question about snakes?

Question

i would want to get a snake for a pet. which kind of snake is small and inexpensive? btw, i never had a snake before. also what food and tank or cage do they need?

Answer 1

Well, I own four snakes at the moment and there is a big range in the types. My first snake was a red tail boa. Easy snake, nice and friendly, a real sweetheart, not picky eater, takes frozen/thawed mice without a problem. The thing with them is that they will need alot of special care with custom cages when they get 10 feet long. second snake was a cornsnake, great beginner snake. This one was very mean and aggressive at first, hissing, bitting, coiling up and striking at me; but it was a baby and just scared of the big hands that it thought were going to pick it up and eat it. It calmed down and does nicely now. It took about 2 weeks of handling before it was really, really calm. And when it did bite, it didn't hurt, didn't bleed, it was just startling to see a snake do that to you, but there was no way it could hurt me. third snake was a sand boa that one was still isn't used to me (its only been two weeks) it isn't aggressive and doesn't try to bite it just is afraid. Those snakes will only get a few feet long, but the burrow under the substrate and you'll never see it. The last snake I got was a ribbon snake (a type of garter snake). It eats minnows and is really really cool. people have said they are mean and they will poop and musk on you when you try to hold them, but this one is nice and calm, not a problem at all.

As far as being inexpensive, the ribbon snake or a garter snake shouldn't cost you more than $20.00. with mine I got a cage, with top and light, a water bowl, (I had the bedding and a hide at home) for about $55.00 altogether. a cornsnake from a pet shop is probably going to cost you about $69.00 plus you'll need to pick up the tank and the rest of stuff. My suggestion is to go with the garter or ribbon, and if you like it move up to a corn or a ball pyton, just make sure you know how big something can get and plan on caring for it as it grows.

Answer 2

Corn snake, as everyone else has said. The only thing you want to watch out for is make sure it is not a newly hatched. Most newly hatched corns have troubles with eating, get one that is 14+ inches, you'll know it hasn't missed any meals. As for caging, there are a lot of options. As a young snake you don't want to give it too much room, this overwhelms the snake and they may not find their food. I use plastic shoe boxes for young snakes, not very attractive but they work (if you do this make sure that the lid has some weight on it so the snake does not escape). Older snakes need more room to move, so a 20 gallon long works great. Corns eat pink mice when they are little and small rats when they are full grown, I recommend feeding your snake pre killed food, it is so much better for the snake. Good luck with your new snake.

Answer 3

Unlike corn snakes, corn snakes actually grow up to at least 4-5 feet. So if you want a snake that size then get that kind. However, in my opinion, for a small and inexpensive snake, I suggest a garter snake. Garter snakes, at the most, grow up to 3-4. The price range for these kinds are usually $15-$20. Their lifespan is 15 years. They eat feeders [little fish], worms [quite weird diet], and maybe really small pinky mice if it gets bigger. They DON'T eat insects. This is a myth that snakes eat insects. They are not insectivores because they are carnivores.

A 10-20 gallon tank would be suggested depending on its length. A snake should have enough room to stretch its whole body out on one side. Water is a necessity as well. A fresh new water bowl at least every 2 days. You also have to clean the tank with diluted dish detergent. Make sure you can't smell the detergent after you wash it off. Clean the tank at least once a month. Use aspen substrate which looks like wood-like hay and snakes usually like this kind of substrate/bedding to sleep on. Give it a little log or hiding spot so it can give it a sense of security. No snake likes to be looked at 24/7 out in the open in its tank.

Feeding! When you feed them, take them outside of the tank, put them in a large enclosed container and feed them because the food can get attached to the aspen substrate in the tank and can be ingested by the snake. Which can cause a fatal problem! Frequency of feeding depends on the size, age, and species of the snake you chose. Handle/Play with the snake at least a day after it's fed

Despite the fact I put so much, in the end, taking care of a snake is really intriguing and so much fun. It's all worth it in the end.

I hope this helps! ^^

Answer 4

Do you want something you can take out and hold? Or just something to look at? A corn or kingsnake are good for snakes that will get a lot of handling - just be sure you research the species though, cause there's a big range of sizes in kings! If you're looking for something that you won't handle a lot, garters and ribbon snakes are good, and cheaper than kings and corns. For kinds and corns, you'll need to feed rodents (mice or rat, depending on the size of the snake) and some people don't like doing this (I'd recommend feeding thawed, frozen mice/rats - it's more convenient and safer for the snake - and you!). Garters and ribbons eat insects, earthworms, and fish (put these in the water bowl).

Here are some websites where you can find info on these species and what you need for keeping them (the kingsnake.com site has classifieds, so you can get an idea of prices as well): http://www.kingsnake.com/, http://www.anapsid.org/mainsnakes.html, http://www.wnyherp.org/care-sheets/snakes/

Answer 5

in my personal and professional opinion cornsnakes are the way to go. Ball pythons can be picky eaters especially for a beginner, cornsnakes are very forgiving on conditions, not that you should put them in anything but the best of conditions though. They could live their entire lives in a 20 gallon long aquarium with a screen lid (with clamps) and an over head heat source, avoid hot rocks, keep their temp around 84 or 85 degrees with a basking spot slightly warmer and always provide clean water and a hide spot. Cornsnakes are usually strong feeders to and get acustomed to eating frozen thawed mice (pinkies first if you get a juvenile then move up to hoppers then adults) once a week would be great, sometimes I give mine more during breeding season. Corns are available in alot of colors so you have alot of choices. Their are other good choices too, like a bairds ratsnake, although not quite as attractive as the corn and even the western hognose snake is "cute" with a little upturned snout. My advice, get some good books at your local pet store and start reading. research is the best advice I could really give you

Answer 6

If you've never had a snake before, go for a corn snake. They are inexpensive, harmless, and come in a variety of colors and patterns. Also, most can survive on insects, so you won't have to worry about feeders. The only thing you need to know before you get any reptile is the cost of the equipment. That's where many beginners run into problems.

Answer 7

you can go with a corn snake they eat pinkies(baby mice) and you would need 85 degree temps on one side or a ball python they eat small mice. snakes only eat rats or mice or gerbils or hamsters pending on where your at and some like the boas can eat rabbits when full grown and way i would go with a ball python or a cornsnake each r easy to handle and i would start with a 20 gallon tank for the ball and a 10 for the corn use aspen bedding get a hide box and feed once every 7-10 day for both snakes also make sure you have a water dish in the tank

Answer 8

no dont get a corn they are nippy best way is to go to get a milksnake or a kingsnake very beautiful snakes

Answer 9

how big will a ribbon snake get?