Sexy Snakes (Reptiles & Amphibians in general)

Member Name: vixenvic

Product:	Reptiles & Amphibians in general
Date:	21/05/02 (804 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy to keep, no mess, cheap food, exciting to watch

Disadvantages: You might lose some friends

I have never felt any strong feelings towards or against snakes. So when myself and my partner took ourselves to the local reptile shop to buy our first pet, and the shop worker plonked a 4 ft corn snake in my arms it was a titilating experience.

It felt amazing: the skin, the way it moved. I wanted one imediately.

Baby corn snakes only cost £20.00. The whole set-up: vivarium, heatmat, light and bark costs around £80. And so we carried our new 12 inch pet in a small tupperware container across Newcastle on a bus (some of the grannies were looking at us a bit strangley).

I jokingly suggested we call him 'Trouser' (I'm sure you can see the humour). But the joke was taken seriously, and our little Trouser snake found it's way into our happy home.

He is 3 months old now. He has shed his skin once already and is just about to shed again (we know this because he has been hiding for a few days and his skin has gone milky). He has grown 3 inches already!

He eats a pinky mouse about twice a week which we keep in the freezer and deforst in a cup of warm water. Watching him eat is fascinating.

After a month we handled him for the first time. He was nervous but has improved dramatically now.

Trouser could live for 8-10 years and grow to 5 ft. He may be around when I have children but I have no doubt that corn snakes make suitable pets for a family. They are so easy and cheap to keep: no mess, cheap food (the mice only cost about 50p each), no noise, great fun to watch and handle.

I had never considered a snake as a pet before, but he fits in nicely with our lifestyle: a city centre flat is not a good place for a dog or cat.

I would recommend others who are looking for an alternative pet to try snakes out. But please make sure you have the right equipment, buy from a reputable reptile shop where the snakes have been bred in captivity and keep in mind that some snakes can live for
many years.

Snakes are a joy - I just wish I could convince my friends of that, who have mysteriously avoided coming round my house since the snake arrived....

Summary: