Snake, Rattle and Roll

Snakes are fascinating creatures. ‘Though they’ve been given a bad rap for centuries, they are not the evil beings many people believe them to be. Pet snake, however, seems to me to be something of an oxymoron. Some would argue that a pet is any tame animal kept as a companion. But is any snake really tame? Some breeds are docile or shy, but tame??? And as for companionship… well, I suppose it takes all sorts.

Obviously, there are plenty of people who have blundered blindly into the pet snake idiom, as reptile adoption centers have proliferated. So if you’re determined to add a limbless, scaly, elongate reptile to your happy family, especially one that has been rescued, there are a few things that you should consider first.

Behavioral and Health Problems Associated with Rescued Snakes

If a snake is abused and mistreated, it can become extremely aggressive and prone to attack. A snake that’s been starved for prolonged periods of time can also be particularly aggressive and is likely to strike for food at every opportunity it gets. Contrary to popular belief, most of the snake species that people choose to have as pets are quite mellow, and rarely attack unprovoked. But if the snake that you are adopting was living in a less than suitable environment, you may end up with a one that will strike at you every chance it gets.

Along with behavioral problems, many adopted and rescued snakes also come with a variety of health issues. Snakes that have not been fed properly, or have been fed food that is not “clean” can often have intestinal parasites that cause a number of health problems. If the cage environment has not been properly maintained the creature may have mouth rot, a potentially deadly condition, as well as external parasites like mites, which can cause severe anemia.

What You Need to Know Before Adopting a Rescued Snake

If you have found a snake available for adoption that you are interested in, there are a number of things that you should ask the person who is currently housing the snake:

- What species of snake is it?
- Why is the snake available for adoption? Why is the current or previous owner getting rid of it?
- What type of food is it used to eating? Does it eat live prey or pre-killed prey?
- Are there any known health conditions?
- Has the snake been checked out by a veterinarian who has experience with snakes?

Snakes can live for more than 20 years, so this is a long-term commitment. And you’ll need some freezer space for frozen, pre-killed prey. Also, they’re adept at escaping (no surprise, there). Then there’s housing…

You should create the most natural environment possible. Arboreal snakes need leafy limbs on which to climb and hide and will be happier in horizontal cages. Terrestrial species will be fine in vertical housing but still require small boulders or logs behind which they can secrete themselves.

Adequate ventilation is critical and so is a thermal gradient. The reptiles must regulate their body temperature by moving between cool and warm areas. So you will have to provide both heat and shade. Then there’s fresh water, dry bedding, humidity and regular cleaning to consider.

So, you see, there’s more to caring for a snake than you may have realized. If you’re still hell-bent on adopting, be sure you know what you are getting and make sure you can correctly identify the breeds. You don’t want to start out with a pretty 20-inch critter that grows into a 20-foot Burmese Python!

I can’t emphasize enough, before adopting a snake be sure you know what you’re getting into. If you don’t, not only may you be in danger from your pet but the snake you adopt may end up needing to be rescued from you!