Durban - A KwaZulu-Natal pet store owner has shared vital advice about keeping a snake as a pet.
This comes after Matt Jarett, from the US, shared a tribute on a snake lovers group on Facebook, to his pet yellow anaconda, Soirée, who he had for 28 years.
Jarret said he was blessed to have his snake for many “wonderful” years and recalled that they had been through a lot together and had created a strong bond.
“Soirée passed away two months ago (August). We were together for 28 years. I used to constantly check on him as I’m sure most snake parents do. I now realise that Soirée was an incredible source of love and comfort for me. It’s been incredibly difficult without him. I look at all our pictures and videos and feel proud that I had him for his entire life but still feel sad and empty without him. Soirée will forever be my one and only snake,” wrote Jarret.
A KwaZulu-Natal pet store owner has shared vital advice about keeping a snake as a pet.
This comes after Matt Jarett, from the US, shared a tribute on a snake lovers group on Facebook, to his pet yellow anaconda, Soirée, who he had for 28 years.
Jarret said he was blessed to have his snake for many “wonderful” years and recalled that they had been through a lot together and had created a strong bond.
“Soirée passed away two months ago (August). We were together for 28 years. I used to constantly check on him as I’m sure most snake parents do. I now realise that Soirée was an incredible source of love and comfort for me. It’s been incredibly difficult without him. I look at all our pictures and videos and feel proud that I had him for his entire life but still feel sad and empty without him. Soirée will forever be my one and only snake,” wrote Jarret.
Richard Boynton, the owner of the Creatures and Critters Pet Shop in Botha's Hill, said while snakes conjure up mixed emotions in society, public perceptions are changing.
Boynton said most of these emotions are based on historical perceptions of fear, misunderstanding, hearsay and old wives tales.
“As we understand the role of reptiles and get to appreciate their beauty and unique behaviour, more and more people are taken in,” he said.
He said people are beginning to be able to admire these living works of art.
People who want pets to suit their modern day lifestyles are considering snakes, he said.
According to Boynton, the initial attraction to the idea of keeping a snake as a pet varies:
- Some are genuinely interested in snakes. Others are attracted to the misconceived potential danger.
- Snakes do not expose people to the same allergies caused by other furry and feathered pets.
- A lot of new pet owners want an option of a pet that can be housed and cared for comfortably and practically in a small apartment, rather than an extensive garden.
He further explained that snakes unlike dogs or cats do not require the same level of interaction and affection from their owners.
“Some pets like fish, snakes, insects, tarantulas, amphibians etc are generally not social animals. They do require daily care but don't necessarily require daily interaction,” said Boynton.
Describing the nature of snakes, he said: “Non-venomous pet snakes do become accustomed to their owners and show no fear or defensive behaviour."
He said it is important and necessary to understand snakes thoroughly so that the environment provided for them by their owners is suitable.
“Cages are specific to the individual species and there cannot be a ‘one cage suits all’ approach. Cage size, temperature and basking requirements, humidity gradients, shelter, diet, arboreal and terrestrial needs and suitable substrates are all aspects of husbandry required to have thriving pets,” he said.
Boynton advised that all these aspects should be considered before deciding on a specific snake species.
“Professional and specialist pet shops would be more than willing to assist with your decision-making before you choose a snake,” he said.
Boynton warned that venomous snakes should only be a consideration for experienced and specialist collectors.
“They should not be kept to impress people and should never be free handled for this reason,” he said.
He further advised that pet owners who keep snakes need to understand and respect that other members of the public may not share the same passion for their pets.
Should you be considering a pet snake, Boynton said it was important to get the advice of experienced pet shop owners, breeders and other experts.
