How can i get my parents to let me have a snake?

Question

my parents think a snake needs lot of time, which i dont have....please help me..how can i make allow me to have a snake..which i really do.

i dont want it to be cool, and i have some minor knowledg about them

Answer 1

With any scenario involving "begging" for a pet, the best way to go about that is to use your own money to buy what is required for a pet. That is one of the major problems parents have with new pets--will they have to pay for it? Then there's also the matter of who will take care of the pet? As long as you pay for the pet and care for it, half the battle is won. The next step is to convince your parents that the snake will not escape and that it is safe.

What a pet snake (such a gartersnake, ribbonsnake, cornsnake, or kingsnake ) needs are as follows: minimum 10 gallon tank (preferably larger), a lamp or ceramic lamp, an under-the-tank heater (aka heating pad designed for reptiles), some substrate (such as reptile carpet, repti-bark, coconut bark, aspen shavings, or newspaper---stay away from pine or cedar shavings...these are toxic to snakes), two hides (made from boxes, bark, or anything they can hide in or under), watering dish, two thermometers, and a lid with locks.

The heaters should be placed on one side of the tank so that a hot and cool side can be set up. Place a thermometer on either end of the tank so that the temperatures can be read for each side. On the hot side the temperature should be around 80-85*F, with the cool side being about 75-80*F. If you have one of the following species of snakes that I mentioned, then they can be more tolerant of less-than-accurate temperatures. Put a hide on opposite sides of the tank so that the snake can thermoregulate--choose to warm up or cool down. The water dish should be somewhat in the middle but closer to the warm side. The lid is usually screened in, and the pet stores will have "locks" that fit aquariums. This is a life saver and will keep your snake from escaping.

Gartersnakes and ribbonsnakes typically feed on fish, so rosy red minnows are a good choice and provide a complete meal. Cornsnakes can be converted to mice real easy. Kingsnakes will feed gluttonously on mice and should be fed sparingly as they will become obese easily. All mice eating snakes can be converted over to eating pre-killed prey, so having live mice is not always a necessity.

Most snakes eat once every 7-10 days. They need a constant supply of water, and ribbonsnakes need new water everyday as they have a habit of defecating in the water. Handle snakes about 3 times a week (30 minutes or more) and the snake will tame with time. Give them 2-3 days alone after they eat so that they can properly digest their food without risk of regurgitating. Snakes will normally refuse to eat as they start to shed, this is normal. Continue to offer food every 7-10 days. If the snake refuses to eat one week, wait another week and try to offer food again.

All reptiles (as well as any pet) are potentially covered with salmonella. Clean your hands every time you handle a reptile, and you will reduce your risk of getting sick. Salmonella is found in all sorts of things, including poultry, bathrooms, and can be contracted from other people who do not practice the best use of personal hygiene.

So if you are willing to buy all that the snake needs, including the snake itself, can assure your parents that the snake won't get out, and you'll wash your hands every time you handle it, then you'll have a good chance of convincing your parents that the snake is a good idea.

Answer 2

You say you have some minor knowledge about them. Get some MAJOR knowledge. And if you really wanted a snake, you'd devote more time to it. Some good web sites to look up are
http://kingsnake.com
and
http://reptilerooms.com

Take a look at some care sheets, and lists of GOOD STARTER SNAKES, meaning good snakes for beginners. See for yourself if you will be able to handle it, THEN decide whether you want a snake or not, what kind, and how much time you will be able to devote to it.
Also, figure out if you're going to pay for this yourself, or earn it through acts of responsibility around the house. The only way your parents will agree to this is to prove you are responsible. Also, it's not a bad idea to print out some care sheets and info on the kind of snake that is right for you and have your parents read it with you, so they can help you decide.

I hope this helps, it's worked for me!

Answer 3

A snake does need a lot of time. Although they are content to sit under a warm light, they need attention and must be checked up on. You should not own a reptile unless you have some knowledge on what to look for when they are ill, and how to keep them healthy. Owning a snake just because it's cool is not a good idea.

Answer 4

I'm starting to think that perhaps they have other reasons...perhaps they feel a snake is too dangerous? You just play with a snake the way you do another animal, or leave them alone for a minute.

Answer 5

hmmm If you don't have time you souldn't get any kind of pet!, pets need time and care...but a Snake is kind of easy to take care of...
Firsth you need a good place to put it, a reptile heater < Take it with you, make it used to that and the care will be easier, they don't require much time, but THE MOST IMPORTANT IS A GOOD ENVIORMENT God Bless!

Answer 6

hi there
they do and don't need lots of time ... u need to hold it at lease once a day ... that's the only time consuming thing ... they eat once a week the poop and pee once a week ... but they also need a proper regulated heat and humidity... and fed the proper food and size for them... it more time consuming with a lizards, dogs, cats,rodents and even a fish...then a snake ......do some research b4 u get one ... on the size they get, environment it needs , and the size of food it eats ...... hope this helps ...

Answer 7

hey man i know how you feel i just got 1 and love it... a calli king snake iz the best starter snake they are hard to take care of... i dont know how to get your parrents to let you but they are realy hard to take care of...

Answer 8

prove that you have researched the idea thoroughly and show your responsibiltiy in all other areas.

Answer 9

Didn't you have one atttached when you were born. Your parents don't make THAT decision!!!