Some people like furry animals like dogs or cats, but others prefer exotic reptiles like snakes. Non-poisonous snakes that are sold in pet stores can make great pets. It is important that you remember to only keep reptiles as pets if you purchased them at a pet store or another place where animals are sold. You can also get a snake from a reputable snake breeder. Don't ever catch a snake and take it captive, as these animals are wild and hostile to humans. Some snakes are venomous and can cause serious injuries or fatalities.

The first important step in caring for your pet snake is choosing the right one. You will want to remember that when you choose a snake, you are making a long-term commitment. Most snakes live upwards of 20 years, and they can grow excessively during that time. You must be willing to feed prey animals to your snake, as this is how the reptile will survive. Sometimes you can purchase these prey animals frozen and pre-killed.

One of the most important things to remember when caring for a snake is to purchase and maintain an escape-proof enclosure. Snakes tend to be very persistent. They will find and squeeze through even the smallest spaces to get out of their cages. You will want to make sure that the lid of your snake habitat has air holes but is sealed tightly so that the animal cannot squeeze through small gaps.

Make sure that the cage is clean, and be cautious to wash it out regularly. Animals that are covered in their own fecal matter are typically kept in very poor conditions. Like dogs and cats, snakes need a sanitary environment in order to maintain a healthy disposition. When the snake cage is not cleaned regularly, it can result in illness or death.

You will want to inspect your new snake regularly to make sure the animal is healthy. Unlike dogs and cats, snakes are not very expressive. This means you will need to keep a sharp eye out to determine if anything is wrong with the animals. You should look at the overall body condition of your snake. If you can see the reptile's backbone, this is normally a side of malnutrition.

Also, look at the snake's skin. If your pet's skin is wrinkled and dull, it may be a sign of dehydration or malnutrition. Make sure that there are no belly burns on your snake's underside, and that the animal is free of bites or scratches that could form into abscesses later on. Check your snake's eyes to see if they are free from crusted material or an odd discharge. Swollen eyes can often indicated systemic illness in reptiles, so watch out for this. If your pet has a mucous discharge coming from his or her nostrils, this can also lead to a concern.

Reptiles' biggest give away when it comes to sickness is their mouth. Inside most reptiles mouths are a healthy pink color. If your pet's mouth is gray or pale pink, this may be concerning. Also, if your animal has small white or green spots in its mouth this may indicate systemic illness or mouth rot. Check your snakes head for swelling or asymmetry, and look for a presence of mites on your animal. If you want more information about snake care, or if you are concerned that you snake is ill, then you need to find a local vet to give your animal a routine check-up. Describe any odd behaviors or physical characteristics of your snake to your veterinarian today to ensure that your animal is happy and healthy!