How to Select a Pet Snake

If something furry isn't your idea of a fun pet but something scaly is, then a pet snake might be what you're looking for. There are several species of snakes that make good pets and learning more about them will help you decide which to select. By considering the adult size, overall needs and any special or unique handling and care issues required for each species, you can make an educated selection on which would best suit you.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Reptile terrarium
• Appropriate environment
• Food
• Proper light, heat and humidity

1. Talk to a local pet shop or snake breeder to learn about the different species they have available for sale. Find out what kind of housing and nutritional requirements they have and especially how big they are going to get. If you're choosing a pet snake for a child, you may not want to buy a large constrictor species that they won't be able to pick up. Also, a large terrarium is required for these snakes and you may not have enough space to accommodate the appropriate housing.

2. Speak with a local veterinarian who specializes in reptiles to learn more about the responsibilities of owning varies species of snakes. You can also find this information online posted by veterinarians, such as the "Talk to the Vet" and "Exotic Pet Vet" websites. Talking to a local vet will also allow you to locate someone who is willing to care for your pet snake's medical needs.

3. Learn the dietary needs of the different species of snakes. These needs vary quite a bit between species and you may not want to select a pet snake that requires live meals, which can be traumatic, especially for young children. Train your snake to eat dead prey that you can keep frozen and thaw when needed. This is easier for people because they won't be hearing the frantic screams of a mouse, rat or rabbit (if it's a really large snake) and will eliminate the possibly of the snake being injured by the frightened animal.

4. Find out if the species of snake you are considering is endangered or protected. These snakes can only be kept by zoos or herpetologists with special permits. You should also make sure the snake is not a venomous species, which should never be considered for a pet.

5. Research each species temperament. This can also vary among species and have a big impact on your decision. If the snake will always be enclosed and never handled, then this isn't as important; however, if you want a snake that can be picked up and played with, then it's necessary to know how the pet snake will react to this kind of attention. Some of the larger pythons are unpredictable and can become aggressive during feeding.

6. Observe the pet snake you are thinking about selecting for a period of time to determine if it's healthy. Ask to visit the snake during feeding time to see if it's easy to feed and eats on a regular basis. A snake that eats sporadically may have health issues that aren't visible and can't be nursed back to health.

7. Visit a person who already has a pet snake of the same species you're considering to glean further information about the ease or difficulty in raising this particular type of snake. Talk to someone who's had his pet snake for some time, not someone who's just recently acquired it.

Tips & Warnings

• The most common snake species, especially for children, include corn snakes, rat snakes, king snakes, milk snakes and captive-bred ball pythons. Boa constrictors, which are a popular breed, get quite large, so take both their size and constricting instincts into consideration.
• Snakes can vary in length between just a few inches to as large as several yards. You don't want to purchase a tiny baby snake and learn after the fact that it's going to grow so large that it will take up more space than is available or will be hard to handle.
• Pet snake environments will vary depending on the species. You will need to keep the lighting, humidity and temperature in the terrarium to the specifications required for your snake's needs.
• It's usually better to purchase a snake from a breeder instead of a pet shop, unless the shop can provide specific details about the breeder and the snake you are purchasing.
• Most wild adult snakes can never be tamed and don't make good pets. Some species, such as anacondas, are very rarely suitable as pets because they naturally have a bad temperament, which is made worse in captivity.
• Snakes can potentially spread salmonella, although the risk of infection is minimal, except in those with compromised immune systems. Use proper hand-washing techniques after handling your pet snake every time to eliminate the germs that cause this disease.

Resources

• Veterinarian Advice
• Exotic Pet Vet Advice
• Snake Care Info
• Snake Enthusiast website