Overview: Docile, small to medium-sized snakes popular for their color morphs and beginner-friendly care. Lifespan: 15–20 years.

Housing:

• Juveniles: 10–20 gallon terrarium
   
• Adults: 20–40 gallon long tank
   
• Substrate: Aspen shavings, cypress mulch, or paper towels (avoid cedar/pine)
   
• Hides: At least two hides, warm and cool sides
   
• Climbing: Branches, cork bark, artificial plants
   
• Temperature: Warm side 85–88°F, cool side 75–78°F, night 70–75°F
   
• Heating: Heat mat or ceramic heat; optional basking lamp with cage
   
• Lighting: Day/night cycle; UVB not required
   

Diet:

• Hatchlings: pinky mice; Juveniles: fuzzies; Adults: adult mice or small rats
   
• Feed according to size; hatchlings every 5–7 days, adults 10–14 days
   
• Provide shallow water dish, changed daily
   

Behavior: Nocturnal to crepuscular, calm, curious; avoid handling 48 hours after feeding

Sexing: Males have longer, thicker tails; females shorter tapering tails

Maintenance: Daily spot checks and water, weekly spot-cleaning, monthly deep-clean

Overview: Small, shy constrictors from Africa, known for curling into a ball when stressed. Lifespan: 20–30 years.

Housing:

• Juveniles: 20 gallon tank
   
• Adults: 36–55 gallon long terrarium
   
• Substrate: Aspen, cypress mulch, or newspaper
   
• Hides: Two hides minimum, one warm, one cool
   
• Climbing: Minimal; mainly terrestrial
   
• Temperature: Warm side 88–92°F, cool side 78–80°F, night 72–78°F
   
• Heating: Heat mat or ceramic heat; optional basking lamp with cage
   
• Lighting: Day/night cycle; UVB optional
   

Diet:

• Small rodents appropriate to snake size; juveniles every 5–7 days, adults every 10–14 days
   
• Provide shallow water dish
   

Behavior: Nocturnal, generally docile; handle gently and not immediately after feeding

Sexing: Males have longer tails; females are bulkier and rounder

Maintenance: Daily water and observation, weekly spot-cleaning, monthly full clean

Overview: Medium-sized, active snakes with striking banding or patterning; hardy and beginner-friendly. Lifespan: 15–20 years.

Housing:

• Juveniles: 10–20 gallon tank
   
• Adults: 20–40 gallon long tank
   
• Substrate: Aspen, cypress, or paper towels
   
• Hides: At least two; climbing branches optional
   
• Temperature: Warm side 85–88°F, cool side 75–78°F, night 70–75°F
   
• Heating: Heat mat or ceramic heat with cage
   
• Lighting: Natural day/night cycle; UVB not required
   

Diet:

• Small rodents appropriate to size; juveniles every 5–7 days, adults every 10–14 days
   
• Provide water dish, changed daily
   

Behavior: Diurnal/nocturnal depending on species; curious and active but generally docile

Sexing: Males have longer, thinner tails; females shorter, stockier tails

Maintenance: Daily water, weekly spot-clean, monthly deep clean

Overview: Small to medium, colorful, non-venomous snakes; hardy and easy to care for. Lifespan: 15–20 years.

Housing:

• Juveniles: 10–20 gallon tank
   
• Adults: 20–40 gallon long tank
   
• Substrate: Aspen shavings, cypress mulch, or paper towels
   
• Hides: Two hides minimum
   
• Temperature: Warm side 85–88°F, cool side 75–78°F, night 70–75°F
   
• Heating: Heat mat or ceramic heat; basking lamp optional with cage
   
• Lighting: Day/night cycle; UVB optional
   

Diet:

• Small rodents appropriate to size; juveniles every 5–7 days, adults every 10–14 days
   
• Shallow water dish changed daily
   

Behavior: Diurnal/nocturnal depending on species; docile but active foraging

Sexing: Males longer-tailed and thinner; females shorter and thicker

Maintenance: Daily water and observation, weekly spot-cleaning, monthly full clean

Overview: Larger, robust constrictors native to Central and South America; intelligent and responsive. Lifespan: 20–30+ years.

Housing:

• Juveniles: 20–30 gallon long tank
   
• Adults: Minimum 6–8 ft long enclosure, secure with locking lid
   
• Substrate: Aspen, cypress mulch, or newspaper; avoid sand or gravel
   
• Hides: Two hides minimum
   
• Climbing: Provide branches and shelves
   
• Temperature: Warm side 88–92°F, cool side 78–82°F, night 72–78°F
   
• Heating: Heat mat, ceramic heat, or basking lamp with cage
   
• Lighting: Day/night cycle; UVB optional
   

Diet:

• Juveniles: small rodents; adults: appropriately sized rats or rabbits
   
• Feed juveniles every 5–7 days, adults every 10–14 days
   
• Provide large, shallow water dish
   

Behavior: Mostly nocturnal; can become docile with regular handling but may strike if startled
Sexing: Males have longer tails and thicker cloacal spurs; females bulkier

Maintenance: Daily water and observation, weekly spot-clean, monthly deep clean

These snakes – Corn Snakes, Ball Pythons, King Snakes, Milk Snakes, and Boa Constrictors – are rewarding pets when provided species-appropriate housing, temperature gradients, hiding spots, diet, water, and maintenance.

Regular monitoring, proper feeding, hydration, and hygiene ensure these snakes thrive and can live long, healthy lives in captivity.