Pets Information

Why the Heck Would You Have a Pet Snake (or lizard, crocodile, monitor, frog, turtle etc)?


This is a question that has been asked of me and a thousand (million?) other herp keepers. I think it's almost a case of once bitten, twice as determined. But seriously, it is something I have pondered but not really found an adequate answer for. They are not cute and cuddly. They bite (when young), they feel cold (not really) and they have funny eyes. And scales.

As a little tacker I was always into animals - frogs, lizards, tadpoles, butterflies, beetles, spiders - you name it, I went looking for it.

I don't think I ever got over it. It's hard to explain to people who do not have a fascination with animals, what the attraction is. It's just there. I think most people actually have it but for a variety of reasons they do not act upon it or ignore it.

Snakes are particularly intriguing. The way they move, the way the eat, the way their metabolism is so brilliantly attuned to the particular environment they inhabit, their ancestry, the development of venoms so potent that that can kill in minutes, all of these things interest me and make me want to know more about them.

There is some part of you that has to overcome a natural fear in the first instance to want to own and keep a reptile. For some reason, I'm not sure if it's instinct, we fear snakes and many reptiles. Witness a small child when you show them a snake. They instantly recoil. It's only when you show them that they have nothing to fear that they can then 'pet' the snake and overcome their own fears (well, as long as it's not venomous).

Where I live, every snake is venomous. There is no such thing as a snake that is not dangerous. Copperheads, red-bellied black snakes, mainland tiger snakes and eastern brown snakes all inhabit my local area, so it's understandable that people fear them. We have no pythons or non-venomous snakes in my area. Just the other day one of the painters doing my house remarked to me that he nearly leapt out of his skin when he saw what looked to be a snake in the grass near where he was painting. It turns out it was a blue tongued lizard, but nonetheless, his fear was well grounded. Living in the area makes you wary of snakes.

I think this is somewhat unfortunate. Snakes are more scared of you. How big you must appear to a snake. Standing still when you see one will prevent an attack. They only attack when threatened. Slowly backing off is also a good thing to do.

So why keep them? I think it is a duality of fear and fascination. And the trouble is that once you have one, you want two, and then three etc. If you have them, you know the feeling.

Another aspect is the actual act of managing to keep an animal that is not naturally suited or normally kept as a pet in an artificial environment. Learning about its needs, how to maintain optimal health, how to breed it, how to 'tame' it and how to enjoy it for what it is. These are challenges that herp keeping offers that few other pets do.

Mark Chapple is the Author of "How to build enclosures for reptiles" Find out how to build snake and other reptile cages as well as arboreal cages. Full color pictures, detailed diagrams and easy to follow, step-by-step instructions.

http://www.reptile-cage-plans.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Bryan College Station Eagle

Expecting parents can help pets adapt
Green Bay Press Gazette
Experts say the countdown should include prep time for pets too. A baby changes everything for a pet — from how its home looks, smells and sounds to what the rules are. Low energy, friendly, social dogs are the most adaptable pets, while independent, ...
Baby on the way? Prepare your pet for new arrivalHerald Times Reporter
Pets need some prep for new babiesBryan College Station Eagle

all 11 news articles »


Cleveland News - Fox 8

Obesity epidemic strikes US pets
CNN
The majority of adult dogs and cats in US homes are overweight or obese, and the problem has gotten worse over the past year, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. Fifty-three percent of adult dogs and 55% of cats were classified as ...
Are We Feeding Our Pets to Death?Gawker
Avoid a Pet Emergency in Overtime: Super Sunday's Parties Can Be Dangerous To ...Sacramento Bee
Half of All US Pets Dangerously OverweightCalorieLab Calorie Counter News

all 57 news articles »


Tell Us Your Pet Story
Patch.com
By John Patten A fan holds a dog available for adoption during Barkin' for the Blues, a pet adoption event spearheaded by Kelly Backes, wife of David Backes #42 of the St. Louis Blues, before an NHL game against the Buffalo Sabres on January 21, ...

and more »


Pet saturation can be prevented
The Province
Ure urges pet guardians to be responsible owners and get their pets fixed. When Stuart Ure and his partner, Farrah Rooney, fostered wee Thor, a gorgeous marmalade tabby now just under five months old, there was never any question about getting the ...

and more »


Pet Haven cemetery a place for animals to rest in peace
The Desert Sun
Pet Cemetery in Desert Hot Springs: Charlie Stewart founded the Pet Haven pet cemetery on Dillion Rd in Desert Hot Springs in 1964. About 2000 pets from cats and dogs to pot belly pigs are buried at the 2.5 acre site. Charles Stewart Sr. founded the ...



BigPond News

Ohio proposal would ban owners from buying exotic animals, create new caging ...
Washington Post
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Proposed legislation in Ohio would ban the purchase of lions, bears and other exotic animals, but current owners of the dangerous wildlife would be allowed to keep them as pets if they meet strict new requirements. State Sen.
Ohio bill would ban new ownership of exotic petsCBS News
State bill would ban new ownership of exotic petsFox News

all 208 news articles »


Laws keep pets on short leash
Columbia Daily Tribune
By Michelle Marshall Responsible pet owners like to keep up with the legal requirements for owning a pet. Most laws are self-explanatory and make life safer for both people and pets. However, there are some interesting and odd laws that remain on the ...



Pet columnist: Betta fish survive fad as lovable pets
St. Cloud Times
Not that bettas (“fighting fish” as they are sometimes called) are odd in and of themselves, but for kids in grade school, a pet as a fad was a bit over the top. As the trend died out, unfortunately, so did many of the fish. This is likely because of ...

and more »


Paw Print: Valeintine's Day special for people seeking pets
NJ.com
During this time, all cats and dogs at the shelter will be available for adoption at the reduced rate of $25 per pet. For more information and photos of the animals available for adoption, go to www.petfinder.com/shelters/NJ517.html.

and more »


USA TODAY

Super Bowl pets, happy pet owners and new breeds
USA TODAY
USA TODAY compiled memorable Super Bowl ads featuring pets for you to take a look at. Popcorn Park Zoo in New Jersey has an especially talented camel, named Princess. She has a knack for predicting the winner of NFL games. In fact, Princess has picked ...

and more »

Google News

home | site map | First Rate Hosting
2006 First Rate Hosting

Powered By First Rate Hosting