I want a pet snake, can you help me?

Question

I recently decided that I would like a pet snake, iv looked into it and decided i would like to get a milk snake.I've been using this site to get my info,

http://www.pet-care-portal.com/milk-snake.html

This is what iv gathered i will need

http://www.petsmart.com/cart/index.jsp?wlName=Snake&wlId=9453776444

So, is there anything important im missing? or something i should change? is it all acceptable for a milk snake? also I live in central Ohio, what would be the average price for a young one? Thanks in advance

Answer 1

Your second link doesn't lead to anything but an empty Petsmart page. I'm assuming there is some type of tank set up for a snake on there?  Milksnakes are related to kingsnakes so make sure you never co-habitate it with any other snake. That goes for any species, but the kings and milks eat other snakes.  Young snakes can be housed in something no more complex than a rubbermaid tub.  I like using an under tank heater with a thermostat to heat instead of a heat lamp.  A few hides (can be made from paper towel rolls if you want, an upturned flower pot with a "doorway" in it etc.)  A simple small bowl will work for water. I decorate with silk plants for my cornsnakes and kings and use aspen bedding for substrate. You can use paper towel if you want.  Or newspaper.  I would purchase from a breeder instead of a petstore for your first snake. You have less risk of parasites, problems with feeding or illness and you should have a support system if there is a problem.  Prices will depend upon what morph or type of milksnake you get.  Some of the more desirable morphs will cost more.  You can sometimes find good deals from breeders at reptile shows. Go online and look up Ohio reptile shows or look in Reptiles magazine. They list the shows coming up for the next few months in the back. Enjoy your new snake.

Answer 2

the bottom link is empty as said, the top one is fine. Depending on what milk snake you get though, depends on how big it will get and the tank it will need. There are all different types of milks but if it grows to three feet or more, which it probably will, you'll want to keep it in a 30 which is just like a 40 breeder, just shorter. What you'll need is a tank, size depending on the size of the one you get. You might as well just buy a 20gallon and it will come w/ a sliding top. you'll need substrate, water bowl, hides, i wouldn't bother w/ the vines, milks stay towards the ground for the most part and aren't the biggest climbers. And then the undertank heater and a thermomater. Depending on the temperature of the home and how warm you can get the tank, you may also need a heat lamp. you should take a trip to either the columbus or cleveland reptile shows,where you can get a decent deal on a good snake. price all depends on the morph and kind of milk you buy. You may be looking on paying between $50 and $80 for a normal milk snake.  

Answer 3

milk snakes are fast snakes, I have 2 and they'll try to wiggle their way out of your hand and dart off, like super fast. I'd go for a ball python, much more docile.

Answer 4

Get a corn snake for your first snake!!

I got mine as a "starter" snake..and now I have 5.

They're extremely cool, and come in amazing patterns and colors.

They're also "docile" for a snake, and don't get too big (my biggest one is a about 6 feet long)

Have fun with whatever snake you choose! I hope you love it immensely!!  

Answer 5

hopefully the snake will killl for noing nothing about snakes

Answer 6

First of all if you have never had a snake before I would recommend a corn snake. They get much more tame and I have never run into a violent one. They also are not picky eaters which is a problem with some snakes where it takes a lot of effort to get them to eat. Also with Milk and King snakes one of their biggest traits is that they tend to urinate on you when you handle them.

If you still want a milk snake then I would also suggest getting a good book on them and don't buy one from a PetSmart or PetCo. They take awful care of their live animals and you will be much better off ordering from a private breeder or an exotic pet store.

One more thing. The link you provided to what I assume was PetSmart shopping cart does not work. Online shopping carts save the items that you put in them by downloading what is called a "cookie" to your computer. This means that you can only see the items in the cart on the computer that you added them with.