Help needed for choosing the right snake!?

Question

Please help me i am lookin for a pet snake that will be handled wel and will be allways looked after, i need some help choosing them and the prices etc and it needs to be safe and not aggressave, please help explain about what the need to be fed, watered, cleaned out and the tempratures and the sort of "cages" they need. please help as i really love snakes and i have allways wanted one! please help!!! Thanks!

Answer 1

I KNOW!! A corn Snake is great they grow 32-42 inches and are easy to look after, they are cheap and really cute they hardly bite becasue they are constrictor snakes, but don't worry they only constirct things like mice and rats. they need to be feed hairless mice to start with then as they get older they start eating mice with hair, these are aviable at breeders and special pet shops that sell snake supplies. The snakes live from 15 to 20 years so be perparded for a nice long life with your snake. corn snakes do not have elaborate housing needs, but must be in an escape-proof enclosure. snake equipment in inexpensive!! Water is well just water hahaha. But like most reptiles they can go months without it... but always supply some!When choosing a snake, a captive bred specimen is the best choice and shouldn't be too difficult to find since corn snakes breed fairly readily in captivity. Look for a snake that is well fleshed with clear eyes, no cuts or scrapes, no signs of mites or ticks, a clean vent, and one that is alert and flicking its tongue. Picking a solid cage is a necessity for proper corn snake care. A 20 gallon long (i.e. longer, shallower version) makes a good sized cage for a corn snake. The most important part is to get a secure fitting lid that can be clamped down. Corn snakes will push at the lid with their noses looking for weaknesses so the fit of the lid is very important.

variety of materials can be used for substrate. Newspaper is the utilitarian choice - it is very easy to clean up, but the appearance in the cage leaves a little to be desired. Indoor/outdoor carpeting ("Astroturf") can be used, and if you cut two pieces you can rotate them by swapping the clean one for the dirty one at cleaning time, and thoroughly washing and drying the soiled one. Pine bark chips are another good choice - the chips soiled with f***s can simple be scooped out, and a thorough cleaning done as needed. Aspen shaving can be used in a similar manner, although it is probably a good idea to move the snake to a separate container for feeding so that the shavings are not inadvertently ingested. Sand, soil, corncob, pine shavings and cedar shavings are not good choices.

Hiding spots should be provided - a hide box (any closed in container like a cardboard box will do) should be provided that is just large enough for the snake to curl up in (if it is too large the snake will not feel as secure). Pieced of bark can also provide hiding spots if on a substrate that allows them to burrow under them. Ideally, a hiding place should be available in both the cooler and warmer ends of the enclosure. A branch should also be provided for climbing.

Water

A water dish will also be necessary, and the water should be kept meticulously clean. Snakes often defecate in their water, in which case it should be immediately cleaned. A heavy dish several inches in diameter makes a good water source. You may find you snake soaking in the dish, particularly before a shed.

Heating

Maintaining the cage at the correct temperature is vital to care of any reptile. A temperature gradient of about 70-85 F (21-29 C) should be maintained in the cage. Under tank heat pads or heat tape can be used, but place only under half the tank so there is a gradient from cooler to warmer. An overhead incandescent light can also be used to provide the heat gradient or as a supplemental basking spot. Corn snakes are from a temperate climate so they do not need tropical temperatures!

Lighting

There are no special light requirements for corn snakes.

Feeding

Corn snakes should be fed pre-killed mice or small rats (small rats are only suitable for larger corn snakes). Hatchlings are started out on pinkie mice for feedings and the size of the prey is increased as the snake grows. The prey item can be as wide or a little wider than the snakes head. Young growing snakes should be fed a couple of times a week, while adults need only be fed one appropriately sized prey item every week or 10 days.

It is not unusual for the appetite to decline around the time of a shed, so feeding frequency can be reduced if the appetite diminishes.

There i Hoped i helped heaps, i too want a snake so i previously have done alot of research!

Bye,

Answer 2

many snakes make great first time pets. currently the market is focused around ball pythons and eveyone is getting these but i dont like them. i tihnk there boring as most of the time they dont move, they can be picky eats also.

your best bet is a colubrid of some sort. corn snakes make brialliant pets! they come in a rainbow of colours, are docile and dont generally exceed 5 feet.

if ytou are after something smaller try a milk snake. these too are small(generally less than 3 foot) and they are docile also. they eat well and are hardy so these also make a good first time pet snake. they also look very beautiful in their tri-coloured skin!

if you need any help please email me and i will ansewrr any questions. i have experience with most novice/intermediate snakes so i am sure i would help you out =)

Answer 3

get a ball python and get off your backside and find the infomation your self!

Answer 4

i like ball pythons they r about $60 and they only need a small tank about 3ft and a temp of 88-90

Answer 5

cornsnakes are great. they need love and care and you need to find a healthy guy to. try petstores. ask them how they shed and how they eat. if no one can tell you, ask when the person that dose it is in. or go to another store. bat petco, i think they are 30, 20 breeder is about 60, lamps shold be 12 each, bulbs 10 each, substrate about 10, book about 10-15, dishes 12, it should cost 150-200. there good pets and i know they loved to be handled.

Answer 6

get a rubber one!