Do Snakes Make Good Pets?

Snakes make excellent pets for the right person. They are quiet, clean, low maintenance compared to most traditional pets, and fascinating to observe and interact with. But they are definitely not for everyone. Here is an honest look at the pros and cons of keeping snakes as pets to help you decide if they are right for you.

The Benefits of Pet Snakes

Low maintenance: Snakes eat once a week or less (adults of many species eat every 1 to 2 weeks), so you do not need to feed them daily like a dog or cat. They do not need walks, grooming, or constant attention. Basic enclosure maintenance takes just a few minutes each day.

Quiet: Snakes make no noise at all. No barking, meowing, chirping, or squawking. If you live in an apartment or have noise sensitive neighbors, a snake is the perfect pet.

No odor: Snakes themselves have virtually no body odor. A properly maintained enclosure should not produce any noticeable smell in your home, which is a big advantage over many other pets.

Hypoallergenic: Snakes have no fur or dander, making them an excellent choice for people with pet allergies. You can enjoy having a pet without the sneezing and itchy eyes that come with furry animals.

Affordable to feed: A single frozen mouse costs about $1 to $3, and most pet snakes eat one per week or less. Compared to monthly food costs for dogs and cats, feeding a snake is remarkably inexpensive.

Long lifespan: Many popular pet snakes live 15 to 30 years with proper care, giving you a long term companion. Ball pythons, corn snakes, and king snakes all regularly live 15 to 20+ years.

The Challenges of Pet Snakes

They eat whole prey: This is the biggest barrier for many potential snake owners. Most pet snakes eat mice or rats, and while frozen and thawed prey is the standard, the idea of keeping rodents in your freezer and feeding them to your snake is not for everyone.

They are not cuddly: Snakes tolerate handling and some seem to enjoy the warmth, but they do not seek out affection or form bonds the way dogs and cats do. If you want a pet that runs to greet you at the door, a snake is not it.

Finding pet care is harder: Going on vacation with a snake is more complicated because finding someone willing (and able) to feed a snake frozen mice is harder than finding a dog sitter. Reptile experienced pet sitters and boarding facilities are less common.

Specialized veterinary care: Not all veterinarians see reptiles. You need to find an exotic or reptile specialist veterinarian in your area, and their services may be more expensive than a standard vet visit.

Social stigma: Some people are afraid of snakes, and having one as a pet can make certain friends, family members, or roommates uncomfortable. It is worth considering how the people in your life feel about snakes before bringing one home.

Best Snake Species for Beginners

If you have decided that a snake might be right for you, some species are much better for beginners than others. The top choices for first time snake owners include corn snakes (active, friendly, easy to care for), ball pythons (calm, gentle, great for handling), king snakes (bold, hardy, enthusiastic eaters), and milk snakes (beautiful, manageable size, easy care). You can explore all of these options in our guide to popular pet snake breeds.

Who Should NOT Get a Pet Snake

Snakes are not a good fit for everyone, and there is no shame in that. You probably should not get a pet snake if you are uncomfortable with the idea of feeding whole prey animals, if you want a pet that shows obvious affection and recognizes you, if anyone in your household has a severe snake phobia, or if you tend to lose interest in pets after the novelty wears off (snakes can live 20+ years).

If you are on the fence, consider visiting a reptile expo or a friend who keeps snakes to spend some time with them before committing. Handling a snake in person is often the best way to figure out whether snake keeping is for you.