The problem with declaring any snake a bite-free animal is that errant situations can occur. It’s a false sense of security to decree that any snake can’t or won’t bite. Biting is a matter of instinct, and you can’t breed that away. Any snake will lash out for reasons that are common amongst serpents. These reasons are because they’re afraid, hungry, shedding, or agitated. Juveniles tend to nip more than adults. Whether a snake is defending itself in some other way or is calm enough not to get upset in the first place, there are at least eight snakes that don’t usually bite.
1. Corn Snakes Stay Calm Instead of Biting
These snakes are nonvenomous and are great beginner snakes. They grow to about four feet long, which means they can be kept in a 20-gallon tank. They come in an array of morphs, so there are plenty of colors and patterns. The snakes in the wild are much more aggressive than snakes in captivity. The snakes you buy from a breeder will be much calmer than wild snakes. If this snake does bite, it usually doesn’t break the skin.
2. Hognose Snakes Usually Play Dead Instead of Biting
The hognose snake is one of the coolest-looking snake breeds on our list because of its upturned snout. Instead of striking as the first line of defense, this snake will roll over and play dead. It even hangs its tongue out. The snake rolls over onto its back and exposes its belly while remaining motionless. When flipped back upright, it’ll roll back over until it’s tired of its act. Hognose snakes are technically venomous, but the venom doesn’t harm humans. They also hardly ever resort to biting. Even if they did land a bite and their rear fangs happened to pierce your skin, their poisonous saliva would hardly cause irritation let alone a huge problem.
3. Rosy Boas Only Bite When Burrowed
Because this common pet doesn’t feel threatened by people, it does well with handling. It’s also a great choice if you want to keep a small enclosure. This is a small and very slow-moving snake. These snakes like to burrow into their sandy substrate and then pounce on prey items. Don’t reach into their vivarium if they’re buried. The chances of a rare bite are higher at this time.
4. Rubber Boas Usually Don’t Bite
These snakes aren’t venomous, and they hardly ever use their fangs. They’re curious snakes which makes them great pets. This often gets them killed in the wild, though. Rubber boas are small and grow to a max of three feet, so they don’t require a large enclosure. They’re relatively easy to care for, and they seem to enjoy being handled.
5. Garter Snakes Are Not Known to Bite
Garter snakes are common across the United States, and they tame easily if caught in the wild. They’re also available for purchase from breeders. They’re considered tame and curious if bought from the right breeder. Their captive diet is worms and small fish. Since they only reach about two feet in length, they can fit in a smaller enclosure. They have small teeth, but they don’t have fangs, and they’re not venomous.
6. Bites from a Ball Python are Unusual
Ball pythons are docile and aren’t very active, which is one of the reasons they’re a popular pet choice. They can be picky eaters, so beginners need to be aware of that. Meals will need to be thawed or dispatched immediately before dinner. The ball python’s name reveals why it usually doesn’t bite. Instead of biting, it curls into a tight ball when it feels threatened. If you see this happening, back off. Bites hardly ever happen in captivity or in the wild because of this. Ball pythons come in various morphs, so there are lots of different-looking snakes to choose from.
7. Egg Eating Snakes Can’t Bite Humans
Since these snakes are from an arid region in Africa, they don’t require humidity in their enclosure like other snakes. They also dine solely on bird eggs, like quail, in captivity. If you’re squeamish about feeding mice, this snake gives you a less gruesome alternative. Egg-eating snakes average about two and a half feet long, so they don’t require a huge vivarium like some snakes. They’re unable to bite humans because they have no teeth, but they may try anyway until they’re used to being handled. There are technically over 16 egg-eating snakes in Africa, but Dasypeltis scabra is the one you’ll see kept most as a pet.
8. The Children’s Python
Children’s pythons grow to an average of four feet long and are from Australia. In captivity, they eat mice and rats. They’re easy to care for, and they’re friendly. They live up to 30 years, so they’re a huge commitment. These snakes are fun to have around because they have an oil-slicked sheen to them when in direct sunlight. This not only makes them easy to own, but they’re also easy to show off. Their humidity in their enclosure can vary widely as they’re adapted to living in a bunch of habitats. They’re easy to feed, and not only are they a good beginner snake to keep, but they’re also a good beginner reptile of any kind. There are a lot of different morphs, which means they come in an array of colors and patterns. In the wild, the children’s python eats bats. It catches them by hanging from stalactites in the caves that the bats live in and catching them mid-air.
