Snakes that can be pets

January 13, 2024
Pet Snakes

Steps

Before you can approach any snake, you must first ensure 3 things:
The snake is non-venomous.
The snake is not so big that it will overpower you. Only professionals or highly experienced snake handlers should work with large snakes.
The snake has eaten recently. A hungry snake is a dangerous snake. Feed the snake a day or two before attempting to handle it.
Take care not to pick it up right after it has eaten (See Warnings)
Approach the snake with confidence. Just like dogs and cats, snakes can sense when you are tense or uneasy. This, in turn, will make them tense and uneasy. If you are steady and calm, they will be steady and calm.
Present the back of your fist to the snake first. It is more difficult for a snake to bite this area. While the snake smells you (flicking its tongue), slowly and gently reach for the main part of the snakes body and pick it up. If it strikes at you, do not drop it or panic. Continue to pick it up calmly and with authority.
Let the snake move over and around your hands, being careful not to constrict it or let it move too freely. As the snakes learns that you mean it no harm, it will slowly relax and start exploring you rather than attempting to run away.
Do this as frequently as possible. To keep your snake happy, feed and give it water regularly and keep a shaded area and a heat lamp available for it. The healthier your snake is, the happier it will be and the easier it will be to handle. With time and effort, your snake will quickly come to know your scent and trust you.

Tips

Snakes sense fear/hesitation.Be calm, confident and no sudden movements when going to pick them up out of their enclosures.

Feed your snake weekly with the appropriate size/type of food. Some snakes prefer mice, others prefer fish. Know what your snake should be eating.

Thirty minutes of handling each day, in addition to after feeding sessions, along with proper diet, temperature and humidity of environment, should keep your pet snake happy and healthy

Turn off your snakes heat lamp an hour before handling it. If the snake is cool, it will be calmer and easier to handle.

Don't give up. Some snakes are easier to handle than others. ALL snakes can be tamed.

Some snakes will tolerate handling, some will never get used to it. Try misting your snake with a fine mister bottle while handling them when they're feisty, it distracts and calms them. Hold the snake with your strong hand, mister bottle in the other.

Warnings

Do not allow others to handle an untamed snake. Liability makes you responsible if it bites them.

Do not kill a snake simply because it bit you. If you do not want the snake, find someone who will take it. Never release a captive snake into the wild.

Do not attempt to handle a snake that is larger than you or venomous. Only those people who are professionals or have extensive experience.

Take care not to pick the snake up right after it has eaten, if the snake feels threatened it will regurgitate its prey as a natural defence to be able to move more quickly!

Should this happen do not attempt to handle the snake as they will be extremely agitated and more prone to striking at you.

Do not take a wild snake as a pet unless you have a permit and know what you are doing.

Source: www.wikihow.com

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