Which one? (Snakes)

Member Name: Islander

Product:	Snakes
Date:	16/11/00 (370 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Quiet, interesting, exoctic,

Disadvantages: Not everyone likes them, need properly looking after

Although I have not got any snakes at present, I have had over twenty-year’s experience of keeping them. They are an ideal pet to keep as they are quiet, don't need much exercise and the larger species do not need feeding very often, but owning a snake brings a lot of responsibility and thought must be given as to what one to have.

An ideal start is either a Garter snake, which eats small fish (like sprats) and grows to about 2 foot in length (or though one species the King Florida will reach four foot) or a Corn Snake (a member of the Rat snake family) that eats small mice and can grow to about four foot long.

If a bigger snake appeals, then a Royal Python can be a good choice as they only reach about five feet, eat mice and can be tamed easily. The only thing is to make sure it is a good feeder as some will only eat live food and this is not only unpleasant it is also illegal and cruel (at least in nature the mouse has a chance of escape – not so in a tank!), and there is also the possibility of damage being done to the snake.

Of the larger species then it is usually a choice between a Boa Constrictor or an Indian Python (also known as a Burmese or Burmese Rock Python), either of these can grow to a large size and can be dangerous to people who don’t know what they are doing or how to handle them. The Boa can grow to around ten feet in length and the Indian Python eighteen feet and weigh around three hundred weight. A good rule of thumb is when you put a snake across your shoulders, if its head reaches the ground one side and its tail the other, then it is too big for you. It is also worth noting that should one of these get out then household pets are in grave danger – a large snake can take down and eat an antelope, so a cat or dog proves no contest, don’t be fooled by the small mouth and head, they dislocate their jaws and can eat prey many times their size.

When you have decided w
hat to go for, the next thing to think about is housing it, whatever species you have must be kept warm, a light bulb can suffice, but proper heaters are better, you should also use Ultra-Violet light bulbs, to replace the lack of sunlight, otherwise they will suffer from calcium deficiency. Shade should also be provided, as snakes cannot regulate their body temperature (they take it from their surroundings), so need to be able to go somewhere to cool down.

The best type of base for a tank/vivarium is wallpaper as it is easy to change, be careful that what you put in the tank is not sharp otherwise you could injure the snake, and if wood or cork is used then scold it periodically to prevent mites breeding, they also need a bowel of clean water. Bare in mind that whatever you put in the tank has to be cleaned and when trying to get the snake out it can coil around it making life difficult. If you have a large species then make sure it can not lift the lid and get out – they are very strong and their body is almost all muscle and they can get through the smallest of spaces.

Keeping snakes can be a very interesting and rewarding experience, they are fascinating to watch – especially when they eat or drink, they are a good talking point, a tame one can be handled easily and they do get to know their owner (surprising I know). You do have to be committed to their welfare though, as a large one can live in excess of 30 years and other people will also be interested in it and want to handle it and the risk of it being hurt is great, just remember they are not playthings. If there are power cuts then hot water bottles may be required to keep it warm, as this is paramount.

So before getting one think long and hard about it, they may not need the attention of say a dog or cat, but they are a specialist exotic animal and have special needs. Make sure you have the right knowledge, seek professional advice, and above all make sure
that the welfare of the animal comes first.

Addition:

Periodically snakes shed their skin as they grow, an early indication is when their eyes go milky - if possible try not to handle the snake at this time, until it has shed.

To help it shed supply something reasonably rough such as cork (available from pet shops) that they can rub themselves against (but nothing SHARP). If they still have trouble shedding, then bathe them in luke warm water to soften the skin and help them shed, but remember to always rub towards the tail never towards the head to avoid damage to the snake's skin/scales.

Summary: