Snakes are a favorite choice for people who want a low-maintenance pet for their home or office. However, as fun as they are to observe, you may be tempted to touch or hold them, which may be a bad idea depending on the breed. So what snakes like to be handled?
Snakes that like to be handled include both exotic and domestic species commonly found in the USA. Boas, garter snakes, and kingsnakes all tend to be docile and comfortable being handled by people. Numerous other species like to be held and touched as well.
Read on to discover which snakes like to be handled and some information about the different snakes’ personalities.
1. Boas
Boas are one of the most well-known snakes that enjoy being handled. Not every breed wants to be held or wrapped around your neck, but plenty of them do. Some of the most common boas that thrive off being handled by people include:
- Rosy Boas
- Boa Constrictors
- Peruvian Long Tail Boas
It is important to handle them the right way. You don’t want to make the snake feel threatened, so it’s vital not to touch certain areas of their body when you’re holding them. This YouTube video from Clint’s Reptiles shows how to handle boas properly:
2. Corn Snakes
You won’t see them carried around in public the way boas often are, but corn snakes are lovely pets that enjoy being handled by their owners. They can grow up to 6 feet (1.83 m) long but are generally smaller when you keep them as pets.
It’s important to socialize with your corn snake and get it used to people, but once you do this, you’ll most likely be able to handle your pet for the next 20 years of its life. Spending the time to bond with your corn snake and get them used to being handled is imperative.
3. Garter Snakes
Garter snakes are very relaxed and friendly. They are social creatures who like to hang out with other snakes in the wild. Similar to how they enjoy being around each other, they enjoy the company of people too.
They tend to be awake during the daytime and might display extra attention when hungry. There are different types of garter snakes, but most of them are some of the friendlier snakes you can acquire. They are also small enough that they are relatively easy to take care of and suitable for children to hold.
4. Ball Pythons
There’s a reason that one of the most popular pet snakes is the ball python. They are a gorgeous species and can live long, healthy lives in the right conditions. They’re also very good with people and like to be handled.
However, you will want to monitor how your ball python reacts to being held, as their personalities may vary. Like other pets, although a species often displays specific characteristics, it doesn’t always mean that every individual behaves the same way. However, generally speaking, ball pythons do like being handled.
5. Gopher Snakes
Gopher snakes are popular pets and have started appearing in more stores and homes due to their friendly nature. They are typically great around humans and can be held without issue for a long time. One well-known variety, the Cape gopher snake, isn’t happy to be held as a young snake but can learn to be handled over time.
While other snakes enjoy being handled for extended periods, gopher snakes can adapt to being handled. They are generally pretty relaxed around people when they become used to being around them, so spending time bonding with them is essential if you want to hold your gopher snake.
6. Hognose Snakes
The Western hognose snake may look similar to the dangerous Rattlesnake at first glance. But if you look a little bit closer, you’ll see they have a different nose and tail. They are also much less scary to handle than their frightening cousins. They are known to be slightly venomous to humans if they bite, but the chance of this happening is extremely rare.
Western Hognose are generally pretty good pets that will allow you to handle them as long as they are familiar with you and are not in the middle of feeding. It would help if you approached them like you know what you’re doing because they pick up on fear and timidness.
This YouTube video shows an example of a Western hognose that enjoys being handled by Nature Quest:
7. Milk Snakes
Milk Snakes aren’t necessarily the keenest cuddlers compared to other varieties, but some like being handled.. Like many other species, it’s essential to read cues and be sure that your Milk Snake wants to be touched or picked up.
They’re popular pets because they have a gentle demeanor and are fun to be around. They’re also beautiful snakes, so it’s fun to handle them around other people to display their gorgeous colors. This YouTube video from Lexia’s Pets shows how you should handle your milk snake: