Snakes
Petmania Exotic Pet Care Advice Centre
Caring for Your Pet Snake
Snakes can make a fantastic pet once they are well tamed and handled regularly; however they are not for everyone. On these pages we explore everything you need to consider if thinking about getting a pet snake, and share expert help and guidance on caring for your snake, with videos and blogs by Exotic Pet Vet, Dr. Bobby Ortiz.
Snake Care Advice
Do I Need a Vet For My Snake?
Snakes make wonderful pets, but it can be tricky finding a veterinarian that specialises in these reptiles. As with all animals, snakes can fall ill, and these illnesses can often be life threatening, so finding a vet that will be able to care for your snake properly is important. Many vets don’t treat reptiles as they differ from other mammals that they have specialised in; although they may treat him for general care, you should conduct research into local veterinarians...
How Long Do Pet Snakes Live For?
Snakes make fantastic pets and companions. They offer a rewarding experience, and often build a bond and trusting relationship with their owners. In the wild, they don’t tend to live for more than ten years due to predators and other dangers present. In captivity however, they can live for much longer with the right diet, habitat and care. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how long snakes live in captivity, the lifespans of different breeds of snake, and how to ensure...
Popular Exotic Pets – Rat Snake
Choosing a Exotic Pet: What You Need to Know About Rat Snakes Snakes are interesting pets, but there are many different things to consider when finding the newest member to your family, so how do you know that a Snake is right for yours? Like any pet, a Snake will require lots of love and care to help keep them healthy and well, so in this blog we are taking a look at Rat Snakes, and what you can expect if...
Popular Exotic Pets – Python
Choosing a Exotic Pet: What You Need to Know About Pyton Snakes Snakes are interesting pets, but there are many different things to consider when finding the newest member to your family, so how do you know that a Snake is right for yours? Like any pet, a Snake will require lots of love and care to help keep them healthy and well, so in this blog we are taking a look at Python Snakes, and what you can expect if...
Popular Exotic Pets – Corn Snakes
Choosing a Exotic Pet: What You Need to Know About Corn Snakes Corn Snakes are interesting pets, but there are many different things to consider when finding the newest member to your family, so how do you know that a Corn Snake is right for yours? Like any pet, a Corn Snake will require lots of love and care to help keep them healthy and well, so in this blog we are taking a look at Corn Snakes, and what you...
Popular Exotic Pets – Milk Snake
Choosing a Exotic Pet: What You Need to Know About Milk Snakes Milk Snakes are interesting pets, but there are many different things to consider when finding the newest member to your family, so how do you know that a Milk Snake is right for yours? Like any pet, a Milk Snake will require lots of love and care to help keep them healthy and well, so in this blog we are taking a look at Milk Snake, and what you...
Why Do Snakes Shed Their Skin?
Snakes have the unique ability to shed their skin entirely. As they grow, their skin does not, and therefore it becomes too tight and worn, and a new skin awaits just below the old. Shedding their skin (ecdysis) allows snakes to grow and remove any parasites that may have attached to the old skin. This is a completely normal and healthy process, and occurs between four and 12 times a year. In this blog post, I’ll explain what shedding is, how...
Common Healthcare Issues in Snakes
Just like any other pet, snakes can suffer from various medical conditions and diseases. While most snake species are generally in good health, there are common healthcare issues that snakes may experience that will require veterinary attention. In this blog post, I will explain the different types of healthcare issues found in snakes, how to treat them, and what you can do to reduce the risk of infection. Dr. Bobby Ortiz, M.V.B. Dr Bobby Ortiz, aka 'Dogtor Bob', is a small animal and...
Choosing a Vivarium For Your Corn Snake
Corn snakes are relatively small (rarely exceeding five feet in length); active feeders, tolerate a wide variety of environmental conditions; come in a dazzling array of colours; and are very easy to breed. For these reasons they make excellent pets, especially for families with older children. When bringing home your pet snake, it is important that you have a habitat set up for it to move straight into. It’s not just a case of setting up a vivarium for them to...
What Can My Corn Snake Eat? A Nutrition Guide for Pet Snakes
Just like other snakes, the corn snake is a carnivore, meaning they eat a meat only diet. They’re not particularly picky and in the wild, they are known to consume a variety of prey, including mice, rats, birds, bats, and insects. Most captive snakes are fed thawed rodents, such as mice or rats, of appropriate size. When caring for a carnivorous pet, it is important that they are fed different types of animal prey to ensure they receive a balanced and...
Signs Your Snake is Happy and Healthy
It can sometimes be tricky to tell if your snake is happy and healthy. They aren’t as outgoing or expressive as other pets may be, and if you’re not paying close attention, you could miss some signs that they are unwell. By providing a stress free environment, regular food and water and the correct habitat temperature, you can ensure your serpentine friend is happy and healthy. In this blog post, I’ll explain signs to look out for in a healthy snake...
