This is a continuation for my previous blog named "Deadly and beautiful - Snakes as Pets". I have added a few more species to my previous list. The family I have entioned below is also sought in majority for pets.
Colubridae
This is by far the largest family of snakes. The name is derived from a Latin word Coluber which means "Snake". This family includes alomst upto 65% of the snake species. The family has a large collection of non venomous snake species, but also does include venomous snakes(both harmless to humans and fatal). It is suggested that a lot of care be taken while choosing a snake from this family, so as to not pick a venomous species. The below listed are a few of the ones that can be picked.
Red Rat Snake - (Pantherophis guttatus guttatus) are great as first snake pets due to a few specialised characters. These snakes are a beautiful species with colorful patters. They also are quite small making them easy to handle, reaching a size maxing out at 5 feet. They are a very docile category of snakes and are known to be excellent escapists. These snakes are also the most chosen because of their reluctance to bite and simple care. They carry in their name "Red", however are available in variant colors and patterns owing to the captive breeding of these species.
King Snake - (Lampropeltis triangulum elapsoides) are closely related to the constrictors in their feeding patterns. They also prey using constriction and are known to feed on not only smaller animals but also other snakes. This explains the name "King", indicating its interest in other snakes.These snakes can readily breed in captivity, which makes it relatively easy to find one for a pet. The only extra care one needs to take in housing these snakes is to keep them solitary(away from other species). They also make quite attractive pets owing to their beautiful patterns and size, which can reach 6ft - 7 ft.
Milk Snake - (Lampropeltis triangulum syspila) are blood relatives to the King Snakes. They resemble the kings in pattern and attractive coloring. However the patterns are more closely related to the Deadly Coral Snake. There is a famous ambiguation to differentiate the two species; "Red on yellow will kill a fellow, but red on black is a friend of Jack." The Milk Snake is characterised by the secong metaphor and has Red and Black Patterns and the mimickry is called Batesian mimickry.
Pilot Black Snake - (Pantherophis obsoletus) is more or less a patternless and lusterless snake. Though the snake lacks the ability to lure people with its looks it is capable of captivating viewers by it athletisism. They are quite the artists and can wrinkle up and shake their tails, looking like rattlers. They have the ability to swim and climb trees which makes them quite an attraction. If you want one of these for a pet, make sure to have a bit of space for them, with a couple of tree trunks and a small pond. This will let you keep them active and enjoy watching them move around.
Though there are a lot of other snakes that can be kept as pets, thse snakes are the most common ones. Snakes do not ask you for a lot of attention or care. The only needs of a snake are: Food and a place which gives them a feel of their natural habitat. The snakes that I have picked are ones that do not have a lot of requirements in terms of habitat. Their dietary choices are also easily available and hence make them easy to be reared and bred. Most of these species do not need a lot of attention for breeding too.
So, if you even envisioned yourself with a pet snake, choose from the above, but choose wisely. After the relative introduction to snakes as pets I will be moving onto a different pet in my next blog.
I am planning to choose Ferrets or Turtles. But I would love to get some inputs from my fellow MSians. If you have in mind an animal you think can be kept as a pet and want to know about it, then let me know and I will. Till then, Keep reading!!!!!!
