I want to get a pet snake... can you tell me some things I would need to know?

Question

I've always wanted a python, and now I'm old enough and I'm seriously considering it. I have 2 cats and a big dog, and I really love animals. But I've always somewhat considered it mean to have that big of an animal in a small contrapped area... is it? What are some things you can tell me that I would need to know if I wanted to get one?

Any help appreciated. Thank you.

Answer 1

Pythons make excellent pets and if that's what you want then don't listen to these people and get what you want. Just do your research first. Ball pythons are great starter snakes and only get about 5 ft for a large female, if you want one of the larger ones the make sure you start with baby, that way you can get used to its feeding habits and and such before it gets big. And cage size depends on the python, you need to have a cage that the snake can stretch out without touching itself from end to end in the circumference of the cage. And as far as feeding live food, you people need to grow up, just because you feed frozen thawed just means that YOU didn't kill it, but someone else did and dead is dead no matter how you get there. You can tell yourself that they were killed "Humanely" all you want but facts remain the same, their dead, so whether you feed fresh killed or frozen thawed remains up to you, and don't let people pass "their " morale judgment on you, Freakin hypocrites. If its that Cruel then why do you have reptiles?

Answer 2

Get a ball python. They are your best bet.

They do not need UVB lighting, some pet store owners may tell you otherwise to get you to buy stuff.

They do need a heat source. This can be provided by a heating pad built for reptiles. They are sold cheapest at PetSmart.

A 20 gallon tank is fine. Provide lots of branches for climbing. A bigger tank would stress him out. He's born into captivity, so being in a small area is what he is used to. It's normal. Fulfill all his needs and he will be happy.

They require mice when young and rats as they get bigger. Buy them frozen and thaw them out so the prey doesn't injure your python.

Fir bedding works fine as a substrate, but newspaper or paper towels is so much cheaper and it works just fine and is extremely easy to clean.

Read the care sheet for info on picking a python and other care info.

Also, these are other pythons that you might try getting later on. The number is difficulty. 1=Easy 2=Moderate 3=Advanced 4=Experts Only

Rock Python (2)
Carpet Python (1)
Green Tree Python (3)
Reticulated Python (4)
Red Blood Python (3)
Burmese Python (4)
White Lip Python (3)
Savu Island Python (3)

Answer 3

If you want a python, then i would suggest a ball python (python regius). These make the perfect pet. They are very calm, docile snakes and have a beautiful temperment. They will not bite. They also dont grow to the enormous size most pythons grow to. They only grow up to 4-5 feet max, most reaching 3 1/2 - 4 feet. Burmese, retics can grow up to 25-30 feet, which is a dangerous size. SO If you cannot handle o cARE FOR A SNAKE THAT WILL GROW TO 10-25 FEET DONT BUY A BOA CONSTRICTOR, BURMESE, OR RETICULATED PYTHON. I myself have a red-tailed boa, i am an advanced herp keeper. I can handle these types of snakes, but i seen sneeky little pet industry sellers, trying to trick people into buying them. They dont tell you the size these animals will grow. They have them as babies, and make them look real cool so people will buy them but qont know what hey are getting into. This goes for all big snakes. They will sell them as babies but not adults because they know no one would buy them at that size. So dont let those sneaky sellers trick you. But if you want something a lot bigger than go for it. I have them, but would not suggest them for someone keeping it by themselves with small animals in the house. So i would suggets going for a ball python if you want a python. If you want to see my boa check me out on youtube at: http://youtube.com/profile?user=DaBoaDude

Answer 4

you would need to have room for the tank and also have the money to be spending because snake care is costly. if you wanted to get a ball then i would reccomd a 120 gal. tank with 2 large sized uv bulb heaters also i would reccomend a thermostat and anny other accesories you would like but also you would need a very large water dish and be aware they eat live mice or thawed. if you plan on buying tree bark as a substrate you wud want to boil and bake-dry the substrate before you use it the substrate carrries ticks and fleas very easily because most of the time it is 100% natural


good luck

Answer 5

pythons, grow large, and if your a beginner in reptiles then you might want to consider a small, less dangerous snake such as a corn snake. but hey! if you want a python you have a python! the best way to learn is to get chucked in the deep end!!!!! feeding live food is cruel and unessecary pain. feeding dead food is just as healthy and nutrisious as live food. burmese pythons are a good species that become friendly and dont need to bigger tanks, babies can be start in 2 foot by 2 foot by 2 foot high. then increase the tank size as it grows.

Answer 6

First and foremost -- LIVE FEEDING IS CRUEL AND DANGEROUS.

Feed your snake frozen food or 'snake sausage.' Not only is this far, FAR more humane than throwing a live creature in the tank, but it's much safer for your snake -- those live creatures can FIGHT BACK.

If you are concerned about the snake having enough room, then build him a HUGE tank. Have fun and be creative!

Find a good vet now, BEFORE an emergency arises. Hopefully your snake will never need a vet....but just in case....

Snakes are awesome creatures. Have fun!

Answer 7

ok dont listen to luvrats, i had a python and he was awesome. I dont really know anything about them my uncle fed him for me but if you have a problem feeding it live animals just remeber thats how they eat in nature. But I know if you are anything like me you will love having a snake.