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The single most important thing you can do when you acquire your first snake is to be sure that you're shopping at a reputable dealer. A reputable store will be knowledgeable about the animals they are selling, will be able to tell you what you need to buy to meet your snake's needs, and will be able to tell you which species are the best to keep. The most important aspect of this point is that you don't catch one in the wild. You really don't want to end up with a snake that has parasites or other diseases, is ill tempered toward humans, or is venomous.

I cared for an albino California king snake for many years and he was a wonderful 'ornamental' pet. My snake, Gaston, didn't need love or time with company and was very content to eat a fat mouse once a week, live in a clean habitat, and not be bothered by the humans too often.

The first thing you'll need to accept is that one snake is enough - at least for a single habitat. More than one snake in the same enclosure is very likely to result in the stronger snake eating the weaker one.

Next, you'll need to remember that many snakes can grow very large and what starts out as a huge habitat for a tiny snake will eventually become the right size for your pet's hide-box. Buying a very young snake is a good idea so that you'll be able to get him used to handling early on when he can't hurt you if he nips. You don't want to be nipped by an adult snake of any variety. Don't worry about venom though - snakes that you can buy as pets are safe in that regard. For a baby snake an enclosure the size of a pair of shoe boxes is sufficient, but remember that he'll need a new home when he grows. Also, buy a proper terrarium from the pet store. Snakes are very strong and are great escape artists. If they are housed in an environment that's not specifically designed to keep them inside it, they will find a way out.

Your snake will need heat and will also need to be able to get into the shade. There are a number of methods of heating a reptile's cage, but the one that worked the best for me was with my gecko enclosures. If you're housing reptiles in a terrarium with a glass bottom, you can buy heaters that plug in and stick to the bottom of the glass. You can then provide a cool patch and a warm patch without a chance of burning your pet. Ask your pet supplier about various heating options for your terrarium. You'll also need to provide your snake with light during the day and with a hide-box inside his enclosure where he can have

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