Exotic Pet Profile: Snakes

SNAKE SNIPPETS
They don’t like to cuddle and they certainly can’t play fetch, but snakes can make great pets for some people. As with any pet, owning a snake requires commitment and care. Take this short quiz to find out if you are that special person ready to have a snake slither into your life.

1. Snakes are slimy, dangerous creatures.
False. Contrary to popular belief, snakes are clean, smooth, dry-skinned animals that usually pose no danger to people. There are over 2,700 species of snakes in the world. Of these, only about 375 are venomous. In most states, it is against the law for anyone except a licensed herpetologist to keep poisonous or venomous snakes in captivity.

2. A boa constrictor makes a good pet.
True. The most common snakes kept as pets are the constrictor species (boas, pythons, rat snakes, and milk snakes) and the racer, gopher, and garter species. The best snake for a beginner is the king snake because of its gentle nature. Pet snakes should always be obtained by a pet store or breeder and not taken from the wild. When deciding on a snake, prospective owners must take into consideration the space requirements. Some species can grow up to 10 feet long.

3. Snakes require relatively little living space.
True. Because of their limited and nonexertional activity, snakes do not need a large enclosure. The size of the enclosure should allow for the inclusion of a privacy box and water source and still allow room for the snake to stretch out and move about. An aquarium is the best house for a snake because it allows the pet owner to see the snake, and the glass or plexiglass helps maintain the required temperature and humidity level. Like Houdini, many snakes are able to slither out of apparently secure enclosures, so any snake enclosure must have a secure top and be escape-proof.

4. Snakes will eat anything.
False. All snakes are carnivores and consume a variety of items, including rodents, birds, frogs, and other reptiles. Snakes eat their food whole and are able to consume food three times larger than the diameter of their head because their lower jaw can separate from their upper jaw.

Because frightened prey may attack, pet snakes should be fed dead or incapacitated prey whenever possible to avoid injury to the snake. Therefore, pet owners must be comfortable with keeping dead animals in their freezer for feeding time. Most snakes need to be fed only once every 1 to 2 weeks, and water should be available at all times. Food can be purchased through a reptile veterinarian or reptile supply store.

5. Pet snakes require little care.
False. Although snakes don’t run around the yard and play like dogs and cats, they still require a great deal of commitment from their owners. Snakes have unique dietary, housing, and veterinary needs and should be kept only by people who are committed to understanding and meeting those needs. Many snakes also live a long time—10 to 40 years—so commitment to long-term care is necessary.

6. Snakes need regular veterinary care just like other pets.
True. A thorough veterinary evaluation of any new snake is recommended. Newly acquired snakes often have one or more health problems, such as malnutrition. It is also important for pet snakes to undergo yearly routine veterinary exams for disease prevention.