Pet Snake Blog

The color of boa constrictors varies depending on their environment. They are generally a brown, grey or cream base color patterned with reddish brown saddles that become more pronounced towards the tail. The red-tailed boa gets its name from the red coloring at the tail. Their color is an effective camouflage in the forests. They have an arrow-shaped head with distinctive stripes on it. Boa constrictors can sense heat through cells in their lips. Most boa constrictors favor the rainforest due to its humidity and temperature, vast number of prey, and its natural cover from predators.

The captive boa is fairly tame. They are fed mice, rats, rabbits, chickens and chicks depending on the size and age of the individual. Proper animal husbandry is the most significant factor in caring for the snake. The snake should be provided adequate space, correct temperatures and humidity and suitable food items.

You can start the young boa in a small enclosure and enlarge it as the boa grows in size. This is because the young red-tailed boa becomes stressed in large open spaces. The standard enclosure for an adult boa is 180 cm × 90 cm × 60 cm, with large females requiring some additional space. The guideline for enclosures is the minimum length of the enclosure should be two thirds of the snake’s length.

Snakes should be kept separate since they tend to fight, although there are cases where females were kept together successfully. It is not advisable to use glass, aquarium-style enclosures since they do not efficiently maintain temperature and humidity. Temperature is a critical factor, and their enclosure should have a cool portion and a separate warm section where the heat source is located. Cages that are too cold will cause many health problems, ranging from non-digestion of food to pneumonia.

Heat sources can be provided through heat pads, lights and other alternative heating systems. All heat sources should be guarded to prevent burns to the snake. Keep several thermometers around the enclosure so you can monitor closely the temperature. Humidity should be maintained at 50% and increased to 70% when the boa is in shed. The high humidity should not be maintained for longer than a week, as this raises the risk of infections such as scale rot. Humidity levels can be maintained through water bowls. Humidity can be increased by adding more water bowls, placing them near the heat source or misting the enclosure with a water sprayer. There is no special lighting required, as long as the natural environment of 12 hours of daylight and darkness is simulated.

The enclosure should have a substrate of newspaper, which can be replaced regularly. A water bowl for drinking and cooling off should be provided in the enclosure. It should be checked regularly that it is clean and fresh, since it might get polluted from the snake’s defecation. Provide some covers within the enclosure where the snake can hide. It makes the snake feel secure, as stress can make a snake refuse to eat. You can put shelves or branches inside the enclosure since boas enjoy climbing.

Do not overfeed a snake as this could lead to complicated health disorders and shorten its life span. They will eat whatever is in sight and regurgitate after a few days if it is too much. This may lead to force feeding which is stressful to the snake. The feeding guideline is the size of the prey should not exceed the width of the snake at its widest point. Young snakes can be fed once a week while adults require feeding only once a month.  Snakes should not be handled within 48 hours of feeding or when in a shed cycle. They have a slow digestive system and handling them too soon after feeding might result in regurgitation. Their skin is very delicate during shedding.

Boas are popular not only in the pet trade, but also for their meat and skins.  In some cases, they are bred and let loose to help control the rodent populations. Boas breed well in captivity and are not in danger of extinction.

The Indian Cobra, known also as the spectacled cobra, is a highly poisonous snake revered in India especially during the annual serpent festival, and oftentimes kept as pets by snake charmers. It can be found in rainforests and ride fields throughout India. It can grow as long as seven feet, and is noted for its wide black band located on its neck and the distinctive hood markings.  It is considered as one of the top four most dangerous snakes in India.

The serpent festival in India is usually held in August after the monsoon rains, and pays homage to the nine Serpent Gods. During the festival, cobras are brought to Hindu villages and fed. Snake images are also worshipped. Hindus fast and pray to the snakes, offering silver jewelry and asking for protection. The Indian cobra is the snake used by snake charmers during the serpent festival. The snake charmer plays a flute and the snake rises out of a wicker basket, swinging back and forth seemingly to the melody coming from the flute. It is exciting and intriguing to see the snake sway back and forth, and rising higher and higher into the air. The music played by the snake charmer is enchanting. In actuality, the Indian cobra is deaf and is following the moving flute. It also senses the vibration of the ground caused by the snake charmer’s tapping feet.

The snake carries a large quantity of poisonous venom which they inject into their victims when threatened or attacking prey. The snake may bite numerous times and even clutch its victims and chew on them violently. Although the bites may cause swelling and blistering, the real danger lies in the poisonous venom that enters the body and goes into the victim’s bloodstream. The poison causes paralysis of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, resulting in death. The poison acts very fast. A person bitten by an Indian cobra should be administered with the appropriate antidote immediately since the effects can be felt within eight minutes after being bitten.

Research shows that a single bite is powerful enough to kill up to 20 people. However, there are very few incidents resulting in death from snake bites since the snake avoids human contact as much as possible, despite their being found in areas of human habitation. The snake’s primary diet is rats. Sewers are favorite hiding places of rats, and oftentimes snakes will go through the sewers hunting for rats. They will also eat small reptiles, birds, eggs, and mammals. The snake is active either day or night and normally follows the habits of their prey.

Cobras lay their eggs deep underground and can produce as many as 30 eggs at a time. The eggs take about 70 days to hatch. Newly-hatched juveniles are born with working fangs and potent venom and can fend for themselves immediately.  Although Indian cobras are associated with spitting venom, only

The snake is normally peaceful and does not bite unless threatened or provoked. However, because of the deadly venom, only experienced handlers keep this species as a pet.  Snake charmers keep pet cobras for the snake festival as part of the tradition. They exhibit their pet cobras in other occasions to earn income for the upkeep of the snake.

After having done your research and completed the preparations for your pet snake, it is time to choose your boa constrictor and bring it home. Choose a snake that has firm clear skin, rounded body shape, clean vent, clear eyes, and actively flicks its tongue when handled. Get hold of the snake and observe if the snake will hold onto you firmly and gently. It should be alert to its surrounding.

Captive snakes sometimes lose some of their alertness since they become accustomed to a safe and controlled environment. The snake may be initially nervous in its new enclosure but will settle down once it gets acclimatized to the surroundings. Choose a captive-bred snake since they tend to be more submissive. There are several types of red-tailed boas. Check with the pet store on their types and have them point out the least and most aggressive types in their stock. As a start, you will want a non-aggressive captive-bred snake.

Allow your pet snake to acclimatize to its new surroundings. If your pet snake is a young one, you can start them with a pre-killed seven to ten day-old rat.  A small mouse can do for a smaller sized hatchling. As the snake grows larger, you should be feeding them larger pre-killed prey.

The rule of thumb is the prey should not be larger than the widest part of the snake’s body. If you give them prey larger than that, they will eat the prey but regurgitate it after a few days. It is unsightly and requires cleaning the cage right away. If you have to force feed the snake, seek professional help until you become familiar and experienced in it. Force feeding should only be done as the last resort since it can be very stressful to the snake and to you. Snakes will eat whatever is presented to them. They can easily get overfed since they don’t have enough exercise in captivity. Feeding your snake enough to keep it healthy should be sufficient.

Maintain a fairly large bowl of water for the snake to drink and soak in. Check the bowl regularly since sometimes snakes are known to defecate in the water. Change it regularly to keep it fresh and clean. When they are about to shed, give your boa a warm bath in the bathtub or put some large container of water in the cage. It will help shed their skin and protect their delicate skin from damage.

Before acquiring your boa, make sure there is an experienced veterinarian in your area who can handle snakes, since your snake will need regular checkups for parasites and other bacteria. If left untreated, these infestations can ultimately kill your snake. When your snake first defecates, collect the feces in a clean plastic bag and have it tested for worms and protozoans. These are different tests, and if proven positive, make sure your snake is given medication which you can continue at home.

Once your boa has settled down and acclimatized to the environment, start getting it used to you. Pick up the snake and hold it gently. At the start, the snake may move away from you, and threaten you by doing tail lashings and hissing. Be persistent in your approach but do it slowly and carefully. It will eventually get used to your handling and allow you to carry it. Make the snake aware that you are feeding it. You should build up a level of trust and confidence between you and your pet snake. Once the snake becomes familiar with you, you can take it out of the enclosure and allow it to move around the house. Watch them carefully as they can move fast and settle in your cushions, making it hard to remove them from that location.

Be gentle at all times and move slowly. Any sudden movement could surprise the snake and cause them to react adversely against you. If the snake wraps itself around you, the proper way of unwinding the snake is by gently grasping the tail and removing it from around you. Do not start at the head because the snake is strong and can be very determined to hold steadfast.

Keep a steady supply of disinfectant and cleaning solutions for cleaning the enclosure, tubs, bowls, and other items used by the snake. Snakes are known to remain active and alert even when they are old. You can have a long relationship with your snake if you take good care of it. Some of the main reasons why snakes die in captivity are improper temperatures, contact with heating and lighting elements, no regular access to water, lack of necessary veterinary care and treatment, and careless handling. All these causes can be avoided with proper maintenance and care. If you have to leave your snake for a prolonged period of time, bring it to the pet shop or veterinarian for safe-keeping and care until your return.

Before acquiring your pet snake, it is recommended that you do some research on snakes and get some familiarity about them from experienced handlers, pet stores and zoos. You should understand what is required in caring for them before you actually get one so you are better prepared to maintain and care for them once they are with you.

Unlike other more common pets such as cats and dogs, that you can get information on from many sources or secure assistance at any time, you may have difficulty getting people to help you at a moment’s notice. So it is best to know as much as you can from the very start and where you can go for assistance if you need any immediate help in maintaining and caring for your pet snake. One of the most critical aspects you should check out is the food requirements for the snake. Captive snakes should be fed pre-killed mice, rats, rabbits and even chickens.

The rodents, rabbits and chickens should be clean, healthy and well-nourished; otherwise your pet snake might get infected with some virus or bacteria. You should have an idea of their fast growth rate during their early years and the amount of food required for maintaining them at the early stages and during their adult years. If the food is not available or your budget cannot meet the initial and forecasted food requirements, then you should not buy the snake.

Get an enclosure especially designed for housing snakes. The combination screen and hinged glass top is a good cage at the start, but you need to upgrade it as the snake grows bigger, or you can get a cage which is big enough to contain the snake even when they reach adulthood. There is no need to worry about getting a large enclosure at the start but since snakes grow very fast when they are young and they will fill up the enclosure in a short time.

It should be large enough for you to get in and clean the cage, with the snake also inside the cage. You might not have the budget or the logistics to have a separate cage for the snake while you are cleaning their primary enclosure. Also, it is not easy carrying the snake from one cage to another. Snakes are good escape artists, and they can squeeze through cracks and holes easily. Boas are powerful and have been known to break out of a tank sealed with a board and bricks. Check out the enclosures used in zoos and pet shops.

Use paper towels as liners at the start. They can be quickly removed and replaced when soiled. It will be easier checking for the presence of mites and the condition of the feces. If you plan to put wood later on, use shredded cypress or fir bark. Avoid pine, cedar, aspen and other similar wood shavings since they can become lodged in the mouth while eating. The bark of the wood should be removed once they become soiled or wet to prevent fungus and bacteria growths.

An inexpensive alternative is to use Astroturf. This is a durable, grass-like synthetic carpet which can be removed and placed back after it is cleaned and dried thoroughly. The enclosure should have a hiding place for the snake. It can be a half-log which may be available at pet stores, an empty cardboard box or even an upside-down opaque plastic container with an access doorway cut at one end. Whatever you choose should be easy to clean or readily replaceable.  Boas enjoy hanging on branches.

You can get clean branches from the pet store or if you use a found branch, be sure it is cleaned and dried thoroughly. If you construct a cave of rocks and bricks, be sure they are firmly in place. The snake is very strong and can topple a loose structure while moving about, and the snake could be injured from the tumbled rocks.

You should maintain the temperature in the enclosure at about 28-32 degrees centigrade, with a basking area of about 32-35 degrees centigrade. You can use heating pads, lights and other means to maintain the temperature. Place thermometers around the enclosure to monitor the temperature. A cold snake will have difficulty eating and digesting its food. Be sure there is an experienced veterinarian in your area as your snake will need regular checkups.

Exotic pets are interesting pets to maintain and care for. It is very different from the normal house pets. Exotic pets are hard to get and maintain because of the difficulties in capturing them and their uniqueness. Not all pet stores carry the food and other products necessary for the maintenance and care of the exotic pets. It is sometimes very expensive to acquire an exotic pet. Snakes have been around for a long time and people have taken an interest in having snakes for pets over the past several years. Sometimes, people do not react favorably to having a pet snake because it is not usual to have a pet snake and they are apprehensive on the risks involved with snakes, such as poisonous snakes.

Snakes, unlike the common pets such as dogs and cats, do not have to go for walks or have to be let out for exercise. For instance, boa constrictors only require simple housing needs and once you understand their husbandry and care, they are easy to maintain. Boa constrictor has a dangerous connotation which came about from movies and other media which highlighted the dangerous aspects of the snake. On the other hand, snake specialists recommend that beginners who want to try maintaining a pet snake should start with a red tailed boa, which are commonly found in the pet trade.

There are many snake species but only a select few are recommended as household pets. The pythons and boa constrictors are some of the snakes that are acceptable to be kept as pets. Some people prefer having pet snakes because of their beautiful colors, their ability to breed in captivity and their docile nature. The red-tailed boa constrictors are among the most popular pet snakes. They can grow up to ten feet and live for over twenty years. They are strong and big, but are usually docile and can be handled on a regular basis, making them an ideal pet snake.

If the size is too big to handle, there are other smaller species of boa constrictors, such as the ground boa constrictors and rosy boa constrictors. These snakes grow to several feet long, display good temperaments and can be maintained and cared for modestly.  Before committing yourself to owning a boa constrictor, take a look at the pet stores and zoos so you have a better idea of the strength and size of a full-grown boa constrictor. Once you acquire a pet snake, you will have to take care of it for about 25-30 years since that is the normal lifetime of a snake. You will not be able to sell or give it away easily since not many people are interested in pet snakes and zoos have more than enough snakes.

A full grown red tailed boa can reach 8 -10 feet long and weigh about 50 pounds. They are very heavy and can cause injury to a person. If you are one of those people that enjoy having the snake wrap themselves around the body, it is advisable to have another person with you in case you cannot handle the weight or the snake wraps itself tightly around you. Snakes are normally docile and do not mind being handled but it is always good to be careful among exotic animals.

Choose a captive bred specimen since they are generally more healthy and docile than the wild caught animals. Although boa constrictors are considered endangered, you will need permits to buy and sell them. Fortunately boa constrictors breed fairly readily in captivity, and there is a sufficient supply available for pets. A healthy snake has a firm, muscular body, no loose fold of skin, clear eyes and a flicking tongue. Be sure there are no wounds on the skin and the scales are not brown or have curled edges. Check for signs of retained shed around the eyes and the end of the tail. When you handle them, they will react by coiling firmly and relaxing a bit after a while.

Since these snakes can grow long and big, it is advisable to have a large secure housing for them. It should be elevated from the ground and be strong enough to withstand the weight of the snake. It should be closely meshed or sealed so the snake cannot slip through any cracks or holes. The snake requires large prey such as large rats and rabbits.

Most people have pets at one time or another during their lifetime. Any living creature cared for, loved and indulged by a person may be considered a pet for that person. With that definition, any creature such as insects, animals, reptiles, and rodents can be considered as a pet. The more commonly acceptable pets are dogs, cats, and birds. You will rarely see a person having a snake as a pet and if you do plan to be one of the rare people with a pet snake, there are certain things you should know about caring for your snake to ensure its growth in peace and comfort.

Allowing the snake to roam around the house might be permitted once you have trained your snake to stay in specific areas only and to come to you when you call them. This is because visitors and even other family members might not be at ease with the snake’s presence. A snake cage should be well ventilated and roomy for the snake to move around at ease. Temperatures should be monitored and maintained since the snake’s body temperature is dependent on the external atmosphere and environment.

The snake cage should be easy to clean and provide safety and comfort to the snake. Since the snake will be limited to the confines of the snake cage, you have to be sure it is regularly cleaned and conducive for the snake’s upbringing. You might need a temporary second snake cage where you can place the snake while you are cleaning their primary cage. Beddings should be changed every seven to ten days, and droppings removed regularly. Otherwise the snake will be sliding over their droppings, resulting in an unhealthy and unclean environment.

Use baking soda with water when cleaning their cage. It serves as a disinfectant and reduces the smell coming from the droppings. If you plan to use other disinfectants, make sure it is not harmful to your snake. Do not use sawdust or litter in the base of the cage as they expel ammonia and don’t dry up fast.

Be sure you can adjust the temperature of the snake cage. A snake’s natural habitat is about 25 -30 degree C. Any excessively hot or cold temperature can lead to a snake’s discomfort and cause it to stop eating anything. Nights are usually cool and the temperature should be adjusted to compensate for the cool nights. The bottom of the cage should be about nine inches from the ground.

Get familiar with the specific species of your snake because each species has some unique aspects regarding their personality. For instance, snakes are sensitive to lighting in the snake cage. Some snakes require a constant adequate amount of light whereas others might not need any improvised light as the ultraviolet rays from the light might affect the health of the snake. Some snakes are adverse to artificial light but are comfortable in natural sunlight. Make sure you keep them under the sunlight for a controlled amount of time and then move them to the shade afterwards.

Most snakes love to eat mice and rats. You should serve it to the snake in a dead state as a live one might cause injury to the snake in their attempts to escape from the snake. Adult snakes can be fed once every seven days. Frozen food should be thawed thoroughly before serving. There are pet stores that provide frozen rodents or you can order them online. Some snakes are contented with eggs. You might prefer that species so you don’t have to concern yourself with a steady supply of rodents.

Skin shedding happens every three months. During that period, the snake will have delicate skin and can be vulnerable and easily injured. Study the different species and choose your pet snake wisely. Just like choosing a breed of dog, not every type is right for every person.

Snakes are one of the less popular house pets. However, for those that enjoy reptiles, snakes can be interesting and provide a unique type of entertainment.

Before deciding to have a pet snake there are some things you should know. First, there are many different kinds of snakes, about 2,700 species, so obviously much care should be taken when selecting a pet snake. It is not advisable to get a snake from the wild and turn it into a pet unless you are definitely sure of the species and how to handle them. There are about 375 species which are considered venomous and 17 species classified as either threatened or endangered. If you are not familiar with the different species you might be in danger or you might be instrumental in making a species extinct.

Snakes are long, limbless and flexible reptiles. Their body shape depends on the environment where they live. Aquatic snakes have flattened bodies; those living in trees are long and slender with a prehensile tail, and burrowing snakes tend to be compact. Snakes have a variety of colors, from very bright to dull. Their colors are an indication of their character, that is, the brightly colored snakes are usually venomous and their bright coloration serves as a warning to predators. The dull colored snakes blend with their surroundings and it serves to camouflage them from predators. Some snakes mimic the color of the venomous snakes in the hope that predators will not pounce on them.

Based on studies, the length of adult snakes can range from two inches to 38 feet. Brahminy blind snakes have been recorded at about two inches. The anaconda is considered one of the longest snakes, at about 38 feet long and weighing close to 550 pounds, although some researchers discovered a fossil snake which measured up to 49 feet long.

Some captive snakes have been known to live as long as 50 years. There is no available information on the snake’s life span in the wild. Snakes live in most parts of the world. They tend to live in tropical regions, and depending on the nature of the snakes, they can be found in water, forests, and deserts. Snakes eat a variety of different animals and reptiles, such as termites, rodents, birds, frogs, and other reptiles. They eat their prey whole, being able to open their mouth three times larger than the diameter of their head. They have rear-facing teeth which hold their prey inside and prevent them from escaping.

How they capture their prey depends on the nature of the snake. For instance, the venomous snakes use their venom to capture their prey, while constrictors use their strength to squeeze their prey. Some snakes can survive without food for at least a year after feeding. Their hunting is done mostly at night. The body temperature of the snake is regulated externally by sunning themselves for warmth or cooling themselves by staying in shaded areas. They hibernate during the winter.

Some snakes lay eggs while others give birth to live young. The eggs are laid in a warm location and left unattended by the male or female. The young are similarly not cared for. There are some exceptions such as the python species. Snakes have been hunted for their skins and for sports. Some of their species are threatened by habitat destruction.

There are a large variety of snakes but when it comes to feeding, there is not too much variety in the manner of food provided to them. Aside from some snakes who feed on eggs, the larger majority of snakes feed on rodents, insects, frogs and other similar creatures. The difference lies on whether they should be fed live prey or pre-killed prey.

When people take on exotic pets, like snakes, they are normally thrilled and excited at the start and do not realize the heavy burden of taking care of such animals. They do not understand the special handling required for pet snakes. One critical aspect is providing them with the right food.

Although they don’t feed very often, it is critical that the proper food is provided at the time of their feeding. There are several books that list the type of food that should be given to the different species of snakes, and some also indicate the condition of the food, that is, whether the prey is pre-killed or alive. For captive snakes, it is advisable to feed them pre-killed prey. A live prey can inflict serious wounds on a snake in self defense.

Also if the pet snake does not kill the live prey immediately, either from hesitation or not being hungry, the snake might end up injured. Even a small mouse can cause grave injury to a snake, especially if the mouse is trying to survive against the snake. Aside from the potential injury and harm to your snake, live prey can be fairly expensive regardless of whether it is bought or raised at home. Frozen prey can be bought at pet stores and stocked at home, making it easier to have prey on hand at all times. You need to completely thaw and slightly warm the frozen prey before feeding. Defrost the prey in cold water and not at room temperature. Hold the prey with long tongs and dangle the prey to entice the snake to take the prey. Try dipping the prey in chicken broth to help stimulate the appetite of the snake.

It is recommended that the right size prey be fed to the snake. The preys are not dressed nor chopped. Measure the widest part of its body and match the measurements to the circumference of the prey to get the right size prey. As your snake grows, the measurements have to be taken regularly to fit the correct size of prey. The preys may also change from small to bigger creatures, based on the size of the prey required for the snake. The snake has unique jaws that allow them to swallow prey that is larger than their head.  However, the snake might have difficulty digesting overly large prey, resulting in regurgitation. There is no harm on the part of the snake since they will just spit it out after, but it will hurt your wallet since that is considered a waste of money. Take some extra effort to ensure the size of the prey is properly matched to the capacity and capability of the snake.

Having a pet snake is a unique experience and if your children want to try taking care of one, why not try giving them one as a birthday or Christmas gift? However, there are certain behavior patterns and characteristics that every family member should be acquainted with before you bring the snake into the household. Whether it is Christmas or some other festive holiday, a pet snake is unique and makes a good gift provided the recipient knows how to take care of them.

Snakes are dynamic, sneaky, lovable, and adorable but they can be dangerous if you are not familiar with their habits and behavior. Snakes are cold blooded and as such, require more care than hot blooded creatures. Some snakes have a habit of sliding sideways and can become quite dangerous for everyone around the area. The more common pet snakes are corn snake and the ball python.

There are two kinds of snakes in terms of activity. The restless kind requires large enclosures to move around comfortably while the inactive species normally stays still, lies down and hibernates. Although snakes may display general characteristics and habits, it cannot be assumed that snakes act the same all the time. The regimen of captive care might differ for different individuals. For instance, a reticulated python may act differently from another and two Black Racers may have different reactions for the same action.

Each home has a different atmosphere and environment which may make it better suited for particular snakes. Knowing their species will help you identify the ideal type of snake for your home. Don’t learn by experience or on a trial and error basis as mistakes might result in serious injury and harm to you and to the snake. Take time to read material on the care and maintenance of snakes, and seek advice from authoritative sources and experienced professionals.

Take into consideration the child’s ability to take responsibility to care for pets. Many children get bored and lose interest after some time, resulting in the parents having to take charge of the pet. Other children do not understand the love and affection they should indulge on the pet and might treat the pet in a rough and unruly manner, causing injury to the pet. A pet snake is similar to other pets and should be cared for in a loving way.

For starters, you might opt for a snake that feeds on eggs rather than dead rodents. Exposing your child to the feeding habits of a snake should be done slowly. You should educate the child to have them understand that pets are capable of eating other animals, dead or alive.

Temperature is critical to the survival of the snake. Snakes take their heat from sunlight and stay cool by going into cool areas. Keeping a constant temperature in their enclosure will ensure their comfort and enhance their digestive system. The recommended temperature is about 30 degree Celsius. Some people take the opportunity to breed snakes at the same time. It can be profitable and help pay for the maintenance costs.

Although it may be nice to surprise the children and come home one day with a pet snake, it is advisable to discuss it first with your children and other family members. You might be the one surprised when you find out no one is interested in having a pet snake in the house, even if it is in an enclosed cage. Snakes can live up to 50 years of age and having a pet snake can mean a lifelong commitment and a long term relationship. A pet snake can be a good gift, provided the recipients are aware of the gift and are amenable to maintaining a pet snake.  They may even want to choose their type of pet snake.

A pet snake is a unique exotic pet that requires careful handling and maintenance. In some ways, it is no different from the care and handling provided to other animals, although some consideration should be given due to the delicate nature of the creature.  It may seem exceptional because of the type of pet you plan to have – a pet snake.

One important aspect is the temperature which should be consistent with the natural habitat of the snake, which is between 25 to 30 degrees centigrade. Depending on the size of the enclosure, you might need several thermometers strategically located around the cage, so you can monitor the temperature closely. If your enclosure is outdoors and fairly large, be sure it is positioned in such a way that part of the cage has sunlight while the other areas remain shaded. This will help the snake move around with ease and position themselves comfortably.  Because snakes are cold blooded reptiles they get their heat or coolness from the external atmosphere.

Be critical about the consistency of the temperature since any deviation from the acceptable range could make your snake refuse to eat. The cage should be well ventilated, easy to clean and impossible for the snake to get out of. Cages can be structured from wood, plastic or pegboard. Large aquariums with small holes on the walls work well. The recommended cage size is about 12 square feet for every foot of snake, and it should be about 9 inches off the floor.

Cleanliness is essential for the snake’s health and welfare. The bedding should be changed regularly, at least once a week. Droppings should be removed from the cage more frequently. Wash the cage with a mixture of water and baking soda. This reduces the odor from the droppings. Check with professionals before using other types of disinfectants as it might be poisonous to the snake.

Put newspaper, outdoor carpets or shredded aspen along the bottom of the cage. Avoid sawdust or kitty litter since they exude ammonia and stay moist. Lighting will depend on the species of the snake. Some snakes require lighting that emits ultra-violet light for their health. Other snakes do not need lighting. Sunlight is normally sufficient for most snakes. You could have a flat stone within the cage for them to lie on and bask in the sunlight for a while.

Snakes do not eat plants and vegetables. They eat natural food; mice and rats are the most common. Be sure the food is dead because live food can pose some danger to the snakes, especially since the live prey is fighting to survive. Baby snakes have to be fed daily or at least every other day, while adult snakes can be fed once a week. Frozen food should be thawed thoroughly and you should ensure that is it is not cold. Vitamin supplements should be given to snakes, particularly adult snakes.

Be prepared for a lot of snake skin since snakes shed their skins every three months. Skin shedding takes a few minutes. If the snake fails to shed all its skin, soak the snake in a container of water equal to the temperature of the cage for at least an hour until the rest of the skin comes off. Be very careful as the snake is vulnerable at this stage.  Caring for snakes can be fun and adventurous, and it’s great having an exotic snake for a pet. It’s unique and enjoyable.