As a rule of thumb, the size of a snake’s tank should be bigger than the snake, but if you have limited indoor space, a large tank may not be an option. So if you want to have a pet snake, a 10-gallon (37.85-liter) tank is the perfect size, as it doesn’t take up a lot of space. The only problem is whether a snake can comfortably fit inside.
There are a few snake species that can live inside a 10-gallon (37.85) tank, including the Worm Snake, Rosy Boa, and male Kenyan Sand Boa. These snakes are popular among owners that have little space because they either are coiled most of the time or do not grow as large as other snakes.
If you want to know more about snakes that can fit a 10-gallon (37.85-liter) tank and what they need in order to be comfortable, read on.
1. Worm Snake
Worm snakes are great for 10-gallon (37.85-liter) tanks because they grow up to only a foot (30.5 cm). These snakes resemble earthworms, which, coincidentally, are among the things that they enjoy feeding on. If you like decorating a tank with plants, this snake is a great option, as you can comfortably fit plants inside the tank due to the snake’s small size.
Worm snakes also enjoy burrowing and basking, so to make the tank more enjoyable for this snake, prepare a good substrate of shredded pieces of paper or mulch.
If you are a first-time snake owner, however, this snake is not ideal, as it is a bit high-maintenance.
2. Rosy Boa
You might be surprised to see the Rosy Boa on this list since they grow quite large. But this large snake is almost always coiled up, which means that it can fit comfortably inside a 10-gallon (37.85-liter) tank.
If you do decide to take care of one, though, do not forget to keep the tank’s lid tightly closed, as the Rosy Boa is known to be quite fond of escaping even through the tiniest holes. If you’re not careful, they are also able to lift the lid up to make their way out.
3. Kenyan Sand Boa
The Kenyan Sand Boa is another ideal type of snake for a 10-gallon (37.85-liter) tank. But be careful to choose only a male one, as a female Kenyan Sand Boa can grow up to 32 inches (81.3 cm) and needs at least a 20-gallon (75.6-liter) tank to be comfortable.
Males, on the other hand, can only grow up to 15 inches (38.1 cm), which can easily be accommodated in a 10-gallon (37.85-liter) tank.
4. Western Hognose Snake
Like the Kenyan Sand Boa, male Western Hognose Snakes are more appropriate for a 10-gallon (37.85-liter) tank because they are smaller than their female counterparts. This snake is also ideal for first-time snake owners because though they are known to be venomous, they are gentle and do not attack humans.
In fact, they have a tendency to play dead when they feel threatened, and they only use their venom to kill prey.