Do Snakes Make Good Pets?

People of an older generation may very well recall a time when the family pet was a cat, a dog, or in some cases, a tortoise in a box. These pets have remained a strong staple of the modern family, but exotic pets have become so common and widely loved that it could be argued that they are no longer exotic at all. Pets such as lizards and rare birds can be found in chain pet stores and are extremely affordable both in terms of upfront cost and weekly care. However, this does mean that the term 'exotic' is relative, and those wishing to have the most interesting pets will seek stranger, rarer and in some cases, ethically unsound, pets to buy and care for.

However, there is one pet that has remained both exotic and common, in part to the inherent taboo that surrounds its very nature. The pet in question is a snake. Pet snakes can range from simple grass snakes to huge yellow pythons - although some states will not permit creatures of this size! Some people dislike snakes because they have a reputation of being "slippery" both in texture and character. While it may be true that a snake will never be a snuggly pet, not all pet owners need their pets to be snuggly, and a snake is the perfect companion for them. Snakes make good pets for those that simply wish to observe the wonder of nature. Watching a snake live, shed its skin, and consume live animals may be gruesome to some, but to others it represents the full beauty of life and can be very fascinating.

Of course, simply choosing a snake based on how disgusted one may or may not be is not the only consideration. A snake may be a good pet if the owner is not around much, as snakes do not need human companionship - they simply need maintenance time, which varies from snake to snake. There is also a financial consideration - some snakes require large tanks and lots of light and heating equipment to keep them content. This is not only expensive, but can be quite time consuming during when the owner needs to repair/replace the equipment. However, these things are all relative pending the financial stability of the owner, and the amount of free time that they have.

It's very important that when buying a pet the proper research is conducted and serious consideration is gone into the long term consequences of taking on a new life. Some may just see it as a snake, but that snake will be dependent upon its owner for food, heat, medical attention, and just about anything else.