Ok, i want a pet! also, can a snake eat dog food???

Question

I want a snake for christmas. I tried to get a puppy, but my parents say im not responsible, and that they aren't going to have a animal in the house. I think if all i ask for is a snake, and i REALLY mean thats all i ask for, i might get it. But i don't really know what i would need. I know i need a lamp and like a glass case thats large enough. I've been looking at ball pythons. How big do they get??? How much do they cost at a Pet Store? Also, i will feed them rats, but is it possible to feed them dog food, or is there some other source of food i could feed them thats not "alive"(or frozen). How much would all the equipment set me back??? Is it possible for the snake to escape a case???
Please help.

Answer 1

Okay...first thing to do....PROMISE ME....is to do some research somewhere other than here. The fact that you knew enough to ask SOMEWHERE is a good sign, though. :-)

A good place to start is Reptiles magazine. Unlike many such publications, it's actually very well written and has tons of useful info (as long as you stick with the articles and SKIP the ads, that is.) I know the veterinarian who writes a column for it...he is nationally renowned as THE veterinary herp expert. Try to find their yearly 'Reptiles Annual' edition. It contains summary articles on the most popular/common herps and the things you need to do in order to provide an appropriate environment for them, as close to what nature intended as possible. If you can't make that committment....then PLEASE don't get one. We have to deal with enough sick reptiles from poorly informed owners.

If you are set on a snake, the best one for a beginner is a corn snake. They are incredibly docile and easy to keep...and their natural color pattern is GORGEOUS, imo (especially the clinal variations that originate from Florida...they have very brilliant orange markings, mixed with various shades of brown, and a black-and-white 'checkerboard' belly.) They don't need anything really special....a standard 20 gal. aquarium will do....but please read the articles in the Reptiles magazine (carried by most Books-A-Millions) for details about a proper setup. As to caging: sanitation, sanitation, sanitation. Oh, and did I mention? The most important thing (other than proper feeding) is sanitation. They don't have any special lighting 'requirements' like many herps do, but I do take mine out for natural sunlight often. They need that just like we do. :-)

And no...they cannot eat dog food. Some have been trained to take tidbits of chicken (I have one who will), but it's not nutritionally complete, even if 'dusted' with a vitamin/mineral powder. They make a snakefood product called 'snausages'....but I don't like those, either. Nature designed them to eat whole animals for a reason. Do I enjoy feeding my snakes mice and rats? No....but I'm not the one who set up the food chain. Who am I to question/change it? (I feed frozen/thawed, with occasional freshly euthanized by anesthetic gas rodents.) Freezing for at least 30 days eliminates the possibility of transmitting parasites to your snake.

Contrary to popular thought, I don't recommend bearded dragons for beginning herp enthusiasts....although one of the COOLEST of the herps (imo), they have many special care requirements. Leopard geckos are also pretty cool, imo...but also have special care requirements. I'd really recommend you start with a corn snake. (Or a basic rat snake...but like I said, corns have exceedingly docile temperaments. It's almost impossible to make one strike...but other rat snakes will if annoyed.)

I really don't recommend a ball python....or any python....until you're older and have more experience under your belt. Although balls are quite gentle and don't get too huge, it's better if you start with a more basic snake, imo. But if that's what you're set on, here's a link to the issue that has a great article about them, which might help convince your parents: http://www.shopanimalnetwork.com/product.asp?0=247&1=248&3=1346

Show your parents that you're responsible enough to research this thoroughly, and they'll be more likely to go along with it. (Hint: You could start by asking for a subscription to the magazine...or better yet, offer to do odd jobs to pay for it yourself...to show them you're really serious, and willing to take the time to learn): http://www.magazineline.com/magazineline/Reptiles.htm?gcid=S10896x014&keyword=reptiles%20magazine)

Be calm, serious, and mature. Whatever you do, don't pitch a fit or issue 'demands.' Don't whine or plead. Just lay the facts out to let them know you understand and have seriously considered their concerns. Go ahead and set up a feeding/cage sanitation schedule/chart. Figure out ahead of time what your approximate monthly feeding costs will be, and how you plan to pay for it. Doing all of these things and presenting it to your parents in a mature, business-like manner will help sway them to your side. It's hard to argue with someone who goes to that amount of effort in advance. :-)

Here are a few 'selling' points to hit your parents with regarding corn snakes (actually, any snake in general):

1. They don't bark or meow and wake anyone up in the middle of the night.
2. They only eat once a week/poop once a week. No smelly litterboxes or having to go out on walks. No 'accidents' in the house, and you don't have to worry about bringing them in during bad weather. They are very clean animals...and it's very easy to keep their glass aquariums clean. They don't stink, unless you just totally ignore basic cage sanitation....which, like I said, is necessary, but infrequent. Visitors/guests will never even know they're there.
3. They don't shed. Well, okay...they do, LOL. But they shed their skins in one piece in their cage. They don't leave strands of fur all over the floor and furniture that need to be vacuumed up.
4. They don't require vaccinations....or much in the way of veterinary care at all. They don't have to be spayed or neutered. I like to see them for yearly health checkups, but veterinarians who are knowledgeable about reptiles are few and far between.
5. If you go on vacation, you don't have to find (and pay for) a pet sitter or a boarding facility. They'll do just fine on their own for a month (as long as it's not a frequent occurrance), as long as they have plenty of water.
6. They are WAYYYYY COOL to watch move!!!!!

Good luck. I love to see a budding herp enthusiast. :-)

Answer 2

Snakes do not eat dog food.

If you want a live pet/snake, then think about getting one that is local, a garter or gopher snake. That way you can release him if you find it's not your thing.

You can feed snakes 'frozen' mice- you have to thaw them first.

Each snake needs a different enviornment, and a good enviornemnt is costly. They need the right size home, the right things to hide and hunt in, the right humidity and the right kind of light- plus each snake as a temperature range that is important.

Snakes do escape.

Check out Reptile sites on the web, and research.

A better starter reptile might be a bearded dragon.
Often a good pet of a different kind is a guinea pig or a rat.

Answer 3

If your parents do not think you are responsible enough for a dog, then you are DEFINITELY not ready for a snake, or any other reptile for that matter. They take a lot more specialized care, and can become quite expensive to take care of. Ball pythons are one of the easier snakes to care for, but no, you can not feed it dog food, or anything else of the sort. If you are not prepared to feed it mice/rats (whether alive or frozen/thawed), then do not get one. Their size depends on their sex... females get bigger than males. You are still thinking about a very large snake though when you consider something that is 6 foot long, and very big around. Generally I would not advise buying one from a pet store, as they are usually wild caught, and often will not thrive for you in captivity. Something that has been captive bred and born is going to be a much better idea, and there are breeders all over the place as ball pythons have become very popular thanks to all the possible color morphs. The tank is going to be your most expensive part, and all the equipment is going to cost more than the snake itself in the long run... plus the cost of food can become overwhelming. And yes, it is VERY possible for them to escape their cages. I have personally had it happen, and I know several other people that have had it happen to them as well. They do make cage locks that can reduce the possibility, but that does not mean it wont ever happen. If, after all of this, you are still considering a snake, maybe you should think about a cornsnake instead. They come in lots and lots of color morphs, make good beginner snakes, and will not become quite the expensive eating machine that a ball python will... but they still can not eat dog food either!

Answer 4

First please promise me that you will not get a snake until you know how to care for it because some of your questions scare me. The only thing that a snake will eat is a mouse or rat. Depending on how big the snake is they can eat much bigger things. A snake can escape out of anything if it is not a proper home. Please don't put it in a case.Ball pythons are a good first snake. They can get up to 5 feet. they need a large cage. I have mine in a 90 gal. tank if that gives you an idea. they need a heating lamp, an under tank heater, bedding, a hide-away. A water dish big enough for him to fit in and a thermometer so you can see what the temp. is in his cage.Good luck

Answer 5

Well, I wouldnt feed it Dog food but there was someone famous who trained corn snakes, rat snakes, and kingsnakes to eat dog food, but dont try that. i think a baby ball python costs about between $79.99 to $139.00 at petco, i think i havent been there in two weeks, you need a baby first so it can get use to you, when its a baby feed a baby fuzzie about size of snake's thickest point, like if your snake thickest piont is like your thumb get a fuzzie of pinkie the size of you thumb, feed it once a week. an adult feeds on two or three adult mice per week. make sure when you get a ball python from petco ask them for a ball python care sheet, for reference, to look back on, you should give it fresh water daily. about all snakes are escape artists so make the snake's crib as unescapeble as possible, maybe put a book on the closing lid for the snake tank, he or she will live for 20-30 years longest is 47 years old, it will be three to five feet long, for heating, (do not use heating rocks) can burn snakes skin, use heating pads, u need shelter for it like a small cave or somthing that it can fit in and always wash your hands after hanlding snake. and if you handled chicken or rats or mice, take off the clothes, put on new ones and wash you hands, the snake could bite you by mistaking you as food,needs a 30 gallon size enclosure when adult ball python, but baby ball needs probalby a 5-10 gallon tank, if it out grows the tank get a bigger one if you need more help just go to http://www.ballpythonworld.com/index_files/BallPythonCareSheet.htm, alright good luck with youre snake.

Answer 6

What about monkeys, grub worms, ants, and only the countries, that totally lack good food will eat a cat. Tell me why you would eat a cat or a dog ? They don't even compare to good quality meat. I bet your Asian, because I have heard this culture eats cats and dogs. Hopefully, you know how to prepare the meat and make it taste good. Some pet dogs came up missing in our neighborhood, but we could not blame anyone. Rumor was??? Why would you choose to eat a cat or dog, over eating a Cow ???? Explain, please .

Answer 7

ok if your Q is if a snake can eat dog food you really should not get a pet because you are a dumb *** of of course a snake can not eat dog food

Answer 8

You should really do a little more in depth reading and studying if your question about feeding a snake dog food is serious. You should subscribe to "Reptiles" magazine and read all the good and informative articles in there. Good luck!

Answer 9

I don't think dog food is good for snakes. It won't give them the nutrition they need. I don't think a snake is really a good pet, but its up to you. Don't you want something that you can cuddle and call cute?

Answer 10

No snake will eat dog food. Depending on the size, and type of it will need to eat freshly killed mice/rats, or live cickets.

Answer 11

only as long the dog food is inside a dog! snakes need whole prey that means whole animals meat, bones, intestines, fur and fethers.