David Armentrout - Slithering Snakes and How to Care for Them

David and Patricia Armentrout www.rourkepublishing.com 2011 Rourke Publishing LLC All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from the publisher. www.rourkepublishing.com Photo credits: Theodore Garland, Jr. Editor: Jeanne Sturm Cover and page design by Nicola Stratford, bdpublishing.com Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Armentrout, David, 1962 Slithering snakes and how to care for them / David and Patricia Armentrout. p. -- (Lets talk about pets) Includes bibliographical references and index. -- (Lets talk about pets) Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-1-61590-248-4 (Hard cover) (alk. paper) ISBN 978-1-61590-488-4 (Soft cover) 1. Snakes as pets--Juvenile literature. I. Armentrout, Patricia, 1960- II. Title.

SF459.S5A76 2011 639.396--dc22 2010012386 Rourke Publishing
Printed in the United States of America, North Mankato, Minnesota
033010
033010LP Post Office Box 643328 Vero Beach, Florida 32964

Are you wild about snakes? When you spot a slithering snake in the garden, are you eager to catch and hold it? If you are curious about the way snakes live and behave, it may make sense to have one as a pet. Snakes are fascinating make awesome pets. Reptile Reality Some people dislike, or even fear, snakes. Make sure everyone in your home shares your interest in getting a pet snake. corn snakealbino corn snakeCorn snakes often have bold color combinations of orange, red, brown, and black, but no two corn snakes will have the same color pattern. Before getting a snake, consider its needs and your role as a caregiver. Your snake will spend most of its time in an enclosure, needing only about ten minutes of playtime, or handling, each day.

Snakes are animals like mice and rats. It is important that everyone in your home understands and is comfortable with the way your snake feeds. corn snakeIt can take four or five days for a corn snake to digest its meal. Pet snakes live, on average, 20 years. Caring for a snake is a long-term time commitment. If for any reason you no longer can care for your snake, you must not release it into the wild. It is illegal, and dangerous for your pet.

You will need to find a or someone who can give your snake a good home.

There are nearly 3,000 kinds of snakes, but very few make good pets. In fact, you dont want a snake! A venomous snake uses fangs to inject poison into prey before feeding. western diamondback rattlesnakeRattlesnakes ARE NOT good pets. Their bite can be DEADLY!California king snake A non-venomous snake like a corn snake or a king snake is a great choice for a new snake owner. Both have beautiful color patterns, are , and only reach about five feet (1.5 meters) long when fully grown.

Reptile Reality Get your snake from a breeder. A captive-bred snake is typically healthier and has a calmer personality than a wild snake. gopher snakeMost pet gopher snakes have calm personalities. However, some hiss loudly or even strike with opened mouths when disturbed.rosy boamilk snakeRosy boas are popular choices for first-time snake owners because they are slow moving, docile, and easy to care for.Milk snakes are bred in a wide variety of colors and make great pets.

Did you know a snake smells with its tongue? It flicks its tongue out to collect particles from the air. Then, it quickly brings the tongue to a special organ inside its mouth to examine the particles. rat snakegopher snakeWild snakes bask in the sun for warmth. Snakes also have to move in and out of warm and cool places to control their body temperatures. rat snakegopher snakeWild snakes bask in the sun for warmth. Snakes also have to move in and out of warm and cool places to control their body temperatures.

They do this because they are . They do not make their own heat like people. Your snake enclosure will need a warm side and a cool side so your pet can live comfortably.

Your snake will be happy in an enclosure that looks and feels like a natural snake habitat. Setting up the enclosure is easy when you use your supply checklist. ball python
Astro-turf is one option for your tank floor.

Home supply stores sell it. It is easy to replace when it is soiled.Snake Habitat Supply ChecklistAn aquarium tank with a tight-fitting screen lid that locks closed. Use a 10-gallon (38-liter) tank for a small, young snake, or a 20-gallon (76-liter) tank for an adult snake. At least one heat source to create a warm side of the enclosure; either an electric warming mat for the underside of the tank or an aluminum-type clip lamp.