The Best Beginner Snake

African House snakes are my all time favorite species of snake. So much so, I recommend them as a first reptile to almost anyone who asks. Heres why.
Snakes like a Ball Python, Boa, Kingsnake, Milk snakes, Hognose, garter, corn snake, all make great options, but in my opinion, African house snakes are a slightly better option. Their care is simple and forgiving, their easy diet and appetite is unmatched, and they are BEAUTIFUL. What do you think?
Thank you Reptizoo for the enclosure
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algo dump: Reptiles, Pet, First, easy, care, care guide, Boaedon Capensis, enclosure, vivarium, new, plant, plants, wood, heat, temperature, bask, basking, pretty, nature, ecosystem, starter, top 5, first, small, smallest, friendly, animal, cute

[@bettinahooper5344]

When my son was 11, we got him a ball python, which I suspected would become my responsibility. It did. She was a lovely creature; I swear she had a sense of humor- we actually played games. I have many funny and charming stories about her. When we returned to our home in the Caribbean after about 2 1/2 years, I found her a good home. We are ‘dog and cat’ people, but I still miss that snake.

[@Moonhecate]

That’s so nice I have little dogs , I want snake 🐍 do you think it dangerous to have them together as my 3 pets ???

[@bettinahooper5344]

@@Moonhecate probably. Find out more.

[@jinelbrito8737]

@@Moonhecate If it's a ball python, I'd be far more concerned about the snake than the dog, even if it's a smaller dog. Ball pythons tend to "bal up" and stay still rather than fight or flee. They have very small teeth and are very slow moving. My ball python even as an adult (3-4 feet long, 3-8 lbs) wouldn't be able to contend with my cats, they would just hunt him. Hope that helps. They are very docile, shy creatures and prefer to hide than fight. I never take out my ball python or either of my geckos around my cats because my cats could seriously injure them.

[@Moonhecate]

@@jinelbrito8737 so you think there is no problem

[@theladycata9648]

⁠​⁠@@Moonhecate I wouldn’t leave them alone together because it only takes one accident to lose a pet forever. The python will probably see the dog as a predator since it’s too big to be prey, but if your dog is a natural hunter then it might try to attack the snake. Even if the dog is only curious, the snake might fight back if they feel threatened enough. It’s best if you have a snake room that the dogs can’t get into, but if you don’t have the space then try to keep them as separate as possible so you don’t have to worry about that small chance of something going wrong. Make sure the snake can’t get out of and the dog can’t get into the enclosure and you’ll be fine. Edit: i just noticed that you didn’t say what kind of snake so in case you didn’t mean a ball python specifically I’ll add this: only really big constrictors like large pythons are going to be a threat to even a little dog, but the tiniest dog has sharp enough teeth to mess up any snake pretty badly

[@kratosdertoten4035]

TRADITIONAL COLUMBIAN RED TAILED BOA. First snake my family ever owned and they got her as a hatchling just under a week before I was born. I literally grew up with Medusa and she was an angel. She was so well socialized and mannered that we were able to just walk around the house doing chores/let her free roam when she got big and would often take her with us when we would walk the dogs. The entire time we had her she grew to 9ft 11in and only ever struck one of us once. That was when my mother was feeding her in a temporary tote because we were moving and she tagged my moms hand during her feeding. She did immediately let go though.

[@AlexIsModded]

My CRTB is my first (and only, so far) snake. Sophie is 12 years old now. For me, she's great. We walk around with her, she sleeps on us, and is the most peaceful pet I've ever had. Snakes are, by and large, very chill animals, and simplistic. Also methodical. They've always been easier for me to understand cause of that.

[@Mooonkeyman]

Yay more snakes

[@mfi-cf7sp]

did Penelope’s skinny bf ever get a name?

[@NerdRaptor_27]

Eyyyyybjurassic park

[@Mooonkeyman]

@@NerdRaptor_27 eeeeeyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy Raptor

[@icolov1221]

@@Mooonkeyman when dinosaurs ruled da worlddd

[@abyssal-labs]

You mean adorable noodles

[@charbird20]

If you’re gonna pair them up exclusively, may I suggest the name Odysseus? He seems like he came a long way for her, and they look meant for each other! ❤️

[@rinaturalist]

I’m loving all of this house snake content! I’m glad this species is getting more representation. Great video!

[@ashemocha]

never did i ever expect to watch a beginner snake video only to see a parrot meow

[@Roxxelana]

These snakes look so damn sweet, I used to want a snake so bad as a kid... now I'm an adult but regularly travel, living vicariously through KZbin.

[@HamiltonsHouseSnakes]

House Snakes are my favourites 😍. I first kept them when I was eight years old. I had Olive House Snakes (Lamprophis inornatus). At the moment I have three Cape House Snakes (Boaedon capensis). So excited to see this amazing species getting the recognition it deserves finally keep up the good work.

[@ABlokeCalledEntity]

I found a Boaedon capensis outside my house a few months ago.

[@thechickenwizard8172]

My mom's a snake-racist (snakist?) And while I have lots of geckos, fish and frogs, snakes are sadly where she draws the line. Though as soon as I move out, I'm for sure getting a Tanzanian house snake, I never new that there were snakes that small that both did well in captivity and were fun to interact with

[@leafystreet]

lamo snakist. theyre really great. food response is out of control, i use a wii remote to block their strikes in the evening

[@fatal_pastry1176]

@@leafystreet Can you target train them, then, since they're both smart and have a very strong feeding response?

[@leafystreet]

@@fatal_pastry1176 yea i may need to

[@melaniebafia]

@@leafystreet when are they gonna have snake babies !!

[@Manguwu9895]

due to living in australia the kinda "best first snake here" is a childrens, but given how much I love bredlis I decided to just do my research and start with one. I love my boy im so happy I got him haha

[@leafystreet]

antaresia are freakin awsome, I'll likely get some. Would love some Savus as well. Bredlis are beauties, not a ton of ppl in the states keep them but they seem dope

[@DoorsToHideBehind156]

​​@@leafystreet for some reason I couldn't leave a normal comment unless replying to someone but that African Grey parrot making a kitten mew was so freaking cute omg

[@eliroberts1762]

This channel is going to blow up. Your editing is really nice

[@CultTookANap]

The Penelope goddess has a husband named Odysseus so name him that 🤣

[@chloeslater7231]

My first snake was an african house snake, he was perfect. He was older and he was looking for a home. He spent his last few years with me and I now have a number more snakes. He was just lovely

[@redfailhawk]

Call him Pitstop! After the racer Penelope Pitstop on Wacky Races!

[@captainsplifford]

My first (and only) snake was a California King Snake named Nigel. She was absolutely gorgeous with black and white stripes. And she was super smart. I had her for 24 years.❤

[@Silverstar2000]

I never had a snake, but these guys are awesome! One of the first snakes I ever held was an African House snake. So chill! The second African House snake I held was not so chill, and gave me my first tiiiinnny snake bite (might have been a wild-caught import, though.) They’re pretty cool, all in all

[@AngryKatie18]

“When the number gets high enough, you sandpaper off your fingertips…”. I was not expecting this tip on a video about beautiful snakes but here we are

[@Anything_Editz02]

It’s a good day when leafy street posts

[@entity107]

Thanks for the tip it’s been very hard to get money for reptiles I’ll be using your credit card tip a lot now! :)

[@leafystreet]

the secrets the experts WONT tell you 🙏

[@BooBuKittyPhuk]

Have you named him yet? I said the perfect name would be *_Odysseus_* because her name is Penelope but also because of the time it took for you to find him... plus someone on my other comment said theres a cool quote about her pale arms holding him or something like that. Its also just a cool name.

[@joyshokeir1593]

My ball python is lovely, but I agree. She had a bout where she didnt want to eat for about 7 months, it took a trip to the vet and many wasted rats before I realized the cold end of the enclosure was not warm enough. She's doing great now that I have the temps figured out.

[@luna010]

You shouldn’t name him. Just refer to him as “penelope’s twink”.

[@shawn9366]

Aside from the great info and advice, i have to say dude you are hilarious, absolutely my type of humor

[@Demmyj]

Such cute noodles! And that setup is like a mansion! So awesome

[@snakeenvy]

Agreed, it's a shame Balls have become the go-to beginner's snake. Too many poor experiences that wouldn't have been for those with more experience. AHSs are an excellent alternative! We did a video with three others.

[@katiem.3109]

Another great alternative to Ball Pythons is corn snakes. Like African house snakes, they thrive at room temp (with a basking bulb of course) and human-preferred humidity ranges, and they eat very well. One downside of them relative to african house snakes is that corn snakes are larger, and thus require a larger enclosure. I'm really glad that my first snake, that I got at age 12, was a cornsnake and not a ball python. He's still going strong, but I had to leave him behind when I moved to Hawaii for graduate school (in Hawaii it is illegal to keep snakes as pets).

[@halfling2607]

you should name him either Nyoka ("snake" in Swahili; one of Tanzania's official languages) or Dave/David after Solid Snake

[@cherylsterrenburg5562]

We now have 2 African house snakes (brown) and LOVE them as ambassadors - very intelligent but not 'overly active' for first time snake handlers

[@leafystreet]

well said. and unique too! most ppl have never met one

[@liambollinger9430]

Thx for giving a good heads up for beginners like myself! I was planning on getting a python myself at the end of the year but now I can hope to have a more easy good start thx to you!

[@Aries-ku8uk]

I swear dude, I love you're little witty remarks.

[@chesneymigl4538]

I've had AHS for almost 20 years and they have always been my favorite first snakes. Mine have been super chill even when harassed by school kids as animal ambassadors. They are incredible escape artists in my experience, very smart.

[@swims11torches]

kzn het? Smh zoologists really called those guys straight Also for names I vote Odysseus, like Penélope and Odysseus from the odyssey

[@odinsbeard1117]

You’re not wrong about ball pythons. Mine only eats small rats when he’s big enough to eat medium rats and will randomly decide that he doesn’t like food for about 6 months at a time and it’s a roll of the dice as to when he’s going to eat again or stop eating.

[@debu556]

2:00 “are you thirsty?” as he drowns the plant

[@ymmijchen9310]

Nice editing. Aesthetic and not overstimulating. Didn't expect the dreamy bull reference😂

[@Crownari]

I love your charisma ❤🖤. Your videos really help me . I’m getting my first snake and you’re making it easier. Thanks 🙏🏿

[@coramcdonald509]

I just love you. I know nothing about reptiles but you made learning fun. I think you are adorable.❤

[@silverhunter4136]

My first pet snake was a corn snake. I had him for nine years and he was my best friend. Now, I have a kingsnake. It took him a bit longer to get used to me than my corn snake did, but I think we are now in a comfortable place.

[@Mistyvalentine]

I bought my daughter a ball python that was only 5 inches long for her 14th birthday because she begged me for it and said it was the only thing she wanted. I bought the ball python because the owner of the pet shop said it was the best kind to get for a first-time snake owner. Well, I was the one who had to go to the store every week to make sure it got live bait. I was also the one who got stuck with it when she got tired of her pet snake. I really liked that snake till he got to be about 3 feet long and started hissing and making strikes at me. I really became scared of him when he got to be 5 feet long and had to give him away to a male friend of mine who built him a cage and wasn't afraid of him. I never wanted a snake, but took care of one for a few years anyway.

[@melatonin1371]

At first i was unsure whether It should subscribe but the Ambatakum audio got me sold

[@erinkristoff3214]

Dude you crack me up and I love the content. Its criminal you dont have more followers.

[@Angel42836]

I would recommend that for the rough edges of the pots that you use a hot glue gun to put a thin layer of glue so there is no sharp edges for both you and the snakes

[@Kane42069]

that parrot just legit meowed lmao

[@fennecfoxfanatic]

Snakes on a Plane 2: Corbra on the Omnibus

[@eminkilicaslan8945]

Me: *googles where to buy snake* KZbin 30 seconds later:

[@rav3727]

First snake my family had was a corn snake, Nero, he was pretty chill and had a nice life, that was for one year and some months until one day, when we where at our ranch, my dad drank a bit too much and started to believe Nero was too cold, my dad placed him inside a sock, then inside a cup of warm water (while still inside the sock) and then on his pant's pocket, and killed the poor thing. Two years later, we got Cleopatra, another corn snake, she lived with us for 5 long years before my dad gave her away for someone else who took care of her, she was the best pet i had tbh, i miss my snek

[@geet9830]

love seeing smaller snakes get big enclosures, it looks great!

[@KB-ql8cx]

I agree, House snakes are great first snakes, but BPs are not hard to keep. Mid 70s cold and hot spot at 88. Keep a pothos in there that I water once a week and humidity stays between 70-80%. PS House Snake morphs is amazing. Highly recommend

[@curiouslycory]

If you're looking for something on the smaller side, my son got a Kenyan Sand Boa this year and I would 100% recommend as a first snake. Docile, easy to feed, and overall low maintenance. Something like 1.5 - 2ft adult length.

[@5alamii]

I own a Oketee Corn Snake named Noodles

[@Kefffler]

Thanks for this video! It has convinced me to look more into house snakes and I have one arriving in a few weeks! It’s a little T+ albino hatchling.

[@leafystreet]

WOOOO.Congrats. you wont be disappointed

[@willowing_.creature]

Just a question - won’t the sharp broken pots be an injury hazard? Love the snek video btw ❤

[@lorrainemunoa791]

When you use pottery shards for a build, you sand down any sharp edges, don't worry.

[@Topdoggie7]

Your commentary is mine on my daily life. Just ADHD and forgetting things.

[@DuneTheKaiju]

"Its really hard to simulate Africa in a cold new England bedroom" I'm dead😭

[@abstractlime101]

4:05 Good thing the snake you got is het, considering he's getting paired up with Penelope :)

[@johnkelly7264]

Great and easy to listen to presentation style. Subbed here.

[@lilsprugga]

Ooh, love snakes! But I don't think I could manage one properly. Love watching yours instead!❤️❤️❤️

[@GoobieMienette]

“Step bro…can you see my plumbers crack?”

[@Colubread]

yess more house snake content!

[@crowlieg.7572]

Tossing the ailing jade plant shattered my soul, bro

[@brittanyfogarty2674]

I love April! I will always get my house snakes from her. Really want some lineatus soon.

[@gideon9096]

Call him “Nimrod”. That’s a nice name :)

[@jinelbrito8737]

All the African House Snakes I've found were wild imports :C. To be honest I gave up for a bit on house snakes altogether because I could not find a specifically *black* house snake that wasn't wild caught and imported. I ended up taking in a 6-8 month old "normal" morph ball python, who I named Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough- he's doing great and has not refused a single meal. I consider myself very lucky as he was very underweight when I received him and is growing into a big strong man. However, I still covet a black house snake- Clint's Reptiles featured one and I've just been obsessed hahaha. I'm glad you're sharing the House Snake with others. Hopefully someday I'll own one.

[@0X0GABRIEL0X0]

This video is great.

[@fullonsociopath]

I have a BAHS, which I got before I saw the lighter versions. They are a great pet snake, Very similar to a Corn, but even more calm, imo. My only somewhat gripe is mine has a photophobia level similar to your average Poecilotheria tarantula. I actually see them out together (obviously they aren't housed together) at around the same time of night, or low light level in the room.

[@andreaforbes2614]

Your comments in this video are unhinged I literally laughed out loud more time than I probably should have from a snake video lol

[@TheDragonInTown]

You should name him twig! Anyway I love your channel sending love ❤❤❤

[@J4D3BAG3L]

YES!!! i have an african house snake, and shes the best!

[@Lakeside80]

Never heard of this snake before, but strongly considering it as a first snake. Seems like a chiller more unique cornsnake.

[@moodboardshmoodboard]

the knife between the toes is crazy 😭

[@00wolfQUEEN]

The itch to own a snake grows with each video

[@sookiesdiy3782]

My first snake I got him February 19th last year when I was 11 he’s so nice his name is Benny and he’s a ball python 😊

[@teckendrums]

housesnakes are very nice and cute snakes and easy to take care of. they stay small and eat great. they just like to hide a lot.

[@Know_Clu]

Not even 2 minutes in and I'm subbing ❤

[@zsaiya]

Dudes voice is 👌 AND he likes reptiles i love it

[@RainAngel111]

Ball pythons just have the cutest faces though. I think they win for friendliest looking snake with hognoses coming second. It sounds to me like the issue with ball pythons as beginner snakes has more to do with improperly setting up their habitat which is an easy fix

[@oraeku]

Step bro is WIIIILD LMAO

[@aliyahpulido953]

0:16 Your ball python was named Mr Leg?! One of my favorite teachers in highschool was my History and Econ teacher, Mr. Legg!

[@rgerdts4169]

Those aurora green house snakes are my top of the house snakes cool pickup

[@aidan-ator7844]

I would say they naturally make a good pet snake for humans because they naturally thrive in typical human environments here in SA. Which means evolutionarily, it is probably better for them to be in an ENRICHED captivity than in the wild.

[@LilsparksBobross988love]

Name him Mr. noodle

[@sociallyexhausted]

Ayyoo i didnt know you were in a new englander ! Join the fight to become our own separate country (we will take new york, too). We can vote snake for president

[@bringiton4drago371]

Mozambique Here!

[@jesseboardman8382]

I think I’m lucky because my ball python after a lot of trouble initially with eating but now it has been perfect

[@sandwichqueen6875]

A house snake is my first snake too! And he’s an albino exactly like yours 😊

[@zerthretz7736]

U like them they just seem expensive or hard to find for me I want a -t albino but there ether sold out or way expensive I was at a expo today and saw one for like 600 I’m 14 and want a snake that’s a no

[@lynneslightom2003]

Oh no... another choice i didn't know about! As soon as im ready to make the commitment... I see another... 😂

[@dylanwicklund5129]

Yeah I agree with the African house snakes they are a wonderful snake they're better than a corn snake they're more active than a ball python perfect for a beginner and you can get it in albino I've always loved them ever since I first seen a normal African house snake

[@jennkaiser425]

Can you (if you havent already) do a video on tour house snake like a how-to? I have a ball python right now and humidity and heat are killing me 😢

[@sarkzar]

I went with a corn snake because I'd never had a snake before, and I was worried about a ball not eating or requiring live food (I'm not against it but it's hard to get here). Super healthy lil thing that's fun to handle, even if he isn't a fan of sitting still.

[@stay_curious]

Such a beautiful set up! Do you ever worry about sharp edges on the pots?

[@leafystreet]

thank you! Ill usually put pots through a hand test. If I cant scratch myself with them, I don't worry. sometimes I'll grind them down on pavement. but generally, I don't worry about it. scales are pretty durable

[@stay_curious]

@@leafystreet that makes alot of sense 😊 thank you for the reply

[@dylanwicklund5129]

I only ever had one ball python that stopped eating and it was a 3 year old adult super cinnamon male I got in a trade he didn't eat for 14 months I was worried a bit but the fact he didn't lose weight he actually gained 17 grams Turns out he just like African soft furs and then after 4 feeding so I was able to switch him to normal rats but other then that 0 problems but they are more of a pet to look at or have lay around your neck as they dont move move cornsnakes do but can bite and be more flighty

[@Yote_Yammers]

This species looks so nice but unfortunately I'm in the UK. More specifically I'm in Northern Ireland. So if I can't find one in an irl exotics shop I pretty much can't get it since import laws on live animals and now even plants are horrible

[@VII739]

u should name Penelope's new handsome boyfriend Steven

[@debiesubaugher]

House snakes are amazeballs. Mine is named Sir Moose McSlippytickles. He's not a snake, he's a scaly cat.

[@hiljoy487]

I know that parrot! He/she(?) makes so many noises when he's not staring at me like I'm the asshole.

[@jgr7487]

I'm glad to know that the saying "opinions are like a-holes: everybody has one, & you do what you want with yours" exists outside Brazil.

[@Kmn483]

Shouldn't you sand off the broken parts of the ceramic pots? I've never dealt with broken ceramic, but I assume it's relatively sharp, right?

[@sasensworld3730]

Today I saw a huge black ratsnake slithering into the pipe. I called 2 of my friends and we were gonna keep it but it was dangerous.

[@pattymullin8515]

Ah yes. Nothing beats getting a spitting cobra as a beginner snake😂.

[@GrAce-fw1wz]

How big is the enclosure? Btw great vid

[@leafystreet]

thank you, its 4/2/2 feet

[@GrAce-fw1wz]

@@leafystreetwow good sized enclosure for sure

[@Qwertylol]

This whole video has been so chaotic. My dude, knives are for hands, not for toes.