Pet Snakes – General Information
Pet Snakes General Information
Pet Snakes General Information
Our scaly, legless friends are probably the most misrepresented, and most pathologically feared creatures on earth. Out of the two thousand odd kinds of snakes existing, fewer than 20 percent are venomous. People have an instinctive fear of these creatures that goes back for thousands of years. Possibly it began as a natural safeguard, when there wasn't a way of telling which snakes were poisonous or not. In other areas of people's lives, the Bible told us to be afraid of snakes for a very alternative reason. Some folks obviously misunderstand them, thinking that they are nasty, slimy creatures.
The first thing to realize about snakes is that any non-venomous reptile will strike out at you for 1 of 3 circumstances. First, if you smell like something it can eat. If you have recently handled warm-blooded animals, like hamsters, guinea pigs, even cats, the snake may smell that on you and mistakenly think you for an animal that could be it can eat. Second, if the snake mistakes you for a predator that could eat it. In particular when moving your hand down in the snake's vicinity, the snake can misinterpret your arm as something trying to harm it. Thirdly, and the most probable reason normally harmless snakes bite, is just that they are nervous. When given the choice between biting at you (the huge giant animal that just stepped into it's zone) or running away as fast as it can go, it will choose running away every eventuality. If the snake however, feels trapped into a corner, or finding itself to hide, it will strike out at you, more as a danger signal to stop approaching than to actually do any harm.
Reptiles that are non-venomous are usually very safe to handle, especially pet reptiles and reptiles that are habituated to being picked up. Even most species of wild snakes that are not poisonous are quite able to be picked up without fear of being bitten (the exception may be some water snakes and other kinds which are naturally aggressive). If you do want to pick up a snake, be sure to move slowly, and edge your fingers under the belly of the snake near the tail area. If you move quickly, or from the top, it may think you are a predator. Once you have actually lifted the snake and are holding it, do not hold it by the tail, but support it's body gently with both hands (keep a loose but firm grip, if you squeeze too hard it might hurt it), and the snake will explore it's way around arms and hands. If the reptile feels agitated, or looks as though it might strike, it is best to slowly, but carefully return the snake to it's habitat.
It will become obvious that snakes are not nasty or slimy in any way. However if they are scared, they could poop on you as a way of showing this state. If this occurs, be sure to wash the area very well with soap and hot water, as reptiles can have the bacteria of salmonella in their feces. Bear in mind that reptiles, although wonderful and interesting to study, just aren't the most intelligent creatures on the planet, having about the same intelligence as a goldfish. Remember when you are holding a your pet that it probably sees you as a really strange tree, and does not recognize you as a human. Snakes react by instinct rather than thinking, and as long as you keep this in mind, working with snakes is a breeze, as well as being interesting.
How can you tell venomous and non-venomous snakes apart? There are several ways to do this, even though some kinds of harmless reptiles have evolved so that they look like poisonous varieties when they are afraid. If you are ever even slightly in doubt, treat it with care! As a general rule, venomous snakes have a head shaped a bit like a diamond or triangle, instead of rounded heads that most non-poisonous reptiles have. Additionally, their eyes are in the shape of an ellipse like a cat's eye instead of being round as well. Pit vipers have a characteristic pit between the eye and the mouth. This pit, an organ that senses heat, makes it possible for the snake to accurately launch itself at a warm mammal, even when the snake cannot see the victim. Every body knows that rattlesnakes usually rattle, however this isn't always the case. Some species of this snake have evolved with no rattle!
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