Pet Snakes

To many, snakes are calm and beautiful animals worthy of man's respect and are some of the most graceful creatures that roam the Earth. To others, they are menacing beasts that, with just a single touch of their skin, can send a person into a frenzy of distress. Snakes are different things to different people but to some, they are nothing less than great pets.

snake To keep a snake as a pet is a much larger responsibility than most people realise. It’s no secret that many snakes, particularly poisonous ones, are extremely dangerous. However, even some non-poisonous breeds can be hazardous to other pets, small children and even adults in certain situations. Some species can also grow to be extremely large and require much more care than the average person is willing to take on. Before taking on the responsibility of keeping a snake as a pet it is highly recommended that you research as much about the animal as possible, including speaking with other owners and professional handlers of the breed, if possible. Swell staff are always on hand to offer expert advice on keeping a snake as a pet.

One common type of snake that is often kept as a pet is the python. Pythons are constricting snakes in the wild and so are considered moderately to very dangerous in captivity as well. When handling these snakes, which can grow as long as eight feet or more in captivity, it is highly recommended that there is at least more than one person available as a precaution. In fact, a general rule of thumb is that one person should be present for every three to four feet of snake in length. Pythons are meat-eaters and can be fed live animals ranging in size from small rats to medium-sized rabbits. They must be kept in very secure enclosures and have adequate heat and shelter provided such as foliage and even a small tree or a multitude of branches to stretch out across. Pythons can also live a very long time - some as long as thirty or forty years – so making the decision to have one as a pet is generally a very large commitment on the part of the owner.

Another common pet snake is a boa. Boas, like pythons are not venomous and are constricting snakes as well. Also like pythons, Boas can live for a very long time. Some have a lifespan of up to thirty years or more. Though they are quite docile in nature, they can still be quite dangerous in certain situations and special care should always be taken in handling them. Boas typically prefer to be fed live animals such as rodents or other small mammals and must be fed periodically.

When looking for a healthy snake it is best to adopt your pet from a source where they were bred in captivity and not taken from the wild, as the shock to a wild-born snake suddenly locked in a cage can be detrimental to its health. Additionally, when looking at a snake to bring home as a pet, make sure that it is alert, has clear eyes, flicks its tongue, and has a firm, muscular body as these attributes indicate it is in good health.