5 Things You MUST Consider Before Buying A Snake

Research

Before you purchase your snake, you need to make sure you have enough knowledge to be able to care for this animal, ensuring that they are healthy and have a good life in their new home! In order to educate yourself properly, you can gather information from online resources, books, veterinary clinics, reptile breeders, and more.

You can begin by researching different snake species to determine which one fits best with your preferences and lifestyle. Personally, I would recommend any python in the Antaresia genus (spotted pythons, Children’s pythons, Stimson’s pythons, and pygmy pythons) to be the best beginner snakes. Antaresia species are all approximately under 1.5 meters in length, with spotted pythons being the largest and pygmy pythons being the smallest. Their small size makes them easy to house, feed, and handle, especially for younger children. Pythons in this genus can live up to around 20 years old and can be very docile as long as they are held relatively regularly.

Once you have decided which species of snake you would like to be a part of your family, your next step will be to research their care. You will need to find out specific enclosure requirements, temperature needs, humidity, lighting, feeding, and cleaning requirements for that particular species.

Every reptile keeper starts somewhere and mistakes are part of the journey. What matters most is being willing to learn, grow, and make improvements along the way to better your animals quality of life.

Personalised, in-depth advice can make all the difference.

If you're looking to improve your husbandry or troubleshoot specific issues, book in for a husbandry consult to help you become a more confident, capable, and ethical keeper.

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Reptile Husbandry Consultation

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For the very basics, you will need...

  • Enclosure — this needs to be the appropriate size (bigger is always better!), have adequate ventilation, and be made out of an appreciate material.

  • Substrate — there are multiple different substrates available and the most optimal substrate will depend on the specific species you want to house. Common substrates that can be used include Chipsi Snake and paper towel.

  • Heat source — ensure to provide an appropriate overhead heat lamp that emits the three bands of infrared (IR-A, IR-B, IRC), and is paired with a thermostat. This is important for your snake to be able to properly regulate their body temperature.

  • UV lighting — although many snake species can live without it, I strongly recommended providing an appropriate level of full spectrum lighting (visible light, UVA, UVB, etc) as it is beneficial for immune system health, behaviour, and more.

  • Water bowl — so that your snake has access to fresh, clean water 24/7.

  • Enrichment — this can be in the form of logs, branches, rocks, foilage, etc.

  • Hides — you will need a minimum of two, one on the cool side of the enclosure, and one on the warm side. This allows your snake to properly thermoregulate while still being able to shelter.

  • Reptile tools — snake hooks and feeding tongs are a staple for every reptile keeper to make life easier when handling and feeding your snake.

  • Prey items — a variety of prey items should be provided, these can be bought from a local pet store or online.

Everything listed above are the very basic necessities that should be implemented for every python species.

The Essentials

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Legal Considerations & Licensing

In Australia, you need to hold a license to keep any species of snake. There are different types of licenses for different reptiles, different quantities of reptiles, and change dependent on the state you live in.

Below are the links to relevant authority websites in your state to find out which license you will need.

Queensland

QLD Goverment Website - Wildlife Licencing

New South Wales

NSW Government Website - Wildlife Licencing

Victoria

VIC Government Website - Wildlife Licensing

Australian Capital Territory

ACT Goverment Website - Wildlife Licensing

South Australia

SA Goverment Website - Wildlife Licensing

Northern Territory

NT Government Website - Wildlife Licensing

Western Austrila

WA Government Website - Wildlife Licencing

Tasmainia

TAS Government Website - Wildlife Licensing

Please be aware that if you wish to purchase from us and you are outside of Australia or in Tasmania or Western Australia, we will not be able to freight reptiles to you due to Australian laws.

Buying Your Snake

It is important to select a reputable source to purchase your snake from. Avoid purchasing from pet stores or breeders that house their animals improperly, show signs of neglect, or lack transparency about their animals.

When purchasing a snake, you will need to show proof of your reptile license to the seller, the seller should also provide their license to you so that you can ensure you are purchasing from a legal and ethical source.

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  • Handling

    I would recommend you wait at the very least one week after purchasing your snake to handle them as a new environment can be stressful and take some time to adapt to, especially for hatchlings. When handling your snake, ensure to be gentle and support their entire body weight — let the snake slither over your hands and explore over your arms without you grabbing or restricting them. Pretend to be a tree! Snakes can be held regularly, just be aware that overhandling is common and can easily stress your snake out and cause issues such as food refusal. I would recommend handling no more than once a day, waiting at least 24 hours to handle them after feeding, and avoiding handling while they are shedding — handling during these times can cause stress and disrupt their natural processes.

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    Health & Cleaning

    Make sure to spot clean your snakes enclosure daily and do a deep clean every couple months. This is crucial for parasite prevention and maintaining clean living conditions to prevent any health issues. It is important to look out for any signs of illness such as lethargy, loss of appetite, or changes in skin condition. If you see any of these signs, please book an appointment with your local reptile veterinarian.

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    For more on appropriate hygiene practices, click below!

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Getting your first pet snake is a rewarding experience that offers the chance to observe and appreciate these beautiful creatures up close.

By educating yourself, sourcing responsibly, and taking proper care of your snake, you can ensure its health and well-being for many years to come. Enjoy your new family member!

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Written by Ava De Jesus