Snakes can make great pets. However, since certain breeds can be dangerous, you'll need to take precautions including making sure your snake's cage is secure and escape is impossible. As a beginner, consider a pet snake such as a Ball Python, Corn Snake or King Snake. These snakes can grow from 5-7 feet long and tend to live in excess of 10 years.

Ball Pythons are relatively easy going snakes. They are on the shorter end of the above range for length, but are on the longer end for lifespan. When threatened, Ball Pythons tend to roll up on a ball for protection. Corn Snakes are known for their beautiful, bright colors and patterns. They are easy going pets, but have active minds and often are able to escape their cages. King Snakes are also normally easy going and have beautiful color combinations. They can grow as long as 6 or 7 feet, and will eat almost anything! In the wild, they've been known to eat mice, bird and even other snakes.

These three beginner snakes are relatively easy to feed and handle - as long as they were bred in captivity. This is a critical point - to own a snake that was bred in captivity. Most of these snakes should be fed pre-killed mice and rats. This is better than giving the snake a live mouse or rat since the snake is less likely to get injured or agitated during the feeding process.

Since larger and poisonous snakes can be very dangerous, we have elected not to discuss them in this space. For questions about these types of snakes, such as Burmese Pythons, Red-tailed Boas, Tree Boas and certain Pythons, please consider the reptile magazines offered on the below link.