When most people think of pets, the adjectives “furry” and “cuddly” come to mind. These words, however, do not apply to pet snake owners. Snakes, on the other hand, make interesting pets and can even be lovable – in their own way.
Getting a pet snake should not be a hasty decision. However, before making the decision you should know how to take care of a pet snake. Snakes can grow to be quite large, eat a lot, and require very specific conditions to thrive. Some varieties are even poisonous to humans. Providing for their needs can be costly. To top it all off, snakes have a relatively long lifespan. For the sake of the snake, don’t buy one unless you’re certain you’re ready to make the commitment.
All snakes consume meat. Many snake owners keep live mice or rats as food for their snakes because they multiply quickly. To take care of a pet snake, It is suggested that snakes be fed pre-killed prey animals rather than live ones. A live prey animal can injure a snake, especially if it is not particularly hungry. Many snake owners buy frozen mice for their pets. Others raise mice and slaughter them as necessary to feed their snakes.
The good news about feeding a snake is that most should only be fed once a week, and some can go for several weeks between feedings. The reason for this is that they do not have to expend any energy to generate their own body heat. A snake can’t even digest its food if its cage isn’t warm enough.
The snake’s enclosure, or cage, must first and foremost be escape-proof. Snakes are escape artists, and they don’t require a large opening to find a way out. The cage must also have a heat source. Snakes must have a variety of temperatures to choose from because they are cold-blooded. This is how they keep their bodies warm. For best results, heat only one side of the enclosure and use thermometers on both ends. Each snake species has unique heat requirements, which you should research before purchasing a snake.
A bowl of water, several hiding places, and a floor lining are also required. Newspaper works well for most snakes if you’re on a tight budget. When it becomes soiled, it is easily replaced. The water should also be kept clean. Any waste or uneaten food should be removed as soon as possible. Once a month, the cage should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
Having a pet snake is both a responsibility and an adventure. If you are new to snake keeping, you should begin with one of the easier snakes to care for. If you do a little research, you will discover that pet snake breeds are generally rated based on how difficult they are to keep. You will eventually learn the ins and outs of snake keeping and will be able to expand your collection to include some of the more exotic species.
After reading this article I am sure you got some ideas about how to take care of a pet snake and keep them healthy and happy.