Why the Heck Would You Have a Pet Snake (or lizard, crocodile, monitor, frog, turtle etc)?

This is a question that has been asked of me and a thousand (million?) other herp keepers. I think it's almost a case of once bitten, twice as determined. But seriously, it is something I have pondered but not really found an adequate answer for. They are not cute and cuddly. They bite (when young), they feel cold (not really) and they have funny eyes. And scales.

As a little tacker I was always into animals ? frogs, lizards, tadpoles, butterflies, beetles, spiders ? you name it, I went looking for it.

I don't think I ever got over it. It's hard to explain to people who do not have a fascination with animals, what the attraction is. It's just there. I think most people actually have it but for a variety of reasons they do not act upon it or ignore it.

Snakes are particularly intriguing. The way they move, the way the eat, the way their metabolism is so brilliantly attuned to the particular environment they inhabit, their ancestry, the development of venoms so potent that that can kill in minutes, all of these things interest me and make me want to know more about them.

There is some part of you that has to overcome a natural fear in the first instance to want to own and keep a reptile. For some reason, I'm not sure if it's instinct, we fear snakes and many reptiles. Witness a small child when you show them a snake. They instantly recoil. It's only when you show them that they have nothing to fear that they can then 'pet' the snake and overcome their own fears (well, as long as it's not venomous).

Where I live, every snake is venomous. There is no such thing as a snake that is not dangerous. Copperheads, red-bellied black snakes, mainland tiger snakes and eastern brown snakes all inhabit my local area, so it's understandable that people fear them. We have no pythons or non-venomous snakes in my area. Just the other day one of the painters doing my house remarked to me that he nearly leapt out of his skin when he saw what looked to be a snake in the grass near where he was painting. It turns out it was a blue tongued lizard, but nonetheless, his fear was well grounded. Living in the area makes you wary of snakes.

I think this is somewhat unfortunate. Snakes are more scared of you. How big you must appear to a snake. Standing still when you see one will prevent an attack. They only attack when threatened. Slowly backing off is also a good thing to do.

So why keep them? I think it is a duality of fear and fascination. And the trouble is that once you have one, you want two, and then three etc. If you have them, you know the feeling.

Another aspect is the actual act of managing to keep an animal that is not naturally suited or normally kept as a pet in an artificial environment. Learning about its needs, how to maintain optimal health, how to breed it, how to 'tame' it and how to enjoy it for what it is. These are challenges that herp keeping offers that few other pets do.

Mark Chapple is the Author of "How to build enclosures for reptiles" Find out how to build snake and other reptile cages as well as arboreal cages. Full color pictures, detailed diagrams and easy to follow, step-by-step instructions.

http://www.reptile-cage-plans.com

---

Understanding Dog Fleas: How Fleas Breed & Affect Your Dogs Health

Fleas belong to the insect order Siphonaptera. They are common... Read More

How To Set Up A Quarantine Tank For Tropical Fish

Do I Need A Quarantine Tank?Ah, yes, the often dismissed... Read More

My Dog Won?t Stop Digging - What Can I Do?

Lonely, bored, tired of eating that same old stick, then... Read More

Owning a Wild or Exotic Cat; Information, Laws, and Advice

Have you ever dreamed of living with a bobcat or... Read More

Decorating for The Cat Owner - How to Protect Your Possessions

The first thing a cat owner should know about home... Read More

Pet Peeve: Dogs Doing Business Where Not Wanted

We've recently moved into a new apartment complex that really... Read More

How To Use Horse Training Thinking To Solve Dang Near Any Problem With A Horse

Horse training can be a relatively mysterious subject to people... Read More

Dog Doors: Giving Your Pet Freedom to Come and Go as They Please Helps Solve Behavior Problems

Dog DoorsWhen we think of dog doors, we think of... Read More

What You Should Know About Your Puppy And Play Biting

The main ways a puppy will play with another dog... Read More

Different Dog Foods For Different Dog Ages

Dogs come in many assorted breeds, shapes, and sizes. They... Read More

Crate Training Your Puppy

Teaching your puppy crate training is the first and best... Read More

The Gifts We Give Our Dogs

Whoever coined the phrase, "It's a Dog's Life" wasn't familiar... Read More

Here?s How To Find The Right Pet Meds For Your Favorite Pet

Our pets depend on us for their every need, including... Read More

Dog Worms -- Dont Let Them Get Started

There may be no warning before dog worms strike.It was... Read More

Is Your Dog Fat?

Obesity is one of the greatest health concerns facing dogs.... Read More

How To Keep Your Cat Healthy - Your Guide to Cat Diseases and Conditions, and How to Cure Them

Even with the best care, cats can become ill. Sometimes... Read More

The Positve Benefits of Dog Day Care

Dog day care programs benefit the dogs of owner's who... Read More

Essential Fatty Acids for Parrots

You may be hearing more talk these days about "Essential... Read More

Essential Oils and Our Pets

Before we talk about using the essential oils, we first... Read More

Caring for an Older Cat - Cat Health and Cat Care

Cats are living longer lives thanks to dedicated care from... Read More

Crate Training Dogs & Puppies- FAQ

1) Why should I crate train my dog? ... Read More

Does Your Boston Terrier Want To Be With You?

This may come as a surprise...but if the tables were... Read More

Weaning Puppies Is Only Natural

Weaning puppies is a perfectly natural process. Mamma dogs have... Read More

Ticks On Your Dog: What to Do?

Once though of as a mere harmless but annoying pest,... Read More

Herbs for Pets

Let me begin by saying that I am not an... Read More

Goldfish Tips - Keeping The Aquarium Clean

You do clean your house don't you? Well you have... Read More

Take that Junk out of your Trunk

Your local grocery store is chock full of food and... Read More

Dog Supplies: Whats Needed Versus What Might Be Fun to Have

Buying a new dog is more than simply finding the... Read More

Your Dog is a Social Animal - and Needs You!

Your dog is a social being, just like you! He/she... Read More

Bark Collars: Stop Unwanted Dog Barking

Bark CollarsMany pet owners become lost as to what to... Read More

My Needs are Simple and Few!

My dear owner,Thank you once again for giving me shelter.... Read More

Does The World Need More Cats?

Aren't they cute? Yes, they are! A nest of meowing... Read More

Ten Tips for Caring for Your Betta Fish

Betta fish, also called Siamese fighting fish are one of... Read More