Snakes

stargazer 68

Hi Guys
Hope Im in the right forum. My son (12) wants a snake. :eek: I dont mind snakes so its fine but any suggestions on what to get and where. What is it likely to cost to look after etc.

tallus

If you're based in Dublin, you could try Reptile Haven in Fishamble Street, Dublin 8.
You will get good advice there.

Demonique

Reptile Haven, Fishamble Street in Dublin.

A cornsnake would be the best snake to start with or some species of kingsnake (just bear in mind that kingsnakes have to be kept on their own as they're cannibalistic and will eat other snakes)

chris139ryan

as above ben at reptile heaven is the best man for advice on this matter. iv gotten all my reptiles there and have never had any problems. He will take time out and let your son handle any snake that he thinks would be suitable

stargazer 68

Thanks for the info. Will definitely take him in to Ben then.
His father has suggested I get him a python :eek: but then he doesn't have to live with it lol

Hellrazer

I think 12 is a bit young for a snake to be totally honest.The excitement will wear off and then it`ll be you that has to look after it.

How would you feel about having frozen mice in the fridge,having to clean out bones etc.Having a potential escape.

Bear with me here because Ive been through all the above with a nephew who decided on a snake.

My wife also went to cook the frozen pinkies one day for the kids because she thought it was a bag of sausages.

The bones are digusting to clean out and stink if not done quickly.

Ive had 2 escapes--One that came back and another thats still missing 2 years later.

My nephew got bored and I had to rehome that snake--He went off it because it striked at him one day he forgot to wash his hands after hanling frozen mice..and ne never ever held that snake again.

Think long and hard about this OP.And if you go ahead and need help with keeping the snake feel free to ask here as there are some great snake keepers here on the forum.

monty_python

Hellrazer wrote: »

I think 12 is a bit young for a snake to be totally honest.The excitement will wear off and then it`ll be you that has to look after it.

How would you feel about having frozen mice in the fridge,having to clean out bones etc.Having a potential escape.

Bear with me here because Ive been through all the above with a nephew who decided on a snake.

My wife also went to cook the frozen pinkies one day for the kids because she thought it was a bag of sausages.

The bones are digusting to clean out and stink if not done quickly.

Ive had 2 escapes--One that came back and another thats still missing 2 years later.

My nephew got bored and I had to rehome that snake--He went off it because it striked at him one day he forgot to wash his hands after hanling frozen mice..and ne never ever held that snake again.

Think long and hard about this OP.And if you go ahead and need help with keeping the snake feel free to ask here as there are some great snake keepers here on the forum.

what are these bones you speak of?
ive had snakes for the last 10 years and never found a bone in any of the vivs. if your viv is well made and escape proof the snake wont escape.
the frozen food should be kept in the freezer not the fridge and labled and seperated from "human food"

Hellrazer

monty_python wrote: »

what are these bones you speak of?

I meant in the case of a snake that regurges.The most disgusting smell ever.

ive had snakes for the last 10 years and never found a bone in any of the vivs.

Likewise and I had one that regurged every second feed--horrible.

if your viv is well made and escape proof the snake wont escape.

All my vivs were well made.I still cant figure how either escaped--Houdini we called it after that.

the frozen food should be kept in the freezer not the fridge and labled and seperated from "human food"

Here I call the whole unit a "fridge"..of course I meant freezer(part of the fridge) and I did have them labelled as I always do.Still didnt stop her

I still think 12 is too young.

monty_python

Hellrazer wrote: »

I meant in the case of a snake that regurges.The most disgusting smell ever.


Likewise and I had one that regurged every second feed--horrible.
.

would have been nice of you to explain that at the start.
so are you using a possible medical condition the snake could suffer from as a reason for the op to not get a snake??
if the op get a nice healthy snake and keeps it under the right conditions then there is no need to worry about regurgitated food

Hellrazer

monty_python wrote: »

would have been nice of you to explain that at the start.

Probably :rolleyes:

so are you using a possible medical condition the snake could suffer from as a reason for the op to not get a snake??

Actually thats not a bad one to add to the "maybe not a good idea" list---thanks for that.Possible vetrinary treatment in the future and the lack of specialist vets.

if the op get a nice healthy snake and keeps it under the right conditions then there is no need to worry about regurgitated food

Youre being picky Monty.I just feel that 12 is too young for a first snake.If the op had said 16-17 I d be the first one offering advice on where to go to get it.

Oh I actually did that.

And if you go ahead and need help with keeping the snake feel free to ask here as there are some great snake keepers here on the forum.