Snakes are very interesting animals, and with regular handling they can be quite tame. However, snakes are obviously not for everyone. They have unique care and handling requirements and should only be kept by those with the commitment to understand and meet their needs. Also, some grow very large and can be dangerous, so any potential snake owner needs to carefully research snakes before acquiring one. There are several snake species which can be found as pets, but some are more suitable than others. The types can range from the common garter snake to huge pythons. Different species have different diet and environment requirements. No matter which type of snake, a secure escape proof enclosure will be necessary. Snakes can be quite persistent in trying to get out of an enclosure, so make sure it closes securely with no gaps, or prepare to become an expert at being able to track snakes in your house.

If possible, pet snakes should be captive bred by reputable breeders. Wild caught snakes tend to be more stressed and prone to parasites and disease, and more difficult to tame. There are no snakes that eat vegetation. You will have to feed most commonly kept pet snakes mice or rats. The prey can be pre-killed, and this is suggested in most cases to prevent injury to the snake. For new owners that are inexperienced with snakes, corn snakes, king snakes, or ball pythons are the best choice as pet snakes. These types of snakes tend to be gentle, and meeting their diet and environmental needs is not as difficult as for some other species.

These are relatively small snakes, ranging from 4-5 feet adult length and up to 7 feet for some King snakes. All these snakes represent a commitment to long term care, though, with life spans of about 20 years for corn snakes and king Snakes, and perhaps 40 or more years for a Ball Python. Ball pythons have a reputation as being difficult to feed due to their tendency to sometimes stop eating for months at a time. If choosing a ball python, make sure it is captive bred and used to being fed killed prey. You may even want to ask for a feeding demonstration to ensure the snake readily takes pre-killed mice. With any snake, feeding pre-killed prey is recommended. A live rodent can inflict some serious wounds on a snake in self defense. If a snake hesitates or is not hungry when you put a live prey animal in the cage, the snake is the one who might end up injured. Of course, it is also more convenient to keep a supply of frozen food in your freezer rather than raising or buying live animals for feeding.

Beginners should avoid snakes such as Burmese pythons, red-tailed boas, any tree boa or python, water snakes, or any wild caught snakes. Burmese pythons have been involved in cases of human fatalities and this is mainly,due to improper housing or handling, and need careful handling. It is usually recommended to have extra people around when handling or feeding large Burmese pythons due to their size and strength. Red-tailed boas aren't quite as large, but are more work to care for than smaller snakes.