The Black Mamba Isn't Safe But Here Are Snakes Breeds That are Great Pets for Kids
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By PAGE Editor
There are a variety of pet options out there that a parent can get their child for them to enjoy as their new companion. Dogs and cats have been the most commonly kept pets for decades now, but many people have started to broaden their horizons over the years and have discovered that owning snakes might be the perfect pet for their kids.
Snakes can make great companions and they tend to be very easy to care for - they don't go on daily walks in the park, can't stretch your furniture, they're silent - all while still providing the common benefits of having a pet. That said, there are some snake breeds that make for particularly great pets for kids.
1. Corn Snake
A Corn snake is a type of Rat snake, which is known for being a very docile creature. They are easy to care for and only need their housing spot cleaned once every week or two weeks. Corn snakes can be long-lived too, some have been documented to live up to 20 years!
Of course, looking up reliable sources that will give you a better idea of what to expect - like an article mysnakepet.com/do-snakes-sleep-with-their-eyes-open which explains snake sleeping habits, or how often to feed certain species is advisable when getting a pet like this. The Corn snake can be greyish-brown or pale yellow, with dark brown markings.
2. Ball Python
Ball Pythons are medium-sized snakes that make for perfect pets due to how docile they are and generally easy to handle. This snake type is non-venomous, which makes it a great option for families with younger children that might not always practice caution when handling a snake. They only grow to about 2-4 feet, so they don't need much space either.
These snakes are very popular pets because they tend to be very friendly and easygoing, which is great for children. The colorings can also vary depending on where the Ball Python comes from - for example, they can be white to yellow, with brown spots. The pattern on the skin can also vary, which makes every snake unique.
3. Boa Constrictor
Boa constrictors are not as popular as some other snake breeds, but they make great pets nonetheless. They tend to be very docile too and generally won't try and hurt you - and of course, like any other pet, they should be supervised when children are interacting with them.
The average size for a full-grown Boa constrictor is about 8-10 feet long, making them a mid-sized pet. They're very easy to care for and only need to be fed once every week or two weeks as well. There's a variety of color variations - most commonly brown and yellow, dark gray, or green.
4. California King Snake
The California King snake is a great pet for kids because it's known for being very active in the daytime when many people are home. It has an attractive pattern too which makes it popular among children who love to see something unique when looking at their snake.
They come in a variety of colors, the most common being black and white or red and white. When it comes to snakes that like to keep active, it's important to provide them with enough playtime and other positive activities so that they don't get bored. For example, you can play with it by letting it crawl on your arms and hands, or let it explore the area - but make sure it always has a safe area to retreat to if it's feeling nervous or anxious.
5. Gopher Snake
Gopher snakes are great for anyone looking to have a snake that will have a long life span because they're known for living anywhere from 20-30 years! In addition, it's another docile species and it doesn't need to be fed as often as some other snake breeds, making it great for kids and saving parents time.
They're usually black or pale yellow with brown markings, but there are over 43 different subspecies of this snake breed. If your child wants to have a more active role in choosing the new pet, picking out a species for them that offers a lot of diversity when it comes to looks can be a great way to compromise between letting your child make the entire decision on its own, and not getting to be involved at all.
Even though snakes make for a lot less demanding pets than other animals such as dogs, cats, or even birds, they still are living beings that need care and attention. If your child is very young or hasn't had a pet before, it's always better to assume you, as the parent, will have to shoulder most of the responsibilities when it comes to owning a pet.
That said, ensuring your child has a pet snake can develop their sense of responsibility, their empathy levels, and it can score you some major parenting points you'll probably want to have on your side the next time you try to get your kid to eat their vegetables.
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