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If you’re interested in a pet snake, then the best thing that you can do is research how to care for one before heading to the store. Pet snakes can definitely make good pets for those who enjoy their company, but they certainly aren’t for everyone.
We highlighted a few of the perks here, as well as a few of the drawbacks. This way, you can make an informed decision about whether a pet snake is right for you.
The 4 Pros of Owning a Snake
While some people would never dream of owning a snake, those who do reap plenty of rewards. We highlighted four of the most prominent perks here.
1. Snakes Are Low Maintenance
Once you set everything up properly, there are few pets as low maintenance as a snake. They only eat about once every one to two weeks, depending on the species, size, and age. With regards to enclosure maintenance, spot cleaning of feces and shed skin should be done regularly, while a full enclosure cleaning is recommended every 4–6 weeks.
Once you compare this to a dog that needs daily walks, feedings, brushes, affection, and more, a snake requires less work. If you’re living a busy life, a snake won’t mind if you leave them alone all day, although you need to keep the humidity levels up in their enclosure.
Snakes are ideal pets for those with busy lifestyles, as they are content with being left alone for extended periods. However, it is crucial to maintain a stable environment within their enclosure, including a consistent temperature gradient, appropriate humidity levels, and proper lighting with distinct day–night cycles. For species that require it, UVB lighting must also be provided.
As far as low-maintenance pets go, it’s hard to find an easier pet to care for than a snake—once you know what you’re doing.
2. They Are Friendly
Snakes get a bad rap from many people, but most commonly kept captive-bred pet snakes are typically docile and tolerant of gentle handling, such as corn snakes, ball pythons, and king snakes. You can handle them and have them slither around you, and the chances of having them bite or attack you are low if the animal is healthy, accustomed to handling, and not stressed or shedding.
With time and patience, your snake will actually start to enjoy spending time with you, which means you’ll get a companion that you don’t need to devote a ton of time or energy to.
3. Snakes May Help Reduce Stress
Plenty of studies have shown that having a pet can reduce your stress levels and have multiple health benefits, and owning a pet snake may provide similar companionship benefits for reptile fans. While limited specific scientific data exists on the effects of snakes on human stress, particularly when compared to the research available for mammals.
Simply having a companion when you come home from the office or having the responsibility of taking care of them can provide purpose and reduce loneliness and lead to a healthier lifestyle.
4. Snakes Can Make You Happy
It might seem like a minor thing, but happier people tend to be healthier people. Happy people exercise more, eat healthier, and simply enjoy life more. If a pet snake is going to make you happy, then it’s well worth it.
The 3 Cons of Owning a Snake
While a pet snake might be the perfect match for some people, for others, they don’t offer anything that they want from a pet. There’s no wrong answer here, but it’s best to know what a few of the drawbacks are before you purchase a snake.
1. It Can Be Challenging to Meet Their Needs
While it is not necessarily difficult once properly understood, snakes have a very specific set of environmental, nutritional, and behavioral needs that must be met. Without enough time and research, you might neglect them without even realizing it.
Before you purchase a pet snake, do plenty of research, and don’t just rely on the person at the pet store trying to make a sale. Ensure that you have everything you need to care for them before you bring them home. Some of these must-haves include a properly sized enclosure, secure heating and humidity control, appropriate substrate, and proper diet and feeding regimen according to the species’ needs.
2. They Like to Escape
If you’re planning on getting a pet snake, you need to ensure that you have an adequate enclosure with a secure, escape-proof lid or locking mechanism. Otherwise, you might end up playing a game of “find the snake” one day.
It’s not about keeping your snake happy; it’s about their instinctual exploratory behavior. The snake wants to explore what’s out there, and they often don’t realize the danger that they’re putting themselves in.
When they need to heat themselves back up, they might not be able to find the warmth they need and all the other things that you provide for them in their enclosure.
3. They’re Not for the Faint of Heart
Even if you get over your initial fear of snakes, there’s a good chance that you’ll slip up at some point and have a food-smelling hand wander too close to your snake and get bit.
You also need to feed them thawed or frozen mice or rats, and some people don’t like having those around.
Final Thoughts
Before you head to the store and purchase a pet snake, research what you’re looking for and how to care for them. While there are tons of perks of owning a pet snake, if you don’t properly care for them, you won’t get any of the benefits, and you might end up causing preventable health problems or premature death.
After you’ve done your research and prepared the proper enclosure, purchase your snake from a reputable captive-bred source and establish a relationship with an experienced reptile veterinarian. That way, you’ll be ready to welcome a fascinating new companion into your home.
Featured Image Credit: Aleksandr Klochko, Shutterstock
