is either a ball python or a corn snake but highly leads towards the ball python. But when you go onto reptile forms much like this one usually recommend corn snakes for the first best pet reptile/snake. More on community.morphmarket.com
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July 9, 2020
Best cheap beginner snake that can fit in a snake rack thats not a garter or ball python - All Reptiles - MorphMarket Reptile Community
Hi i am wanting a snake thats under 200 dollars for care and the animal i am gonna buy said animal in the next year or two but i want to prepare if you can help i would greatly appreciate it More on community.morphmarket.com
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7
November 30, 2022
Are there any pet snakes which stay small their whole life?
Hognose snakes, garter snakes and rosy boas stay fairly small. These are also fairly common in the pet trade. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/snakes
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0
March 22, 2024
I need a suggestion for a small snake that’s a good pet
how small is small and how old is your son? The smallest good pets will need around a 40 gallon enclosure (36"x18"x18"). Most 'beginner' species get around 4' long and will need a 120 gallon/48"x24"x24" enclosure. More on reddit.com
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5
April 2, 2025
People also ask

What is the smallest pet snake?
Some of the smallest pet snakes include rosy boas, Kenyan sand boas, ring-necked snakes, and western hognose snakes. Many of these species stay under 2-3 feet in length and can be comfortably housed in smaller enclosures, making them ideal for keepers with limited space.
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thetyedyediguana.com
thetyedyediguana.com › home › blog › 7 small pet snakes that stay under 3 feet
7 Small Pet Snakes That Stay Under 3 Feet - The Tye-Dyed Iguana
Are small snakes easier to care for?
In many ways, yes. Smaller snakes need less space, eat smaller (and often cheaper) prey, and their enclosures are easier to heat and maintain proper humidity. However, they still require proper husbandry: correct temperatures, humidity, hides, and appropriate substrate.
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thetyedyediguana.com
thetyedyediguana.com › home › blog › 7 small pet snakes that stay under 3 feet
7 Small Pet Snakes That Stay Under 3 Feet - The Tye-Dyed Iguana
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The Tye-Dyed Iguana
thetyedyediguana.com › home › blog › 7 small pet snakes that stay under 3 feet
7 Small Pet Snakes That Stay Under 3 Feet - The Tye-Dyed Iguana
Come into The Tye-Dyed Iguana in Fairview Heights to see our selection of small snakes. Some of the smallest pet snakes include rosy boas, Kenyan sand boas, ring-necked snakes, and western hognose snakes.
Published   May 28, 2026
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MorphMarket
community.morphmarket.com › all reptiles
Best first pet snake - All Reptiles - MorphMarket Reptile Community
July 9, 2020 - Many resources on YouTube and Google suggests that the first best pet snake is either a ball python or a corn snake but highly leads towards the ball python. But when you go onto reptile forms much like this one usually …
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Quora
quora.com › Are-there-any-types-of-pet-snakes-that-dont-bite
Are there any types of pet snakes that don't bite? - Quora
Answer (1 of 7): Any animal with a mouth can bite in the following circumstances: * The animal is frightened enough that it thinks it has to defend itself * The animal is hungry and has reason to think that what it is biting is food * The animal is in pain and is trying to defend itself There...
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MorphMarket
community.morphmarket.com › all reptiles
Best cheap beginner snake that can fit in a snake rack thats not a garter or ball python - All Reptiles - MorphMarket Reptile Community
November 30, 2022 - Hi i am wanting a snake thats under 200 dollars for care and the animal i am gonna buy said animal in the next year or two but i want to prepare if you can help i would greatly appreciate it
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Chewy
chewy.com › education › reptile-and-amphibian › snake › best-pet-snakes
The 10 Best Pet Snake Species | Chewy
Kenyan sand boas are another snake species that’s easy to keep and easy to handle, experts say. They also stay small compared to other species, and are a good option for beginner snake keepers.
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Zilla Rules
zillarules.com › articles › types-of-pet-snakes
5 Types of Small Pet Snakes For Reptile Lovers
Ball pythons are a common first snake pet and tend to live 25-30 years in captivity. A young hatchling can live in a 20L Zilla Critter Cage, while an adult will need to move up to a 40BR Zilla Critter Cage.
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Petassure
petassure.com › maxscorner › snakes-that-make-safe-pets
Types of Snakes That Are Safe to Keep as Pets
October 28, 2024 - While they’re not your traditional pet, snakes are relatively docile creatures that make great companions. These low-maintenance reptiles are quiet, don’t take up much room, and can be easily domesticated with proper care and socialization. While there are more than 3,000 species of snakes in the world, not all are suitable for homes.
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Facebook
facebook.com › groups › 919128971455105
Milk, King, and Corn Snakes
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Quora
quora.com › Which-beginner-snake-should-I-get-if-I-want-a-small-sized-one
Which beginner snake should I get if I want a small-sized one? - Quora
Answer (1 of 5): Many sources recommend ball pythons to beginners with snakes, but I do not; while they stay a reasonable size (4′ or so as adults) & are usually docile & nearly always pretty, they can be very difficult to feed (they’re some of the most picky eaters!) plus they require ...
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ASPCA
aspca.org › news › what-do-during-snake-encounter-your-pets
What to Do During a Snake Encounter with Your Pets | ASPCA
August 19, 2019 - Only around 15 to 25 human bites occur each year. Coral snakes are easily identified by their colorful red, yellow/white and black colored bands. Their venom contains a neurotoxin that leads to paralysis and respiratory failure in pets and people.
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PetPost
petpost.com.au › blogs › reptile › a-guide-to-pet-snake-care
A Guide to Pet Snake Care | PetPost
The following Australian pet snake species, all from northern parts of Australia, are commonly found for sale. Spotted python: Has a generally placid temperament and can grow to around 120 cm long. They are mottled with light and dark brown colouring. Children's python: Also has an even nature.
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PetMD
petmd.com › home › slideshows
Pet Snakes That Stay Small | PetMD
August 21, 2017 - “They are primarily fish eaters but will often take earth worms and sometimes frozen and thawed rodents,” said Spinner. These snakes can be squirmy when first handled, but they lose that tendency quickly, he said. “Garter snakes handle very ...
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Regarding Reptiles
regardingreptiles.com › everything-you-need-to-know-about-keeping-a-pet-snake
Everything You Need To Know About Keeping A Pet Snake – Regarding Reptiles
May 28, 2021 - Snakes are AWESOME pets! And I really mean that! I can understand and appreciate that some... ... I remember the first time I was bitten by one of my snakes. It was a Brazilian rainbow boa. She wasn't very big, maybe four feet or so, and had always been a little timid, but had never tried to bite...
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The Critter Depot
thecritterdepot.com › blogs › news › best-snakes-for-beginners
12 Amazing Snakes for Beginners – The Critter Depot
July 14, 2021 - One thing that these reptiles need that others don’t is several layers of substrate on the bottom of the tank for burrowing. This means that the tank may be harder to clean for beginners than a tank with simple substrates (e.g. newspaper). Sand is an obvious choice, but deep aspen works just as well. They are very docile snakes, and would rather squirm away than bite if they don’t want to be handled.
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PetHelpful
pethelpful.com › reptiles-amphibians › the-smallest-pet-snakes-for-beginners-with-easy-care
7 Small Pet Snakes That Are Perfect for Beginners and Hiss-torically Easy to Love
June 12, 2025 - Garter snakes are small and active yet fairly easy to handle, making them a very good beginner pet snake for space-conscious pet parents. Keep in mind, however, that wild garter snakes aren’t as used to people and may be more likely to lash out.