Posts Tagged ‘reptile’
With the exception of Antarctica, snakes are everywhere on the globe in warm and temperate geographical areas. The diversity of the 2,700 snakes species is relevant in the size differences too: there are some only a few centimeters long while others reach the impressive length of nine meters like the anacondas or the pythons. Poisonous snakes are far less numerous in this incredibly large reptile family, but their toxic poison is so powerful that it could kill a human being within a few minutes. According to studies, the history and origins of snakes are lost in the Cretaceous period, some 150 million years ago, when snakes are assumed to have evolved from a lizard and adapted to a different living environment.
Some modern species still carry primitive distinctive marks, this is the case with pythons and boas that still have hind limbs remains, which only make us think of a past when snakes were more lizard-like than they are today. Snakes or serpents making the subject of symbolic creations and being widely illustrated in the arts. Mankind hunted down or worshiped snakes throughout its history; yet, modern attitudes are partly different towards snakes particularly under the emphasis of the ecological movements that insist on the importance of these creatures for the balance of ecosystems. And many factors confirm such opinions.
Fascinating details in the lives of snakes indicate that not everything has been discovered about the many existing species. Thus, a study of the colored patterns on the body of snakes indicates incredible differentiation details between individuals belonging to the same family. Then, snakes’ sensitivity to vibrations, the superior sense of smell and even the reception of low frequency sounds make them pretty out of the ordinary. Infrared sensitivity and the ability to detect body warmth from the distance, causes further awe among snakes researchers.
Snakes share their habitat with us, and people from areas with a higher density of snake groups and sub-groups develop skills to distinguish between the hazardous or harmless varieties, and thus they reduce the risk of snakebites. Non-venomous snakes are not that friendly when threatened, therefore, a healthy attitude towards such animals will save you a lot of trouble. Do not attempt to catch, hunt or kill snakes: they only feed and defend themselves as they cannot hold grudge and follow you just for the sake of biting. Be extremely cautious when keeping snakes as pets.
Getting rid of snakes is quite of challenge in globe areas where people die because of snake bites. At present, ingenious inventors have come up with special snake repellant systems, yet, besides the ready made items, there are common sense things that you can do in order to reduce the odds of snakes choosing your garden to make their den. Among the favorite snake environments, ponds, shrubs and bushes occupy top positions, as they have a great hiding place to stalk on prey; moreover, in a bushy garden, snakes can move freely from one location to another without difficulty. Therefore, a first snake repellant solution is to keep thick vegetation away from the house.
Then, mowing the lawn regularly makes another great snake repellant method since too high grass can camouflage snakes pretty well. Moreover, such a lawn represents the perfect environment for some of the favorite meals in the menu of a snake: mice and other small rodents, frogs, locusts and crickets. A short lawn will be avoided by snakes as an unsafe space that makes them easy prey for other predatory species like owls or hawks. Any cluttered area around the house can cause just as much trouble, turning into nests for venomous or non-venomous snakes. Hence, do not allow any piles of wood, open garages and compost heaps from the yard.
In wild areas on the Black continent, local people knit camel or goat hair ropes for snake protection and snake repellant purposes: snakes cannot move over such rough and unpleasant surfaces. Aborigines will often guard their bed location with such ropes to eliminate or at least reduced the risk of deadly bites from some of the most venomous African snakes. A similar snake repellent principle is followed in tent design, which is why there are zipped nets used in order to prevent snakes and other insects from getting inside. Make sure you do not forget to zip the tent when entering or getting out, or you may have unwelcome guests joining you.
Snake repellant solutions do exist in other forms too and they include special window sill protections, foams, nets or traps. Many such devices are considered unfair according to animal rights protection. Hence, it would be wise to focus on harmless snake repellant ways. If by any chance you suspect lethal snakes living in your garden, do not try to kill or chase them away, as they will attack when threatened. Ask for some pest control service and have the animals safely removed, and no harm will be done to either party.
Pet snake care is not as simple as one might think. There are several things to consider before purchasing a snake, including determining whether or not a snake is right for you or your family. You must also bear in mind that snakes have certain dietary needs, and they also require a special facility in which the environment can be regularly heated. It is important that you do plenty of research so that you can prepare yourself and your family for the responsibilities of pet snake care.
One of the most important things to do before buying a snake is to research the vast range of pet snakes available. If you have a specific breed of snake in mind, you’ll save yourself a world of hassle if you read up about the breed first. It could be quite a shock to discover the process of snake skin shedding if you aren’t prepared for the sight of it. Researching before you buy a snake will also let you know what kind and size of snake cage you will need to purchase, as well as any other necessary equipment. Snake care varies depending upon the breed of snake, so the way one cares for, say, ball pythons may be very different than caring for coral snakes.
Make sure that you set up the cage for the snake so that it resembles its natural habitat. Many snakes prefer the hot weather but there are some snakes that prefer the cold to the hot. You also have to take into consideration the aggressiveness of your snake so that you can fit the cage around it, by doing this it will be easier to maintain the cage and also to feed the snake.
When feeding your snake you must also take into consideration that you can only feed the snake what it would naturally eat in the wild. All food must be preserved, normally in a refrigerator and away from the food that you and your family will eat to prevent any illnesses. Feeding your snake should be done on a regular basis, normally once a day or every two days depending on the snake.
Snakes must always remain well hydrated, therefore you should find a suitable container to put in your snake’s cage, refreshing the water daily. You should also develop a routine in which you inspect your snake for any signs of illness, as snakes are particularly susceptible to skin diseases.
If you’re ready to take on the care of a snake, you can find pet snakes for sale by using the Internet, browsing through your local newspaper, or call or visit your nearest pet shop.