Special Types of Python Snakes

There are currently 18 families of snakes around the world, according to reptileknowledge.com, and pythons belong to the Boidae family. Pythons reproduce through eggs rather than live birth. Though pythons are not poisonous, they can be dangerous to man because they kill through constriction. Some have been known to take down a gazelle.

  1. The Children's Python- genus Antaresia

    • The genus Antaresia contains the smallest of pythons, including Ant-hill Python, Stimson Python and Spotted Python. Pet advisories recommend theses snake for beginners because of their small size and usually calm personality. The small pythons grow up to 3 feet and live from 12 to 20 years in captivity.

    The African Rock Python

    • The African rock python is native to the tropical African savanna, but it is becoming a big environmental problem in Florida. Christine Dell'Amore reported for National Geographic News that "Africa's largest snake---the ill-tempered 20-foot-long (6.1-meter-long) African rock python---is colonizing the U.S. state." Experts believe that pet owners become disillusioned by the snakes' ferocity and turn them loose in the Everglades, where they quickly adapt.

    The Ball Python

    • Snake enthusiast Brandon Cornett of reptileknowledge.com, recommends the Ball Python as a great pet because of its docility, reluctance to bite and, at 5 1/2-feet, relative short length. "They do well in captivity if you take care of their basic needs," he writes. "In fact, they can live for 25 years or more in captivity."

    The Burmese Python

    • Burmese pythons are another invasive species that threatens the environmental balance in the Everglades. According to an article in National Geographic News, the Burmese pythons seen in the park are likely "a product of the international pet trade." The U.S. imports thousands of these snakes a year, which sell for about $20, but then the snakes grow to 15 feet.

    The Jungle Carpet Python

    • Jungle carpet pythons make popular pets. They grow to a length of 5 to 7 feet, and prefer nocturnal activities. Most pythons, according to Brandon Cornett, prefer eating mice or rats, either frozen or fresh, which you can obtain at a pet store.