This author recommends a Cornsnake as a best first snake.
Cornsnakes are
Beautifully varied
Widely available
Mild-tempered
Easily cared-for
Cornsnakes are beautifully varied. Many gorgeous color morphs (patterns) are available in the pet trade. These include the Miami cornsnake (as shown above), ghost corns, snow corns, the ever-popular Okeetee cornsnake, and a number of others. The "typical" cornsnake is tan or orange with fairly regular orange or red markings, but this is only one of several color morphs. The growing popularity of these snakes has led to breeding efforts which has made cornsnakes almost a "designer" snake!
Cornsnakes are widely available. As their popularity continues to increase, breeders intensify their efforts to produce a greater number and a greater variety of these snakes. The happy result for enthusiasts is a healthier, more beautiful, more widely available, and less expensive snake! Currently, it is possible to purchase excellent cornsnakes for $15.00 - 30.00 each at reptile shows all across the country.
Cornsnakes are mild-tempered. This is a leading reason for their popularity. While any snake will bite if provoked enough, corns are much less likely to do so than many other snakes. These are, in fact, one of the few types of snake that can reasonably be called a "handle-able snake".
Cornsnakes are easily cared-for. Being "temperate" snakes (from moderate climates), they are very undemanding in captivity. Requiring only a basic setup, they do not need elaborate rain chambers or critical temperature and humidity control systems.
To prepare for a cornsnake, purchase 1. A 20 gallon glass aquarium with an appropriate cover (available at most pet stores). Alternately, you could purchase a similar-sized custom snake cage. Certainly, use nothing smaller than a 10 gal. aquarium or cage. 2. A water bowl not smaller than 10" diam. X 3" deep 3. A hide box not smaller than 8" X 10" X 3" deep (available at most pet stores)
This is the absolute minimum setup required to keep a cornsnake. A separate cage is recommended for each cornsnake kept, however, two corns might be kept in a cage of at least 30 gallon size as long as individual hide boxes are provided. If two are kept in a single cage, they should be placed in separate cages when being fed. (It is often tempting to see human-like qualities in our pets, but snakes, do not share our social tendencies. They are solitary creatures which will experience stress or fear when kept together.)
Additionally, consider buying a UV reptile light and an artificial grass cage liner (at pet stores). The liner will give the cage a more "natural" look and will simplify cleaning. Cornsnakes are not specifically arboreal (tree-dwelling) snakes, but a low branch for climbing often seems beneficial.
