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question about snakes?

i really want a pet snake. i am 16. i have enough money saved and things. my parents are 100% against me getting one, but i am determined. this is kinda a 2-part question. first i want to know how to convince my parent to maybe consider the snake. i have told them only requires feeding once a month when older. i would buy everything. their quite. and i would (snake-proof) the house. second part. if i was going to consider buying one what supplies do i need? like ive heard a huge gallon fish tank and some lamps or someting. ive been looking on criags list and have found a sand boa and some other types. so use that as a reference if they differ. thanks a bunch.!

Public Comments

1. What kind of snake do you want? Here are some care sheets for the most commonly kept pet snakes. http://www.reptilecare.com/CornSnakeCaresheet.htm http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/pythons/a/ballpythons_2.htm http://www.anapsid.org/boa.html Do extensive research on whichever kind of snake you want, show your parents how much you know about them, and prove that you're responsible by helping out around the house and maybe volunteering at an animal shelter. If they still say no, wait until you move out to get a snake, you only have 2 more years or so. Technically its their house and they make the decisions. They're probably saying no for a reason.
2. Hey, Well, first of all it depends what your parents objections are based on, fear ? miseducation ? just being anal ? Talk to them, discuss the issue, ask for justification of the refusal (holy crap, can't let my kids see this). Don't need to snake proof the house.. it's impossible anyways. Just get a steel wire top for your tank, they snap on real tight. Snakes require more than one feeding a month, about every week for any growing snake, can be 2 weeks for an adult, unless in brumation (hibernation). Supplies depend on the breed of snake, thus means researching care sheets for the snake you want to get. In general, a 36 X 16 X 24 tank will suit most small snakes once fully grown, most Boas and Burmese pythons (others as well) can need custom built enclosures that are much bigger. Best starter snakes are Corn Snakes and King Snakes, they are easy to take care of, not prone to being picky eaters, very tame and don't require a complicated setup. - Tank - Heat lamp (or pad, or both, see next part) - Hide - Log (s) - Bedding, i recommend compressed coconut malsh. - Water dish, 10-12 oz Gonna run you anywhere from 60$ to 250$ depending on used deals you can find. Before getting a snake, you need the enclosure set-up and you must have balanced the temperature and humidity. This is where you will play with the heat lamp/heat pad placement, both or just one of the two (i recommend a lamp as opposed to a single heat pad). Basking spot, cool zone and night temp. takes a day to do. Doing this while you have the snake in his new enclosure is extremely stressful. Buying snakes on craigs list or kijiji and so on can be a gamble, some people try to get rid of problem snakes (picky eaters, sick, aggressive, etc). Best thing is to look for local breeders, pet stores (Never, ever pet smart and such, they mistreat animals badly) are more expensive sometimes. Breeders will have the best info on specific breeds as to detailed care, they won't try to sell you a bunch of junk too. Google it all, it's all there. Hope this helps.
3. Do extensive research and just tell them that the snake will not leave your room. Do extra choores not only before but after you get it. And tell them about parents that have absolutely hated snakes when they let their kids get one. Then a little while later the parents own snakes themselves. The stuff you will need depends on the snake you want. If you want a big snake that may be why they are saying no. Like a reticulated python, burmese python, rock python, olive python, red tail boas are not begginer snakes. Basically anything that gets over five feet is considered a intermediate snake. I would recomend a ball python or a corn snake. If you parents are afraid of the snakes. Tell them on the size of the animal when it is young. Because my corn snakes face is what got my mom to like snakes.