Things You'll Need:
- Time, desire to learn, patience, anywhere from $100-$300 dollars
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Step 1
Decide if a snake is right for you. If you are thinking you would like a snake because it would be cool, or because it would represent your alternative lifestyle or image, a snake probably isn't going to be for you. Only purchase a snake if you have a genuine interest in snakes, you like to read about them, and you understand they aren't going to offer companionship. To many people lose interest in their pet reptiles because they don't know what to expect. Snakes can be a rewarding pet to many people, and if you find yourself reading about their natural history, natural environments, etc. you will probably enjoy having them around.
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Step 2
If you still want a snake, what kind do you want? Do some research and take into consideration your needs, wants, and what you can give. Do you like large, thick snakes like Ball Pythons? Do you like smaller snakes like cornsnakes? I wouldn't recommend getting anything larger than maybe a Ball Python for the beginner. Do your research. Many snakes such as Ball Pythons, Kingsnakes, Cornsnakes, Western Hognose, Milk Snakes, and others make good snakes for beginners. How much room do you have to keep a snake? Snakes aren't all alike and need different temperatures to survive.
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Step 3
So you have decided to get a snake and decided what kind you would like. First thing is to get it a place to live. You might think that bigger is better, but this isn't always the case. Snakes like to feel secure and need to have lots of places to hide. If you are getting a colubrid (and you should know what this is if you've done your research) most will probably be ok to start out in a 10 or 20 long gallon tank. You will also need to get a locking tank lid, this is very important because snakes are escape artists. You might even put books over top to keep it secured. The next very important step is to get a heating source. Snakes are ectothermic (cold blooded) and need heat to regulate their temperatures. An undertank heating pad is ideal and can be purchased at a pet store or online. Don't ever use heat rocks. They get way too hot. You can also use a lamp for a photoperiod and heating. Most colubrids do well with a high temp of about 87ish and a low side about 10 degrees cooler. Most boas or pythons are a few degrees hotter. This leads to the thermal gradient. You don't want the tank to be the same temperature throughout, so one side should be heated, the other not, this way the snake can regulate its own temperature. Inside you will want a substrate for the bottom of the cage. I have gone back and forth between newspaper and aspen, and usually prefer aspen. It is a little more aesthetic, it absorbs smells, it is easy to clean. Newspaper doesn't quite look as well and probably needs to be cleaned more often, but it is very easy and cheap. You will also want to provide hide spots throughout the enclosure, these can be cheap items such as frozen food boxes, shoe boxes, yogurt or cottage cheese cups, just be imaginative. You can pay more for more decorative hides but that is your choice. Just make sure there is at least one hide on the hot and cool side. By a thermometer and hydrometer to measure temperature and humidity. A point and click thermometer is great for this, or you can go the cheaper route and get the sticky kind to stick on the tank. You will also want to provide a dish for water. This is for drinking as well as soaking, so make sure the snake can get in it if desired.
There are other methods other than aquariums but I'll just explain this route for now, as it is one of the most common. -
Step 4
I think you are ready to purchase a snake now. I would recommend finding a private breeder. They can give you much better advice and information than can a pet store, and at a better price. A pet store is probably going to try to sell you stuff you don't need as well. Most cities in the United States probably have some sort of reptile shows or conventions monthly where you can buy reptiles. I might also suggest you checking online, and herpetological societies for breeders and information too.
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Step 5
After you have your snake, give it time to get used to its new home, probably at least two days before you bother it. General snake maintenance requires providing fresh water, adequate food (ie rodents) about one a week to ten days for younger snakes, and keeping the enclosure clean. Most of all enjoy your new pet and continue your research!
Comments
elevate said
on 2/22/2009 Very good information, as Jlr1989 has mentioned. Valuable to any would-be snake owners out there. I myself have been thinking of getting a snake, and I absolutely love them to bits. But this has made me reconsider a bit. Anyway, an awesome article.
Jlr1989 said
on 12/27/2008 this is some good information. you've been recommended!