Pet Snakes Part 1—So You Want an Awesome Pet Snake

 So, like many snake enthusiasts, I want a snake as a pet. I’ve wanted one since I was in third grade (I settled for a puppy). I have since then done a lot of research into snake ownership.

 Why snakes? Well, as PetSmart’s page on snakes will tell you: 

           ·         They're fascinating to learn about

             ·         They tend to be quite docile

             ·         They're easy to care for

             ·         They come in a beautiful and vast array of striking colors and patterns 

             ·         Snakes are associated with minimal odor

The first thing to consider about owning a snake is that snakes are classed as exotic animals. They are not domesticated and many require a license to own. Before choosing a snake at all, you need to make sure that you are qualified to own one and that it’s okay to have one in your living arrangement. For example, my mother has stated I will not own a snake under her roof and if I ever get one she will hesitate to visit me.

 After considering if having a snake is a possibility, one must see if it is probable that they can take care of it. Snakes can live over twenty years, will require food (frozen and pre-killed is best, but that means donated freezer space for your pet), and must be kept securely in a large enough space. For most snakes that means a terrarium, but for the larger ones it can mean they may eventually need their own room.

 As noted in About.com’s Exotic Pets section, larger snakes and venomous snakes should not be kept as pets. They are more dangerous and require a lot of experience to be kept safely—and usually a harder-to-obtain license to be kept legally.

 PetSmart’s website has a very helpful tool for choosing reptiles as pets that take into account the owner’s experience with such animals, the size it will grow to, its preferred climate, how long it will likely live, and other such notes. All of these are very important for taking care of your snake.

The best bet for acquiring a snake would be to buy a captive-bred one, instead of one caught in the wild. Snakes that have been bred in captivity, while not domesticated by any means, are usually calmer and less prone to stress.

The three most typical beginner snakes are the Corn Snake (often available in specially bred colors), the Ball Python (also known as a Royal Python and one of the most commonly bred) and King and Milk snakes (non-venomous, tend to stay smaller than other snakes). These breeds are typically the most docile and the most available to the average pet owner. The (About.Com page) has links to the specific care of each species, but tomorrow’s post here will have tips about general snake care and handling.

Next Post: Pet Snakes Part 2—Keeping Your Awesome Pet Snake