Son wants a snake...

trixychic

Hi guys,

So my 7yr old son has been asking for a pet snake. Now this is not new. Ha has been asking for about a yr and a half and has even been saving his money to pay for it. One day we were in the pet shop and he took upon himself to go and ask the shop assistant how much a corn snake is. (That's what he wants)

He has aspergers and can get a bit obsessive with things. He watches every possible nature programme and adores Steve Backshall and bear grylls. He has even taken out books from the library on how to look after them.

But I'm clueless about the situation. I don't feel comfortable taking on a pet that won't be cared for properly.

Would I be gettin myself into hot water getting him one??? Do they take alot of work?? Our days are very busy.

Knine

Would you be willing to help with the snakes care? Have a problem with feeding & defrosting baby mice etc?

If you think you can help & make sure all the pets needs are taken care of then I think a pet will be great for your child. There are lots of other pet options to consider too.

My child with a severe genetic disorder absolutely loves her pets & they bring a lot of normality to her life.

trixychic

Knine wrote: »

Would you be willing to help with the snakes care? Have a problem with feeding & defrosting baby mice etc?

If you think you can help & make sure all the pets needs are taken care of then I think a pet will be great for your child. There are lots of other pet options to consider too.

My child with a severe genetic disorder absolutely loves her pets & they bring a lot of normality to her life.

I think I would be ok with helping. I'm not afraid of them or anything. My friend had one and I held it and stuff. But I've never fed them.

I have asked him would he like a dog or cat or hamster or bird. But he has his heart set on a snake.

I'm also worried about how long he'll stay interested. Like I said my friend had one. He got it and loved it but lost interest after a month or two.

Knine

I don't know if there are many rescues looking to foster out snakes but maybe that might be an option? I know my daughter never lost interest in any of her pets but she can also be a bit obsessive with them.

trixychic

Knine wrote: »

I don't know if there are many rescues looking to foster out snakes but maybe that might be an option? I know my daughter never lost interest in any of her pets but she can also be a bit obsessive with them.

Might look into that. Can I ask what pets yous have???

Knine

trixychic wrote: »

Might look into that. Can I ask what pets yous have???

We have 4 Border Terriers, 2 Guinea Pigs, a tropical aquarium & a Parrotlet living with us ( tiny pocket parrot). My daughter particularly loves the Dogs & Parrotlet

trixychic

Knine wrote: »

We have 4 Border Terriers, 2 Guinea Pigs, a tropical aquarium & a Parrotlet living with us ( tiny pocket parrot). My daughter particularly loves the Dogs & Parrotlet

I also saw micro squirrels in the pet shop. They were adorable and I had hamsters growing up. I loved them. I thought I could get him something he could cuddle as he also has a sensory seeking disorder. A snake isn't very cuddly. But if he has his heart set on it???

Stheno

Would you consider taking him down to the reptile zoo in Gowran in Kilkenny and having a chat with the staff there?

http://www.nationalreptilezoo.ie/

Knine

Hamsters or squirrels are not very cuddly but Guinea Pigs are much more responsive. I agree though a visit to a reptile specialist might be a good idea.

trixychic

I literally just emailed them there now. A friend of mine actually works there. Thanks Guys.

Jen Pigs Fly

Speaking as a reptile lover here. Snakes are great animals to keep, however bear in mind they can't come out of their tank for long as they'll lose heat fast - if your son wants a pet that he can have out for longer than 20-30 mins at a time then a snake will not be ideal.

That being said, I love snakes feed 1-2 times a week and poo on average once a week! Very clean and when they shed its fascinating to feel the baby soft skin under the shed.

Rainman16

trixychic wrote: »

Hi guys,

So my 7yr old son has been asking for a pet snake. Now this is not new. Ha has been asking for about a yr and a half and has even been saving his money to pay for it. One day we were in the pet shop and he took upon himself to go and ask the shop assistant how much a corn snake is. (That's what he wants)

He has aspergers and can get a bit obsessive with things. He watches every possible nature programme and adores Steve Backshall and bear grylls. He has even taken out books from the library on how to look after them.

But I'm clueless about the situation. I don't feel comfortable taking on a pet that won't be cared for properly.

Would I be gettin myself into hot water getting him one??? Do they take alot of work?? Our days are very busy.

I think you should be firm and tell your son that he is not allowed to have a pet snake. He is not old enough to be able to look after it properly or to take on the responsibility. You are the boss here, you need to make sure your son knows that.

DBB

Rainman16 wrote: »

I think you should be firm and tell your son that he is not allowed to have a pet snake. He is not old enough to be able to look after it properly or to take on the responsibility. You are the boss here, you need to make sure your son knows that.

But... The op, his mother, has said she will help him care for the snake... Lots of families get pets "for the kids" in the full knowledge it'll be the parents overseeing and ultimately responsible for the pet's care. Isn't it a great way to gently teach a child responsibility and caring for other living things? I think the op makes it pretty clear that this is the case with them too? This doesn't seem to me to be a case of a kid being given an ill-thought-out pet just to keep them quiet... Quite the opposite in fact.

Bells21

Rainman16 wrote:

I think you should be firm and tell your son that he is not allowed to have a pet snake. He is not old enough to be able to look after it properly or to take on the responsibility. You are the boss here, you need to make sure your son knows that.

As the OP has already stated, her son has an interest in the animal and has already taken books out about it. The OP also stated that they would help to care for the animal. She's looking for constructive advice about a specific animal and in my opinion is clearly making sure that they make a responsible decision before they take on a snake as a pet. I don't think the line about the OP being the boss and making sure her son knows it is really necessary.

audi12

trixychic wrote: »

Hi guys,

So my 7yr old son has been asking for a pet snake. Now this is not new. Ha has been asking for about a yr and a half and has even been saving his money to pay for it. One day we were in the pet shop and he took upon himself to go and ask the shop assistant how much a corn snake is. (That's what he wants)

He has aspergers and can get a bit obsessive with things. He watches every possible nature programme and adores Steve Backshall and bear grylls. He has even taken out books from the library on how to look after them.

But I'm clueless about the situation. I don't feel comfortable taking on a pet that won't be cared for properly.

Would I be gettin myself into hot water getting him one??? Do they take alot of work?? Our days are very busy.

A snake is not a pet its a snake ... Just dont let it escape and get out cause war cant believe anyone would want a snake.

Rainman16

DBB wrote: »

But... The op, his mother, has said she will help him care for the snake... Lots of families get pets "for the kids" in the full knowledge it'll be the parents overseeing and ultimately responsible for the pet's care. Isn't it a great way to gently teach a child responsibility and caring for other living things? I think the op makes it pretty clear that this is the case with them too? This doesn't seem to me to be a case of a kid being given an ill-thought-out pet just to keep them quiet... Quite the opposite in fact.

That's exactly what will happen, Mom will be the one looking after, being responsible for the snake. I think the same life lesson of responsibility and caring for other living things can be done with a kitten or a puppy, domestic animals that also make great pets for the family,

What happens when the 7 year, prone to obsession, in a few weeks becomes obsessed with something else and decides he doesn't want the snake?

I recently saw A study published by the UK biological society that found at least 75 percent of pet snakes die within one year in a human home. It’s believed that most of them die from the stress related to captivity.

They are not good pets, Mom needs to be assertive. Some tough love is necessary here. The kid will be upset for a little while but that will pass. This is about a mother doing what is best for her son and also wants best for the reptile.

audi12

xxxJennyxxx wrote: »

Speaking as a reptile lover here. Snakes are great animals to keep, however bear in mind they can't come out of their tank for long as they'll lose heat fast - if your son wants a pet that he can have out for longer than 20-30 mins at a time then a snake will not be ideal.

That being said, I love snakes feed 1-2 times a week and poo on average once a week! Very clean and when they shed its fascinating to feel the baby soft skin under the shed.

Maybe not a pyton wake up to find it choking you to death might not be so nice.

Cherry Blossom

audi12 wrote: »

A snake is not a pet its a snake ... Just dont let it escape and get out cause war cant believe anyone would want a snake.

Mod: I don't want a kid, but I don't feel compelled to post 'I can't believe anyone would want a kid' in the parenting forum. If you have no experience of snakes and have no constructive advice to give the OP, then you are in the wrong thread.

Silverfish

Snakes are a bit of an investment - the snake itself might be cheap, but it's environment needs to be spot on, and vivariums etc don't always run cheap.

You'd also need a good vet that handles exotics on the off-chance something goes wrong. That certainly doesn't always run cheap!

Though a guy I know had a similar issue with his wee lad - obsessed with snakes for years, so they got him a corn snake. He's very young, but he knows NEVER to take Hiss out of his house unsupervised, and when the snake wants to be left alone, and so on.
It could work, so long as you understand that technically it's your snake, and you're responsible for it's wellbeing.

Bicycle

I don't have experience of snakes but I do have a teenage son with Aspergers. I would be very wary about getting a pet that the whole family won't enjoy.

The problem with the Asperger obsessions is that they are very intense, but ultimately finite as the person develops another interest. Our bathroom is decorated with lighthouse pictures and models from our son's lighthouse phase. It lasted about 2 years, perhaps a bit more, and we had to visit any lighthouses near us, wherever we were. But then one day it stopped. Dead. No more lighthouses, we were not even allowed talk about lighthouses. He had moved on. The next phase was Pokemon, if I remember correctly.

If you are not comfortable with the concept of a snake, my attitude would be to allow him see and touch as many of them belonging to others as you can. Living with someone with Aspergers, you always know there is another obsession just waiting in the wings to make their appearance.

trixychic

Rainman16 wrote: »

That's exactly what will happen, Mom will be the one looking after, being responsible for the snake. I think the same life lesson of responsibility and caring for other living things can be done with a kitten or a puppy, domestic animals that also make great pets for the family,

I would love to have a puppy or a kitten but at the minute in our housing situation it is not possible.

Rainman16 wrote: »

Some tough love is necessary here. The kid will be upset for a little while but that will pass.

You obviously have no experience with children on the asd spectrum. A little upset translates to meltdowns and it will pass translates into month long depressions.

He's 7. If he wants a snake and I think it's not appropriate for our family at the minute I will tell him he will have to wait until he is older and can take care of it 100% himself.

I am not wanting to take on an animal and risk its welfare. Not by a long shot!!!

trixychic

Bicycle wrote: »

I don't have experience of snakes but I do have a teenage son with Aspergers. I would be very wary about getting a pet that the whole family won't enjoy.

The problem with the Asperger obsessions is that they are very intense, but ultimately finite as the person develops another interest. Our bathroom is decorated with lighthouse pictures and models from our son's lighthouse phase. It lasted about 2 years, perhaps a bit more, and we had to visit any lighthouses near us, wherever we were. But then one day it stopped. Dead. No more lighthouses, we were not even allowed talk about lighthouses. He had moved on. The next phase was Pokemon, if I remember correctly.

I must say my son is the opposite. He has an obsession with dinosaurs that has been going on since he was... well as long as I can remember. He's quite the paleontologist... or how ever you spell it.

He has also had an obsession with animals and nature in General for yrs unend. I have yet to see his obsessions end.

Bicycle wrote: »

If you are not comfortable with the concept of a snake, my attitude would be to allow him see and touch as many of them belonging to others as you can.

I don't mind snakes in the least. The only thing that would bother me is if I took it on and underestimated my capability to look after it properly. Again the animals welfare will be just as important as anyone else's in the house. Pets become a part of your family..... unless it's spiders. They can flip off.

Dial Hard

I had a Brazilian Rainbow Boa for about 7 years. Snakes are low maintenance in terms of exercise, affection and whatnot but they take a lot of looking after with regards to environment, diet, tank upkeep, etc. You also have to be prepared to have a bag of mice/rats/rabbits in your freezer all the time.

Honestly, keeping a snake for several years really made me realise that exotics are not pets. We upsized his tank several times but in the end I just couldn't get past how wrong I felt it was to keep this gorgeous creature in a glass cage, no matter how fancy it was.

trixychic

Dial Hard wrote: »

I had a Brazilian Rainbow Boa for about 7 years. Snakes are low maintenance in terms of exercise, affection and whatnot but they take a lot of looking after with regards to environment, diet, tank upkeep, etc. You also have to be prepared to have a bag of mice/rats/rabbits in your freezer all the time.

Honestly, keeping a snake for several years really made me realise that exotics are not pets. We upsized his tank several times but in the end I just couldn't get past how wrong I felt it was to keep this gorgeous creature in a glass cage, no matter how fancy it was.

Thank you for that. How often did you have to clean the tank. I read its once a week???

DBB

Rainman16 wrote: »

That's exactly what will happen, Mom will be the one looking after, being responsible for the snake.

With respect, you have no way of knowing that. You're jumping to conclusions there.

What happens when the 7 year, prone to obsession, in a few weeks becomes obsessed with something else and decides he doesn't want the snake?

That's why his mother started this thread, and has since affirmed that her son may be prone to obsession, but not in a fly-by-night way... I was exactly the same as a kid, still am, and all my animal-loving friends are the same.
I think it's fair to say his own mam knows him best. Not only that, but she is willing to step up to the plate should things work out in the worst case scenario.

Jen Pigs Fly

audi12 wrote: »

Maybe not a pyton wake up to find it choking you to death might not be so nice.

I've handled 10foot plus pythons, no choking happened and believe it or not, when a snake, or any reptile is cold, they don't want to move, so zero chance of being chocked to death During the night as the heat lamps would be off!! Plus there is this thing called vivarium locks.

Snakes are amazing animals, and tend to not want to kill us due to our size! If he wants a python - go for it! They're very placid and less jumpy then most other snakes! Go for a male. He doesn't grow as big!

Jen Pigs Fly

trixychic wrote: »

Thank you for that. How often did you have to clean the tank. I read its once a week???

I cleaned once a week after the weekly poo

trixychic

First of all I would like to say thanks to everyone for replying. It can be good to hear from outside views.

Second of all we have decided to leave getting him a snake (it will be a corn snake as they seem the most resilient in our climate and are known for good starters... according to some pages.) Until his birthday which is in June.

During this time I am planning to get myself as ready as possible and am arranging a meeting with the snake expert in the reptile village in Kilkenny. Also I want to scout out vets and I'm not sure if I'll have the time to do all that by Christmas alonf with everything else. When we do undertake this task we will be fully prepared for it.

Thanks again everyone.

Silverfish

Are you near Bray? Tbh the only vet I've encountered that knows anything much about any animal that isn't a cat, dog or horse is Bairbre O'Malley in Bray.
She sees snakes and reptiles regularly - usually when I was there with my mice :pac:

trixychic

Silverfish wrote: »

Are you near Bray? Tbh the only vet I've encountered that knows anything much about any animal that isn't a cat, dog or horse is Bairbre O'Malley in Bray.
She sees snakes and reptiles regularly - usually when I was there with my mice :pac:

No I'm in Carlow. Now I'm worried. But then bray is only an hour away I suppose. Do snakes need regular vet checks???

Edited to add: Sorry I mean more than normal regular vet checks. I me a. A dog or cat will need to see one once or twice a yr. Are snakes pets that need once a month vet care???

Silverfish

trixychic wrote: »

No I'm in Carlow. Now I'm worried. But then bray is only an hour away I suppose. Do snakes need regular vet checks???

Edited to add: Sorry I mean more than normal regular vet checks. I me a. A dog or cat will need to see one once or twice a yr. Are snakes pets that need once a month vet care???

I've no experience of snakes but I wouldn't think so - I'd bring it after you get it for a general health check for worms or parasites or whatever snakes get.
No harm to have it registered as a patient anyway, that way if it does get ill they'll spot any changes immediately.

Glad to see you're putting in the research - corn snakes are lovely little things.

REPTILEDAN88

Cornsnakes are great starters, dont mind anyone who may say otherwise, they will need at least a 3x18x18 vivarium (enclosure) preferably a wooden one, a heatmat, substrate (bedding) lignocel is a great one as its very fine wood chips with no dust unlike the aspen bedding that will be dusty. You need a couple of hides for it one either end at least so it can thermoregulate. Food is mice, varying in size from pinkies (day old) to adult ones. Defrost them and warm them up a little and the snake will take them no bother, use a tongs too btw as some snakes will strike for their food esp if its warmed they find the scent irresistible. The first few times feeding might make you jump but you will get used to it. In the vivarium add fake plants,rocks etc as visual barriers and exercise too for it and they will be used over time. I would recommend a thermostat also as it will stop the heat pad from possibly causing a fire if it over heats etc very rarely people have problems with heat mats but its better safe than sorry. For water a simple small dish can be added or to aid shedding add a dog bowl size one the snake will likely soak in the days approaching a shed and go "blue ish" a couple of days after this it sheds, try not to handle or feed when this is happening. Cleaning wise spot clean whenever theres waste visible in the vivarium and other than that once a month even refresh the whole substrate. If you like you can use a light to heat/view the snake too but use a cage guard over it as the snake may try climb and will burn itself in that case. Any more questions feel free to ask.

2Shae

If it helps I'm based in swords dublin. I have both a corn snake(hyper as hell) and a royal Python(calmest animal ever). I find them both great pets and would be happy to introduce them to your kid. Most people will say you need to spend a lot but you can find lots of used vivariums and etc online.

Personally I find corns are too hyper and jumpy. Royal pythons are super chilled out and will wrap around your wrist for warmth.

My cats prefer watching the corn as it moves more though. The royal is usually sunbathing or playing with the lock

trixychic

2Shae wrote: »

If it helps I'm based in swords dublin. I have both a corn snake(hyper as hell) and a royal Python(calmest animal ever). I find them both great pets and would be happy to introduce them to your kid.

I may just take you up on that. Although it'll be the Halloween break or the Christmas break before I get near Dublin again. (My grandparents are only over in malahide. So I know swords pretty well)

Hellrazer

Call into Ben in Reptile haven.He even runs kids camps now and I think theres one over the Halloween break,He introduces the kids to snakes,lizards and tarantulas.You never know your son might change his mind and want a 4 foot lizard!!

Hellrazer

2Shae wrote: »

If it helps I'm based in swords dublin. I have both a corn snake(hyper as hell) and a royal Python(calmest animal ever)

I don't think a Royal would be best for a first snake.Their requirements are more speciliased than a corn.
Ive personally had 2 royals die on me from Inclusion disease.So much so that Ive given up trying to keep Royals.

A corn in my opinion is the best starter snake with a Cali King coming second and a Western Hognose a close third.
All these are easily kept with no real temperature/habitat requirements.

Jen Pigs Fly

Hellrazer wrote: »

I don't think a Royal would be best for a first snake.Their requirements are more speciliased than a corn.
Ive personally had 2 royals die on me from Inclusion disease.So much so that Ive given up trying to keep Royals.

A corn in my opinion is the best starter snake with a Cali King coming second and a Western Hognose a close third.
All these are easily kept with no real temperature/habitat requirements.

After dealing with king/milk snakes and the smell of their 'excretions' when picked up I wouldn't recommend them

ED E

We had a common garter and an albino garter when I was growing up. Very low maintenance but maybe a little less exciting than a corn snake (which a cousin had). The fact that a garter will eat earthworms that your lad could go hunting for might be appealing and is a tad easier on the budget.

And sure they're gorgeous lil fellers.


From my experience there was no veterinary care required.

trixychic

ED E wrote: »

We had a common garter and an albino garter when I was growing up. Very low maintenance but maybe a little less exciting than a corn snake (which a cousin had). The fact that a garter will eat earthworms that your lad could go hunting for might be appealing and is a tad easier on the budget.


From my experience there was no veterinary care required.

I've never heard of these. Are they hardy??? Don't think my son could deal with his pet dying on him within a few months and its certainly not what i want!!!

ED E

Reasonably, my demon of a younger sister never managed to kill them.

REPTILEDAN88

trixychic wrote: »

I've never heard of these. Are they hardy??? Don't think my son could deal with his pet dying on him within a few months and its certainly not what i want!!!

Very easy to keep, they grow fast too as they have a higher metabolism than the likes of corn/king/milksnakes etc. Earth worms, Mollies (the fish) etc strips of chicken and crawler mice/rats is the diet of Garter and the closely related Ribbon snakes. These are more wiry/active than the corn too but will usually calm quickly with handling, although they can be fond of musking as defense when picked up. Heat wise they dont really need alot a heat pad would do for one. The Garter/Ribbon snakes are more active than the corns etc too and will need spot cleaning almost daily, more so the younger ones with them needing to eat more regularly though, adults might soil the substrate twice a week. Any more questions again feel free to ask away.

trixychic

REPTILEDAN88 wrote: »

Very easy to keep, they grow fast too as they have a higher metabolism than the likes of corn/king/milksnakes etc. Earth worms, Mollies (the fish) etc strips of chicken and crawler mice/rats is the diet of Garter and the closely related Ribbon snakes. These are more wiry/active than the corn too but will usually calm quickly with handling, although they can be fond of musking as defense when picked up. Heat wise they dont really need alot a heat pad would do for one. The Garter/Ribbon snakes are more active than the corns etc too and will need spot cleaning almost daily, more so the younger ones with them needing to eat more regularly though, adults might soil the substrate twice a week. Any more questions again feel free to ask away.

We've decided we will get him one but it'll be his birthday (june) or next Xmas before we do so. I want to give us plenty of time to do it right.

I can't thank you all enough for your help!!! Pets are such a big decision and should never be taken lightly... the same as buying a house or deciding to have a child. It'll be my new project for the next yr. Yay.