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Home > Snakes > 13 Most Beautiful Snakes in the World (With Pictures)

13 Most Beautiful Snakes in the World (With Pictures)

Eyelash Pit Viper coiled in a tree and vine

With over 3,700 species of snakes in diverse environments all over the world, it comes as no surprise that they come in stunningly beautiful colors and patterns. Some snakes develop vibrant colors to blend in the rainforest or forest floor, while others have bright colors and patterns as a warning to possible predators. In captivity, breeders harness the power of genetics to create unique and rare color variations to entice private collectors.

Whether you love them or fear them, take a look at the 13 most beautiful snakes in the world and marvel at the wonders of diversity in reptiles.

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The 13 Most Beautiful Snakes in the World

1. Boelen’s Python

Boelen’s Python on white background
Image Credit: Eric Isselee, Shutterstock
Scientific Name: Simalia boeleni
Habitat: Forested montane regions
Size: Up to 9.8 feet

The Boelen’s python, also known as the Boeleni python, is a rare and gorgeous non-venomous python that’s found in the mountains of New Guinea. The snake is black with hints of purple or blue and a white or pale-yellow underside that extends up the sides of the body. The mouth is patterned with similar pale or white labial scales. What makes this snake so striking, however, is the iridescent sheen of its scales that resembles an oil slick.

Boelen’s pythons are a coveted species for private collectors, leading to many wild-caught species in the pet trade. These pythons are also difficult to breed in captivity, furthering their scarcity. These factors make the Boelen’s python one of the most expensive snakes to purchase.


2. Emerald Tree Boa

Emerald Tree Boa
Image Credit: Tyler McDonald, Shutterstock
Scientific Name: Corallus caninus
Habitat: Rainforests
Size: Up to 6 feet

The emerald tree boa is an arboreal boa that lives in the rainforests of South America. Wild emerald tree boas are known for their striking green coloration with white zigzag or “lightning bolt” stripes and white or yellow belly. Though non-venomous, the emerald tree boa has large front teeth that resemble viper fangs. Emerald tree boas are one of many snakes that go through an ontogenetic color change. Neonates and juveniles are orange or red, but gradually change to their adult green around nine to 12 months of age.

One of the subspecies of the emerald tree boa is the Corallus batesii, which is found in the Amazon River basin. This variation is larger and more docile than the Northern Corallus caninus, making it valuable for private collectors. Different localities have unique markings, such as a white dorsal stripe and darker or lighter colors. As a result, many different emerald tree boa localities are popular in the pet trade and breeders.


3. Green Tree Python

green tree python curling on a tree branch
Image By: David Clode, Unsplash
Scientific Name: Morelia viridis
Habitat: Rainforests
Size: Up to 6.6 feet

The green tree python is an arboreal python that’s native to the rainforests of New Guinea, some parts of Indonesia, and the Cape York Peninsula in Australia. Often confused with the emerald tree boa, the green tree python is a vibrant green color with a white or yellow belly and rests in a saddle position on branches. Some individuals have white, blue, or yellow dorsal markings.

Though an advanced, high-maintenance species, the green tree python is highly sought after in the pet trade. Many illegally caught wild specimens are smuggled into the pet trade and do poorly in captivity, but captive-bred and born pythons thrive under the right conditions. Pythons from different localities offer variations in color, such as blue, or markings, leading to diversity in captive-breeding programs.


4. Blood Python

Blood python curled on top of rock
Image Credit: Kurit afshen, Shutterstock
Scientific Name: Python brongersmai
Habitat: Marshes, tropical swamps
Size: Up to 6 feet

Also known as Brongersma’s short-tailed python or the red short-tailed python, the blood python is a stout-bodied python native to the Malay Peninsula in Sumatra. Blood pythons have rich and diverse color patterns that consist of bright red, orange, burgundy, and maroon markings, though some may have brown, yellow, or black spots or stripes. The belly is white with small black markings and the head is usually gray.

Wild blood pythons are often hunted for their skin, which is turned into leather. Blood pythons are also popular in the pet trade, despite an unpredictable and aggressive temperament. Wild-caught or wild-bred snakes are more aggressive and more difficult to keep in captivity, but captive-bred and born snakes are hardier and more docile. As more bloodlines entered captive-breeding programs, breeders discovered new patterns and coloration that are popular among private collectors.


5. Brazilian Rainbow Boa

Brazilian rainbow boa snake on branch
Image Credit: Piqsels
Scientific Name: Epicrates cenchria
Habitat: Humid woodlands, rainforests
Size: Up to 6 feet

The Brazilian rainbow boa is a semi-arboreal boa native to Central and South America. The boa is named for the iridescent sheen of its scales, which creates a prism and distinctive rainbow pattern under light. Otherwise, the snake is brown or reddish-brown with black stripes and black rings on the body. Several rainbow boa subspecies are recognized, including the Espirito Santo, the Central Highland, and the Marajo Island.

Due to their beauty and manageable size, the Brazilian rainbow boa is a popular captive snake species. They require specific husbandry and don’t suffer beginners well, but thrive with intermediate-to-advanced keepers. As juveniles, Brazilian rainbow boas are nippy and shy, but usually settle with regular handling.


6. Eyelash Viper

eyelash pit viper curling on tree branches
Image Credit: Werner Eckhard, Pixabay
Scientific Name: Bothriechis schlegelii
Habitat: Low-altitude, humid, tropical regions
Size: Up to 27 inches

The eyelash viper is a venomous, arboreal pit viper native to Central and South America. In addition to a range of vibrant colors, this pit viper features superciliary scales on the eyes that resemble eyelashes. These eyelashes are designed to help with camouflage, however, not beauty. The eyelash viper occurs in diverse colors, including pink, green, brown, red, and yellow.

Despite its potentially deadly hemotoxic and neurotoxic venom, the eyelash viper is widely available in the pet trade and commonly kept in zoos. Plenty of breeders breed captive-born snakes to create new patterns and colors, so wild-caught individuals aren’t commonly found on the market.


7. Gaboon Viper

Scientific Name: Bitis gabonica
Habitat: Sub-Saharan rainforests and savannas
Size: Up to 6.7 feet

The Gaboon viper is a stout-bodied viper native to the rainforests and savannas of sub-Saharan Africa. In addition to being the largest viper of the bitis genus, the Gaboon viper has the longest fangs of any venomous snake, measuring up to two inches, and the second-highest venom output of any snake. Gaboon vipers have an attractive, triangular head and a striking color pattern consisting of pale, rectangular saddles, yellow-edge hourglass markings, and brown or tan rhomboidal shapes.

Though the potent cytotoxic venom and high output pose a threat to humans, the Gaboon viper is generally docile, and attacks are rare. Due to their beauty, Gaboon vipers are commonly kept by advanced hobbyists.


8. Reticulated Python

Reticulated Python
Image Credit: Tirriko, Pixabay
Scientific Name: Malayopython reticulatus
Habitat: Rainforests, woodlands, grasslands
Size: Up to 21 feet

The reticulated python is the world’s longest snake. Native to South and Southeast Asia, the reticulated python is highly adaptable and capable of swimming to small islands, widening its natural range. Wild reticulated pythons feature complex geometric patterns with a range of colors and markings, lending the name “reticulate”, which means network.

Reticulated pythons are hunted for their skin and as a nuisance, but they’re still thriving in populated areas. Despite their incredible size, reticulated pythons are commonly found in zoological and private collections. Though some individuals can be aggressive, captive-bred and born pythons generally do well with regular handling from owners and zookeepers. Captive breeding programs yield incredible color variations in reticulated pythons, including shades of lavender, pink, peach, and white in the patterns.


9. White-Lipped Python

White Lipped Python on tree branch
Image Credit: Sriyana, Shutterstock
Scientific Name: Bothrochilus
Habitat: Humid rainforests
Size: Up to 7 feet

The white-lipped python is the name for several a stunning, semi-arboreal python species native to New Guinea and the surrounding islands. These include the Northern, Biak, Bismarck ringed, Karimui, Huon Peninsula, Southern, and Wau species, though the Northern and Southern species are the most common in zoos and private collections. The white-lipped python features a black or brown head with a gold- or bronze-colored body, a white belly, and white scales around the lips. Like the Boeleni’s and Brazilian rainbow boa, the white-lipped python has iridescent scales that creates a rainbow in light.

White-lipped pythons aren’t as common in captivity as other species, due in part to their poor temperament and husbandry requirements. Captive-bred and born snakes are more docile and easier to keep, though they can still be quick-tempered and nippy. This snake is ideal for experienced keepers.


10. Woma Python

Scientific Name: Aspidites ramsayi
Habitat: Plains, prairies
Size: Up to 4.5 feet

Also known as the Ramsay’s python or the sand python, the woma python is a python native to Australia. Woma pythons have narrow heads with small eyes and a broad, flat body with smooth scales. These snakes have a unique pattern that consists of a brown or olive-green base color with shades of red, pink, or orange and dark stripes.

In the 1960s, the woma python lost a lot of its habitat to human encroachment, but captive-breeding programs in Australian zoos have restored native populations. The woma python is docile and hardy in captivity, making it a beautiful and popular option for private collectors.


11. Side-Striped Palm Pit Viper

Side-striped Palm Pit Viper
Image Credit: Clinton Harris, Shutterstock
Scientific Name: Bothriechis lateralis
Habitat: Forested, montane regions
Size: Up to 3 feet

The side-striped palm pit viper is a pit viper native to the mountains of Costa Rica and western Panama. These stunning snakes have bright green or blue-green coloration with alternating vertical bar markings and a yellow belly. Some snakes have sparse scales with blue or black tips. Both wild and captive side-striped palm pit vipers shift to more blue over time, though it’s more common to find blue individuals in captivity.

Though beautiful, the side-striped palm pit viper has hemotoxic venom that can lead to a serious bite or, in rare cases, death. Because of this, side-striped palm pit vipers aren’t commonly kept in private collections.

Related Read: 20 Cute Snakes You Have to See


12. Scarlet Snake

florida scarlet snake
Image Credit: Nathan A Shepard, Shutterstock
Scientific Name: Cemophora coccinea
Habitat: Forested regions
Size: Up to 2 feet

The scarlet snake is a non-venomous colubrid that’s native to the southeastern United States. These snakes have striking coloration consisting of a gray base color and black-bordered white, red, or yellow saddles that extend to the belly, giving the snake a banding or ring-like look. Because of this, many scarlet snakes are mistaken for the highly venomous coral snake.

In some states, the scarlet snake is listed as an endangered or threatened species due to habitat loss, illegal capture, and direct killing. Though the snake’s docile temperament, beautiful patterns, and small size make it appealing as a pet, the scarlet snake can be a picky eater and difficult to care for. In addition, scarlet snakes are capable climbers and often escape secure enclosures.


13. San Francisco Garter Snake

San Francisco garter snake
Image By: reptiles4all, Shutterstock
Scientific Name: Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia
Habitat: Marshes
Size: Up to 4.5 feet

The San Francisco garter snake is a subspecies of the common garter snake and native to San Mateo County and part of Santa Cruz County in California. This garter snake has a slender body and vibrant coloration with blue-green dorsal scales and black, red, orange, or blue-green stripes. Though garter snakes have mild venom in their saliva, they pose little threat to humans.

Designated as an endangered species since 1967, the San Francisco garter snake is estimated to only have a few thousand individual adults in the wild. Many of the factors that affected the wild population are still in effect, including habitat loss from human development and illegal capture for the pet trade. Collection of endangered species for private collections is illegal.


Featured Image Credit: Vaclav Sebek, Shutterstock

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