There are several species of large pet snakes that are commonly kept by hobbyists. It’s important to note that large pet snakes require specialized care, including a large enclosure, a proper heating and lighting setup, and a consistent feeding schedule. They are also illegal to own in some areas, so it’s important to check local laws before considering keeping one as a pet.
13 Large Pet Snakes
1- Burmese pythons
Burmese pythons are a species of large, nonvenomous snakes native to Southeast Asia. They are popular pets due to their striking patterned skin and strong, muscular bodies, but they require specialized care and a large enclosure. Burmese pythons can grow up to 20 feet in length and can weigh up to 200 pounds.
They require a consistent heat and humidity level, as well as a proper lighting setup. They should be provided with a large enclosure that allows them to stretch out and move around comfortably. It’s important to note that Burmese pythons can be very aggressive, especially when they are being handled or feeling threatened.
They are also known to be escape artists, so it’s important to secure their enclosure properly. In terms of diet, Burmese pythons are carnivorous and should be fed a diet of appropriately sized mice or rats. They should be provided a pre-killed prey item, as it is not safe to feed them live prey. It’s also essential to research the laws in your area before considering a Burmese python as a pet, as they are illegal to own in some states.
They also require a significant time and financial commitment, as they have a lifespan of up to 25 years and require regular feeding and maintenance.
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2- Reticulated pythons
Reticulated pythons are a species of large, nonvenomous snakes native to Southeast Asia. They are popular pets due to their distinctive patterned skin and long, slender bodies, but they require specialized care and a large enclosure. Reticulated pythons can grow up to 30 feet in length and can weigh up to 300 pounds. They require a consistent heat and humidity level, as well as a proper lighting setup.
They should be provided with a large enclosure that allows them to stretch out and move around comfortably. Like other large pet snakes, reticulated pythons can be aggressive, especially when they are being handled or feeling threatened. They are also known to be escape artists, so it’s important to secure their enclosure properly.
In terms of diet, reticulated pythons are carnivorous and should be fed a diet of appropriately sized mice or rats. They should be provided a pre-killed prey item, as it is not safe to feed them live prey. It’s also essential to research the laws in your area before considering a reticulated python as a pet, as they are illegal to own in some states. They also require a significant time and financial commitment, as they have a lifespan of up to 25 years and require regular feeding and maintenance.
3- African rock pythons
African rock pythons are a species of large, nonvenomous snakes native to Africa. They are popular pets due to their strong, muscular bodies and heavily patterned skin, but they require specialized care and a large enclosure. African rock pythons can grow up to 20 feet in length and can weigh up to 200 pounds.
They require a consistent heat and humidity level, as well as a proper lighting setup. They should be provided with a large enclosure that allows them to stretch out and move around comfortably. Like other large pet snakes, African rock pythons can be aggressive, especially when they are being handled or feeling threatened.
They are also known to be escape artists, so it’s important to secure their enclosure properly. In terms of diet, African rock pythons are carnivorous and should be fed a diet of appropriately sized mice or rats. They should be provided a pre-killed prey item, as it is not safe to feed them live prey. It’s also important to research the laws in your area before considering an African rock python as a pet, as they are illegal to own in some states.
They also require a significant time and financial commitment, as they have a lifespan of up to 25 years and require regular feeding and maintenance.
4- Anacondas
Anacondas are a species of large, nonvenomous snakes native to South America. They are the largest species of snake in the world and are known for their powerful, muscular bodies and heavily patterned skin. However, they require specialized care and a huge enclosure and are not suitable pets for most people.
Anacondas can grow up to 30 feet in length and can weigh up to 550 pounds. They require a consistent heat and humidity level, as well as a proper lighting setup. Like other large pet snakes, anacondas can be aggressive, especially when they are being handled or feeling threatened.
They are also known to be escape artists, so it’s important to secure their enclosure properly. In terms of diet, anacondas are carnivorous and should be fed a diet of appropriately sized rodents or birds. They should be provided a pre-killed prey item, as it is not safe to feed them live prey. It’s also essential to research the laws in your area before considering an anaconda as a pet, as they are illegal to own in some states.
They also require a significant time and financial commitment, as they have a lifespan of up to 25 years and require regular feeding and maintenance. In addition, they require a very large enclosure and a lot of space to move around, which may not be practical or feasible for most people.
5- Boa Constrictors
Boa constrictors are a species of large, nonvenomous snakes native to Central and South America. They are popular pets due to their distinctive patterned skin and strong, muscular bodies, but they require specialized care and a large enclosure. Boa constrictors can grow up to 13 feet in length and can weigh up to 60 pounds. They require a consistent heat and humidity level, as well as a proper lighting setup.
They should be provided with a large enclosure that allows them to stretch out and move around comfortably. Like other large pet snakes, boa constrictors can be aggressive, especially when they are being handled or feeling threatened. They are also known to be escape artists, so it’s important to secure their enclosure properly.
In terms of diet, boa constrictors are carnivorous and should be fed a diet of appropriately sized mice or rats. They should be fed a pre-killed prey item, as it is not safe to feed them live prey. It’s also important to research the laws in your area before considering a boa constrictor as a pet, as they are illegal to own in some states. They also require a significant time and financial commitment, as they have a lifespan of up to 30 years and require regular feeding and maintenance.
6- Western hognose snake
The Western hognose snake (Heterodon nasicus) is a small to medium-sized, nonvenomous snake native to the United States and Mexico. It is known for its distinctive upturned snout, which it uses to burrow in the ground in search of food. Western hognose snakes are popular pets due to their docile temperament and easy care requirements.
They are typically small, growing to an average length of 2-3 feet, and they have a lifespan of 10-15 years. They require a consistent heat and humidity level, as well as a proper lighting setup. They should be provided with a medium-sized enclosure that allows them to stretch out and move around comfortably. In terms of diet, Western hognose snakes are carnivorous and should be fed a diet of appropriately sized mice or rats.
They should be fed a pre-killed prey item, as it is not safe to feed them live prey. It’s important to research the laws in your area before considering a Western hognose snake as a pet, as it may be illegal to own in some states. They also require a significant time and financial commitment, as they require regular feeding and maintenance.
7- Milk Snakes
Milk snakes (Lampropeltis triangulum) are a species of small to medium-sized, nonvenomous snakes native to North and Central America. They are popular pets due to their distinctive patterned skin and docile temperament. Milk snakes can grow to an average length of 2-4 feet and have a lifespan of 10-15 years.
They require a consistent heat and humidity level, as well as a proper lighting setup. They should be provided with a medium-sized enclosure that allows them to stretch out and move around comfortably. In terms of diet, milk snakes are carnivorous and should be fed a diet of appropriately sized mice or rats. They should be fed a pre-killed prey item, as it is not safe to feed them live prey.
It’s important to research the laws in your area before considering a milk snake as a pet, as they may be illegal to own in some states. They also require a significant time and financial commitment, as they require regular feeding and maintenance. Milk snakes are generally docile and easy to handle, but it’s important to handle them gently and with respect, as they can become stressed or frightened if they feel threatened.
8- Green tree python
The green tree python (Morelia Viridis) is a medium-sized, nonvenomous snake native to New Guinea and parts of Australia. It is known for its distinctive green coloration and slender body. Green tree pythons are popular pets due to their striking appearance and docile temperament, but they do require specialized care and a large enclosure. They can grow to an average length of 4-6 feet and have a lifespan of 10-15 years. They require a consistent heat and humidity level, as well as a proper lighting setup.
They should be provided with a large enclosure that allows them to stretch out and move around comfortably. In terms of diet, green tree pythons are carnivorous and should be fed a diet of appropriately sized mice or rats. They should be fed a pre-killed prey item, as it is not safe to feed them live prey. It’s important to research the laws in your area before considering a green tree python as a pet, as they may be illegal to own in some states.
They also require a significant time and financial commitment, as they require regular feeding and maintenance. Green tree pythons are generally docile and easy to handle, but it’s important to handle them gently and with respect, as they can become stressed or frightened if they feel threatened.
9- Rainbow Boa
The rainbow boa (Epicrates cenchria) is a medium-sized, nonvenomous snake native to South America. It is known for its distinctive, iridescent coloration, which can range from shades of red, orange, yellow, green, and blue. Rainbow boas are popular pets due to their striking appearance and docile temperament, but they do require specialized care and a large enclosure.
They can grow to an average length of 4-6 feet and have a lifespan of 15-20 years. They require a consistent heat and humidity level, as well as a proper lighting setup. They should be provided with a large enclosure that allows them to stretch out and move around comfortably. In terms of diet, rainbow boas are carnivorous and should be fed a diet of appropriately sized mice or rats.
They should be fed a pre-killed prey item, as it is not safe to feed them live prey. It’s important to research the laws in your area before considering a rainbow boa as a pet, as they may be illegal to own in some states. They also require a significant time and financial commitment, as they require regular feeding and maintenance. Rainbow boas are generally docile and easy to handle, but it’s important to handle them gently and with respect, as they can become stressed or frightened if they feel threatened.
10- Olive python
The olive python (Liasis olivaceus) is a large, nonvenomous snake native to Australia. It is known for its distinctive olive-colored skin and strong, muscular body. Olive pythons are popular pets due to their striking appearance and docile temperament, but they do require specialized care and a very large enclosure. They can grow to an average length of 10-15 feet and have a lifespan of 20-25 years.
They require a consistent heat and humidity level, as well as a proper lighting setup. They should be provided with a very large enclosure that allows them to stretch out and move around comfortably. In terms of diet, olive pythons are carnivorous and should be fed a diet of appropriately sized rodents or birds.
They should be fed a pre-killed prey item, as it is not safe to feed them live prey. It’s important to research the laws in your area before considering an olive python as a pet, as they may be illegal to own in some states. They also require a significant time and financial commitment, as they require regular feeding and maintenance.
Olive pythons are generally docile and easy to handle, but it’s important to handle them gently and with respect, as they can become stressed or frightened if they feel threatened. They also require a very large enclosure and a lot of space to move around, which may not be practical or feasible for most people.
11- Old World Sand Boas
Old World sand boas (Eryx spp.) are nonvenomous snakes native to Africa and parts of Asia. They are known for their distinctive patterned skin and stocky bodies and are popular pets due to their docile temperament and easy care requirements. Old World sand boas can grow to an average length of 1-3 feet and have a lifespan of 10-15 years. They require a consistent heat and humidity level, as well as a proper lighting setup. They should be provided with a small to a medium-sized enclosure that allows them to stretch out and move around comfortably.
In terms of diet, Old World sand boas are carnivorous and should be fed a diet of appropriately sized mice or rats. They should be fed a pre-killed prey item, as it is not safe to feed them live prey. It’s important to research the laws in your area before considering an Old World sand boa as a pet, as they may be illegal to own in some states.
They also require a significant time and financial commitment, as they require regular feeding and maintenance. Old World sand boas are generally docile and easy to handle, but it’s important to handle them gently and with respect, as they can become stressed or frightened if they feel threatened.
12- Amethystine python
The amethystine python (Morelia amethystine), also known as the Scrub python or the Coastal python, is a large, nonvenomous snake native to Australia and New Guinea. It is known for its distinctive, purple-colored skin and strong, muscular body. Amethystine pythons are popular pets due to their striking appearance and docile temperament, but they do require specialized care and a very large enclosure.
They can grow to an average length of 10-20 feet and have a lifespan of 20-25 years. They require a consistent heat and humidity level, as well as a proper lighting setup. They should be provided with a very large enclosure that allows them to stretch out and move around comfortably. In terms of diet, amethystine pythons are carnivorous and should be fed a diet of appropriately sized rodents or birds. They should be fed a pre-killed prey item, as it is not safe to feed them live prey.
It’s important to research the laws in your area before considering an amethystine python as a pet, as they may be illegal to own in some states. They also require a significant time and financial commitment, as they require regular feeding and maintenance. Amethystine pythons are generally docile and easy to handle, but it’s important to handle them gently and with respect, as they can become stressed or frightened if they feel threatened. They also require a very large enclosure and a lot of space to move around, which may not be practical or feasible for most people.
13- Indian Python
The Indian python (Python molurus molurus) is a subspecies of the Indian rock python (Python molurus) that is native to India. It is also known as the Indian royal python or the black-tailed python. Indian pythons are nonvenomous and are generally docile, making them popular pets in some parts of the world.
They are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and wetlands, and can grow to be quite large, with some individuals reaching lengths of up to 6 meters (20 feet). Indian pythons have distinctive markings, with a base color that can range from yellow to olive green and dark brown, and are adorned with irregularly shaped black and brown patches.
They are known for their strong muscular bodies and powerful constricting abilities, which they use to capture and kill their prey, which primarily consists of mammals and birds.
Conclusion
It is important to carefully consider the responsibility and commitment involved in keeping a large pet snake before making the decision to do so. These animals have specific care requirements and can live for many years, so it is important to be prepared for the long-term commitment. Ultimately, the decision to keep a large pet snake should be based on a thorough understanding of the responsibilities and commitments involved, as well as a genuine interest in and respect for these animals.
