To properly care for a snake, the owner must first understand the principal parts that go into keeping this exotic pet. There are five components that must be taken into consideration:
The Enclosure
All basic requirements for snakes can be filled by using plastic storage boxes. These boxes are used by both professional exotic pet keepers as well as amateurs.
They can be found in just about any household store in dozens of shapes and sizes. What makes these boxes ideal, is that they provide all the necessary requirements and are relatively cheap to buy for the keeper. With prices ranging from a couple of dollars up to twenty or thirty dollars, they are less expensive than purchasing a glass aquarium.
Most likely, these bins are waterproof. This is important because it means the bins can hold the proper levels of humidity that are needed for the snake to be healthy. Condensation and an occasional tipped water-bowl is no cause for alarm in a plastic bin. This factor is also important for the keeper, due to the convenience that waterproof bins can be cleaned easer.
With a few small holes poked in the sides of the box, the enclosure can have proper ventilation, and many of these boxes come with secure fitting lids that won't allow an escape. If the lid does not fit securely, the keeper can either choose a different box with a different lid, or use a few small pieces of duct tape to hold the lid down in weak areas.
Security
Along with duct tape, another cheap security measure is large paper clamps. These black clips are usually sold at office supply stores. For fairly cheap prices, they come with several or a dozen in a box. They can be clamped down on the lip of the lid to hold it firmly to the bin.
Bedding (Substrate)
Newspaper laid down for bedding for your snake goes well with these simple supplies. Lay the paper down flat for the snake to crawl over, and crumple the paper up into loose balls for the snake to climb on, in, and around. After about a week, you want to change and throw out the paper along with a swift cleaning of the rest of the enclosure.
Water Bowl
A water bowl can be anything that holds water well. So an empty and washed plastic butter bowl, pie tin, or cheap plastic bowl will work. These plastic bowls can also become hiding places with a few cut holes and flipped over.
Thermometer/ Hydrometer
You can find inexpensive thermometer and hydrometers in any commercial garden center. Important to measuring the humidity and temperature levels of your enclosure, these are a must. An effective and inexpensive thermometer can sell for around ten dollars.
Remember, the health and well-being of your pet always comes first. It's important to consider the cost of a pet before buying one, but these cost-friendly considerations can help new snake-owners to experience the thrill of owning a slithery friend.
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