10 Colorful Pet Snake Species That Look Like Living Works of Art

Written By

Mathew Abraham

Updated on

Mathew Abraham

Meet Mathew, Cat Dad and Animal Advocate! Mathew is the editor at PawDown, overseeing content strategy and quality. He's in charge of carefully curating the best pet stories, tips, and advice for you.

A Corn Snake
Kapa65/Pixabay

Snakes aren’t just fascinating reptiles—they can also be stunning, vibrant additions to a pet collection. From dazzling blues to fiery reds and mesmerizing patterns, some snake species look like living works of art. Whether you’re an experienced reptile keeper or just love eye-catching pets, these 10 colorful pet snake species will captivate you with their beauty and unique charm!

1. Milk Snake

milk snake
dmitry-kharitonov/Pexels

The Milk Snake is a strikingly colorful species known for its bold red, black, and yellow or white bands, often mistaken for the venomous coral snake. This non-venomous beauty is a popular pet due to its docile temperament and adaptability. Milk Snakes thrive in captivity, requiring a secure enclosure with proper temperature regulation. They are active and curious, making them fascinating to observe. Their smooth scales and vibrant patterns make them look like living art, and their ease of care makes them a great choice for both beginner and experienced snake keepers.

2. Corn Snake

Corn snake, vibrant orange, coiled on branch
Oleksandr P/Pexels

The Corn Snake is a favorite among pet owners due to its striking colors, docile nature, and manageable size. Available in a wide range of morphs, these snakes display vibrant hues of red, orange, yellow, and even lavender, often with intricate patterns resembling maize kernels. Their calm temperament and ease of care make them ideal for beginners. Corn Snakes are also excellent climbers and burrowers, adding to their appeal as interactive pets. With proper care, they can live up to 20 years, making them a long-term and visually stunning companion.

3. California Kingsnake

A California Kingsnake
Caudatejake, CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikimedia Commons

The California Kingsnake is a striking pet snake known for its bold color patterns and adaptability. Typically featuring black and white or brown and yellow bands, this species has a sleek, glossy appearance that enhances its visual appeal. Kingsnakes are non-venomous and easy to care for, making them ideal for reptile enthusiasts of all levels. Their curious yet calm nature allows for regular handling, and they thrive in a well-maintained enclosure. With their vibrant contrast and manageable size, California Kingsnakes truly resemble living works of art.

4. Rainbow Boa

Rainbow Boa
KaroH assumed (based on copyright claims), CC BY-SA 3.0/Wikimedia Commons

The Rainbow Boa is a breathtaking snake known for its iridescent scales that shimmer in hues of blue, purple, and gold under the light. Native to South America, this medium-sized boa has a rich reddish-brown base color with bold black markings, making it one of the most visually striking pet snakes. Though they require high humidity and proper care, Rainbow Boas are generally docile with regular handling. Their stunning, almost holographic appearance makes them a favorite among reptile enthusiasts who appreciate nature’s artistry.

5. Asian Vine Snake

Asian Vine Snake
Rushenb, CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikimedia Commons

The Asian Vine Snake is a slender, vividly colored serpent that looks like a piece of living art. Its bright green body, often with a striking yellow or blue tint, helps it blend seamlessly into foliage. With its elongated head and narrow pupils, this snake has a distinct, almost mystical appearance. Though mildly venomous, it is not dangerous to humans and is admired for its beauty rather than its bite. Highly arboreal, it thrives in lush enclosures with climbing branches, making it a fascinating pet for experienced reptile keepers who appreciate its elegant and exotic charm.

6. Ball Python

Bumblebee Ball Python
Die_Sonja/Pixabay

The Ball Python is a favorite among snake enthusiasts, known for its gentle nature and stunning variety of colors. Through selective breeding, these snakes come in an array of mesmerizing morphs, including bright yellows, deep blues, and intricate patterns resembling fine art. Their manageable size and docile temperament make them ideal for beginners. Ball Pythons are known for curling into a tight ball when threatened, adding to their charm. With proper care, these captivating snakes can live over 20 years, making them a long-term, visually striking companion.

7. White-Lipped Island Pit Viper

White-Lipped Island Pit Viper
Hinrich Kaiser, CC-BY-3.0/Wikimedia Commons

The White-Lipped Island Pit Viper is a strikingly beautiful snake known for its vivid green body, often accented with blue or yellow hues. Native to Southeast Asia, this arboreal species thrives in humid forests, where its bright coloration provides excellent camouflage among the foliage. While its appearance is mesmerizing, it is a venomous species and not ideal for inexperienced handlers. With its slender build, piercing golden eyes, and distinctive white lips, this viper is truly a living work of art, admired by reptile enthusiasts for its exotic and vibrant beauty.

8. Black Rat Snake

Black_Rat_Snake
Stephen Lody Photography, CC BY-SA 3.0/Wikimedia Commons

The Black Rat Snake, also known as the Eastern Rat Snake, may appear simple at first glance, but its glossy black scales shimmer beautifully in the light. As juveniles, they boast a striking pattern of gray and black that fades into a sleek, uniform black as they mature. Their bellies often display a contrasting white or yellowish tone, adding to their visual appeal. Despite their dark color, these snakes are gentle, non-venomous, and easy to care for, making them great pets for reptile enthusiasts. Their adaptability and calm temperament make them a striking yet low-maintenance companion.

9. Sunbeam Snake

Sun Beam Snake
ian_dugdale, CC BY 4.0/Wikimedia Commons

The Sunbeam Snake (Xenopeltis unicolor) is a mesmerizing species known for its iridescent scales that shimmer like a living rainbow. Native to Southeast Asia, this non-venomous snake has a sleek, dark body that reflects light in dazzling hues of blue, green, and purple. Unlike many pet snakes, Sunbeam Snakes prefer humid environments and spend much of their time burrowing. While they are not the most handleable due to their secretive nature, their stunning appearance makes them a fascinating choice for experienced reptile enthusiasts seeking a truly unique pet.

10. Carpet Python

Carpet Python
Engin Akyurt/Pexels

The Carpet Python is a stunning pet snake known for its intricate patterns and vibrant coloration, resembling the detailed weave of a carpet. Found in various regions of Australia and New Guinea, this species comes in a range of colors, including gold, black, olive, and brown, with bold markings that make each snake unique. Carpet Pythons are non-venomous and grow to an average of 6 to 9 feet, making them a manageable choice for experienced keepers. Their calm temperament and striking appearance make them a fascinating pet for reptile enthusiasts.

Love Pets as Much as We Do?

Reptile follow
Peter Law/Pexels

Scroll up and click the ‘Follow’ button to stay updated with the latest heartwarming, hilarious, and helpful pet posts from Pawdown, delivered straight to your Microsoft Start feed and MSN homepage!

Related Posts

Explore 8 key differences between pet snakes and lizards—diet, habitat, behavior, and more—to find your perfect reptile companion.
Discover 10 incredible reptiles that can change color—and find out if their unique talents make them ideal pets for your home.
Reptiles may not be the first pets you think of — but they should be. They’re hypoallergenic, quiet, low-maintenance, and full of fascinating behaviors that cats and dogs can’t match.
Get ready to explore 15 incredible reptile facts — and bust 5 stubborn myths along the way!
Discover how fascinating reptiles like alligators, leopard geckos, and gargoyle geckos regenerate tails, and if they suit your home as pets.
Looking for a small pet snake? These 6 snake species thrive in a 10-gallon terrarium, making them perfect for compact enclosures!
Some U.S. states allow venomous snake ownership with permits, requiring experience, secure enclosures, and legal compliance.
Avoid common reptile enclosure mistakes and learn how to fix them for a healthier, happier pet. Ensure proper heating, diet, and care today!
These aggressive snakes, from venomous vipers to striking pythons, demand expert care and pose serious risks to inexperienced keepers.

Leave a Comment