How I did it: It started with a beautiful albino burmese python. It was the biggest snake I had ever held and I was thrilled by it's sheer muscle power moving around me. After that I was pretty determined to have one of my own.

I've had several snakes since, right now it's just the ball python. She's about two years old now, a true beauty (and a good eater hehe). She was adopted from a friend who bought her for the laugh of it and later regretted it. The first snake I had was an ultramel cornsnake. Cornsnakes I feel are a great "starter snake" for the first time owner. They are not aggressive and are easily handled. They come in lots of beautiful colours and patterns too :)

Lessons & tips: Be warned! Snakes are excellent escape artists! Ha! Exoterra terrariums have a built in lock on their doors and make great choices as reptile enclosures. Unfortunately my first snake escaped through the ventilation of his tank and was gobbled up by another pet (the ferrets). Lesson learned.

Just remember - these creatures are to be admired and most important of all respected. Keep him fed and keep him happy :)

Resources: I'd suggest signing up on a reptile forum or one specific to your pet once adquiring it. You can never really trust advice given to you by someone at a pet store, I have seen them advise cat food for an african grey parrot.... so yeah. Also running to a specialist vet for every little suspicion will prove itself expensive. Utilize the wisdom of experienced owners ;)

Mar 16, 2012, 07:30AM PDT | 0 comments | 4 cheers