| If you have ever considered keeping a snake as a | | | | as much as you can about the captive requirements |
| pet, this article is for you. I've been keeping and | | | | for that species. What kind of temperatures does it |
| researching these amazing animals for more than 20 | | | | need? How big of a cage do you need, and what |
| years now, so I'm happy to explain the key factors | | | | should be included inside the cage? How often does it |
| of snake care. Follow the advice below, and you'll be | | | | need to be fed? These are questions you must |
| more successful as a snake keeper -- and your pet | | | | answer before you bring the animal home, because it |
| will be healthier as well. | | | | will depend on you from day one. |
| 1. Select the Right Species | | | | 3. Provide the Right Environment |
| This is an important consideration that many people | | | | Next, take everything you learn from step #2 |
| gloss over. They choose an animal they think is | | | | above, and put it into practice. Create the kind of |
| "cool," and then they learn about it after they've | | | | enclosure / habitat that meets your snake's needs. |
| already brought it home. This is backward. You need | | | | Again, you should do this before bringing your new |
| to begin this process by choosing a snake that will | | | | pet home. |
| make a good pet. Some species are hard to care for | | | | Keep in mind that snakes do not show emotion like |
| and should be kept only by advanced keepers with | | | | dogs and cats do. They cannot howl or cry when |
| years of experience. Other species are much easier | | | | they are uncomfortable. They really have only one |
| to care for, and therefore make excellent "starter | | | | expression, and it's the one they always wear. So if |
| snakes." | | | | their environmental needs are not met, they will |
| If this will be your first pet snake, I recommend | | | | suffer in silence. You must prevent this. You must do |
| starting out with one of the species that are easiest | | | | thorough research to find out what your snake |
| to care for. I would put several into category, | | | | needs, and then you must provide it. |
| including the corn snake, the kingsnakes, and the | | | | You'll be happy to know that there are plenty of |
| various types of milksnakes. All of these species do | | | | great products to help you in this area. The reptile |
| well in captivity, and if there basic needs are met | | | | industry has come a long way over the last ten |
| they'll live a long time. They are also widely varied in | | | | years or so. As a result, the caging, heating and |
| appearance, and some are beautifully colored. | | | | lighting systems on the market today make snake |
| For the first-time keeper, I recommend avoiding | | | | care easier than ever. Do an Internet search for |
| snakes that are too large (like the Burmese python) | | | | "reptile supplies" and check out some of the big |
| or those that require specialized care (such as some | | | | websites that are online today. They offer |
| of the arboreal snakes). Leave those to the more | | | | everything you might need to create a healthy |
| advanced keepers. | | | | environment for your pet. |
| 2. Research the Snake's Requirements | | | | I hope this article helps you prepare for your |
| So now you've chosen a species you want to keep. | | | | snake-keeping journey, and I urge you to visit my |
| What next? Well, you've got some homework to do. | | | | informative blog (listed below) for more care tips and |
| To be a responsible keeper, and to provide the best | | | | advice. |
| possible care for your pet snake, you need to learn | | | | |