Snakes can make excellent pets that keep you company for years. However, with several snake species out there, finding one that best suits your unique preferences can prove daunting. When selecting your lifelong friend, what’s better, a banded water snake or a rat snake?
Banded water snakes are smaller and less aggressive than most snakes. In contrast, rat snakes live longer and are more active than other captive snakes. While both snakes have similar ranges and prey, each requires different habitats and care to stay in good condition.
While banded water snakes and rat snakes are considered some of the best pet snakes, especially around children, each requires different considerations. Read on to learn more about the differences between these snakes and tips for caring for each one.
Main Differences Between Banded Water Snakes and Rat Snakes
Both banded water snakes and rat snakes make excellent pets, especially for first-time pet owners. However, it may not be easy for a casual pet owner to distinguish between them.
Here is a table outlining the main differences between banded water snakes and rat snakes:
| Quality | Banded Water Snake | Rat Snake |
| Size | 2-4 feet long (0.61-1.22 m) | 3-6 feet long (0.91-1.83 m) |
| Lifespan | 3-8 Years | 10-30 Years |
| Coloration | Desert tones with crossbands on the back and squarish spots on the underbelly | Black, yellow, or gray Uniform coloration or long strands that go from head to tail |
| Habitat | Freshwater habitats including Lakes Ponds Streams/Rivers Wetlands Swamps/Marshes | Black rat snakes: mountains and hills Yellow rat snakes: coast Gray rat snakes: rivers and swamps Some rat snakes live in barns or suburban areas |
| Range | Southwest and Southeast United States | Southwest and Midwest United States |
| Prey | Fish Amphibians Small aquatic mammals | Rodents Amphibians Birds Bird eggs |
| Lethalness | Non-venomous but still bite when threatened | Non-venomous but will coil (like a rattlesnake) when threatened |
| Conversation Status | Protected in Georgia; no conservation status elsewhere | Protected in Georgia; no conservation status elsewhere |
Let’s discuss the details further to understand rat and banded water snakes better.
Size
The banded water snake can grow between 24-48 in (2-4 ft) and is relatively heavy for its size. Rat snakes are a bit larger, ranging from 36-60 in (3-5 ft) to six feet in some adults.
When considering each snake, it’s crucial to recognize that snakes are indeterminate growers, meaning they continue to grow until they die. For larger snakes, especially the rat snake, which lives for decades, you may need to periodically upgrade their tanks to accommodate their continual growth.
Lifespan
One of the best features of rat snakes is that they can live between 10-30 years. In contrast, banded water snakes typically live three years in captivity and up to eight years in the wild.
Your snake’s lifespan is important, especially when considering its size. Smaller snakes require fewer resources and fewer tanks to replace as they grow larger.
However, an older snake can be a good investment as it will keep you company for much longer than most traditional pets.
Coloration
Both snake species come in a variety of colors and patterns. The snake’s coloration may refer to differentiation in individual species (such as black vs. gray rat snakes) but does not significantly affect their behavior or lifespan.
Banded water snakes range from the following colors, most of which are desert tones to help blend into their aquatic habitats:
- Light reddish
- Light brown
- Brown
- Gray
- Dark Brown
- Black
Additionally, banded water snakes feature dark crossbands down the back that may not be noticeable on darker snakes and squarish spots on their underbelly.
Rat snakes, on the other hand, have a bit more variation in color that ranges between the following species:
- Black rat snake: black or dark gray
- Gray rat snake: light gray or dark brown
- Yellow rat snake: yellow, green, or orange
Additionally, most rat snakes are either uniform in color or feature dark bands extending vertically from their heads to their tails.
Habitat
Banded water snakes prefer semi-aquatic habitats, including minimal materials but requiring a water source. Most banded water snakes will need tanks up to 30 gallons (113.56 liters) to account for snakes that grow up to 5 feet (1.52 m).
Rat snakes, on the other hand, prefer less water but need larger tanks and more structures to fit their active climbing lifestyle. According to The Spruce Pets, 30-40 gallon (113.56-151.42 liters) tanks should accommodate rat snakes. The taller the tank, the better.
Range
While both snakes occupy ranges in the Eastern United States, banded water snakes are primarily found in the Southeast. In contrast, Rat snakes inhabit a much more extensive range, including the East Coast, Northeast, and Midwest.
Additionally, rat snakes prefer higher altitudes with more rocks and trees to climb, while banded water snakes are usually found in marshes, swamps, and coastal regions with plentiful water sources.
Prey
Each snake’s prey is relevant primarily to its habitat. Finding the right food for your pet snake is no problem, provided it’s the suitable diet for your snake.
Rat snakes prefer their namesake, enjoying rodents above all else. Captive rat snakes don’t mind pre-killed prey, which is often the easiest option for pet owners.
In the same way, banded water snakes prefer small aquatic animals, including fish, amphibians, and reptiles. The best diet for these snakes is live fish, which is easy to acquire and cost-effective. And because banded water snakes hunt by smell, live prey is better.
Lethalness
Neither the rat snake nor the banded water snake is venomous, and neither is lethal to humans.
However, each snake is aggressive in the wild and requires some handling before they are familiar with humans. Regular contact with your pet snake will ensure a healthy relationship.
When handling a snake, especially a newer one, it’s crucial to know the warning signs when they feel threatened. Rat snakes will coil and shake their tail like rattlesnakes. Banded water snakes will hiss and curl up before biting.
Additionally, both snakes will release a stinky musk to deter threats. Because these snakes will bite, give them time and space if they feel threatened. If you take your time to handle them and let them accept you, they will become docile pets.
Conservation Status
Neither the rat nor the banded water snake is under conservation status on a federal level. However, both snakes are listed as protected in the state of Georgia. Each snake is relatively common throughout the U.S., and both are considered good starter snakes as pets.
Banded Water Snake vs. Rat Snake: Which Makes a Better Pet?
When considering a pet snake, there are many factors to weigh as you prepare for your life-long friend. Snakes live a long time and have specific habitat requirements that you want to have ready before you purchase your snake.
While both snakes make excellent pets, especially as starter snakes, you should consider the lifespan, size, and compliance.
In general, rat snakes are the best way to go if you want a bigger snake that will stay with you for decades. These snakes grow large and are very active, spending most of their time climbing and moving around their tanks.
However, while rat snakes are more active, they are also aggressive and need significant handling before they warm up to their owner. Water snakes, in contrast, are pretty docile, making them excellent for children.
Additionally, banded water snakes are much less active than rat snakes, preferring to bask in their habitat and remain motionless. Because they use scent and not sight to hunt, there is no risk of them confusing a human hand for food.
That said, water snakes live much shorter lives than rat snakes and require smaller tanks on average.
I recommend rat snakes if you want a large, active snake and banded water snakes if you want a docile, friendlier companion. Banded water snakes are especially recommended for households with children.
Tips for Raising a Banded Water or Rat Snake
Both the banded water and rat snake make excellent additions to any family. However, depending on your choice, there are careful considerations to make.
The main differences in raising each snake are its habitat, diet, and socialization requirements. Snakes are not domesticated animals; each pet has to transition into its new home. These considerations reflect their habitat and help accommodate them as they transition.
Raising a Banded Water Snake
Most water snakes can fit into a 30-gallon (113.56 liters) tank and require a water source, dry spots with heat, and a hidden enclosure in case they get shy. While they love water, they also need dry places to bask and enjoy overhead heat.
Small amphibians and fish are the best food for water snakes, although small rodents can be an excellent addition to their diet. They almost always prefer live prey.
Water snakes are pretty docile, so don’t be surprised if they prefer to keep to themselves. Just aim to handle them for a few minutes 1-2 times a week to get used to you. A best practice is not to hold them for long periods.
Raising a Rat Snake
Depending on the size of your rat snake, it may need a larger tank, up to 40 gallons. Additionally, rat snakes love to climb and require many obstacles to engage with in their tank.
Rat snakes eat rodents exclusively, which do not need to be live. Aim to buy frozen food in bulk and feed your snake about 1-2 rodents a week.
In contrast to water snakes, rat snakes are much more active and can be more aggressive, especially around newer people. The best practice is to handle them for a few minutes every other day until they are used to you.
Final Thoughts
Snakes are rising in popularity as household pets and offer several advantages as lifelong friends. However, it’s challenging to know the best option when purchasing a pet snake for the first time.
Both the banded water and rat snakes make excellent starter snakes. Each has similar habitats and ranges, is non-lethal, and is relatively easy to take care of.
However, the rat snake is larger, more active, and lives longer than the water snake. In contrast, water snakes require smaller habitats, are less aggressive, and require less handling than rat snakes.