Things all beginners should know!

Don't handle new snakes (ESPECIALLY young ones) until they're feeding regularly at normal intervals. They are not toys, they're living creatures with instincts & fear of us. Feeding is Job #1 and NOT "taming" it -because a snake that doesn't eat will eventually not survive, whether or not it's "tame". :snake:

And when you do finally get to handle your new pet, remember that the smaller they are, the faster their body heats up. We are about 97-99*, which is going to over-heat many slender or small snakes (like corn or king snakes) rapidly, while BPS will probably tolerate & may even enjoy our warmth longer...so just consider the needs of the size & species that you're living with when you do handle them. If they get restless, it just may be that they're over-heating in your hot little hands. ;) And if you're in a warm room, or outside when it's sunny & warm, it can happen that much faster- snakes can die from excess heat (heat stroke) FYI.

We are OFTEN asked about bathing or soaking a snake to facilitate shedding or remove mites: PLEASE when doing this take the temperature of the water for SAFETY! You want it about 85*...which is going to feel too cool to us because our body temperature is much higher. If the water feels warm to you, it's TOO HOT for the snake! Many say their snake panics & immediately wants OUT of the water...it's likely too hot. The loss of traction will also cause them to panic so give them something to hang onto.

In no real particular order. Also, I stole some from others, but wanted a fairly complete list. I probably forgot something, but here goes.

1. Thermostat, thermostat, thermostat.

2. Costs - know what you are getting into. If you cannot afford a proper setup, do not get a snake/reptile or you will both suffer.

3. It's addictive. You will probably end up with more than 1 animal.

4. These things get how big (more larger snake than BP issue, but many people see cute little animals at shows, and well......)?

5. Yes, they eat rodents. Most will take F/T (but ask).

6. You cannot save every animal out there and adopting has risks that many newcomers aren't prepared for.

7. Think like a snake/reptile. Try not to anthropomorphize too much.

8. It's about meeting your animals needs, then your needs. Remember that order.

9. They live a long time - be prepared for a long commitment.

10. They can get sick. Proper husbandry avoids many problems, but reptiles can get sick too. Be prepared for a vet visit at some point.

11. QUARANTINE!

12. Not everyone loves reptiles. Be prepared for pushback and DO NOT PERSEVERATE FEARS. Educate, but don't push on people who are afraid.

13. Know your local laws (for certain species - also see #4).

14. Be open to constructive criticism and ALWAYS BE LEARNING. Help others when you can, it's a community. Education = happier animals, better experiences for all involved, and a better name for the hobby.

15. Know what each species needs in terms of temps and humidity, etc. They are not all the same. Also if in doubt, cooler is better. Yes, reptiles like heat and need heat, but MORE HOT doesn't equal better hot!

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Originally Posted by WrongPython

Be patient and aware of the fact that you're making a multi-decade commitment.

If you do things right and your snake doesn't have any underlying issues (ie. cancer), your snake could be with you for several decades, potentially for the rest of your adult/working life. Many colubrids can live for 20 years. Pythons and boas can live even longer, potentially for 30-40 years (and I've heard a few cases of 50-year-old rosy boas). Ask yourself: are you really ready to take on an exotic animal that could live longer than many marriages?So, take a few months to do some research, find out what species fits in with your interest and your lifestyle, and decide if a reptile really is the pet for you. Is your desire for a reptile just another impulse or passing fancy? How does having a reptile fit in with your future life plans/goals? Can you provide for a reptile right now and in the foreseeable future?

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This is a really good point. I see so many cases of people buying several snakes when they're excited about it (it's just so tempting to get more once you have one!) and then lose the passion in a year or two and suddenly have a handful of snakes they abandon or need to rehome. There are also situations to consider like moving, going to college, having kids, and getting older--what will you do with your snake when these things happen? They can live much longer than cats or dogs so you really need to think ahead.

I think i'll chime in- please do your research. Don't trust just one source and please get multiple opinions on one topic. Don't follow practices that have been known to do harm and when in doubt, trust your gut but be open to learning.

Thank you for all the replies by the way!

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Originally Posted by vivi

I think i'll chime in- please do your research. Don't trust just one source and please get multiple opinions on one topic. Don't follow practices that have been known to do harm and when in doubt, trust your gut but be open to learning.

Thank you for all the replies by the way!

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Thanks for starting a great topic! ;)

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Don't handle new snakes (ESPECIALLY young ones) until they're feeding regularly at normal intervals. They are not toys, they're living creatures with instincts & fear of us. Feeding is Job #1 and NOT "taming" it -because a snake that doesn't eat will eventually not survive, whether or not it's "tame". :snake:

And when you do finally get to handle your new pet, remember that the smaller they are, the faster their body heats up. We are about 97-99*, which is going to over-heat many slender or small snakes (like corn or king snakes) rapidly, while BPS will probably tolerate & may even enjoy our warmth longer...so just consider the needs of the size & species that you're living with when you do handle them. If they get restless, it just may be that they're over-heating in your hot little hands. ;) And if you're in a warm room, or outside when it's sunny & warm, it can happen that much faster- snakes can die from excess heat (heat stroke) FYI.

We are OFTEN asked about bathing or soaking a snake to facilitate shedding or remove mites: PLEASE when doing this take the temperature of the water for SAFETY! You want it about 85*...which is going to feel too cool to us because our body temperature is much higher. If the water feels warm to you, it's TOO HOT for the snake! Many say their snake panics & immediately wants OUT of the water...it's likely too hot. The loss of traction will also cause them to panic so give them something to hang onto.

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One thing about our body temperature, I think 97-99* is more applicable to our core temperature because after checking with my thermometer gun I found that my surface temperature is closer to 90* and could probably be lower if you have cold hands

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Originally Posted by aurum

One thing about our body temperature, I think 97-99* is more applicable to our core temperature because after checking with my thermometer gun I found that my surface temperature is closer to 90* and could probably be lower if you have cold hands

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For sure that's our core temperature, but while there's a lot of variation, it's just something to remember if we handle our snakes for a while: it makes a difference how warm the room is, or if you're outside in the sun*, whether your snake is in your "cold hands" or snuggled around your neck & maybe even under your hair.

*There was a local guy in my town that used to walk around in "nice weather" with his large boa around his shoulders...he thought he was being so cool, until his snake died from a sunstroke. A large heavy-bodied snake takes a while to heat up, but remember that snake was in the sun with heat rising from his human...he had nowhere to cool off & died from a stupid mistake.

I just don't want that to happen to anyone else or their pets...so just be aware of what the temps are, or may be, at all times, & don't over-do it. :snake:

Know what you want before you attend an expo. Do your research weeks beforehand. Stay focus and don't get pulled into the excitement by the other people walking around with their new animal. It can be tempting to impulse buy because there is this feeling of 'everyone is doing it.' What you don't see is what happens 1 week from that expo, a lot of these impulse buys end up on Craigslist or rescues, because the kids got bored, the novelty wore off and reality of the cost and space requirement for some of these animals (ie Savannah monitors).

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Originally Posted by vivi

What do you think are some things that first time snake keepers should always know?

All I can say is... Get a thermostat!

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One thing everyone should have is a 10 dollar digital temperature gun ( I’ve got three - upstairs, downstairs and a spare )


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