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Choosing a snake
By Hellan Bach of Herpuniverse.com
Choosing a snake
Ok, so you have decided you want a snake, but what do you look for? First you should decide if it is going to be purley as a pet, or an animal that you are going to eventually breed. Either way aquiring a healthy specimen is very important, here's some pointers on some things to look out for. How alert is the snake?? The snake should be alert, with deliberate, but quite cautious movements. It will flick its tongue quite often, to scent out all the new smells and environmental stimuli. The snake should "jump" slightly at any sudden movements. Body weight This is an improtant factor weather you are getting a hatchling or adult snake. A cross section of a healthy corn snake should resemble a plump loaf of bread, with no loose hanging skin, or ribs sticking out, and without its backbone ridge sticking out. the belly scales should be quite flat and more squared from the body. Muscle tone The snake should have good muscle tone and feel firm. it should be able to offer resistance when you try to manipulate its body with your fingers. Check for mushy feeling bellies and rear ends, weak snakes are always going to be a potential risk
Stool appearance Although most shops/breeders will clean the snakes stool up as part of regular cleaning, the apperance of stool should consist of brownish black lumps, along with some yellowish white semisolid liquid. Any strange colours such as greens or blues, or any sign of blood are signs of problems along with jelly like, mushy or waxy stools. Defects or scars Avoid snakes with odd looking lumps, kinks or scars. These are signs that could indicate the snake having had a serious injury in the past or even in some cases genetic abnormalities. Run your hand along the entire length of the snakes body and feel for any irregularities. Small tail kinks alone shouldnt cause too many problems, many snakes with these small kinks lead full active lives.
The eyes should look clear and bright (unless the snake is in shed!!) and be of even size.
The cloaca ( vent or anus) should close tightly and be dry to the touch.
Patches of unshed skin could be signs of other problems such as not enough humidity in the vivarium, this is relativly harmless and easily treated unless it involves the underlying skin.
Respiratory health
Listen to the snake breathing and look out for any sign of wheezing, gurgling or whistling. Also look for bubbles or any liquid coming from the snakes nostrils or mouth.A swollen looking throat region could also be signs of infection. the mouth should close snugly and have no sores, scabs or any kind of bleeding, all of which could be signs of mouthrot ( stomatitis) and are not the best starts to life with your new cornsnake. External parasites Look for small bugs anywhere on the snakes skin. Mites are the biggest worry, they look like tiny red or black specs. They will either cram between the scales or wander over the body.Mites can also transfer infections from one snake to another. Other factors to consider Besides health, you should also find out as much information as you can about the snakes past history. Ask what it is feeding on, how often, what size, if it feeds voluntairly. Get a feed/shed record if possible.
Ask about the snakes temprement, or asses this yourself by handling the snake, keeping in mind that babies/juveniles are more nervous than adults and may show agression in an attempt to defend themselves. The snakes will tame down as it grows and with regular handling so don't be put off by a feisty hatchling!!! I hope this has been of some help in knowing what to look out for and what to avoid
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Contributor's Note
For more information,caresheets on lots of reptiles, articles and sharing of views/knowledge with other reptile enthusiasts please log into the forum at www.herpuniverse.com/forum
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This intel first appeared on: http://www.herpuniverse.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=40
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The copyright for this content entitled "Choosing a snake" has been specified by the contributor as:
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This content may not be copied, distributed or adapted by anyone under any circumstances.
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This intel was contributed by hellan
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May, 2012
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