So, if
you’ve made your mind about having a pet snake, and you know what breed you
want, here’s the next step: preparing your home and giving the snake somewhere
to live and be happy.
Food:
Lots of
people will tell you to feed your snakes live prey. This is a bad idea for
several reasons.
1. The prey can fight back, and may harm
the snake (especially if it’s prey with claws or teeth)
2. The snake is in an enclosed area, so
if they prey starts to overpower it there’s nowhere for it to hide
3. Live prey is hard to keep, whereas
freeze-dried prey can be kept in a freezer and simply be reheated
So, whenever you can, go for
pre-killed prey at the very least, frozen if you want to buy in bulk. Ask pet
store employees for advice!
Habitats:
Snakes have several needs in their habitats.
The average pet snake will require all of the following:
- A terrarium of appropriate size made thoroughly escape-proof
- Controlled temperatures, usually via a basking lamp and checked with a thermometer
- A mister if the snake requires humidity
- A water dish, cleaned daily
- Somewhere to hide
That last
one my strike you as odd since you want to see your snake, but remember, snakes are
solitary creatures, and they need their privacy or else they’ll get very
stressed. Also, if for some reason you are keeping a very large snake (do not do so
without experience/permits), it may eventually need a room to itself that is
also escape-proof
Healthcare
Your snake
needs it health looked after like any pet. According to PetSmart, here are the
key things to check:
Signs
of a Healthy Snake
- Consistent behavior
- Clear, alert eyes (except during shedding)
- Good body condition
- Regular shedding during growth
- Eating and drinking with regular frequency
- Well-formed stool 2-3 days after feeding
Things
to Watch For
- Runny stool or red streaks in the stool
- Sudden changes in behavior
- Eating or drinking less; weight loss
- Discharge from the nose or mouth
- Difficulty shedding; discolored skin or patches of skin or eye caps remaining after shed
If you
notice problems, go to a vet.
Next week: Popular
Culture Acknowledges the Awesome Snake
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