I think basic snake care is my next topic. It's fitting in that I just bought a baby ball python named Monty Python. He says he thinks basic snake care is the most important topic of all.

First, to get started, you need to get a cage, not any old cage. The cage needs to be a snake cage, not a gerbil or bunny one left over from that pet that escaped.

The snake cage has to be tight and have a safety lock on it. If the top wiggles and has a crack, make sure the snake you put in there has a head bigger than the crack, or you will surely have it escape. Trust me, I learned the hard way.

The snake you pick has to be the right one for you. Since this is basic snake care, we won't cover all the kinds of snakes that make good pets today.

The snake you pick has to have a red light put on one side of it's cage. It is especially important to providethis in winter, as this is the light snakes need to warm up with by basking, or laying there stretched out under the light.

The snake needs a water bowl big enough so if it feels like it, he can bathe in it and drink out of it.

The snake needs bedding. I have always used Aspen bedding, as my snakes love it. There cannot be any bark from the general pet section or garden section of the store you shop at. That stuff can get in snake sinuses, and the snake can eat the bark. If the bark gets in the sinuses, it can cause problems.

You have to find a vet that deals with exotic animals before you bring your snake home. Snakes get sick or have problems like any other animal.

The snake needs a bark hide, something to hide in. Since the snake sheds once every month or two it is useful for him to rub against to loosen its skin.

You should also have another hide of any kind put in the cage. A bottle that is not glass works well, as does a flower pot or box. The second hide should go in the opposite side as the first, so the snake can pick what side he wants to hide in, the warm side or cooler side.

The snake eats frozen mice every seven to ten days on average. You need to warm this mouse thoroughly before feeding the snake. No microwaves, please. Run the mouse under hot water until warm. Make sure the rodent doesn't get on your hands, as you will smell like prey and the snake then will mistake you for pray. Then it will bite you. Kitchen tongs may make it easier for you to feed the snake, as tongs can be bitten without any harm to you.

To pick out the right rodent to feed your snake, notice the fattest part of the snake's body. The width of the fatest part of the body is the width the feeder mouse should be. Hairy, larger mice cannot be eaten by a baby corn snake, nor can a full grown ball python be content with a pinkie mouse that is just barely born.

It needs to be fed in a cage seperate from its living space. The snake will associate this cage with food. If you put the mouse in the living space of the snake, it will associate its living space with food, and therefore might get excited and bite you every time you stick your fingers in the cage.

It also needs to be fed in quiet. No audience is ideal. Put a towel over the feeding cage and let the mouse sit there for about five minutes. It will probably be eaten by then.



So, now you have it. Have fun raising your snake(s). I do.

I get together with one species of pets each time I blog, and they tell me what subjects to write on.
The first subject: the basics on how to care for your cats
My cats live in peace and harmony, partly because they are well cared for. What cats need from their owners to live happily is pretty simple. They need food, water, and a litter box. The food needs to be given twice daily. Read the the pet food bag/box/can to see how much of the food to give each time you fill the food. One bowl of water, refilled when needed, is required by my cats. There needs to be one litter box full of litter every two cats in the house. So if you have four, you need two litter boxes full of litter. Get a scoop at any pet store to scoop out their mess once a week. Once a month, refill the cat litter completely, or if the cat(s) have digestive problems, sooner. So there you have it. It's easy, right? But only if you follow the directions above . . .