Looking for an unusual, eye-catching pet? Ut’s hard to go wrong with a snake. They’re unusual enough to catch people’s interest, yet durable enough to require minimal care. Nevertheless, novice owners often make some basic mistakes, some of which can be quite costly. Here are a few simple tips that can help ensure the health of the snake and save you a lot of aggravation.
1. First, find out how large your snake can become.North American varieties typically grow to be about four feet long, which is a reasonable size. A few, such as pine and bull snakes, can grow to be six feet or so, which is still a manageable size.
Don’t let a pet store employee talk you into buying a Burmese python. These critters are docile and commonly available; however, they can grow to be over thirty feet long. They will require huge cages and tremendous amounts of food. (And before you ask… No, most zoos will not accept these as donations.)
2. Whatever you do, do NOT scrimp on cage size.Cages that are too small can be very stressful and unhealthy to your pet. Pet store employees will often try to sell you caging that is inadequate in size, so don’t fall into this trap. For adequate comfort, the combined length and width of the cage should at least match the snake’s length. Snakes can grow fairly quickly, especially when they're fed well, so don’t forget to take that into account as well!
3. Find out how docile that particular specimen is.Most non-venomous North American snakes are fairly gentle, but if you’re a first-time keeper, you should probably make sure that your prospective pet can be handled easily. That is why I advise against buying these animals over the Internet; there is simply no substitute for examining the creature in person.
4. Select a pet with a hearty appetite.Ball pythons, for example, are magnificent creatures, but they are notoriously finicky eaters. Corn snakes make excellent starter pets because they are exceedingly docile and aren’t picky about what they eat. Milksnakes and rat snakes are also good choices.
5. Any reptile can potentially spread salmonella.The risk involved is very small, but I advise people to play it safe -- especially when young children or people with compromised immune systems are involved. I recommend reading up on reptile hygiene and salmonella before purchasing your pet.
Obviously, these tips only constitute a modicum of advice. All prospective owners should read up on the specific needs of the species that they plan to purchase, as well as snake care in general. With a little research, one can prevent a great deal of aggravation in the future.