6 Cheapest Snakes to Keep as Pets

If you’ve decided to purchase a pet snake, you might be wondering which species are the most affordable. While many species of snake make excellent pets, only a handful are also easy on your wallet. Whether you’re just getting into owning reptiles or you’re a seasoned snake enthusiast, we’ve got you covered. Today, we discuss six of the cheapest snakes that make excellent house pets.

1. Garter Snake

There’s no denying that the garter snake has many excellent qualities. They are easy to care for, relatively small at maturity, and have a docile and relaxed personality. These qualities alone make them great pets, but purchasing a garter snake is also very cheap at roughly $20. Costs for supplies such as an enclosure, heat source, substrate, and food and water bowls will be additional. For many small snakes, it’s best to put aside at least $250 to cover these expenses. As adolescents, garter snakes will eat every other day, but as they grow older, feeding will take place about twice per week. Their diet consists of cheap, readily available food such as insects, earthworms, pinkies, minnows, and guppies.

2. Milk Snake

The milk snake is one of the most popular pet snake species, and it’s easy to see why. Much like garter snakes, milk snakes are very laid-back, and many enjoy human interaction. Milk snakes are very cheap, and many cost between $60 and $150 on average. The cost of food and supplies for this species is on par with those of the garter snake. While young, milk snakes will primarily eat insects. As they grow older, they will transition to a diet of small rodents. This will cost about $5 monthly, which amounts to about $60 per year.

3. Rosy Boa

The rosy boa is not only beautiful but friendly too. They are very unlikely to become aggressive or bite, and overall, they are relatively social. If you’re looking for a snake you can handle and interact with frequently, this may be the one for you. On average, rosy boas cost about $150, and supplies will set you back an additional $250. As juveniles, rosy boas will eat once every five days. However, mature rosy boas will only eat about once every 10 days or so. Their diet is primarily comprised of small rodents, such as mice, and frozen mice are preferred to live ones. Before feeding, rodents should be thawed before being offered to your rosy boa.

4. Ball Python

While all the species on this list make wonderful house pets, ball pythons are incredibly easy and beginner friendly. They cost between $100 and $250 on average, and all the supplies you’ll need for them will come out to about $300. However, set aside extra for the larger enclosure they’ll need as adults. The current advice is they need a 4x2x2 space. If properly cared for, ball pythons can live between 20 and 30 years, which is much longer than other species of snake. In addition, they are friendly, relaxed, and are highly unlikely to become aggressive. Despite this, ball pythons are slightly more sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity and can grow up to 6 feet in length. If you’re at all unsure you’ll be able to accommodate these needs, another species might be better suited for you.

5. Gopher Snake

Although they might not be as popular as some of the other snakes we’ve gone over today, gopher snakes make great pets. What you put into this species is what you get out. If you’re kind, gentle, and patient with them, they’ll give you the same energy right back. They’re very cheap, and many gopher snakes can be purchased for as little as $60. The cost of supplies will be around $300. Adult gopher snakes will only eat once every week or two, so feeding costs are relatively low at just $60 to $100 annually. Where the number falls within this range depends on what you feed them.

6. Corn Snake

When it comes to pet snakes, none are quite as perfect as the corn snake. These reptiles have a wealth of wonderful qualities that make them an ideal pet. Corn snakes are friendly, hardy, and very affordable at just $25 on the low end. They’re on the smaller side as hatchlings, and many tolerate handling very well. According to RSPCA, “Corn snakes can become used to regular handling. The snake can be gently scooped up with one hand underneath the animal near the head and the other nearer the tail, supporting the whole animal” For reptile owners just starting out, choosing a species can feel confusing and overwhelming. That being said, you absolutely can’t go wrong choosing the corn snake.

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