Interestingly, although a snake has no ears, its tongue is highly attuned to sound vibrations. So by flicking its tongue, a snake is able to "hear".
Snakes are fascinating creatures but just like any other pet you buy, you need to really think about certain facts before you head to the pet store and impulsively buy one!
| Species You should first do some research at your local library on the different species of snakes so that you can best decide which one is right for you. Unlike lizards, it can be very difficult for a first time buyer to recognize the different types of snakes and tell them apart. They will all look about the same to you other than their size and color. A good book on snake breeds should be able to show you pictures of the different species and you then can find out from your pet store what the availability and cost will be. Here are some things you should think about when you decide to purchase a snake for a pet. Cost Maintenance Time
Snakes don't rely on much human interaction, and they in fact don't normally welcome it either. Most snakes are quite happy to be left alone in their "homes". They do need to be fed at certain times during the week however. Most only need to be fed once a week. They do need their "homes" cleaned daily when they are dirty. They will also need regular observation to keep an eye out for any health problems that may arise. There are other things to consider as well. How much space can you allow for it and will your "significant others" readily accept a snake for a pet. Will your landlord be happy with it if you live in an apartment? They may accept a small snake like a corn or a milk snake, but any larger snakes, they can range from six feet to twelve feet in size, may intimidate some folks. |
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Commitment
Comparing a snake with the same sized mammal pets such as rabbits, hamsters or gerbils, etc, snakes usually have long lives. The shortest life span of a snake is about three years, but usually a snake will live for ten years or more sometimes even twenty or more. People's circumstances change so be aware that the commitment you make to a pet snake. It is just as serious as if you were buying a puppy. Also, although you might be able to transfer ownership of a snake to another person, please be aware that today there are already too many giant pythons, whose owners couldn't keep them any more and couldn't find anyone else who wanted them, languishing in animal sanctuaries!
Advantages of Snake Ownership
A snake doesn't need a lot of room usually.
He won't scratch or chew the furniture.
He won't smell.
He won't eat a lot.
He doesn't need a daily walk!
He can be left alone for a few days.
He won't make any noise.
Please take note that the "no smell" and feeding points listed above don't apply to large pythons so you should probably avoid these as your first purchase.
Corn Snake Care Sheet
If you really want a pet snake and you have other types of snakes but not corns, this is an ideal snake. They are enjoyable and are a lot of fun to have and they're also very attractive!. They come in many different colors. They are fairly easy to keep as well. They are very docile, inexpensive and easy to obtain in pet stores, the classified ads or from a breeder who raises and sells these wonderful snakes.
Size
Corn snakes begin life as tiny hatchlings that are about eight inches to thirteen inches long. When fed a proper diet, your corn snake will shed his skin about once a month and it will grow back again right before your eyes! Adult corns grow to be about 2 1/2 to 4 feet long and approximately the diameter of a quarter dollar. There are quite a few color variations and they are very beautiful snakes!. They are also known to be an extremely friendly.
Prices
A corn snake can cost anywhere between $10.00 and $300.00. Most of them can be purchased for around $30.00. They vary on price based on their color and age. The rarer colors being the most costly. A very young corn snake or hatchling is generally very inexpensive but an adult (or breeder) will be cost somewhat more since it has already been raised.
Signs To Look For
Nearly always, the corn snake you will be looking at will be captive born therefore eliminating many of the disease and parasite-related problems. He should be alert, with clear eyes (unless he is starting a shed cycle, a stage when the eyes turn a hazy blue). He should have no cuts and he should not be missing any scales. His belly should be shiny with the scales laying flat, the vent (under where the tail starts to taper) should be clean and free of any crusted fecal matter.
Ask if you can hold the snake, if the seller won't allow you to, then don't buy it. The snake should not be limp and should seem alert and curious about what is happening. When considering a young corn snake it's important to know if he is feeding well. They can be very poor eaters sometimes when they are babies. If the seller will allow it, ask to see the baby feed and ask for his feeding records or maybe it will have a small protrusion in the belly area from a recent feeding. Baby snakes are often priced very inexpensively if they are known to be poor feeders but unless you have experience dealing with a problem baby such as that then by all means don't purchase that snake. It would take lots of experience and patience to work with a snake like this and often the outcome is heartbreaking when the snake still will not feed and the baby does not survive.
If you like a certain snake, ask if it is male or female. Breeders usually have them marked, (there is a system used for this purpose, 1.0 means a male, 0.1 means a female 0.0.1 means unsexed individuals) or they will check for you. Both sexes are just as friendly and calm. You may even decide to get one of each. After several years you can attempt to breed them!
Maintenance
Corn snakes are best kept individually and they can be housed in many different ways. You could put your snake in a 20 gallon tank and lay newspaper or down as substrate but always clean your cage as soon as possible when it becomes soiled. You can make a hide box, add some climbing branches and always have a dish of fresh clean water available. Put a human heating pad under one-third of the tank set on low. Temperature ranges should be between 75 degrees on the cool side to 85 degrees on the warm side. This will give your snake an alternative of where he wants to be. You will need some type of lid for the tank with holes in it. These holes should be small enough that your snake can't crawl through but large enough to give the snake fresh air.
Feeding
A normal corn eats a lot! They could begin their meal with newborn mice and work their way up to adult mice. Feed them the same size prey as the width of their mid body. Never feed your snake oversized items, your snake will regurgitate them and this may cause him an injury! You should always feed your snake pre-killed rodents. You can feed him once a week. Overfeeding your snake can cause some serious health risks. You can buy frozen rodents in large quantity to thaw, warm up and feed to your snake as needed. If you feed your snake a live mouse it can quickly bite and seriously hurt your corn snake!
Conclusion:
Oh the whole, a corn snake is a great pet. It is of medium size and has a very friendly personality! The above are just some of the basics regarding corn snakes so read as much as you can find on a snake's daily care before you go out and buy one. Maybe even buy a book. You will find it very helpful in caring for your new snake.
Important
One more important thing to remember is to wash your hands after you have handled a snake or you've been cleaning the cage out to prevent the risk of getting Salmonella!
A Loose Snake
If your snake escapes his enclosure, you can spend hours searching!
You know he/she is the house somewhere.
A lot of snakes like to escape at night because they know we're sleeping. Some snakes like to check things out when we're at work.
Do you have any other pets, that might want a snake snack? If so, put all other pets in a safe place!
Check behind their home, then on the floor, and all along the baseboards, etc. If your snake is not there, check your curtain rods, bookcases (in behind your books), cabinets, etc.
If you have no luck then it's time to get out some tools. Get a flashlight, a yardstick an a hand-held mirror.
Start with the flash light. If you still can't find him, probe gently with the yardstick.
Check behind and under every piece of furniture and the kitchen appliances, etc. Pull out the cushions of your sofa and chairs. If you have a hide-a-bed, don't open it! He might be wrapped up in it. Check all of your furniture that might be ripped, like the underside of box springs. Check out the closet. Check each box, bag, or basket, etc that might be in there. Check all of your trash cans.
Check under and all around your dishwasher if you have one, even check in the access panel, check the oven in the bottom and the washer and dryer area. If there are any holes leading to the outside, check around the house or apartment. Even check the toilet and in the bathroom fixtures.
Leave his enclosure open. He may go back on his own.
Take some corn starch and sprinkle a thick strip across each doorway. You can tell in the morning whether or not he has crossed from one room to another. This way, hopefully you can see where he was heading.
Get a box that you can close and seal. Cut a hole that is just big enough for him to slither in. Cut some very small holes in all four sides of it to let the ripe aroma of a snack escape, then put his favorite food inside. Something like a nice warm dead mouse, or rat.
After All This, Leave If It's Daytime Or Go To Bed If It's At Night
If everything works out as expected, your snake will slither in and eat the snack then and not be able to get back out. That lump of food will be too big to get back through the hole.
Now that you have him back and he is safe. Fix any dangers you might have found when you were searching for him. Sew up any holes in furniture, duct tape any holes in walls, etc.
If you think a corn snake is a good pet for you, good luck with your new pet and enjoy it!
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