Petco employee's comments on snake keeping

So, how many of you only feed your kingsnakes every 3-6 weeks?

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With proper care, some snakes make good pets
Certain varieties of Texas reptiles can live 20 years

By DOUG PIKE
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

King snakes, corn snakes and rat snakes, native to Texas and available from retailers through permitted breeders, make good and long-lived pets.

Typically shorter than two feet long when purchased as juveniles, these species grow to nearly four feet over lifespans of 10 to 20 years.

Snakes of that size can be maintained comfortably, said Petco's Matt Calk, in a 40-gallon or slightly smaller tank.

Younger snakes are fed once, sometimes twice, weekly. Once they're mature, at 3 to 5 years, feeding is reduced to only once each three to six weeks.

"You never want to feed your snake in its enclosure," Calk advised.

Instead, place the food — usually a rodent — into a temporary container, and then add the snake. By following that procedure, the snake never associates hands with food.

"Rodents are great sources of nutrition," said Calk.

Some people feed snakes chicken parts, Calk said, but hollow bird bones are poor sources of calcium.

Every snake has its own charm and character. Some species are comfortable with other snakes, and some prefer solitude.

If you select one of the king snakes, don't introduce a second snake to the same cage.

"King snakes will eat other snakes, even if they're not hungry," Calk said.

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