Why Snakes Can Make Great Pets for Children

This article was brought on largely due to Michelle L. Devon's article titled The Best and Worst Pet Snake for Your Child.

There were a few things she mentioned in the article that I disagreed with, and thus she encouraged me to write my own article.

This is an attempt to give a bit of contrasting view as to why a snake could make a great pet for a child.

While most people are under the notion that snakes are disgusting and vile creatures, slimy and cold, there really is more to a snake than that.

First of all, a snake's skin is NOT slimy - even if it's been swimming in water. Frogs, salamanders, tadpoles, and fish on the other hand DO have slimy skin.

You can come up with a million reasons why you don't like snakes, and that's fine. If you truly dislike them that much, then a pet snake is probably not something you need in your house.

You can also use the excuse that "snakes are dangerous". This is true - to an extent. Venomous snakes are dangerous. Non-venomous snakes, not so much. Look up the records for animal related deaths in the United States and you will probably be surprised to find that MOST animal related deaths are actually caused by wasps, spiders, bees, etc (source). Dogs are the runners-up. You read that right. Dogs cause more deaths than even VENOMOUS snakes. Granted, I'm working with some older data - but I would say that even older statistics wouldn't be that far off considering how many pit bull related deaths that have occurred in recent years.

Now, while this is a pro-snake article, there is a certain level of maturity that I feel would need to be reached before allowing a child to own a snake as a pet.

I own two turtles (box turtles), a rat snake, and a chihuahua. I also have a 2 year old son. My son LOVES watching the turtles walk around, and even enjoys holding them. They pose no threat to him whatsoever. I assume that he would love watching the snake and even holding it - however, he has not yet reached the age of awareness or maturity to be able to handle a snake in a safe manner (safe for him OR safe for the snake). I would say, with some exceptions, that 6 or 7 years old would probably be the minimum age for most children to own their very own snake. This is really left up to the judgement of the parents though.

Why wouldn't a snake make a great pet?

Diseases

Most people are under the impression that if you touch a snake (or are even in the same area as one) that you're going to get some horrific disease. While snakes CAN carry salmonella (and other diseases), if their environment is kept clean and the owner washes his or her hands before and after they handle the snake, then the chances of catching and spreading any disease are slim to none. Putting your fingers/hands in your mouth, eyes, ears, etc. really is a basic "no-no" with any reptile. Obviously kissing a snake falls under this same rule. Honestly, you run a greater chance of getting salmonella from chicken than you do from a reptile.

Danger

As stated above - some people are under the notion that snakes are dangerous. I am interested in getting a Ball Python in the future. As soon as someone hears "python" or "boa" or any other type of constrictor, they immediately think that if you have a small child in the house then the snake could kill it. Snakes generally don't make a habit out of killing things that they cannot eat. If you have a newborn baby then I would definitely advise against getting a large breed of snake, such as a Burmese python or Reticulated python. Remember, this is an article on a snake for your child. I wouldn't even recommend a Ball python for a child, even though they are known to be very docile and only grow to be 4 - 5 feet in length. It's just that their care is slightly more involved than other "beginner" snakes (but not by much).

Now, non-venomous snakes can and will bite. They also have teeth that can break the skin. People are usually bitten due to carelessness on their behalf. If you follow a set of guidelines when handling your snake, you can virtually eliminate the chance of being bitten. That's one of the reasons you should wash your hands before you handle a snake. It removes any scents that the snake may mistake for food. If you go pet your dog, and then go hold your snake, you definitely run the risk of being bitten.

Why would a snake make a great pet?

Responsibility

Let's face it. Kids these days don't seem to have the responsibility of kids in the past.

Unlike a dog or cat, which require little in way of human intervention, snakes require a bit more attention from the owner. My dog gets food in the morning and food in the evening, and gets his water bowl filled up as needed. I let him outside several times a day, but he usually lets me know when he needs to go out.

A snake doesn't bark, a snake doesn't run around, a snake doesn't carry its food bowl around when it needs to be fed. Basically, a snake doesn't remind you that it's there. And unless you're holding it, a snake is more than likely going to be in its cage. It's your responsibility to check the heat level in the cage, the substrate (bedding) and remove any that has been defecated, the humidity levels (some snakes don't require special humidity levels or lighting), the water bowl and give it fresh water daily, and unless you're running on a timer, you'll have to switch the lights off and on each day. Plus you'll have to keep up with a feeding schedule. Some young snakes eat twice a week, then cut down to once a week once they grow a bit, and then can cut down to once every ten days (or more) once they reach adulthood.

While this may sound like a lot to do, it can generally be done in less than a few minutes each time. Having a child perform these tasks when they first wake up in the morning, when they get home from school, and before they go to bed can really up their responsibility.

Education

Exotic pets require research. Whether you as the adult does it, or require the child to do the research, there is going to be a lot to learn. It will be like going to school - only it will be fun! Do you have a child that HATES learning? You find something they LOVE and they can spend all day learning about it. Most kids are fascinated with exotic animals because they don't see them every day. Having one around the house is going to prompt your child(ren) to ask questions, which can give you the opportunity to learn new things and teach your child at the same time. This also enables you to bond with your child. Isn't a close relationship with a child something every parent strives for?

What about other exotic pets?

Some children are afraid of snakes, or show no interest in them at all. Perhaps you have a child that is interested in lizards or turtles.

There are "beginner" pets for each of these animals, and with a bit of research, you can find the right one for you and your child.

Common beginner snakes are corn snakes and king snakes. Rat snakes can also make good beginner snakes (seeing as how corn snakes are a form of rat snake). These types of snakes require little in "special" items for their enclosure.

Whatever kind of pet your child is wanting, please, do your research and have the child do theirs. There are far too many people out there that buy pets on a whim and then don't provide it the proper environment to live in.