Snakes can turn out to be wonderful pets; they are interesting to observe and require relatively infrequent care. There are many ways to interact and have fun with these reptiles, but it is important to keep in mind that they are not very sociable creatures, so you cannot play with them as you would a little dog. However, in this article you can find some tips for spending a pleasant time with your pet snake.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Playing with the Snake
Step 1. Give him room to move
Snakes are not very social animals and most of the specimens prefer to be left alone; they do not always enjoy the company of humans or other creatures. However, there are some ways to interact constructively.
- Most snakes love to move; So make sure your specimen has room to do so.
- The older ones are also good swimmers; if possible insert a small pool (for example the one for children) in the terrarium.
- Climbing is another activity in which snakes are very skilled; Consider adding a post or artificial tree to your home.
- It is not necessary that you have constant access to these facilities; however, your crawling friend appreciates being able to get out of the terrarium and move around the house a couple of times a week.
Step 2. Find the best toys
These animals don't need expensive items to have fun, but one of the activities they love the most is wrapping themselves around a long element; you can look for suitable material in the garden or in the park.
- The size of the branch to be taken depends on the size of the snake; remember that these creatures like to wrap themselves around objects.
- Look for a stick or branch at least 30 cm long, or even longer if the reptile is large; make sure it is strong enough to support the weight of the animal.
- You can allow the snake to play even when you are not there; look for a small log to put in the terrarium, your friend will surely appreciate it.
Step 3. Play "hide and seek"
Snakes love this game, although they usually only engage in hiding. It is normal to want to spend quality time with your pet, but keep in mind that the snake must appreciate it too; choose a suitable place for these recreational activities.
- Most reptiles don't like being surrounded by many people; even if you want to show your pet to friends, remember that it is not a pleasant time for him and that he does not feel comfortable either.
- Choose a quiet room to spend a few hours with the reptile; some specimens like to play "hide and seek".
- If there is a safe room in the house, let the animal roam around in peace; he will surely find a place to hide, for example behind a piece of furniture, and later you can play find him.
- Make sure there are no escape routes; you certainly don't want to lose it while playing.
Step 4. Watch their reactions
Each snake has its own personality, there are things it likes and others it doesn't like, just like people do. Learn about her character and body language to see if you are both enjoying each other's company.
- Keep in mind that most of these reptiles don't like being touched; your snake may enjoy playing alone more.
- If you have decided to spend some playful moments with him, pay attention to his mood; if it looks uncomfortable, put it back in the terrarium.
- If it suddenly reaches out towards you, it is a warning sign; you should give it some space.
- The hisses are another clue that you should leave him alone; in this case, respect your needs.
Method 2 of 3: Ensure Your Safety and that of the Snake
Step 1. Choose the right pet
When you decide to keep a snake as a pet, it's important to find the right snake for you. There are many strains that turn out to be excellent "cold-blooded friends"; evaluate your priorities when choosing your pet.
- The bigger the reptile, the more space it needs; if you have a small room, opt for a small breed breed.
- If you are an experienced ophiologist, you should opt for an easy-to-manage animal; don't buy a big one with a bad character.
- Wheat snakes are the most common domestic snakes; they typically do not exceed 1.8m in length and are quite peaceful.
- Those that are part of the genus Lampropeltis are also a great choice, as they adapt well to life in captivity.
Step 2. Teach your children to play with the animal
If you have decided to get a snake, it is important that every member of the family knows how to care for and interact with it. It is worth teaching children how to handle it to ensure their safety when playing with the animal.
- Remind them that the snake is not a toy - it is a living creature and must be treated with respect.
- Pets are perfect for children to learn a sense of responsibility; use the moments when you feed the snake to teach them the importance of sticking to a routine.
- Reptiles don't need a lot of care, making them excellent pets for children; they have no hair or fur to collect and should not be taken for a walk.
- If you have children, consider getting a corn snake or royal python; if they bite, the injury would not be serious.
Step 3. Respect the hibernation period
The main task you need to perform when caring for a pet snake is to meet its physical needs; some specimens need to spend periods of hibernation regularly, generally in winter.
- Provide him with the right place for this stage; make the room cool and dark.
- If it is hibernating, do not handle it; it is not the right time to play with him.
- Leave him alone and undisturbed for most of this period; the duration of hibernation depends on the breed of the animal. Just remember to check it every now and then and provide it with fresh water.
Step 4. Touch it carefully
Most reptiles don't like being handled regularly, but if you gradually touch it to get used to it, it may eventually even accept physical contact with you; but remember to use the correct technique.
- Hold it firmly but gently; make sure you support almost the whole body.
- In most cases, the snake tolerates being held, but that doesn't mean it likes it; when it resists or struggles it makes you realize that it is time to put it back in the terrarium.
- Don't grab it for 48 hours after a meal; it needs time to digest food.
- If you have moved him to a new environment, give him time to adapt; avoid touching it for 5-7 days.
Method 3 of 3: Caring for the Snake
Step 1. Provide a suitable "home"
The snake must feel comfortable to be happy and stay healthy; clean your terrarium regularly and make sure it is the right size for your reptile species.
- Small specimens, such as the garter snake, can live well in a 40-80 liter container, while those belonging to the genus of Lampropeltis need a 120-220 liter house.
- If you have decided to get a large specimen, such as a python or a constricting boa, you need to purchase a custom terrarium; these animals get very large and normal pet shops cannot provide you with a suitable container.
- Get a log in which the reptile can hide; an artificial product is fine as well as a real piece of tree.
Step 2. Monitor the temperature
Snakes, like all reptiles, must live in an environment with the optimal temperature, because they are not able to regulate their body heat as mammals do; for this reason they need an external heat source.
- The best temperature depends on the type of animal; for example, the wheat snake should stay at 23-28 ° C, while a royal python likes to bask in areas with a temperature of 31-35 ° C.
- Provide more than one source of heat. Consider using a heat lamp and a mat to place under the terrarium. both are available in pet stores.
- You can use a thermostat to adjust this parameter; make sure that all heating equipment is always in perfect condition.
Step 3. Feed him well
Snakes can live in captivity and it is easy to meet their nutritional needs; the diet of most of these reptiles consists of insects and rodents.
- It is worth offering them dead prey; you can buy frozen mice at most pet stores and keep them on hand. Remember to thaw them completely before giving them to the snake.
- If you have a corn snake, you should feed it once every 10 days; if he doesn't eat within 10-15 minutes of offering him the food, remove the food from the terrarium, because it means the snake is not hungry.
- A royal python eats every 10-14 days, so don't worry if they refuse a meal or two; this is completely normal behavior.
- These animals rarely drink, but it is important to keep fresh water in the terrarium; snakes need moisture to maintain healthy skin.
Advice
- Ask an experienced snake owner to teach you how to care for the animal.
- If the snake doesn't want to play, don't make it personal; most of these reptiles love to be alone.
- Always proceed with extreme caution when handling these animals.
- Think long term; some snakes (such as the royal python) can live even more than 20 years and reach 1.5 m in length; caring for these animals can become very expensive as they grow. Do you have enough money to meet all the needs of a snake for more than 10 years? Do you have time to dedicate to it?
