Mumsnet Talk

really want to get a snake and we are veering towards a royal python as the guy in the shop said they dont move too fast and rarely bite!
we have a viv already but would a heat mat be better than a heat lamp?
ds2 was fascinated by all the snakes and lizards in the shop!!

Only get a snake if you're happy with caring for it just as long if not linger than a dog, happy to pay the VERY expensive vet bills when needs must and have a freezer drawer full of dead rats and mice! Do not use a heat mat as snakes don't know when a surface is too hot and will burn easily, use a heat lamp with a guard on for this same reason. Always use a UV tube in the tank also. remember, snakes look lovely and cute when they're babies in the shop but they grow very quickly and a royal python will need a tank thats at least 3 feet long. If you need any more advice just message me. Snakes make amazing pets if you have the time to give the specialist care, time and patience they deserve!

hi j4d3 we have a 3 foot viv with a heat lamp and uv light
we already have experience of reptiles iv kept water dragons leopard geckos and bearded dragons over the years!!
and growing up my dad kept Burmese pythons and he still keeps snakes so have him on hand too!
im not getting a baby we want to get one that's at least a year old (worried about losing a hatch ling!!) and in good health feeding and shedding well form a specialist reptile shop

soz to jump in but iv got a royal python, and im slightly concerned at the min cause he is not eating, he has gone 10 weeks and still not showing any kind of intrest what so ever, he shed a perfect shed about 2 week ago, he is happy to come out and play, be handled n every thing but he just wont eat. any ideas