When they were 12, my oldest child asked for a pet snake.
I knew nothing about owning snakes. I hoped that my child might lose interest in snakes and we could stick with our easy-to-manage, familiar dog. No such luck. I made my kid research how to care for pet snakes on their own. They actually did a fantastic job of finding out everything we needed to know. After that, everything fell into place and we got a ball python. Her name is Pretzel.
Here’s what you should know before getting a pet snake.
Pet snakes need very specific living conditions.
Setting up Pretzel’s tank was the hardest part of snake ownership. Snakes need fairly large tanks. We got lucky and a friend gave us an unused glass tank.
- To keep our ball python happy and healthy, the tank needed to have two temperature zones. We used a heat mat and a heat lamp to create a hotter side and left the opposite side of the tank as the cooler side. This lets the snake regulate their body temperature.
- We also have a place for Pretzel to hide on each side of the tank. Ball pythons are crepuscular, which means they are most active at dawn and dusk. Pretzel likes having a nice, safe, hidden place to sleep during the day.
- Her tank also has a water dish and branches for her to climb.
- The bottom of the tank is covered in substrate, which can be several things, such as coconut husk or cypress mulch.
- Finally, the tank has two thermometers to keep track of the temperature and humidity. Ball pythons require warm temperatures and high humidity, which can be challenging to manage during a Vermont winter.
Yes, snakes eat mice.
Snakes eating mice really grosses people out, but it’s really not that bad. For a pet snake, you buy the mice frozen, either online or from a pet store. So yes, I do have a bag of frozen mice in my freezer right now. Just think of them as chicken nuggets, which are also in there.
To feed Pretzel, we thaw out a mouse in hot water. Then we put Pretzel into a feeding box, which in our case is just a plastic bin with air holes cut into the lid. Using a separate box to feed the snake helps to keep them from accidentally eating substrate from their tank. It also helps that they won’t expect to be fed every time you reach into their tank.
We hold the mouse with a pair of long tongs in front of Pretzel. She will grab and squeeze the mouse before swallowing it whole, which takes a few minutes. After that, we put her back into her tank. Snakes need a long time to digest their food, so make sure they have access to a nice, warm spot. Also, you shouldn’t handle your snake until they are done digesting their food, which can take a couple of days. How often a snake needs to eat depends on their age and size and the size of their food. Right now, Pretzel only eats every ten days.
Your snake will shed its skin.
Snakes shed their skin as they grow larger. As a result, young snakes shed more often than older snakes. Pretzel tends to shed about every 6 weeks or so. The first time, I was surprised by how long the whole process takes. The first sign that your snake is getting ready to shed is that their skin starts to look dull. They also generally refuse to eat and are more defensive in this vulnerable state. Avoid handling your snake when they are getting ready to shed. We like to add a shed box with damp paper towels to the tank when Pretzel is shedding. Make sure the humidity is high enough and that there are branches or other rough objects in the tank for your snake to rub against. After shedding, your snake will start eating again and resume their normal manner.
Reptiles do not act like mammals.
Make sure your children realize that a pet snake is not going to be like a pet dog or cat. Snakes are reptiles and they do not act like mammals for a lot of reasons you can have your children research. Snakes will not excitedly greet you at the door when you come home or sleep in your bed. Snakes won’t play with toys. However, they can make great pets if you know what to expect. Snakes are nice and quiet and aren’t bothered if you’re not home very often. They are also fascinating to watch!
Captive ball pythons can live for 20-30 years, so be prepared. You need to be willing to feed and care for the snake if your child goes off to college/Peace Corps/basic training/wherever.
Pet snakes make great pets and are really entertaining. Just do your research so you know how to care for them!
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