Snakes And Kids
 A
dog, cat, mouse, hamster? It’s the one thing a parent will have to ask
themselves at least one in their life. What pet is best for their
family? Does everyone in the family want a pet? Well if you have a
little boy who wants something that will gross his sister out yet is
still okay if he manhandles it then a snake might be the way to go for
him.
A typical garden snake or corn snake makes a perfect pet if the child
is ready for the responsibility. Touching it regularly is good because
then it gets use to human contact and will eventually learn that the
touch is nothing to be feared. Also snakes don’t have a normal eating
habit then other pets. It’s nothing like pellets or something you can
leave in a bowl for them; snakes require special food such as mice that
the kids will most likely need your help with at first. But if you allow
them to learn and take care of it themselves it may help them learn some
responsibility.
Like when looking for any animal to call your pet first place I’d go
is the internet. Do some research and find some snake site that can tell
you all you need to know. Site that tell you that a king cobra or
venomous snake isn’t the way to go but something like a Milk snake or
King snake are good choices.
Another is a Ball python for it grows a little bigger then the
typical foot or so and what boy doesn’t like a bigger snake? The right
snake will make it fun and easier to play with regularly.
Now that you know what snake you wish to buy you need to get a cage
or container to keep it in. When you are buying a baby or new snake the
best is to get a small shoe box or plastic container so the snake feels
warm and comfortable with its surroundings as going from one owner to
another or to a different tank can be stressful so at first keeping it
in a small box or container would be best. When it’s seems okay with
it’s surroundings and doesn’t seem too stressed moving it to a larger
cage is acceptable. Typically a 20 gallon cage is fine depending on the
type of snake you get.
Tree branches and other fun things like that can be put in the cage
for them to climb on but don’t forget a screened top for most snakes a
great escape artists. Boys might think it’s totally fun walking around
with the snake on his arm or just allowing the snake to roam free around
his room but we must remember this one fact; snakes are excellent escape
artists and if allowed to just roam around the room he may slip out the
door or even open window and then the sad fact is it might get hurt or
you may never see it again. So be sure to have fun with your snake but
to return it to its enclosure before you leave it alone.
So are snakes good pets? The answer is yes with the added tag of if
you find the right one. |
