Our Snakes Page

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This page is dedicated to our snakes, Gabrielle and Hank, two Royal Pythons.  These reptiles are some of the best most docile pets we have owned.  At least Gabrielle is anyway.  Sometimes Hank is a little cranky, but for the most part he is the same as Gabrielle.  We have had the two for five years now and they are part of the family. 

UPDATE: June 6, 2001 - Unfortunately Gabrielle is no longer with us and we miss her a great deal and hope to replace her as soon as possible.

Below we are listing some things we have found to be very important in the care and feeding of snakes.  Although we do not have them now we have also had "Brown Snakes"  which we found in the yard and raised on crickets and earthworms until we set them free.

SOME THOUGHTS AND OBSERVATIONS ON SNAKES

 Some  very necessary points to consider are:

 

Substrate Heat Source

One Point I would like to pass on is Concerning Heat Rocks.  We DO NOT use them!  They will BURN and/or COOK your pet.  Some reptiles do not realize when they get too hot and will remain on the heat rock until it is too late.   

Overhead Heat Source

We recommend Heating Pads for substrate heat source and light bulbs or ceramic heaters for overhead heat. 

Water Source

All ANIMALS must have water to drink and some like to use water to defecate in.  Water should NOT be cold but lukewarm.  

Hide Box

We cannot overemphasize the necessity if a "Hide Box" for all reptiles, especially snakes who like to be in seclusion to sleep and while they are in "blue"(shedding their skin).  If they don't have it they will suffer from stress and that can and does kill a lot of the captive breeds.
Light Source
 
Since snakes have very poor eyesight and do not depend primarily on light for navigation. They do have very limited short range vision. The light source you choose is more for you than your reptile friend. Keep in mind however that the light source should be one that includes infrared frequencies as that is beneficial to their growth. In the wild they get this from the sun. If you plan to illuminate your snake's domicile at night, we recommend a special "Night Light Bulb(a.k.a. Black Light). This will be sufficient to illuminate their domicile for your viewing convenience and also be of a health benefit to your snake(s) while not disturbing them. As you will find most of them are nocturnal creatures anyway preferring to seclude themselves during the daylight hours.

Do Not Be Misled by the above statement concerning poor eyesight.

While it is very true that they have poor eyesight and no hearing, They can sense minute changes in barometric pressure and do sense vibrations. This in conjunction with their heightened sense of smell with their Jacob's glands make them Deadly Accurate Predators when hunting or seeking out food.

 

For Your Safety and Health

Wash your hands and arms thoroughly before and after handling any reptile. They can and many do carry salmonella bacteria which can cause you much discomfort at the least if you get it in your system.

 
While the majority of the pythons(at least the royal pythons and other constrictors) are not poisonous and although many are extremely docile, If Your hand smells like their food (i.e. mice, rats, rabbits, hamsters or other rodents/pets) and you get it close to them they will strike at it and hold onto it until they realize it isn't food, leaving you with a bruised and sometimes bleeding hand or arm, not to mention the adrenaline rush the strike itself can cause, especially when you aren't expecting it.
 

We would not want you to think that these things are your only concerns when considering a snake as a pet.  Please go to the Reptiles page for further and complete information.  

 

 

This page is maintained by David Gardner and William Arnold.  You may email David -  Zeepman@yahoo.com or

you can email William - billwill11@msn.com . Your Comments and Suggestions are most Welcome.

This page last updated

Wednesday, January 07, 2009 13:52:01 -0600