Between the puppy lovers, the cat enthusiasts, and the furry rodent fans, a whole different category of pet owners exist reptile lovers. From turtles to geckos, lizards to snakes, taking care of any reptile is a unique experience. With many safe breeds to choose from, snakes are a popular choice for those who are interested in owning a pet. Snakes are always taken as a good pet for reptile lovers.
Often associated with deadly incidents or even horror stories, snakes are commonly misunderstood but can make fascinating companion pets. Like any pet, snakes offer company and stress relief for their owners. Pet snakes do not require daily walks in the park and they are quiet during the day and at night. With infrequent defecation, a pet snake’s habitat is also an easy clean-up.
Before deciding to own a snake, there are many factors to consider.
Two Main Questions about Pet Snakes:
- DO SNAKES MAKE GOOD PETS?
- THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE GETTING A SNAKE PET
DO SNAKES MAKE GOOD PET?
The question as to if they make good pets will only depend on you and also the reasons to look into before taking it into your home. In as much as snakes are easy to maintain, they are also exciting and tactical to handle. Below are some of the reasons why snakes can make good pets.
Are Snakes hard to keep?
Every exotic animal like a marine fish tank or reptiles frequently causes non-keepers to presume that the care of the said creature should be extremely multifaceted, plus it requires lots of years’ experience and learning. Never the less, snakes are not complicated pets to keep completely, furthermore providing that you have all things needed.
They can become habituated to handling and tolerate it well. They’re pleasing to handle. They’re beautiful in color/pattern. They’re interesting to watch when they explore and eat. They’re extremely low-maintenance if set up correctly.
Are Snakes time-consuming?
They do not consume a lot of time as compared to other pets and attention as well, for example, dogs and cats, as long as you meet each of their needs. You should find them unlivable to taking up much of your time and low maintenance too.
Is snake keeping an expensive hobby?
Buying prices of snakes depend on the sizes, ages, and species; their costs are not the same. Although the usual care along with the required kit for a snake is not costly at all, besides by the time you have their tank set up together with everything they need, they work out so cost-effective just like pets.
Do snakes smell?
If you can just keep your snake well maintained and regularly disinfected, you will realize that it’s an odorless pet. They neither eat nor feed daily so they can’t produce a significant amount of ■■■■■ that can cause them to smell. Besides, as long as you remove the urine and ■■■■■ every day, you will not sense any odor dissimilar to other pets.
Are these silent?
Another interesting thing with snakes is the fact that they don’t make noise, though they just have the buzz for a vocal expression, which is not noisy and non-intrusive as well.
Do snakes need much room?
Another great advantage is that they don’t need too much space maybe if you have purchased a bid type of snake; they are less stressing and comfortable to handle in all the aspects mentioned above.
Summary: Snake does make a good pet. They are not hard to keep, If you are a first-time owner, go for corn snake as it is cheap to buy & easy to handle. Read & research about all the best pet snakes, their need, when do they get upset, what symptoms to look for in an ill snake. And above all, if your snake is flicking its tongues more often, it means this buddy is happy with you
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE GETTING A PET SNAKE
ARE SNAKES GOOD PETS?
The answer depends on what kind of person you are. Pet snakes won’t come when you call them or purr when you pet them, but there can be something calming about watching your snake slowly explore its enclosure.
They don’t take up a lot of room and they stay quiet, which is perfect for apartment dwellers or people who are out of the house a lot. They do have fairly rigid requirements for temperature and housing.
It can also be a chore trying to wrestle an escaped snake from behind your washing machine. Their diet can also be challenging, particularly if you think small fuzzy rodents are cute. Snakes are not a traditional, cuddly choice of pet.
They grow large, live a long time, and require a certain exactness and even bravery from their owners, but the benefits of owning a snake are also rewarding. They don’t make noise, don’t require daily walks (or even daily interaction), and best of all, they don’t relieve themselves on your favorite pair of shoes when they’re mad at you.
As with any pet, owning a snake is a responsibility that should not be taken lightly. Let’s have a look at all the things you need to know before getting a snake pet:
GET READY ?
Perusing about and understanding the prerequisites of owning a pet snake is the primary step to a successful relationship along with your pet. Decide what sort of snake you’d like to claim, and after that do as much inquire about as you can before bringing one home.
Common sorts of pet snakes for the first-time proprietor incorporate ball pythons, king snakes, gopher snakes, garter snakes, and corn snakes.
Most of these snakes remain generally little, developing to around 4 or 5 feet at the biggest. These species tend to be gentle and don’t mind being dealt with. Poisonous or other perilous snakes ought to be dodged by all but the foremost experienced snake devotee, and indeed then risk issues make these sorts of snakes a destitute choice.
Most snakes can live a long time in captivity, so be mindful of this after you are choosing one for your home. Kingsnakes can live approximately 20 a long time, whereas ball pythons have been known to live as long as 40 years. While a few of the lodging necessities are comparative for most sorts of snakes, their temperature and dietary prerequisites can be exceptionally distinctive.
Summary: Are you ready to adopt a snake as a pet, that is from where the game begins. If the willingness is there, then the next steps will fall magically as they derive to keep a pet is there. Do the proper research & then go for snake petting.
HOUSING YOUR PET SNAKES?
Now, this doesn’t mean you have to grab some dirt, water, and flora from the tropical rainforests of South America, but you do need to create the right environment for your pet snake to live and thrive in. This means maintaining the temperature and humidity at the proper levels.
Before you bring home your new pet, you ought to have the enclosure prepared to go. It ought to be enormous sufficient to house a developed snake, and may take up a huge corner of the room. Most pet snake proprietors want a huge glass aquarium or Plexiglas enclosure with a tight mesh top.
Pet snakes can elude through tiny gaps in a wire cage, so you would like to create beyond any doubt that it is secure. Glass or Plexiglas makes it simpler to direct the temperature within the walled-in area so that your snake will remain sound.
The snake ought to have some sort of bedding fabric within the foot of the enclosure. Materials such as butcher paper, daily paper, terrycloth towels are great materials; indoor or open-air carpet is perfect since the fabric is secure and simple to clean.
Pea gravel or wood chips may seem more pleasant but can harbor microscopic organisms that might be ingested when the snake eats, causing intestinal issues.
A pet wind moreover needs a private zone to nourish well and feel secure. An empty toppled log, a wooden box with a gap within the front, or even just a huge silk plant will work pleasantly. They ought to have something to climb on, so clean branches from the pet store or shelves and racks are a must to keep your pet involved. Just make beyond any doubt that they can’t open the top of the enclosure as they are exercising.
Pet snakes also require a better temperature than you’re likely utilized to keeping in your home. Most tropical snakes require a temperature between 80- and 85-degrees Fahrenheit amid the day and 70 to 75 degrees at night. American snakes like a constant temperature of between 70 and 80 degrees.
You’ll keep a heating cushion beneath one side of the enclosure or utilize a warm light to attain this temperature, but make beyond any doubt that there’s a “cool” side of your snake’s home to elude to in case they get too warm.
Most snake specialists caution against keeping warming components such as rocks inside the walled-in area as the snake can effortlessly overheat or get burned. The snake’s enclosure ought to get approximately 10 to 12 hours of sunshine and 12 to 14 hours of obscurity each day. An area where they can get a few unfiltered natural daylights is ideal.
Summary: Adopting a snake means you ought to reserve a big area for its enclosure. If you will house it in a small one, it will not be happy. Big space, no holes for escape, proper light & heat is must to have on the list.
HANDLING YOUR PET SNAKES?
One of the most excellent parts of owning a snake is feeling its muscular body slip through your hands as it investigates. Most common pet snakes can be effectively subdued and appear to appreciate a few human interactions.
Attempt to purchase your snake from a legitimate merchant who has hand-reared his youthful snakes so that they are used to individuals. Observe it feed if conceivable so that you simply can see that it has no inconvenience eating.
Once your pet snake has gotten utilized to its new environment, you should attempt to handle it at the slightest some minutes each day so that it remains calm once you pick it up.
Summary: Handling is a very critical aspect of a pet snake. As it is a solitary animal thus don’t like to be attached to anyone. If you hold a pet snake for a long, it will not be happy with you.
FEEDING YOUR SNAKES?
Keeping snakes as pets has one huge disadvantage for numerous individuals – they are not vegetarians. Snakes don’t eat pleasantly stuffed pellets or seeds; they eat mice, rats, frogs, and some of the time rabbits. Most snakes will eat pre-killed nourishment, which makes it more helpful for you as long as you don’t mind a baggie full of ■■■■ mice in your cooler. Pre-killed nourishment can moreover keep your pet secure from chomps and scratches.
A few snakes have to be instructed to eat pre-killed food and a few won’t do it at all, so you need to be prepared to nourish your snake live prey. In case you are feeling that your children are too youthful to see the circle of life in action, you will need to reexamine your choice of the pet at this time.
Snakes also need a bowl of clean water for drinking and bathing. The water can also help maintain the humidity of their enclosure at the right levels. Be sure to change the water often, as bacteria can grow in their water source and be very harmful.
Summary Before adopting a snake keep in mind all the as[ects, try to do the analysis & check are you willing to take this challenge. Keeping small snakes as a pet requires enthusiastic & dedicated care. If you are ready then go for it. Read & do proper research abt its housing, handling & feeding.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Let’s study a few interesting frequently asked questions regarding the pet snakes.
Are pet snakes friendly?
Pet snakes are not as friendly. Yes, these buddies are docile & easy to handle. But you cant expect them to be friendly.
Why snakes should not be pets?
Snakes don’t hold a good image generally, just bcoz of this perception & their bit unfriendly nature, it is said not to go for adopting these. They die within a year & don’t like to be in captivity.
Do snakes get bored?
As small pet snakes are solitary animals. They don’t feel lonely & bored. In fact, it will be a bad idea to cage them with other pets.
Do snakes like being held?
No, snakes don’t like being held for long. Daily 10-15 minutes are more than enough for them. If you hold them for long they will get upset & start reacting abnormally.
Why do snakes try to escape?
If they do, this is normal behavior. As these buddies don’t like to be kept in a tank & want to enjoy their natural habitat, so they will not miss any chance to escape.
CONCLUSION:
Snakes indeed make fascinating pets. If you are an enthusiastic reptile pet lover & daring to adopt, then you should go for a snake. Small pet snakes are very docile, non-venomous, easy to be handled, creatures. They don’t bite unless & until disturbed. If you provide good feed & adequate supply of water, few hidden holes in their tank, they’re more than happy. The cost of keeping snakes as the pet is not that much. Only you require first-time investment to set up the tank. They are not heavy eaters, just a meal in 7-10 days. If they are handled & kept carefully, may live longer. Try not to put them on unrest by holding them for long or caging them with other pets. If you keep these minute details, believe me, you will enjoy petting snakes.
