Frequently asked Questions:
My 5-year-old son wants a snake for a pet. Is this too young and, if not, what kind
would you recommend?
It has been our observation that children under 5 are best "looking at" rather than acutally
being given the responsibility to take care of any animal. Usually by 5-years-old taking care
of an animal, with adult supervision, is not a problem. Our son's first snake was a Corn
Snake as they are hardy, easy to care for, and don't grow too large or too quickly. One
of the big mistakes people make in purchasing reptiles is that they don't take into consideration
how large they will ultimately become, or how difficult it will be to take care of them. Additionally,
ALWAYS BUY AN ANIMAL THAT HAS BEEN BRED DOMESTICALLY. Too many species are becoming endangered due to
the export of wild animals, such as the Ball Python. Wild animals deserve to be left in the wild. A
little research about reptiles in the beginning can vastly improve your reptile experience.
Do your snakes bite?
This is a question that we've been asked many times. ANY animal can bite, including humans. However, with proper
care and frequent handling,
they learn that they are not in danger and biting is not a problem. In our educational programs we
use snakes from the "constrictor" family that have been handled often and for many years (constrictors
are animals that have no venom as they catch then squeeze their prey). Our animals actually
seem to enjoy being handled.
I have read on on the internet that your industry is not regulated. Is this true?
Each county has its own set of regulations regarding displaying animals and their maintenance.
Animal Control and the Health Department must approve business licenses which involve animals. They have the right
to stipulate conditions for transportation, sanitization, and housing. Additionally, the county has the right
to do unannounced inspections. Although not required, we maintain thorough records on each animal
including feeding schedule, vet care, shedding, etc.
Some people believe that reptiles are wild animals and should not be used for entertainment
purposes.
We whole-heartedly agree with the notion that wild animals should remain in the wild.
However, all of our snakes have domestic pedigrees that span several generations - they are our
beloved pets. A domesticated reptile is no different than a domesticated dog, cat, horse, etc. and
great care is taken when transporting and handling our precious friends and coworkers. When you
think about it, humans have been using animals for entertainment and comfort since the dawn of
time. The most important consideration,which must be taken into account,is to shows respect to
ALL animals, domestic OR wild.
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