Questions that you need to answer BEFORE you buy a snake, not after.

[Python-77]

I have been working on this for several days to come up with a set of basic questions that any snake owner should be able to answer about there snake prior to its purchase. Let me know what you guys think and feel free to add questions.



1. Is it legal to own snakes in my town/city/county/state? If not stop here there is not need to answer anymore questions.

2. What is the scientific/Latin name of the snake you are looking to get?

3. What is the Avg adult size: For a male______, For a Female______

4. What is the Avg. Life span of this animal?

5. What do you plan on doing with this snake once its full grown and not a cute little hatchling anymore? If the answer is not keep stop here you are not ready for a snake.

6. What is a basking spot?

7. What is ambient Temperature?

8. What is a cool side?

9. What is Humidity?

10. What temp should the: Basking spot be____, Ambient Temp be_____, Cool side be______

11. What is the proper humidity level for my snake?

12. What is a UTH?

13. Does my snake need hiding spots? How many should be provided as a minimum and were?

14. What subtrate should I keep the snake on?

15. How often do I need to feed this snake?

16. What food will I be feeding this snake?

17. Is the food source readily available for all stages of life?

18. What size enclosure does it need as a adult?

19. If you are under the age of 18 what are you future plans? Most colleges will not allow snakes in the dorms and most require freshman to live on campus. If you plans are the military you will not be allow to live off base normally for the first 3-4 years(unless married) and you will not be allowed to keep a snake on the installation in your dorms or base housing.

[Kara]

Two that I would add:

* Prior to actually buying a snake, consider what prey the snake needs - are you comfortable feeding animal prey (rodents, chicks, etc) to a snake, whether live or frozen-thawed?

* How much will complete care of the snake cost over the course of its lifetime, including cage, food, environmental controls, etc? Am I realistically prepared to financially provide for a living animal?

K~

[Shaun J]

What if my snake gets some sort of problem,and I don't have money to take it to the vet?

Why do I want this snake?

[unimom]

* How many people that already own this type of snake have I talked to (other than the person selling it to me) to get a feel for how their lives have been effected by their snake?

[jotay]

Geez, you guys are really buzz kills w/ all these questions. Just Kidding!

These are some really great questions people should ask themselves before even thinking about a purchase.
Good job.

Now if breeders and pet shops would only use them we would have a whole lot less herps in rescues.

[frankykeno]

Nice list so far Sean and those that have added to it.

I would add:

- Have I found a vet within a reasonable distance that will see my snake (this isn't always easy to do but way too late to find out on a Sunday with a very sick snake!)

- If I'm under 16 and live at home, will my parents support and participate in my snake's care if I need to be away from home for school, sports or social activities.

- If I plan to buy this snake from a pet store, do I know the basics of how to judge a healthy snake. Does the store have a reasonable return policy if the snake is found to be unhealthy within a specified time period.


Nice idea this is Sean, I'd also love to see a short list of what to look for in a healthy snake and what to avoid. So many folks do buy from pet stores and may not known what to watch for when choosing their new pet.


~~Jo~~

[Ginevive]

Good list, and good additions.
I would add; do I understand what sized cage this animal will need when fully grown, and can I provide this?

[Smulkin]

Nice work guys!

I could easily see somethign like this evolving into a sort of FAQ or something of the sorts we could post for potantial owners if you have no objections.