2025 is a Year of the Snake on the Chinese zodiac calendar. To celebrate the hiss-toric year ahead, we’ve highlighted some of our favorite snake species that pet owners love to love.
Common behavior: Small, shy and docile, ball pythons are typically under 4 feet in length. These snakes are often slow to warm up to new settings and family members, so it’s advised that pet parents leave a newly homed snake alone for 1-2 weeks until they acclimate to their new surroundings. Once a ball python has resumed eating, gentle handling can commence.
Ball pythons are nocturnal therefore the best time to interact with the snake is during the evening hours when it is more active.
Life span: 20 years (avg), up to 40 years
Temperature: Proper temperature regulation is the most important aspect in maintaining a healthy snake. The enclosure must be kept between 80-85°F during the day, with a basking area kept at 90-94°F. At night, the air temperature should not fall below 75°F.
Diet: Ball pythons are nocturnal hunters in nature. Young snakes (2-3 years of age and 18-36 inches long) should be fed every 7-10 days, while older snakes should be fed every 2-3 weeks. To avoid severe injury to the snake, only stunned or pre-killed prey should be offered. Fresh water must be always available in a water bowl that is large enough for the snake to soak in. The water should be changed when soiled.
Housing: The proper tank size for one adult ball python ranges from 20–30-gallons. A python’s enclosure should have hiding spots and climbing branches for your snake to lounge on and explore. The cage should have a screen top for adequate ventilation, and it should be secured and escape-proof. Ball pythons do not require sources of UV light in their enclosure, because they are nocturnal and obtain vitamin D3 in their diet.
Common behavior: Corn snakes are a good beginner snake because they are non-venomous and generally calm and gentle. They tend to be easy to handle and care for and thrive in captivity. They are most active at dawn, dusk and during the night. However, they are solitary animals, so they are best housed alone.
Life span: 10 years (avg)
Temperature: Enclosures should range between 70–85°F. Heat may be provided by special reptile heating pads or incandescent light bulbs in reflector hoods and placed to avoid direct contact with the snake. One end of the enclosure should be maintained at a higher temperature for basking.
Normal household humidity (30–50%) is usually fine, but it may need to be higher if your snake has trouble shedding.
Diet: In the wild, hatchlings feed largely on small lizards and tree frogs, while adults feed on small rodents and birds, killing their prey by constriction. In captivity, hatchlings can easily be started on pinkie mice (1–2 days old), quickly moving up the prey scale to fuzzies, crews and small adult mice. A live rodent should not be left unattended with any snake.
Juveniles are fed every 5–7 days, whereas adults feed every 7–10 days. Corn snakes need water every day, even though most pet parents probably won’t see their snake drink.
Housing: A corn snake should be housed in at least a 20-gallon tank with a very secure top, as they are known to be escape artists. The cage should have a screen top for adequate ventilation.
Aspen or cypress shavings are often used as substrate to allow the snake to burrow. Other suitable substrates are newspaper, reptile carpet or paper towels. Hiding places are necessary, as corn snakes become stressed if they cannot hide. Branches should be available for climbing and resting.
Common behavior: Milk snakes are considered a “beginner’s snake,” because they are docile and nonvenomous. While they are usually gentle to humans, they should be housed individually to prevent conflict between snakes. They are nocturnal and will hide during the day.
Milk snakes have 3 common pattern types:
The color pattern of tri-colored milk snakes can be distinguished from the venomous coral snake by their slightly different pattern: In milk snakes, red bands are bordered by black bands while in coral snakes, red bands are bordered by white ones.
Life span: 15 years (avg), up to 30 years
Temperature: Enclosures should range between 77–86°F, plus a hot spot of around 100–104°F under a heat lamp that should be turned off at night.
Diet: In the wild, milk snakes eat primarily other snakes and reptiles and their eggs, small mammals and birds and, occasionally, insects and earthworms. Captive-bred milk snakes will happily accept appropriately sized mice, which should be presented dead to avoid bite trauma. Earthworms and small lizards may also be offered.
Housing: Milk snakes require very simple conditions in captivity. The size of the terrarium should be proportionate to the length of the snake; while hatchlings can be housed in a 10.5 gallon capacity terrarium, adults should have a 32 gallon capacity enclosure. Milk snake enclosures of all sizes should feature a strong escape-preventing top.
As substrate, it is possible to use paper towels (the simplest and most hygienic option), Astroturf carpets, clean and dried sand, untinted aspen shavings (avoid cedar and redwood, both of which are toxic) or sterile potting soil. Substrate should be changed every 6 months. Rocks, logs, pieces of bark and safe nontoxic materials are necessary for hiding and aiding in skin shedding.
Many people see reptiles as “easy” pets. They don’t require daily walks or extensive grooming, but they do require special care that many aspiring reptile parents don’t know about.
When considering a new snake, be sure to ask lots of questions and do your homework about both pet snakes and the specific snake species that interests you. Of course, make sure you connect with a veterinarian who treats exotic animals like reptiles if the unexpected happens.
Did you know that Nationwide offers protection for snakes, plus tortoises, dragons, birds and other exotic pets? Call 844-397-8937 for a quote on your pet!
Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new pet