In the beginning, God created Adam and Eve and then the snake, hey! Wait a minute, this is not about the garden of Eden is it? We are talking about how to care for your pet snake right? Ok, well snakes for most part have been given a bad rap simply because it was written that the snake tempted eve with an apple and let man sin. But aside from that bad reputation, snakes are just normal animals like any other animal and live and do regular things which all animals do. They hunt, feed, reproduce and in the end die. So there is really nothing bad about having a snake as a pet as long as you do you due diligence in caring for that pet snake.
Snakes will need the same care just as you would put in if you had a cat or dog. Even though they behave much differently and have different kind of temperament than regular mammal type pets. Remember, there are different species of snakes and before you just run to an exotic pet store and ask for a large python. Do your own research to find out much more how the snake behaved in the wild and what to expect in your home.
So what does your pet snake need to make it happy in your home? It needs to be just as comfortable or even more than living in the wild. Here are some pet snake care guidelines to buffer owning and caring for your snake.
Snakes will need the same care just as you would put in if you had a cat or dog. Even though they behave much differently and have different kind of temperament than regular mammal type pets. Remember, there are different species of snakes and before you just run to an exotic pet store and ask for a large python. Do your own research to find out much more how the snake behaved in the wild and what to expect in your home.
So what does your pet snake need to make it happy in your home? It needs to be just as comfortable or even more than living in the wild. Here are some pet snake care guidelines to buffer owning and caring for your snake.
Pet Snake Food.
What you feed your pet snake depends on the size of the snake. When snakes are in their natural habitat, they will hunt rodents, amphibians, some mammals and reptiles. So you will simply have to feed your pet snake the same things. No, you don't need to go out with your bow and arrow to go find a crocodile to feed your pet snake. Simply visit a pet store which caters for snake and other reptilian foods and you will be able to purchase prey which has been "humanely" killed and frozen for purchase.
What you feed your pet snake depends on the size of the snake. When snakes are in their natural habitat, they will hunt rodents, amphibians, some mammals and reptiles. So you will simply have to feed your pet snake the same things. No, you don't need to go out with your bow and arrow to go find a crocodile to feed your pet snake. Simply visit a pet store which caters for snake and other reptilian foods and you will be able to purchase prey which has been "humanely" killed and frozen for purchase.
- How Often Should You feed Your Snake?
Well, it all depends on the size of your snake and the size of the meal you gave it. It also depends on the age of the snake as well. Young growing snakes will need to be fed more than well grown grandpa or grandma snakes. Younger growing snakes will need to feed at least every 5-6 days until they reach a ripe age of 9-12 months. When the snakes have grown and are 3 years and older you only need to feed it once every 10 to 14 days.
- How much Food Should I Give The Snake
This may be trial and error for some snake pet owners, but you can calculate how much of little "Micky mouse" to give your snake by checking the size and age of your pet. This is done by checking the girth of your snake and giving it prey that is about 1 and a half times as big as the diameter of the snakes body.
How Often Do Snakes Require Water?
As the saying goes, "Water is Life." Ensure that your pet snake always have fresh supply of room temperature water. Remember to never give your pet snake Vodka, rum or any other alcoholic beverages. Even though your pet snake may be tough looking, it is soft on the inside. The thing about snakes and water is that snakes will decide to go lather in their drinking water bowl if it is big enough. They may also pass feces in the water. Ensure that the snakes water bowl is a transparent bowl so you can monitor the water contamination and change it as soon as anything unusual is spotted.
Note Well
Make sure that the snake water bowl is not easily toppled. Some snake pet owners have some bowls affixed to the snakes cage to allow firmness when the snake slithers in.
As the saying goes, "Water is Life." Ensure that your pet snake always have fresh supply of room temperature water. Remember to never give your pet snake Vodka, rum or any other alcoholic beverages. Even though your pet snake may be tough looking, it is soft on the inside. The thing about snakes and water is that snakes will decide to go lather in their drinking water bowl if it is big enough. They may also pass feces in the water. Ensure that the snakes water bowl is a transparent bowl so you can monitor the water contamination and change it as soon as anything unusual is spotted.
Note Well
Make sure that the snake water bowl is not easily toppled. Some snake pet owners have some bowls affixed to the snakes cage to allow firmness when the snake slithers in.
What is The Life Expectancy of Your Pet Snake?
This sometimes depends on the species of snakes. Snakes in captivity such as the corn snake tends to live from 20-30 years. While the average life expectancy for most snakes are between 15-30 years.
This sometimes depends on the species of snakes. Snakes in captivity such as the corn snake tends to live from 20-30 years. While the average life expectancy for most snakes are between 15-30 years.
Pet Snake Environment
Since you cant pick up the rain-forest of South America and place in your pocket and bring home to create a nice environment for your snake. The next best thing is to create a natural feeling environment by maintaining certain climatic temperature for your snake. You will have to maintain humidity and temperature for your beloved slithering snake. You will have to setup thermometers and a humidity gauge to ensure the right environmental temperature. You may have to also get an heat lamp to provide heating for your pet snake. If you reside in extremely dry environment. You may have to place a humidifier near the snakes tank.
Since you cant pick up the rain-forest of South America and place in your pocket and bring home to create a nice environment for your snake. The next best thing is to create a natural feeling environment by maintaining certain climatic temperature for your snake. You will have to maintain humidity and temperature for your beloved slithering snake. You will have to setup thermometers and a humidity gauge to ensure the right environmental temperature. You may have to also get an heat lamp to provide heating for your pet snake. If you reside in extremely dry environment. You may have to place a humidifier near the snakes tank.
Pet Snake Cage or Tank?
Snakes are masters of escaping. You must decide whether you are going with a cage or a Tank. If you are getting a snake cage, you must ensure that the cages are solid and of course secure. Secure that the snake does not get out and secure that it has no elements attached which may cause your pet snake harm. Snake tanks must have good ventilation else your snake will not only suffocate, but temperature control will not work properly. Snakes are selfie creatures at times and like nice dark places where they can hide away from being seen by anyone, even the owner.
Ensure that your cage or tank facilitates a nice little dark cave so the snake can go chill inside. These caves can be bought at any exotic pet store and are made from various materials such as plastic, rock and wood. Outfit your snake cage or tank with items to make your snake feel comfortable such as a tree where the snake can climb and literally hang out.
Some popular choices for securing your snake are snake terrariums or fish tanks / aquariums can be used, as long as you can secure the lid on it.
Snakes are masters of escaping. You must decide whether you are going with a cage or a Tank. If you are getting a snake cage, you must ensure that the cages are solid and of course secure. Secure that the snake does not get out and secure that it has no elements attached which may cause your pet snake harm. Snake tanks must have good ventilation else your snake will not only suffocate, but temperature control will not work properly. Snakes are selfie creatures at times and like nice dark places where they can hide away from being seen by anyone, even the owner.
Ensure that your cage or tank facilitates a nice little dark cave so the snake can go chill inside. These caves can be bought at any exotic pet store and are made from various materials such as plastic, rock and wood. Outfit your snake cage or tank with items to make your snake feel comfortable such as a tree where the snake can climb and literally hang out.
Some popular choices for securing your snake are snake terrariums or fish tanks / aquariums can be used, as long as you can secure the lid on it.
Pet Snake Grooming
Grooming? What grooming? Having a pet snake is not like having a toy dog. Your snake will groom itself by simply shedding it's old skin for a brand new one. Snakes will shed their skin for a new one at least two to four times per year. This is varied by species and age of the snake as younger growing snakes will shed more often.
Pet Snake Diseases
You may have a super pet but that doesn't mean it is immune from everything. Snakes may not be susceptible to many diseases like dogs or cats, but there are a few all snake owners must be wary of. Some conditions of pet snakes include infectious stomatitis (mouth rot), parasites, blister disease, inclusion body disease, respiratory disease, and septicemia.
How To Tell if Your Pet Snake is Ill
It may not be as easy as telling of your dog is ill. But you can judge the health of your pet snake by first understanding the characteristics of your snake. Then observe feeding and movement. If your snake is a vivid mover and suddenly becomes docile, it may need to visit the snake vet as soon as possible. Snakes that also refuse to eat are either full or ill.
Grooming? What grooming? Having a pet snake is not like having a toy dog. Your snake will groom itself by simply shedding it's old skin for a brand new one. Snakes will shed their skin for a new one at least two to four times per year. This is varied by species and age of the snake as younger growing snakes will shed more often.
Pet Snake Diseases
You may have a super pet but that doesn't mean it is immune from everything. Snakes may not be susceptible to many diseases like dogs or cats, but there are a few all snake owners must be wary of. Some conditions of pet snakes include infectious stomatitis (mouth rot), parasites, blister disease, inclusion body disease, respiratory disease, and septicemia.
How To Tell if Your Pet Snake is Ill
It may not be as easy as telling of your dog is ill. But you can judge the health of your pet snake by first understanding the characteristics of your snake. Then observe feeding and movement. If your snake is a vivid mover and suddenly becomes docile, it may need to visit the snake vet as soon as possible. Snakes that also refuse to eat are either full or ill.
Pet Snakes and Other Pets.
Snakes will be snakes. It is not good to have a pet snake roaming freely in your home while their food is also running around. So don't have an hamster eating nuts off the floor while your pet snake lurks under the chair. The results will be Hamster 0 Snake 1. Keep small pets away from large snakes.
Snakes will be snakes. It is not good to have a pet snake roaming freely in your home while their food is also running around. So don't have an hamster eating nuts off the floor while your pet snake lurks under the chair. The results will be Hamster 0 Snake 1. Keep small pets away from large snakes.