Which Kinds of Snakes are Safe to Keep as Pets
Certain species—like corn snakes, ball pythons, kingsnakes, and milk snakes—make good beginner pets. Make sure you're prepared to care for a snake throughout their life, which can be 15 years or more, depending on the species.
In Australia, you can only own a native snake. 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.
Corn snakes, rat snakes, king snakes, milk snakes and many other North American colubrids will always make for easier beginner snakes. They are rock solid and unless you are really neglectful/clueless they thrive, especially in large tanks they can explore in. Not to mention they are way more fun and interactive.
Because of this, they will see their owner's presence as positive. However, snakes do not possess the intellectual capacity to feel affection for their owners. They may enjoy time with people, especially ones who are feeding them, but they simply aren't capable of forming a strong bond with you.
Despite popular belief, snakes do not actively hunt or chase humans. Most species prefer to conserve energy and avoid unnecessary conflict, so they will usually retreat if given space.
The snake known as the "silent killer" is the Common Krait (Bungarus caeruleus), a highly venomous snake in India and South Asia, nicknamed this because its bite is often painless and symptoms (like paralysis) can be delayed for hours, making it hard to realize you've been bitten until it's too late. These nocturnal snakes have potent neurotoxic venom that affects the nervous system, and their secretive nature adds to the danger.
Unfortunately, to many owners' dismays, snakes lack the brain structures to feel emotion, but do have the ability to trust you. Despite this, snakes can be very loveable in their behaviour as they can recognise you. Pet snakes tend to use their owners as climbing trees and will wrap around them for warmth.
Here are a few of the easiest reptiles to take care of:
Most people go for spotteds, stimsons and children's pythons as a first snake for their smaller sizes and less food driven temperament. They don't get as big as your other pythons (carpets, womas, etc), so they tend to be easier to deal with overall.
The truth is snakes don't normally smell at all, those foul scents only show up when the animal feels stressed or threatened.
But are these behaviors an indication of emotional bonding, or they are just responses to stimuli? Research shows that reptiles don't form a bond just as mammals do, but they develop a feeling of trust and recognition. For example, Turtles and Iguanas can recognize their owners by simple sight and sound.
Sleeping with your pet snake is a big no-no for your safety and theirs. Snakes are cold-blooded and need very specific heat and humidity levels to survive. Your bed doesn't provide that. Plus, snakes are great at hiding and could slither off in the middle of the night.
Non-Venomous Snakes
Corn snakes are the most popular small pet snake for beginners. They're easy to care for and handle, and when gently handled from a young age they rarely show aggression. We recommend them often for new keepers, as they are certainly beginner-friendly snakes with a calm temperament.
Studies on reptile cognition have shown that snakes can learn from their environment and can remember feeding routines, regular handling, and even the smell of specific humans. This doesn't necessarily mean they feel affection, but it suggests they can distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar people.
Scientists consider the king cobra to be the most intelligent of all snakes. For example, a king cobra can change its hunting tactics to a method that best suits the situation.
Docile Temperament: Corn snakes are known for their calm and easy-going nature. They rarely bite and tolerate handling well once comfortable.
Local mythology states that if you kill a cobra, its mate will come and kill you in revenge. Perhaps getting to the bottom of this famous cobra myth will reveal something about a snake Mark has never caught in the wild, a snake that delivers enough venom to kill ten men, the King cobra.
A Mount Marlow woman has survived a bite from a coastal taipan, one of the most venomous snakes in Australia. She was flown to hospital in Mackay after being treated with antivenom.
There isn't one single "most dangerous" snake, as danger depends on venom potency, aggression, and human interaction, but the Inland Taipan (Fierce Snake) is the most venomous land snake by venom toxicity, while the Saw-scaled Viper causes the most human deaths due to its widespread presence and aggression, and the King Cobra is the longest venomous snake, delivering massive, lethal venom quantities.
If a snake appears to be staring at you, it's not out of curiosity or malice; snakes don't have eyelids, so their eyes are always open. A snake's “stare” is just it staying still to assess its surroundings or gauge threats.
First and foremost, the cold. Temperatures lower than 60° impairs their ability to protect themselves. Very often it is standing their ground when having to deal w/ humans.
Any commercially available cinnamon oil, clove oil or eugenol with 95 percent or greater purity are acceptable for use in brown treesnake repellent mixtures. Spray the mixture directly on the snake, aiming for its head. Direct contact with the snake will trigger escape behavior.