Featured Pet xD

~Snakes~



Not my photo. Source: "my life is like a melon, shitdisco: noelleludwig: (via blo0dflow3rs,...."my life is like a melon. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Apr. 2012. <http://zombieirish.tumblr.com/post/547519031/shitdisco-noelleludwig-via-blo0dflow3rs>.

Before getting a pet snake, try asking yourself the following questions.

• Am I fit to take care of a snake?
• What are the things I need to buy?
• What type should I choose?
• Which snakes should I avoid?
• Why choose a snake over other pets?

Am I Fit to Take Care of a Snake?

There are many things that need to be taken into consideration before buying your pet snake.  Before getting a snake as a pet, you must make sure your house is fit to keep the snake.  The snake's cage must be placed in a well-ventilated area.  Also, make sure your house does not have many holes or dark areas in case your snake escapes and goes hiding.  A snake lives around 20 years, and they eat live prey such as rodents.  Be sure that you are able to provide the food that your snake desires for a long period of time.  Another important factor to think about is the snake behaving around your children if you have any.  Your children need to behave well around the snake or else it might attack as a defense because it feels threatened, even if it is tamed.

What are the Things I Need to Buy?

• Cage: You need to find a nice, escape-proof cage.  Make sure your locks are tight because snakes will try to find the smallest opening to escape and explore the area outside of the cage.
• Heating Device: Since snakes are cold-blooded, they cannot generate their own body heat which makes the heating device important.  The heating device can warm up the snakes body when the weather is cold.
• Snake Hides: Examples of snake hides include logs and miniature rocks.  They need privacy and want to hide from on lookers so these are essential for the snake's health.  The snake will get sick because the pressure from it not being able to hide from watchers.
• Water Bowls: Place one inside their cage so the snake has access to water at any time it pleases.

What Type Should I Choose?

Snakes are one of the most dangerous animals even if they are tamed.  There are also many types to choose from and if you want to own one, you should do lots of research on which type of snake will fit your lifestyle and the people around you.  It is recommended that a beginner should keep captive bred snakes because wild ones are hard to tame and can get parasite infections.  Here are some snakes that is fit for beginners.

Corn snake – Corn Snakes are popular due to their color variations.  They also do not grow to be that long.

These snakes are not picky eaters and accept frozen rodents even for a constant amount of time. Corn snakes are docile creatures making them easy to tame.  They can live quite a long time if taken care of properly.

King snake – King snakes are docile creatures and easy to tame.  They are popular among breeders.  The California King snake is the most popular of the king snakes.  Since they are cannibalistic in nature, feed them live and fresh food and they have a tendency to prey on other snakes that cohabit in the same container with them.  King snakes are constrictor snakes meaning they strangle their prey to death.  Their size averages around 6 to 7 feet.  

King snakes have many pattern and color variations.

Ball python – The ball python got its name by its defensive state of rolling into a ball when it feels threatened.  It has a tranquil temperament and they rarely bite.  These snakes grow up to about 5 feet and can live up to 25 years if they are taken care of properly.  They are particular with their food so if you keep feeding them live rodents they will refuse to touch the frozen ones.

 

Gopher snake – Gopher snakes are docile and easy to handle creatures.  They are not picky with its food.  These snakes can grow longer than the other snakes listed on this page.  Gopher snakes are constrictors.

 

Which Snakes Should I Avoid?

Venomous snakes should be avoided, especially if you are new at having snakes for a pet.  There are snakes that look similar to the venomous ones, such as the milk snake and the coral snake; make sure you have a great knowledge and research of the snake before making it your pet.

Why Choose a Snake Over Other Pets?

Snakes are independent creatures as long as you, the owner, provide it with the things it needs.  They are also cleaner than some pets, though they do shed their skin but it is easy to clean up after.  They eat about twice a week and leave feces around that as well.  Moreover, they are hypoallergenic meaning they are unlikely to cause an allergic reaction.



This post is not a super detailed research.  I encourage to look up for more information about having a snake as a pet.  Thank you! Hope you enjoy!

Resource: "Snakes As Pets – Life With Fanged Friends | Unusual Pets." Unusual Pets | A Piece Of Nature In Your Hand. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Apr. 2012. <http://www.unusualpets.org/snakes-as-pets/>.