What to do When you Bring a New Snake Home!

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What to do When you Bring a New Snake Home!

If you're like most people when you get a new pet of any kind, the first thing you'll want to do is spend some time showing them off to everyone you know. While this is certainly tempting, it's one of the worst things you can do to a new pet snake.

They need an adjustment period during which they can become comfortable with their new surroundings. The time required varies, but most people who deal with snakes agree that it usually takes 5-7 days.

During the adjustment period, you should do your best not to disturb or stress the snake. There are a few things you can do to help with this effort.

• Keep the cage away from high traffic areas so the snake is not disturbed by many people passing by all the time.
• Avoid touching the snake during this time.
• Do not attempt to feed the snake during this time.
• Change the water every day.
• Clean any debris in the cage, but don't clean the entire cage.

Once the 5-7 days are up, start handling the snake a little at a time. Some are more tolerant of this than others. If the snake is agitated, trying to bite, and is generally uncomfortable being held, don't force it.

Sometimes you will be able to hold one for an hour; other times it will take a snake several weeks of dedicated effort before it trusts you. There are a few tricks you can use to calm down a snake.

• Since snakes are ectothermic, they become lethargic when the temperature drops. If you allow the snake to cool down a bit, it might be a bit easier to handle. Please, if you decide to try this approach, make sure you know the safe temperature ranges for your pet and stay within them. Going too low for too long can cause a variety of health problems.
• Let your snake get acquainted with you by placing your hand in its cage. Do not try to grab it or even touch the snake. Just let your hand rest inside the snake's tank so it begins to become familiar with your scent and doesn't associate it with something trying to eat it. Even 2 or 3 minutes at a time twice a day will help. Eventually, the snake will come out and investigate.
• Handle the snake during its "downtime." Find it much easier to deal with a stressed snake during times when it would normally be sleeping. Many snakes are nocturnal, so the best time to deal with them may be during the day. At night these snakes are most active and their natural tendency to move can be mistaken for agitation.

Once your snake gets used to handling it, it should be a lot easier, but remember that every snake has a distinct personality, and just because they're typically considered a gentle or easy-to-handle species doesn't mean that's true of everyone the members.

Enjoy This Video Tutorial About Reptiles

Source: Snake Discovery

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