basic questions about pet snakes?

[zombway]

#1 - am i better off getting a male or female? i've heard females can be more aggressive.
#2 - i want a relatively "tame" snake; how often should i handle it?
#3 - would a small python (childreni or stimsoni) be able to eat a mouse?
#4 - should i be feeding the snake live or pre-killed food?
#5 - what should i include in the enclosure; hiding holes, branches, etc?
#6 - when being handled, how long should the snake be handled for?
and sorry for being a novice...
#7 - when handling, is the snake likely to, uh, go to the toilet?

email would be best for a reply.
[email protected]
or pm me on here.

thanks heaps.
sorry i'm so clueless!

 

[Timmy-Morelia]

Yes you should get a childrens python i have two male & female yes the female is more agressive dont let that stop you from getting a female

 

[Sock Puppet]

#1 - am i better off getting a male or female? i've heard females can be more aggressive.
It usually comes down to the individual snake rather than it's sex or species (although some species are regarded as snappier than others, but it's not a hard & fast rule)

#2 - i want a relatively "tame" snake; how often should i handle it?
Not for the first week or so after getting it (let it settle in), not for a couple of days after feeding it (they sometimes regurgitate), not when they're shedding (some can be snappy when shedding). Other than that there's a hundred different views. I personally handle mine a couple of times a week, 10-20min at a time, but that's neither right nor wrong, just my way.

#3 - would a small python (childreni or stimsoni) be able to eat a mouse?
Yes, upgrade food size as the snake grows, if you were to be getting a hatchling

#4 - should i be feeding the snake live or pre-killed food?
Pre-killed. Either fresh or frozen. As a general rule this is safest as sometimes the prey item can turn on the snake & harm it. Some situations call for live feeding if a snake is a fussy eater, but most will take a dead rodent.

#5 - what should i include in the enclosure; hiding holes, branches, etc?
Hides at both the warm & cold ends, climbing branches (depending on species), water bowl large enough for your snake to soak in, substrate material, a heat gradient (a warm & cold end), escape proof enclosure. There are different requirements you'll need depending on size/age, species etc.
A REPTILE KEEPERS LICENCE!

#6 - when being handled, how long should the snake be handled for?
See earlier answer

and sorry for being a novice...
#7 - when handling, is the snake likely to, uh, go to the toilet?
Maybe. Mine never have, but there's plenty of people out there it's happened to.

email would be best for a reply.
[email protected]
or pm me on here.
oops sorry, was halfway thru' answering on here so just kept going


thanks heaps.
sorry i'm so clueless!
There are plenty of great books on the market (in most good pet stores) that will give you a great intro to snakes & their requirements. There are also a lot of places that offer basic reptile keeping courses that are worthwhile. I suggest be as informed as you can be, then go for it! They're beautiful animals, you won't regret it.

 

[zombway]

a week to handle it?
bummer. i was looking forward to handling it asap.

 

[Sturdy]

a week to handle it?
bummer. i was looking forward to handling it asap.

HEHEH its hard to not play with a new toy.... but alas let it settle it, to much stress can cause other issue down the track.

 

[zombway]

i don't plan to buy a hatchling...
so if i buy a snake that's a few months hold, and has been handled regularly, will it be fine for me to handle it regularly?
or is the fact that it's a "new person / new environment" going to upset the snake?

 

[XKiller]

If u buy a snake it's more a lucky guess with temperment, could get one pacid as or one relly bity,...
and if u do buy a snake probly give it a week or two b4 holding it let it settle in.

 

[pythons73]

I usually wait til its feeding before too much handling,IMO the first couple weeks are crucial,it needs to get used to the new enviroment,leave alone for 2-3 weeks,unless cleaning and changing water.Once its had a feed or two then start attempting to handle,wait for a few days to handle after a feed.Just remember NO snakes like to be handled,they just tolerate it.If you do get a snappy one,bend a coat-hanger into a hook and gently remove from cage,move your arms etc slowly,otherwise you will scare it.Hopefully after some time it will be a great snake,males-females are the same in regard to temper,IMO...Best of luck when you get your new addition...

 

[Ryan H]

i reckon its good to let your first hatchie tag ya so you know how it feels

 

[notechistiger]

Until it is feeding regularly, don't handle it at all. Feed it once a week. Keeping your snake healthy is much more important then harassing it (and don't worry, all new owners will harass their snake ). Just be patient.

 

[Lewy]

i don't plan to buy a hatchling...
so if i buy a snake that's a few months hold, and has been handled regularly, will it be fine for me to handle it regularly?
or is the fact that it's a "new person / new environment" going to upset the snake?

You Do need to remember that you are not getting a cuddle dog or cat and that you are getting a reptile

If you want something to handle and or just show of to your mates then get a dog. A reptile is not a normal pet to have and should be more of a look and don't touch animal

Not having a dig at you just voicing my opion

Cheers Lewy

 

[zombway]

yeah, i understand that.
but i would like to handle it when i can.
and i just wanted to know if the snake has been handled before, and is used to being handled, would that make it easy for when i handle it?

 

[Lewy]

yeah, i understand that.
but i would like to handle it when i can.
and i just wanted to know if the snake has been handled before, and is used to being handled, would that make it easy for when i handle it?

Well the best thing to do with any new snake is to just let it settle in to its new home for a week or so it is very important to do this

Then yer I guess after that you can start to handle them a couple of times a week for a short period of time

Cheers Lewy