There are a lot of cool aspects of owning a snake: They come in all sorts of wild colors and patterns, move about in unique ways, and do quirky reptilian things. But depending on the kind of pet you’re used to keeping, there can be quite a bit of a learning curve. If you’re intrigued by the prospect of having a pet snake (who wouldn’t?), here are five things you need to know before getting one.
Snakes aren’t cuddly animals
Most people want a pet, you know, to actually pet them, but if you’re expecting your snake to be as sweet and loving as a dog or cat—you’re probably going to be disappointed. Snakes, and most reptiles in general, aren’t really the touchy-feely type. Their primitive brains aren’t sophisticated enough to have the emotional capacity for love and instead are limited to basic survival needs. However, that’s not to say that snakes are cold, unfeeling creatures that are disinterested in their surroundings. They just have their own way of expressing themselves and bonding with their owners.
They can live a long time
Cold-blooded animals age differently than warm-blooded ones. This means that they can live for a very long time. Most species of snake can live upwards of two or three decades, while some can live significantly longer still. The world’s oldest snake, a ball python at the St. Louis Zoo, is 63 years old! To get a better idea of a snake’s lifespan here are some of the life expectancies of some of the most popular snakes:
- Ball pythons: 25-30 years
- Corn snakes: 6-8 years
- California kingsnakes: 15-20 years
- Western Hognose: 10-15 years
- Red-tailed Boa: 15-20 years
Note that these figures only apply to snakes that are captive-bred, not wild-caught. Snakes taken straight from the wild don’t tend to fare as well, being more prone to illness, stress, and otherwise poorer health. Purchasing a snake that was both born and raised in captivity will put it in the best position to enjoy a long, healthy life.
They never stop growing
Snakes are what’s known as “indeterminate growers”. Translation: They will never stop growing. This rare ability also occurs in sharks, lizards, and coral. Pair this with snakes’ propensity for living a long time and you have the potential to end up with a sizable pet towards the end of its life. It’s not just a cool party trick, however, this feature also has implications for the practical aspects of snake ownership.
While most snake-owners expect to size up their snakes’ tank as they go from newborn hatchling to juvenile and then adult, their ability to grow indefinitely means they might require bigger tanks even after reaching full maturity (this is based on sexual maturity, not developmental). This growth slows down significantly at this point, however, power feeding can directly contribute to them growing larger and more quickly than they would otherwise.
Heating is just one of many elements you’ll need to monitor
The most essential aspect of caring for any type of reptile is going to be keeping them warm. Reptiles are ectotherms (a.k.a. Cold blooded) which means they are dependent on external sources of heat and cannot regulate their body temperature on their own. This dependency means that it’s up to their owners to provide the right conditions that mimic their natural habitat so that their snake can carry on with its essential bodily functions.
However, as crucial as temperature is in the upkeep of a pet snake, it’s not the only condition you’ll need to consider. Humidity, the amount of moisture in the air, is another one to be cognizant of. Too-high levels of humidity can lead to an infection, while too-low levels can make it difficult for your snake to shed properly (which can lead to a host of other issues). Snakes may also require different sources of ultraviolet light to maintain their health. UVA and UVB rays provide or promote the synthesis of essential vitamins and minerals and can play a role in metabolism and circadian rhythms.
They come in a lot of different looks
There can be dozens of variations within a single species of snake. These are known as morphs. While they present a fun opportunity to find a unique-looking pet, the differences in a snake’s appearance go further than skin-deep. They can also cause differences in price, behavior, and even overall health. When looking at snakes for sale, always be sure to look into whether a specific morph has any special requirements. This can save you a lot of hassle and money in the long run.
