Snakes as Pets

Snakes as pets? Although they are not furry and cuddly, many people find them responsive-in their own way. If you have a snake as a pet, you know you are not able to slip a collar over its head and take it for a walk; it will not come running to the door to greet you when you get home, and you cannot coax it to be friendly by offering tidbits, for it will only be interested in eating about once every ten days-if then.

Snakes are members of the reptile class. Their habits and needs are very different from those of mammals and birds. As a result, snakes seem very remote from us and are often much misunderstood.

Here are some useful facts about snakes:

Body Temperature and Surface
Snakes are coldblooded creatures. This means that their bodies are about the same temperature as their surroundings. In the sun they feel warm and dry to the touch. In cold weather snakes are cold and do not move easily.

Ears
Snakes have no ears, but probably hear some sound through the inner bony structure. Snakes may appear to sway to the rhythm of a snake-charmer's flute, but actually their eyes are following the movements of the charmer.

Tongue
A snake's forked tongue is not for stinging. The snake is not about to bite when its tongue flickers in and out.A snake smells with its tongue. The organ is sensitive to surrounding odors, and the snake's tongue tells it whether there is food or danger in the area.

Motion
Snakes have no legs to walk or climb with. They use their ribs, which are constructed so that with the aid of the scales on their undersides, the snake can push its way along. The scales must keep in contact with the ground or tree for this method to work, so snakes do not progress in loops like a caterpillar. They slither along.

Snakeskins
Over their scales and even their eyes, snakes wear a transparent skin which they shed several times a year. The whole skin comes off in one piece.

When the time comes for shedding, the snake will start the process by rubbing its nose against rock or bark, which helps to loosen the old skin around the mouth. Then it will squirm about, rub against twigs or stones, and gradually the whole skin comes off-inside out. And underneath the snake has a- beautiful new coat.

Choosing Your Snake