Buying a Snake

So you want to get a snake?

Snakes are fascinating animals. In 7 years of giving classes/lectures with live reptiles, I know how strongly they can draw the imagination, and how quickly you can fall in love with these beautiful animals. After an encounter with a friend's pet snake, a live animal experience at a zoo or nature center, or watching too many back-to-back episodes of The Jeff Corwin Experience, it's a natural urge to bring a pet snake into your life. A snake can be an extremely rewarding pet, and is sure to grab the attention of your friends and family, but as with any pet, it's important that you know what you're getting into before taking responsibility for the animal. The simple steps in article will get you off on the right foot.

1) Wait a While

You've decided that you want a snake. Don't rush right out to the pet store and buy one today. Read the rest of this article, and find some more like it. Think about what kind of snake you want, and why you want it. Scaring your Dad or "because it's cool," may not be the best reasons to move forward, here. Reptiles tend to live for a very long time, and any animal you purchase will be with you for 10, 20, or even 30 years or more. This is a big undertaking. Think about how your life may change in that time. Many places don't allow pets, and some that do may not allow you to have a snake, which some roommates and landlords may unreasonably fear. I suggest taking at least 2 weeks, preferably a month, to think about it, and see if your excitement fades at all in that time. This will allow you to avoid making an impulse purchase based on one really cool experience, and will give you time to follow the next step.

2) Do Your Research