I have worked with reptiles for the past 14 years and have had the
oportunity to work with almost every type of snake available in pet stores today. There
are many different types of snakes available for the beginner snake keeper. First you should consider how much
room you have for the snake cage and how much time you have to take care of the snake. I am going to cover 5 different snakes
that I believe are great for people with little to no reptile knowledge and experience. I have worked with, bred, and cared for each of
these snakes and will share what I know to help new reptile owners properly care for their snakes. If you are thinking
of buying a snake because you think it will make you cool, you better think again. People put a lot of work into
captive breeding to ensure the continuation of survival for many species of reptiles. As the human population increases,
we use more and more land and are taking away the habitats of many different species of reptiles putting them on the endangered
species list and even causing some to become extinct. When people are irrasposible reptile keepers, it makes it harder for people that
are trying to perserve these exotic reptiles. Some cities have allready banned the ownership of reptiles and that is not right. I feel
that anyone looking into owning a reptile should do as much research before they purchase any animal. Don't forgett, that cure little foot long
snake that you bought might grow up to 20 feet and 250 pounds. I am not an expert on reptile husbandry but I do know enough to be a responsible reptile
keeper. My description of these reptiles does not go into deep detail so if you are thinking about getting any of these snakes, please research it as muck
as possible. If you have any questions E Mail me at [email protected].
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Garter Snakes
Garter Snakes are one of more readilly available in pet stores today. They don't eat mice, they don't get big, and they
are pretty inexpensive. In The wild, garter snakes are found along streams and pools of water. They feed on
worms, frogs, and some eat fish. Most of the eastern garter snakes feed on earthworms and
frogs; the wester species tend to feed on small fish. There are several types of garters available with patters of checkers and stripes.
If you purchase a garter snake it will probably be jumpy at first and then calm down with repeted handling. When you first bring the snake home
you should let it settle down and get comfortable with it's new surroundings. The snake should also not be handled for long
durations of time. Their cage set-up is pretty simple. Make sure you have a large shallow water bowl for these snakes because
they will spend some time in the water and it is also the place where they feed and deficate. Frequent water changes are essential to ensure
good health for the snake. Heating is another important element in healthy reptiles. All reptiles require heat to properly digest their food.
If the snake does not have the proper heating the food will rot in the animals stomach and the snake will either regurgitate the food and or get sick.
A safe temperature for a garter snake is about 80 degrees. For basic cage set-up check out Basic Cage Set-up. These snakes are
a little flighty but are still a great snake for any beginner. Just because they are an inexpensive snake, it doesn't mean that you don't
need a proper cage set-up. Follow all the rules of reptile husbandry and you will have a good healthy pet snake.
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Ball Pythons
| Scientific Name:
|
Python Regius
| Average Size:
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4-6 Feet
|
| Habitat:
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| Ball Pyhtons come from Western and Central Africa where they inhabit the dry savanahs and woodlands. They can be found under logs or in a shallow burrow that
had been abandoned by a rodent or bird.
|
| Temperature:
|
80-85 Deg. During the day
|
| Humidity:
|
50%-60% - a little mist with water bottle helps during shedding
|
| Active Time:
|
Ball Pythons are nocturnal
|
| Temperment:
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Very Docile snakes. Good for beginners
|
|
Don't let the name Python scare you. This is a harmless thick bodied snake that can reach a length of about
4 feet. They are now being captive bred but were all originally being imported from Africa. They get the name Ball
Python from the way that they coil up in a defensive posture. When threatend, they curl up in a ball and hide their head
in the center of the ball incase of an attack. Ball Pythons are slow growing and like all other species of snake, the females
get a little larger than the males. This is because they have to carry the eggs for a couple of months while they are gravid (with baby).
Ball Pythons like to have a cave or something that they can hide in during the day. They are nocturnal because of the hot desert temperatures
and come out at night to feed. Ball pythons should be fed like all other snakes that eat rodents. see How To Feed Your Snake.
Ball's are very docile snakes and with all my experiences with them, I have never seen or heard of anyone
getting bit by one of these. Their small to medium size and great temperment makes them a great snake for any person that wants
to have a starter snake. They are very attractive and available in a lot of color morphs now. They range in price from under $100 for
a regular captive bred ball to $7,000 for a rare albino.
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Red-tailed Boas
Red-tailed Boa
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Kingsnakes
| Scientific Name:
|
Lampropeltis (Many Subspecies)
| Average Size:
|
3-5 Feet
|
| Habitat:
|
| Kingsnakes have a very large distribution area. They can be found in southern Canada, almost every state in the U.S. and into South America. Their habitats are just diverse. They
may be encountered in swamps, deserts, savanahs, and forests.
|
| Temperature:
|
80-85 Deg. During the day
|
| Humidity:
|
50%-60% - a little mist with water bottle helps during shedding
|
| Active Time:
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Nocturnal/crepuscular
|
| Temperment:
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Docile, babies can be nippy
|
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The California Kingsnake was the 2nd type of snake I got after the gartersnakes.
This snake was awesome. I took it everywhere with me. I was sow excited when I got it. This snake was about 4 feet and would always curl up
in my jacket pocket. These snakes are active and they are fun. Kings are very easy to take care. You can feed them 1-2 mice a week and keep them nice
and warm. These snakes are awesome for beginners. Kingsnakes are available in almost every petstore and reptilestore. There are many different kinds of king snakes that look like candy canes to a starry night.
Depending on the species of kingsnake you get it can range from $20-$1,500+
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