Pet owners have made snakes one of the most popular exotic pets. One particular snake that is popular with beginners is the corn snake. They can be selectively bred, which means they come in all sorts of different colors and patterns, making for a very interesting animal to own.
One of the obvious advantages of owning a corn snake is the fact that it is not poisonous and will rarely bite its owner. Even if it does bite, its teeth are so small that you probably won’t notice. They are a very docile animal and generally do not mind being handled by humans. When you decide to buy your first one, you should spend a lot of time on it since they can live up to 20 years. However, they do not grow very large, normally they are not more than 4 feet long.
One thing you should be careful about when creating a home for pet snakes is that there are no places for the snake to get out, as they are brilliant escape artists. Make sure their cage is large enough and has a tight-fitting lid. Every time you remove the cap, be sure to put it back securely as they can push it off to escape. Also, the cage should contain a place where the snake can hide, such as a box, which will make it feel safe.
Feeding a corn snake can be the most interesting part and not for the squeamish. They usually live on small mice or rats that have already been euthanized. Make sure not to feed an oversized rat to smaller snakes, as they will find it difficult to consume them. Also, they only need to be fed once a week. One of the downsides to feeding dead mice and rats to snakes is that you have to keep them frozen, so you want to make sure everyone in the house is happy with that.
Like all living creatures, your pet snake will need water to survive. A bowl of water, which cannot be knocked over by the snake, is ideal. Also make sure the water is changed regularly. This type of snake is a hardy species and does not get sick easily, making it a very profitable exotic pet. They both eat well and shed well, which is why some captive snakes have trouble.
Although an exotic pet might be expected to be a good companion and to have a relationship with its owner, this is not the case with snakes. Unlike dogs and other pets, they won’t respond to you and may not always appreciate the attention you give them.
Even with that deficiency, the corn snake can make a very good exotic pet for first-time owners. The many different patterns and colors make them very unique. They are extremely easy to care for and seem to like to be handled. A great advantage is that they will not bite your hand or poison you like other snakes or exotic animals.