Having a snake as a pet is anything but ordinary. Still, that shouldn’t stop you from owning one. They may not be as common as cats or dogs, but since they are quite unique and enchanting, it’s no surprise that more and more people decide to keep them as pets.
Of course, just like with any other living being, you have to make sure you are having the best possible conditions for a snake. Many people think that raising one doesn’t require a lot of work and dedication.
Well, that’s completely wrong. You have to get yourself familiar with some basic rules before you decide to purchase one. That’s why we decided to dedicate this article precisely to them, so you do not make any mistakes.
How to Look After a Snake?
Different Types of Snakes
Having a pet is a wonderful idea, however, it’s important to learn more about some species before you pick the right one. This acquired knowledge is going to define its needs, and it usually involves heat levels, the size of the enclosure, humidity, etc.
At the end of the day, the most important thing to do is to find a good, reputable breeder that has a lot of experience with raising snakes. Although a lot of people rather choose wild-caught snakes, due to their low price, it’s crucial to know that they are also extremely prone to various health issues, and hard to tame.
We will now give you the basic info about some of the most popular types of snakes that are perfect for those who have never kept them as pets:
- King and Milk snakes – These come in various wonderful forms and are quite big. They can go up to seven feet in length and live approximately twenty years.
- Ball Pythons – Probably the most wanted snake, due to its quiet and reserved demeanor. When it comes to price, it highly depends on its availability. They do not exceed five feet.
- Corn snakes – These snakes have an extraordinary demeanor. Generally speaking, they are very calm and obedient and can be found in various morphs. In comparison to others, corn snakes are relatively small.
Feeding & Handling
Although you can find a lot of useful things when it comes to feeding, it’s always useful to add some delicious fruits and veggies to their diet. Generally speaking, it would also be recommendable to create a care sheet for your snake, where you will write down everything there is to know regarding its needs, including its nutrition. You can also add some water fleas, rodents, crickets, brine shrimp, and worms.
Now, although insects are quite affordable, you should make sure that all these living beings are consuming healthy and nutritious food before purchasing them for your pet snake. High-quality supplements that contain minerals and vitamins should also be part of insects’ food.
As far as handling the snake, you have to be extremely careful about it, because not every species is welcoming and “cuddly”. First, make sure you know all about its temperament and fragility.
For instance, smaller ones are usually quite delicate and may require an intermediary kit, while some other, bigger types can be lifted with bare hands. Furthermore, huge reptiles must continuously be supervised because they tend to be very harmful.
Viz, they can constrict around necks, appendages, or trunks. Fortunately, most pet shops sell various equipment that is going to help you handle heavier snakes and they usually cost between thirty to one hundred dollars.
Now, if you have kids, it may not be advisable to have a pet snake because it can potentially lead to some serious issues, such as injury or health problems and both, your child and snake can be in danger.
When it comes to younger adults, they can keep these beings as pets, however, not without any proper training and guidelines. More importantly, all these things should be done under the supervision of someone who is already experienced.
Safety Tips
Snakes can often be peculiar, especially if they’ve been under a lot of stress. They frequently do not want to move once they are placed in their habitat. In that case, leave them be for a couple of days, however, ensure to pull them out of their water bowl so they can get themselves familiar with their new surroundings.
As you can see, snakes are not for everyone, however, if you’re determined to own one, then just be real with yourself and understand that you need to learn the basics before purchasing one. With a little bit of effort and lots of love and dedication, you will fall in love with these creatures in no time.
