What do you like about snakes as pets?

This question is more directed at people who have them as pets, as opposed to morph collectors and breeders. I think a lot of people don't understand reptiles as pets since they don't bond or cuddle with you like dogs and cats.

Personally, I think snakes are really interesting. I've had a variety of pets over my life, fish, lizards, a turtle, dogs, cats in the past, currently dogs, cats, a dove, honey bees. I can totally accept the non-bonding/cuddling if there's something else that makes them interesting and engaging (honey bees aren't very cuddly, but they are cute!). The dove is an interesting borderline when it comes to that. He bonds a little, but for the most part, he's happy doing his own thing and doesn't really like to be "engaged" by people. He's also 23 years old, 10 years past his expected lifespan, which makes me wonder if he's a zombie in there, haha! Even the vets are floored when I say how old he is...they've never heard of such a lifespan.

I plan to get a BP when the bird finally moves on; I don't have room to add another pet right now, so I'm using the time to research and make sure I make the right decision. So far, everything I've read sounds like a great match.

Hmmm...they are relatively easy to care for and, like you mentioned, they are just fascinating creatures. I personally think that they are beautiful, and even though they might not bond with you as much as a cat or a dog, they are still wonderful to have around, especially if you can find a really laid back and docile one. I also have had many different animals over the course of my life (right now I have 2 snakes and a cat) and I love and enjoy them all equally. I would definitely recommend getting a bp!! :D

I think they're wonderful.

After getting Atticus, and now having Onyx, I've come to love them both and everything that entails. Sure, you can't cuddle with them, but I'm slowly discovering that I enjoy having them around my neck while I'm at the computer as much, if not more than, as holding a dog or cat.

Hey I cuddle with my snakes!! Lol :giggle:

There is just something about reptiles. I am a person who likes my personal space and with reptiles, they are quite happy being left along for long periods of time. Cats and dogs require so much attention, too much sometimes.

I am a college student and sometimes I just don't have time for my animals every day. With reptiles, they don't require my attention every day (aside daily cage maintenance).

Whenever I see a reptile I am ooing and aaawwwing, but a cat or dog. Meh.

i like them because theyre totally expressionless :p
you can talk to them for hours and make up their responses with a funny voice, its great :p

its like having a poker player or a royal guard who you can talk utter rubbish to for ages :)

Well, they don't chew up your floors, leave you little gifties on the carpet, under the tables, and in your bathtub, knock your stuff off high shelves and break it, dump trash baskets all over the floor every night, bring fleas in from the great outdoors, shed all over everything, or jump up onto the back of the sofa and vomit on your wife, for what that's worth....

Yes, my dogs and cats have done _all_ of that.

_This_ week.

~Bruce

1) they don't make much noise, aside from the occassional fart.

2) When they shed, it doesn't get all over the house, clothes, and furniture.

3) You don't have to take them for a walk in bad weather.

4) Their bites don't hurt no where near as much as a dog or cats.

5) If you have to go out of town for a few days, they are fine by themselves.

6) They don't have separation anxiety.

7) They only poo about once a month or so and sometimes it's photo worthy.

8) Other snake keepers completely understand.

9) Cheaper to feed than dogs and cats.

10) They are wayyyyy cuter when they yawn than dogs or cats.

There is 10 reasons for you...


Rob

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Originally Posted by Vypyrz

1) they don't make much noise, aside from the occassional fart.

2) When they shed, it doesn't get all over the house, clothes, and furniture.

3) You don't have to take them for a walk in bad weather.

4) Their bites don't hurt no where near as much as a dog or cats.

5) If you have to go out of town for a few days, they are fine by themselves.

6) They don't have separation anxiety.

7) They only poo about once a month or so and sometimes it's photo worthy.

8) Other snake keepers completely understand.

9) Cheaper to feed than dogs and cats.

10) They are wayyyyy cuter when they yawn than dogs or cats.

There is 10 reasons for you...


Rob

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I'm just gonna continue this list LOL.

11) There is a lot of variety in color (u get the same animal, just different look, rather than getting varied sizes of dogs, with dif personalities)

12) I work a LOT so they are a perfect pet for me :D bc i dont have to spend so much time with them

13) They're easy to clean (cages / tanks/ tubs)

14) They're easy to house

15) They have a LONG life span so you can get attached, and not worry about losing them

16) When they lick your face or hand, they dont slobber on you

17) They stay small, but they're still kinda long, so they're parent friendly

18) They're easier to handle

19) They're slow and calm.. if u had a bad take, hold ur fav python and feel ur anguish slither away :gj:

20) They have SUPER cute faces

Personally, i've had coyotes, fish, turtles, lizards, a hummingbird, dogs, cats, oppossums, and other birds, and honestly, i'm sticking with my BP :D

1. easy to maintain
2. only eat/poop once a week
3. no allergies !!! yay for me
4. independent, as in they dont really care for people being all over them even though i wish my snake would show me some love every once in a while
5. beautiful and unique! every snake has its own pattern and color
6. not everyone has one
7. theres a good selection of morphs that get better and better as the years pass
8. you can keep a whole bunch of em if you loved em that much and wouldnt need to breed to make back money you spent, as compared to having a few dogs and cats that can add up with shots, litter, food, big houses etc.
9. theyre fun to watch when they explore
10. easy to read if theyre uncomfortable or unhappy so things can be adjusted on their behalf to make them happier

They are calming to me. They are also loners and misunderstood so I have always kindof identified with that.

Partly because so many people hate and fear them. Cats and dogs are so archetypal and boring.

I'm probably going to echo everyone else, but here's why I like them...

1. Easy to care for, and fairly self-sufficient. All they want from you is proper husbandry & a fresh rodent once a week... the rest is "optional" in their world.
2. Beautiful and varied in their appearances.
3. Fun to handle (two of mine do actually like to cuddle - LOL).
4. Inexpensive to maintain, once you have the enclosures set up.
5. Good conversation starter, if you find people who aren't freaked out by them. :D
6. Leads to related hobbies - photography, genetic research, online & offline socialization, carpentry, etc.
7. Ummmmmm... I dunno, I've always just loved snakes & lizards! :)

Soooo many things I love about snakes, but here are most of the main reasons:

-Quiet/Don't make noise
-Don't poop a lot
-Don't smell
-Most are docile
-Kept in cages
-Easy to feed and water
-Easy to clean up after
-Amazing colors and patterns
-Don't take up much space
-Don't need to go outside to go to the bathroom

That's not even half of what I love about snakes.:bow::bow:

I'll have to second the "they're fascinating" answer. I love how even my small collection has a wide range of personalities - not as obvious and in-your-face as a dog, of course, but still obvious to their keepers.

I also enjoy watching my only live holdout hunt. Not for the "thrill of the hunt" or to watch the mouse get killed (I always feel terrible that I have to drop the poor thing in there), but to observe the most natural act this wild animal can have in my hands. It's really interesting to see how she sets herself up for the ambush, waits for just the right moment to strike, etc. Definitely can't wait till she'll take F/T though.

... Of course, you can't beat all the shiny colors either :P

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Originally Posted by omnibus2

Partly because so many people hate and fear them. Cats and dogs are so archetypal and boring.

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LOL... when people ask why I'd own a pet that isn't cuddly, I say "That's why I also have a dog & cats." If they STILL don't get it, I explain that it's like having a beautiful fish aquarium - but at least my snakes don't die if I hold them. :D

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Originally Posted by Dalishar

I'll have to second the "they're fascinating" answer. I love how even my small collection has a wide range of personalities - not as obvious and in-your-face as a dog, of course, but still obvious to their keepers.

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Exactly! Why does every pet have to be furry and have legs/arms? :weirdface I find reptiles to be absolutely enchanting, and always have... I recently reminded my mother of that, when she was asking about my new hobby. I was like, "remember how I used to RUN to the 'snake guy' at Coyote Point (a recreation area we used to visit regularly)?" I can't explain why, but they've always been a fascination of mine.

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I also enjoy watching my only live holdout hunt. Not for the "thrill of the hunt" or to watch the mouse get killed (I always feel terrible that I have to drop the poor thing in there), but to observe the most natural act this wild animal can have in my hands. It's really interesting to see how she sets herself up for the ambush, waits for just the right moment to strike, etc. Definitely can't wait till she'll take F/T though.

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Ditto to all of the above... Mona is my snake who won't take F/T, and it is kind of interesting to watch the live hunt. Wish I could give her mice instead of a rat, though, because I am much less fond of the former. But if I fed her mice only, she'd have to get 5-6 per feeding! :D Regardless of whether the prey is live or not, I also find the swallowing process to be really interesting. Never thought I'd say that, LOL...

wel i have my morphs are pets as well the rest since ther seems to be a large number of them on Craigslist.

I find the following pro about snakes as pets versus most animals

no rabies , distemper shots, no worries about them maulign the id accross the street ( an such) limit speed if they get out, they are quite no yapping,whining. They can be left a couple days with out a problem.Once people find out yougot snakes no more door to door types.

the only cons I found are the limite vets ( in my area), have to go to showsto get the proper price ones, and the in creas in electric cost irks mom lol..

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Originally Posted by Lolo76

I'm probably going to echo everyone else, but here's why I like them...

1. Easy to care for, and fairly self-sufficient. All they want from you is proper husbandry & a fresh rodent once a week... the rest is "optional" in their world.
2. Beautiful and varied in their appearances.
3. Fun to handle (two of mine do actually like to cuddle - LOL).
4. Inexpensive to maintain, once you have the enclosures set up.
5. Good conversation starter, if you find people who aren't freaked out by them. :D
6. Leads to related hobbies - photography, genetic research, online & offline socialization, carpentry, etc.
7. Ummmmmm... I dunno, I've always just loved snakes & lizards! :)

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ill just agree to this one. lol..

tho this next quote!

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Originally Posted by omnibus2;

Partly because so many people hate and fear them. Cats and dogs are so archetypal and boring.

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highly disagree, dogs are wonderful!
they are great workers, great at many sports, great protectors of life and protectors of property and many many other great things..

Hrmmmmm good question.........I know there is no bonding like a cat or dog but I do find some of their behaviors interesting, like they will come out of the tub and sit there until you move your hand to them and then up the arm they go, I do think they can distinguish their regular handler versus non handler.

There movement, the way they observe and scan, the way they periscope, the ease of care once cost of setup and husbandry is in place, their control and precision power when needed, so many things that make them totally different but still an awesome pet. Most dogs give that cuddle master your the boss affection feel but at the same time dogs lack many of what a reptile or snake possesses.

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Originally Posted by omnibus2

Partly because so many people hate and fear them. Cats and dogs are so archetypal and boring.

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My dogs are awesome, they make me laugh always doin some retarded crap that just makes me say "why"..... Im not even sure how to pin point what I like about snakes.... its just something about them that makes me want to have a bunch.

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Originally Posted by Lolo76

I explain that it's like having a beautiful fish aquarium - but at least my snakes don't die if I hold them. :D

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I have a display aquarium and fish to me, are just decorations that eat and require a lil attention to keep em breathing..... If one dies, big deal. The only fish that seem like they know who you are would be Oscars IMO.... I had one of them jump tank and I was almost upset for like a whole minute..... If one of my snakes died, that would be terrible and would bother me for reals.