CARING FOR YOUR PET SNAKE Snakes are interesting and easy to care for. There are a large variety of species suitable to the home environment. These snakes are members of two families, the Boidae and the Colubridae. The Boidae family consists mainly of Pythons and Boas. The Colubridae family includes Kings, Corns and Garters. Snakes can be found in deserts, savannas and rainforests with conditions ranging from the cool temperature to the hot tropics. Different species have adapted to living in trees, in water, on the ground or in burrows. A Snake’s Social Graces Snakes do not require social interaction. In fact, most snakes are quiet and reclusive, spending much time in their favourite retreats conserving energy between feedings. Most snakes can be handled for short periods at a time, but over-handling can cause stress. There are times when they will prefer to the be left alone. These times include the moulting periods and feeding times. One, Two or More? It is never wise to mix different species of snakes together. They may interpret one another as a threat or competition for food. Some species may be kept in colonies, such as Garter snakes, but even those have been known to attach one another during feeding time. To prevent this problem, each snake should be offered food individually.
To provide a happy healthy atmosphere for your pet, Petland recommends the following necessary accessories. We have listed them as your new pet’s four basic needs: Nutritional, Environmental, Maintenance and Behavioural. When these needs are met, along with a loving environment provided by you, your snake can live a long and happy life. ENVIRONMENTAL Your Snake’s New Home – When choosing an enclosure, make sure you accommodate your snake’s natural behaviours. Arboreal snakes prefer a tall environment with sturdy branches to climb. Terrestrial snakes require more ground space to crawl around in. Glass vivariums and aquariums are excellent homes. They can be easily climatecontrolled, while offering excellent viewing. A locking screen top is important for ventilation and security. Warm Surroundings – Snakes, like all reptiles, cannot generate their own heat. They require warm areas within their home to bask. A variety of heat lamps are available to keep areas in your snake’s home warm. Keeping the substrate warm with an under-the-tank heaters will provide secondary heat source (even at night) when the lights are off. Don’t forget to get a thermometer to measure the temperature. Each species requires a different temperature during the day. At night, it is quite common that the temperature should drop. To learn the best temperatures for your snake, just ask a Petland pet counsellor.
NUTRITIONAL Frozen Dinners – A natural diet for most snakes consists of the small rodents and birds it has captured. Captive-bred snakes will accept killed rodents without much trouble. Frozen mice and rats can be thawed out prior to feedings. Appetite stimulants are available to entice your snake to accept the food offered, should the need arise. Fresh Water – Snakes are very particular about the water they like to drink. Fresh water at a lukewarm temperature should be offered daily. MAINTENANCE Flooring – The bottom of your snake’s home should be easy to clean, as well as mimic his natural surroundings. Snakes from humid tropical environments utilize bark-style litters to retain humidity. Desert snakes prefer sand substrate for its heat retaining ability. Reptile carpets can be useful for all varieties of snakes, although ground dwellers may hide under them. Clean litter is very important. At least twice a week, fecal material must be removed and the bedding must be cleaned. Bark-style litters and reptile carpets can be soaked in a mild reptile safe cleaning solution. Soiled sand substrates should be replaced as necessary. BEHAVIOURAL Hiding Places – Every living creature needs an area to call their own. A