Try to get a captive bred specimen if possible, and one that is already well esablished and feeding on thawed food if possible.

This way, you'll be more likely to have a parasite-free, healthy snake that won't be a hassle to feed.

Good choices for beginners are corn snakes, garter snakes as Nick mentioned, although you may need to feed them live food, rosy boas are good if they are already feeding well when you buy them...also some, but not all of the kingsnakes are good beginner choices, California kings are probably the easiest.

Consider size, heating and feeding needs, temperment.
Don't get something with very specialized needs as a first snake...it'll only frustrate you.

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