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🏜️ Arid-Climate Snakes in the Pet Trade

✅ Common to Semi-Common Species

1. Western Hognose Snake (Heterodon nasicus)

Region: Central & Western North America

Climate: Grasslands, prairies, and semi-arid scrub

Notes: Famous for its upturned snout and “playing dead” behavior; hardy and small.

2. Rosy Boa (Lichanura trivirgata)

Region: Southwestern US and Baja California

Climate: Rocky deserts and scrub

Notes: Docile, slow-moving, easy to handle; needs minimal humidity. Legal to keep in Arizona with a hunting license. Illegal to sell in Arizona.

3. Kenyan Sand Boa (Eryx colubrinus)

Region: Eastern Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia)

Climate: Arid scrub and sandy savanna

Notes: Small burrowing boa; great for beginners; thrives in warm, dry enclosures.

4. Gopher Snake (Pituophis catenifer)

Region: Western North America

Climate: Deserts, grasslands, scrub

Notes: Large, active constrictor; hardy but needs space.

5. Corn Snake (Pantherophis guttatus)

Region: Southeastern US

Climate: Mixed, but many wild populations occur in warm, dry habitats

Notes: Not strictly arid, but tolerates low humidity well in captivity.

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🌵 Less Common or More Advanced Species

6. Cape File Snake (Mehelya capensis)

Region: Southern Africa

Climate: Dry scrub and savanna

Notes: Non-venomous predator of other snakes; needs experienced keeper.

7. Trans-Pecos Rat Snake (Bogertophis subocularis)

Region: West Texas, northern Mexico

Climate: Desert canyons and semi-arid scrub

Notes: Calm, nocturnal, beautiful large eyes; uncommon but excellent display snake.

8. Woma Python (Aspidites ramsayi)

Region: Arid central Australia

Climate: Sandy deserts and scrub

Notes: Active, curious, and generally docile; needs spacious, warm enclosure.

9. Children’s Python (Antaresia childreni)

Region: Northern Australia (dry tropical to semi-arid regions)

Climate: Rocky outcrops, dry woodland

Notes: Small, hardy python; can tolerate drier conditions than many snakes.

10. Glossy Snake (Arizona elegans)

Region: Southwestern US and northern Mexico

Climate: Sandy deserts and dry grasslands

Notes: Often mistaken for gopher snakes; shy and secretive. Legal to keep in Arizona with a hunting license. Illegal to sell under any circumstances.

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🔥 Key Traits of Arid Snakes in Captivity

Low humidity: Most thrive around 20–50%, with occasional light misting for shedding.

Warm basking zones: 85–95°F for most, with cooler retreats.

Burrowing behavior: Many enjoy deep, loose substrate (sand/soil mix).

Smaller Water bowls: Too much humidity can cause respiratory issues.

Feeding: Almost all are rodent-eaters in captivity; some eat reptiles in the wild.