The family Boidae includes many boas and pythons. These snakes tend to be large and constrict their prey. The average length is around 8-12 feet, with some as small as 2 feet. The usual food item is rodents such as mice or rats. They enjoy soaking and climbing and their cage should be maintained at a temperature around 85-90 degrees F. Most of these snakes make great pets but the larger boas and pythons may not be suitable for beginners or children to keep.
The family Colubridae includes about 3/4 of all known snakes. This is why many people refer to them as common snakes. They can be found on all continents except the Antarctic. Most are known to have a slender body and have large head scales. These snakes tend to make the best pets and are suitable for beginners in most cases.
