| When people think of pets, most of the time | | | | |
| "furry" and "cuddly" are adjectives that come | | | | The enclosure, or cage, for the snake needs |
| to mind. For the owners of pet snakes, | | | | to be first of all escape proof. Snakes are |
| however, these words don't really fit. Still, | | | | escape artists, and don't need a very big |
| snakes make interesting pets, and can even be | | | | opening in order to find a way out. The cage |
| lovable - in their own way. | | | | also has to have a source of heat. Because |
| | | | they are cold blooded, snakes must have a |
| Choosing to own a pet snake should not be a | | | | variety of temperatures to choose from. This |
| snap decision. Snakes can grow large, eat a | | | | is how they regulate their body heat. For |
| lot, and require very specific conditions for | | | | best results, the enclosure should be heated |
| staying healthy. Some varieties can even be | | | | on one side only and thermometers used on |
| dangerous to humans. Providing for their | | | | both ends. Each snake species has specific |
| needs can be quite expensive. To top it all | | | | needs in terms of heat, and you should find |
| off, snakes tend to have a long lifespan. For | | | | out these needs before getting a snake. |
| the sake of the snake, don't buy one without | | | | |
| being sure you are ready to make the | | | | Other needs include a bowl of water, several |
| commitment. | | | | places to hide, and a floor lining. If you?re |
| | | | on a tight budget, newspaper works well for |
| All snakes are meat-eaters. Many snake owners | | | | most snake varieties. It can easily be |
| keep live mice or rats, which multiply | | | | replaced when soiled. The water should be |
| rapidly, as food for their snakes. It is | | | | kept clean, too. Any wastes or uneaten food |
| recommended that snakes be fed pre-killed | | | | should be removed quickly. The cage should be |
| prey animals instead of live ones. Especially | | | | thoroughly cleaned and disinfected about once |
| if the snake is not real hungry, a live prey | | | | a month. |
| animal can inflict injuries to the snake. | | | | |
| Many snake enthusiasts order frozen mice for | | | | Keeping a pet snake is a responsibility that |
| their snakes. Others raise mice and kill them | | | | can also be an adventure. If you are a |
| as needed to feed their snakes. | | | | beginner, you should start with one of the |
| | | | easier snakes to keep. Do a little research, |
| The good part of feeding a snake is that most | | | | and you will find out that pet snake breeds |
| shouldn't be fed more often than once a week | | | | are generally rated according to how hard |
| and some can go for several weeks between | | | | they are to keep. In time, you will learn the |
| feedings. The reason is that they don't have | | | | ins and outs of snake keeping, and can expand |
| to expend any energy creating their own body | | | | your collection to include some of the more |
| heat. In fact, if the cage is not warm | | | | exotic types. |
| enough, a snake can't even digest its food. | | | | |