If you're the average person, this is not the pet you want.
Snakes require careful attention and owners with special knowledge
to care for them.
Here are a few thoughts to ponder before dashing
out to pick up the gear you'll need to bring this pet home.
What if your "baby" grows up to weigh twice what
you do and refuses to eat anything but live prey? What will
your veterinarian say when you introduce "Sliver"
as the family pet? And, will your spouse need tranquilizers
to cope with its presence at home?
If none of these scenarios present a problem
for you, then you can have one of these reptiles -- for $100
to $1,000 -- and for 20 years.
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Veterinarian Ron Hines at 2ndchance.info
says the most popular pet snakes in the United States are
king snakes, boas and pythons. He suggests king snakes for
beginners as they have an even temperament with adults and
children and are gentle.
It is never a good idea to catch
a snake in the wild and try to tame it. You should get your
pet from a store or a breeder. Check out PetReptiles.com
to find snake breeders and to learn the characteristics of
the various types of suitable and not-so-suitable pet snakes.
At this site, boas start at about $60, king snakes and pythons
at $100.
Once you are ready to buy your
snake, you'll want to purchase the equipment to create a home.
The pad must be kept immaculate and will require some of this
paraphernalia: cage carpet ($5 to $12), heat lamp ($9), climbing
branch ($4 to $12) and terrarium cave ($30). Cages can be
expensive, so check your local newspaper classifieds, a pet
store or eBay.com to find a safe, suitable cage.
Once you have all the gear necessary,
the cost of care will remain approximately the same year after
year.
According to Tierra Griffiths,
spokeswoman for the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association,
your snake's diet for a year will cost $92. It could be more
depending on the type of snake you have, its feeding habit
and the region in which you live.
Your pet snake will not need regular
exercise or to snuggle with you frequently, but it will still
demand your time. A pet this exotic will certainly make your
holidays interesting, but have you thought about who will
baby-sit when you get the flu or leave town?
If you're the average person, this is not the pet you want.
Snakes require careful attention and owners with special knowledge
to care for them. 
