Snakes! The slithery creatures likely evolved on land during the Cretaceous, a period lasting from about 145 million to 66 million years ago.
Experts think snakes showed up specifically during the Early Cretaceous, a time when a wide variety of birds and mammals also popped up on the geological timeline.
In the modern world, there are more than 3,000 species of snakes on Earth. The animals are found almost everywhere except in Antarctica and a few other regions.
There are about 600 species of venomous snakes, and around 200 can kill or severely hurt a human.
Some snakes might be dangerous, but there are plenty of species you can safely own. With this list, we’ll look at 10 of the most expensive snakes you can have as a pet — keep reading to learn more!
10. Lavender Albino Ball Python
Scientific Name: Python regius
Lifespan: 20 years on average
Size Range: Up to 6 feet long
photo source: worldofballpythons.com
Kicking off our list is the lavender albino ball python, a color morph of the ball python family. The snake is easily recognizable with its light pink base color coupled with an orange splotch-like pattern.
The snake can be pretty big, growing up to 6 feet long and up to about 7 pounds.
The lavender albino ball python is relatively rare, so it can be quite expensive. Estimates say the creature can easily cost about $400 — but that’s just counting the snake price.
Things like food, habitat additions, a tank, and other supplies can quickly cost thousands of dollars.
Did you know?
In the wild, ball pythons spend a lot of time underground during the day before becoming more active at dawn and dusk.
9. Green Tree Python
Scientific Name: Morelia viridis
Lifespan: 15 years on average
Size Range: Up to 5 feet
photo source: reptilerange.com
Morelia viridis is a large snake native to parts of Australia and eastern Indonesia. The animal typically grows up to 5 feet in length and lives about 15 years on average, although these snakes can live even longer in captivity.
Green tree pythons are easily recognizable with their bright green color and diamond-shaped heads. The snakes use their green coloring to blend into forested regions, helping them avoid predators and hunt.
Buying a green tree python can be expensive. Baby snakes sell for about $500, while adult snakes might cost more than $900.
Did you know?
Green tree pythons dangle their tales from tree branches to lure in prey. When a curious creature inspects the tail, the snake quickly strikes and gobbles it up.
8. Palmetto Corn Snake
Scientific Name: Pantherophis guttatus
Lifespan: Up to 23 years
Size Range: 24 to 72 inches long
photo source: facebook.com
The Palmetto Corn Snake is a color/pattern variation of the standard corn snake.
These slithering creatures are mainly found in Florida, but they’re also seen in Southern New Jersey and parts of Kentucky and Louisiana.
The snakes usually live in wooded regions and rocky areas. You might even find one in abandoned buildings like barns!
Palmetto corn snakes are among the rarer corn snakes, so they’re way more expensive. You might be able to find one for sale for $500, but many easily sell for $1,000.
Did you know?
Female corn snakes can lay up to 30 eggs in a single clutch.
7. Sunset Ball Python
Scientific Name: Python regius
Lifespan: 20 years on average
Size Range: Up to 6 feet long
photo source: petkeen.com
The sunset ball python stands out with colors resembling a sunset. Like other ball pythons, the animal grows up to about 6 feet long and lives up to 20 years.
Python regius are carnivores with mobile upper and lower jaws that help them swallow rodents whole. If they don’t eat the rodent live, the snake will wrap its body around the unlucky prey to kill it, then enjoy dinner.
Overall, a sunset ball python costs about $2,000 — but that price can climb as high as four grand.
Did you know?
Ball pythons might be a deadly threat to rodents, but they’re not invincible. Large birds and other snakes hunt these reptiles, so sunset ball pythons rely on their coloring to stay safely hidden among the terrain.
6. Black-Headed Python
Scientific Name: Aspidites melanocephalus
Lifespan: Up to 30 years
Size Range: Up to about 6 feet
photo source: featuredcreature.com
The black-headed python is named for its distinctly black head, but the snake also features a stripe-like pattern along its body that helps it disguise itself among dry scrublands.
Aspidites melanocephalus typically live in their own burrows and occasionally climb trees.
Black-headed pythons can live up to 30 years in captivity, but their lifespan tends to be shorter in the wild. The snakes are also pretty big, growing up to 6 feet long and weighing about 35 pounds on average.
At more than $3,000, black-headed pythons are the sixth most expensive snake you can own.
Did you know?
These snakes are usually at least four feet long.
5. Stranger Ball Python
Scientific Name: Python regius
Lifespan: 20 years on average
Size Range: Up to 6 feet long
photo source: morphmarket.com
Stranger ball pythons are characterized by a specific genetic mutation found by IRES Reptiles. The breeding organization created stranger ball pythons by pairing specific snakes to target the desired genes. The result is a snake covered in an “alien head” pattern of burnt orange and chocolate-colored shapes.
Today, the rare stranger ball python is worth more than four thousand dollars. The snake lives for about 20 years on average and typically measures close to 6 feet long.
Smaller stranger ball pythons might be about four feet long.
Did you know?
IRES Reptiles identified and bred the “stranger” mutation in 2012.
4. Leucistic Western Hognose
Scientific Name: Heterodon nasicus
Lifespan: Up to 20 years
Size Range: About 20 inches on average
photo source: pinterest.com
Leucistic western hognose snakes are a variation of the hognose snake family. The creatures are easily recognizable with their unique coloring and large eyes.
These snakes are a rare specialty breed, so they tend to be very expensive. Some sellers ask for upwards of five grand while others charge more than $8,000.
You’re more likely to find these snakes at a specialty breeder, but general western hognose snakes commonly live in grassy areas and rocky regions of North America.
Did you know?
These snakes sometimes hunt for their prey by digging through the earth with their upturned nose. Toads make up the majority of the western hognose diet.
3. Monsoon Ball Python
Scientific Name: Python regius
Lifespan: 20 years on average
Size Range: Up to 6 feet long
photo source: pinterest.com
The monsoon ball python is a pricey morph within the ball python family. The snake was reportedly first developed by Dave Green Reptiles of Phoenix, Arizona.
Monsoon ball pythons are characterized by their very unique pattern. The gene responsible for this trait is recessive, so it’s very rare.
As a result, the monsoon ball python is extremely expensive. Prices vary by seller, but these snakes regularly sell for $12,000.
Did you know?
These snakes are also identifiable by their heads. According to one report, “The head of the Monsoon Ball Python is a light tanned color with very little, if any, head stamp.”
2. Pastel Zebra Ball Python
Scientific Name: Python regius
Lifespan: Up to 20 years on average
Size Range: Up to 6 feet long
photo source: morphmarket.com
Coming in at number two is the pastel zebra ball python, a striking snake with a recessive gene responsible for the creature’s unique markings.
The pastel zebra was first discovered in 2005 and the variant was labeled “co-dominant,” but it was later determined to be recessive.
Priced at more than 12 grand, the pastel zebra is the second most expensive snake you can own.
Did you know?
Like other ball pythons, the pastel zebra grows to about 6 feet long and lives for 20 years on average. The lifespan of wild snakes tends to be shorter since predators are a bigger threat when the animals live without human protection.
1. Reticulated Python
Scientific Name: Malayopython reticulatus
Lifespan: Up to 32 years
Size Range: Up to 28.5 feet long
photo source: commons.wikimedia.org
The reticulated python is the most expensive snake you can own.
The reticulated python might not be the most practical snake to keep as a pet, but you can technically own these huge reptiles, you’ll just need a lot of space. The creatures grow up to 30 feet long!
They’re also very heavy. Malayopython reticulatus has an average weight of just over 330 pounds, making it one of the heaviest snakes on the planet (green anacondas beat them with a record weight of 500 pounds).
So yeah — these snakes are big, and owning one requires a lot of space. But if you somehow decided to buy a reticulated python, what would you have to pay for it? Estimates vary depending on the size, age, and origin, but you could easily spend more than $14,000 on one of these slithering animals!
Did you know?
Female reticulated pythons lay between 25 and 80 eggs at a time. The eggs incubate for up to 90 days. The snake doesn’t eat during this process, resulting in muscular shivering that warms the eggs during colder temperatures.
