The housing can be increased in size as the snake grows, but this obviously adds to the expense. Costs are another area that are not always immediately obvious. The vast majority of snakes will have to be kept in an artificially heated and lit environment, the heating will need to be on 365 days a year normally, and the lighting up to half the time. Be prepared for increased electricity bills. Food, all snakes are carnivorous, the majority eat furry animals and this point should be considered by those with an affinity with rodents before purchase.
Many keepers have to invest in a seperate freezer.
Of the approx 2,700 different types of snake in the world, relatively few are suitable or available for hobbyist. Choosing a suitable snake is of paramount importance, and for a beginner can be narrowed down to a handful of breeds. The 2 types that are commonly recommended for beginners are Corn snakes and King Snakes. Both are native of North America and as such don't need too elaborate an environment in their housings. There are exhaustive care sheets for both these snakes on the care sheet section of this web site.