Snake Care for Pets

 

Snake Care for Pets

Ask yourself, "Why do I want a snake?" before you go to the pet store. Is it because you want to impress your buddies? Is it because you saw a killer anaconda in a popular film and want to show visitors something similar when they come over? Do you want to surprise or frighten your parents and other relatives during the holidays? Snakes are in high demand as pets due to their virtually age-old roles in mythology, folklore, religion, and, more lately, horror films and music videos. 

Unfortunately, many individuals want a snake for the wrong reasons and fail to adequately educate themselves about pet snake care before accepting a snake from a friend or purchasing one from a pet store.

A snake is neither a fashion statement nor a practical joke. Snakes are highly sensitive and, for the most part, wild animals that should only be kept as pets for the sheer enjoyment of caring for and studying them.

If you fit the description of a true snake enthusiast, you've probably already done some research. If you're still undecided about whether or not a snake is the right pet for you, read on for more information. 

Snakes, like any pets, have their own set of requirements in terms of temperature, shelter, and nutrition. The size of your snake's enclosure will, of course, be determined by the size of the snake you intend to keep.

If your snake is under 6 feet long, a fair rule of thumb is to allow 12 square feet of floor area for every foot of the snake. 34 square feet of floor space is sufficient for snakes over 6 feet in length. Snakes will spend a lot of time basking or hiding in their new environment, so they must feel safe. 

Getting an appropriately sized aquarium and securing the top with a pegboard to allow for proper ventilation is an excellent solution.

Mesh should not be utilized since a curious snake might wipe his snout on it. The furniture in a snake cage might be rather simple. Aspen shavings, reptile carpet (or Astroturf), or pea gravel can be used to line the cage's bottom. To your pet snake care list, include a hiding area, such as a pre-made "cave" or a cave you build yourself out of various sized rocks, as well as a tiny potted plant, whether fake or genuine, and a shallow dish of water for soaking. 

Snakes are cold-blooded, therefore their body temperatures are directly proportional to the ambient temperature. Snakes do not have self-contained cooling or heating systems. They simply enter and exit the heat. Maintaining a daytime temperature of 80 to 85 degrees and a nocturnal temperature of 65 to 75 degrees in your snake's tank is therefore critical.

These tasks can be made easier with the use of an adhesive thermometer and a heat lamp or cage heater placed beneath the cage. When a snake's body temperature falls below its ideal, it will generally cease feeding. 

When it comes to food, you should probably think twice about getting a snake unless you're certain you can tolerate feeding your pet live or dead mammals. Baby mice (called "pinkies") are eaten by smaller snakes, while medium to big snakes eats either pinkies or adult mice.

Larger snakes may require more substantial diets, such as newborn chicks or bunnies. It may take some time to figure out what your snake wants from his feed. Some snakes are afraid of live prey and will only eat a mouse whose neck has been broken humanely (this kills the mouse instantly). 

Some snakes like hunting and will refuse to consume food that has already been killed, while others are unconcerned. While most snakes can go weeks without food, feeding an adult snake once a week or every ten days is recommended.

To sustain their expanding bodies, baby snakes should be fed more frequently. To determine how much food to give your snake per feeding, see a specialized care guide for your snake.

Once you've determined that your reasons for wanting to buy a snake are only motivated by your love for them, use your newfound patience to spend time looking for a snake that fits your budget and personality. 

Only acquire a snake from a reliable supplier, and have either an excellent book on pet snake care or a professional snake-keeping acquaintance on hand to answer any questions you might have and guide you down the path to blissful snake ownership.