Endless options for photography, but I tend to stick with a basic black or all white. As both showcase the subject, not the scenery, which is what you want in a "product" shot. You can do whatever you want though, red, yellow, green, blue, or any prop you can think of etc. Endless options...

For white go with seamless paper something like Savage 'Super White'. Examples of snakes on white seamless:




For black you can just paint something smooth a flat black and then angle it so you don't see anything else, or shoot it in a darkened room with nothing behind it so you don't see anything else, or get a black backdrop. For a black backdrop I use Civichrome Velour from Amnova.com
You can also find black acrylic to add a reflection or just put a clear piece of plastic over a black base and get a reflection.
Examples of snakes on flat black and black acrylic:



Last 2 pictures aren't the best because I wasn't using the proper lens but it gives you a good idea.

If you shoot outside in the grass, on a log, branch etc. Don't do it in the full sun. Either use a diffuser, or shoot in the shade, or do it on a overcast day or morning or evening. Just whenever you won't have such harsh lighting or can provide a even and diffuse light.