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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want a little snake?

112 replies

CarbyDiem · 30/11/2017 20:18

I met one last week , a python, and fell in love. She was just lovely. And now I want one.

Where do I start? Where can I learn more? Where does one purchase a snake?

I have a name lined up ready.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
11
ScreamingValenta · 30/11/2017 20:20

Bear in mind they can grow absolutely enormous! You need to research this carefully.

Original poster
CarbyDiem · 30/11/2017 20:24

Oh yes. I’m not going to release it into the wild if it got too big.

OP posts:
Cynara · 30/11/2017 20:24

Maybe start with a grass snake? Nice and small. Beautiful.

Cynara · 30/11/2017 20:25

And tell us the name!?!

Wolfiefan · 30/11/2017 20:26

You need to do a LOT of research. They need specific care and feeding. Perhaps contact a reptile group and do some reading. They are a very specialist pet and not for everyone.
Not sure there is such a thing as a python that stays small?! Hmm

Mamabear14 · 30/11/2017 20:28

I used to breed snakes. A royal python won't grow so big. Just don't go getting a Burmese! A 4ft viv will be fine for It, ceramic bulb attached to a thermostat and some lighy uv will help ypu to be able to see them. Lots of climbing logs and hidey holes. A large mouse or 2 once a week and you'll be grand. Royal are much more placid than a lot of snakes so they are a good place to start.
Make sure you show us pics!

Mamabear14 · 30/11/2017 20:29

Also see if you can get a male. They don't grow so big!

iklboo · 30/11/2017 20:36

Maybe start with a corn snake. Much easier to keep. Ours is about 4.5 ft now - lavender corn snake called Pike.

dejarderoncar · 30/11/2017 20:40

It's a living creature that should be in it's own environment, surely, not living in a four foot tank for your amusement? " I want" is one thing; what kind of life does the poor snake "want"? This is just encouraging the trade in so called exotic pets. How cool do you need to look?

Mamabear14 · 30/11/2017 20:42

It's hardly about looking cool. Cats aren't meant to be kept indoors either? Nor are dogs, horses, rabbits etc. People still have them.

Biggreygoose · 30/11/2017 20:42

There are pythons and pythons.

A royal will stay small and a 4ft X 2ft Viv will be fine, even as an adult.

They live for a long time though, easily 10-15 years so they are a long term commitment.

Other than that snakes are a piece of piss to look after. They require a lot less specialist care than say, fish.

You will have to store mice/rats/chicks in your freezer. So there's that as well.

Chrys2017 · 30/11/2017 20:45

Cats aren't meant to be kept indoors either? Nor are dogs, horses, rabbits etc. People still have them.

Domestic cats, dogs and horses were never wild animals—that is the difference.
I agree with you about pet rabbits. Any creature that needs to be kept in a cage or tank should not be kept as a 'pet'—and that includes snakes.

Don't get a snake. Get a cat instead.

mustbemad17 · 30/11/2017 20:47

I have a royal python, they're awesome!! Really easy to care for once you have the right aet up, easy to handle & don't get too big

Biggreygoose · 30/11/2017 20:49

Snakes are ambush hunters, in the wild they inhabit very very small territories and often will live in the same hole for years.

A tank is actually not a horrible place for one as food and water is guaranteed.

Far less cruel than restricting a cat to the indoors.

FloControl · 30/11/2017 20:50

Does a royal python wear a crown ? How does it carry the orb and sceptre ?

SuperBeagle · 30/11/2017 20:51

Snakes are often mistaken as "easy" pets. They're not. My snakes are more fickle than any of my other pets.

I have three diamond pythons. They're all big, with the eldest being close to 6ft in length. They require indoor and outdoor enclosures (big enclosures). You cannot get them here in Australia without a licence. You have to give them adequate time outside of their enclosure so that their muscles don't atrophy. You have to accept that they won't always tolerate or accept the "recommended" diet and make concessions accordingly etc. And if you ever want to go away, believe me it is near impossible to find someone willing to look after them.

Central bearded dragons are much "easier" reptiles, but I still wouldn't recommend that someone gets them if their only appeal is that they "look cool". These are living creatures, not playthings.

Mamabear14 · 30/11/2017 20:51

I've got a cat. Until me and the ex split and divided our exotic pet collection we had a lot of snakes. Up to 50 at a time including babies. They were all handled, by kids too and well looked after. We had a room special for them. We also had a lot of other exotic pets, scorpions, lizards, even red bellied pirhana. I know my shit about exotic pets even if
It was some years ago now. I lost my last corn snake who I took in as a rescue a few years ago and now we just have a crested gecko. Once the toddler is bigger and I have more time I'll probably get another python. I love them.

ApocalypseNowt · 30/11/2017 20:52

I clicked on this thread thinking "wanting a little snake" was the twee-est yet at the same time creepiest euphemism for sex, ever.

As you were.

Soubriquet · 30/11/2017 20:55

I have a snake.
His name is fluffy and he's an albino Californian king snake

He's lovely. Very friendly and low maintenance.

Once you've got the correct set up, they are very easy to take care of.

Fluffy will get to a maximum of 6 feet but it's more like 4.5 which at 2.5 years old, he seems to have reached.

To want a little snake?
To want a little snake?
SmellySphinx · 30/11/2017 20:55

Get one by all means but ensure it is a small one, a corn snake for example. Double and triple check that it is a corn snake and not a cross breed! Heat pads (for snakes) not heat rocks. Also they like to hide a lot and they like to escape a lot! I actually have a corn snake book that I no longer need, willing to post it to you if you like Smile

mustbemad17 · 30/11/2017 20:56

Flo mine leaves his royal get up in his log...he informs me he hates all that showy crap 👑

PoisonousSmurf · 30/11/2017 21:00

A nice little Corn snake is good for beginners Smile

TheSassyAssassin · 30/11/2017 21:00

Love Fluffy Soubriquet! Snakes are gorgeous creatures Smile

PoisonousSmurf · 30/11/2017 21:02

Oh, and you need to get used to going to pet shops and asking for 'five large mice' please. Always feel like I'm buying something illegal lol!

Pandakin · 30/11/2017 21:06

If you are going to get one research care thoroughly, don't just buy any old starter kits as they can be awful at times, and look for a rescue. Lots of reptiles are needing homes, sadly more get dumped after the holidays, and a reputable rescue will have them feeding well before putting them up for adoption. A lot will talk to you about what you can offer and match you with the best species/individual.

Bioactive (more natural setups) are very popular now and there are great groups online to help with setting up.

Keep in mind they can live a long time and reptile vet fees are pricey. Finding a good exotics vet before you get one is a plan so you know where you can go if needed.