Pet Serval Rescued

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A pet Serval was confined to a tiny, two room apartment for the past 10 years. She was housed with a domestic cat, presumably for the purpose of breeding Savannah Cats which can fetch as much as ,000. Her life was about as boring as can be imagined since she had to be kept secreted away from the world, but all of that was about to change.

Her owner was so ill that she needed intensive hospital care, but having no relatives and no one she could turn to, it was up to the authorities to have her Baker acted for her own good. Imagine the hysteria involved in being so incapable of making your own decisions that the police and paramedics had to be called to carry you to the hospital.

It was worrisome for the authorities as well because this woman’s neighbors all whispered that she kept a lion in that apartment. The lion turned out to be a Serval, but none the less, it left animal control in a strained situation. It is not expected that the owner will live and county law there gives Animal Control ownership and custody of animals who are not claimed within 10 days. They knew that it would be torturous to take a wild cat into a shelter full of barking dogs. They didn’t know who to call about placing a wild cat.

On the one hand, they found the cat in a house and originally thought that maybe they should seek out an exotic pet owner to take the cat, but as they interviewed candidates it became clear that no one had the cat’s best interest at heart, but rather were just looking for the novelty of owning an exotic pet. They investigated some exotic animal sanctuaries, but were dismayed by the over crowded cages full of pacing animals.

They asked a local vet for advice and he found Big Cat Rescue. After researching our facility and doing an interview with Big Cat staff, they knew that Big Cat Rescue was the purr=fect place for this Serval to go. The thought of this Serval having her own Cat-a-tat, her own den, her own trees and shrubs and grass and all of the wonder of the little creatures that she will be able to see and sniff and chase…it was just as good as it gets if you have to be held captive. (Being captive bred and born, she could never be returned to the wilds of Africa.) This Serval had been through enough and they wanted a place that was stable, reputable and that would provide a permanent home.

This is where you come in.

The cost of transporting her to Big Cat Rescue is roughly 0. A Cat-a-tat for her will cost ,500 and her ongoing care, for food, toys, vitamins, vaccines and vet care is roughly 0. per year. Your help now makes it possible for her to have a forever home.

If you have been following us in the AdvoCat you know that Cloe the Snow Leopard just had a very expensive procedure done to save her life. Veterinarians, Liz Wynn, Allyson Berent, Chick Weisse, and Haven Bade from the Animal Medical Center in NYC, and Demetrius Bagley MD donated their time and Bay Area Renal Stone Center donated the equipment but Big Cat Rescue had to pay for airfare, car rentals, food and lodging for the vets and that bill just came to ,614.78.

Your ongoing donations make it possible for us to race to the rescue of cats like this Serval and Cloe the Snow Leopard. We can’t do it without you. Please donate now and put in the notes section that it is for the Serval rescue, or for Cloe the Snow Leopard. Thank you from the 100+ big cats who are counting on you.

Written by BigCatRescue
I love Big Cat Rescue

A pet Serval was confined to a tiny, two room apartment for the past 10 years. She was housed with a domestic cat, presumably for the purpose of breeding Savannah Cats which can fetch as much as ,000. Her life was about as boring as can be imagined since she had to be kept secreted away from the world, but all of that was about to change.

Her owner was so ill that she needed intensive hospital care, but having no relatives and no one she could turn to, it was up to the authorities to have her Baker acted for her own good. Imagine the hysteria involved in being so incapable of making your own decisions that the police and paramedics had to be called to carry you to the hospital.

It was worrisome for the authorities as well because this woman’s neighbors all whispered that she kept a lion in that apartment. The lion turned out to be a Serval, but none the less, it left animal control in a strained situation. It is not expected that the owner will live and county law there gives Animal Control ownership and custody of animals who are not claimed within 10 days. They knew that it would be torturous to take a wild cat into a shelter full of barking dogs. They didn’t know who to call about placing a wild cat.

On the one hand, they found the cat in a house and originally thought that maybe they should seek out an exotic pet owner to take the cat, but as they interviewed candidates it became clear that no one had the cat’s best interest at heart, but rather were just looking for the novelty of owning an exotic pet. They investigated some exotic animal sanctuaries, but were dismayed by the over crowded cages full of pacing animals.

They asked a local vet for advice and he found Big Cat Rescue. After researching our facility and doing an interview with Big Cat staff, they knew that Big Cat Rescue was the purr=fect place for this Serval to go. The thought of this Serval having her own Cat-a-tat, her own den, her own trees and shrubs and grass and all of the wonder of the little creatures that she will be able to see and sniff and chase…it was just as good as it gets if you have to be held captive. (Being captive bred and born, she could never be returned to the wilds of Africa.) This Serval had been through enough and they wanted a place that was stable, reputable and that would provide a permanent home.

This is where you come in.

The cost of transporting her to Big Cat Rescue is roughly 0. A Cat-a-tat for her will cost ,500 and her ongoing care, for food, toys, vitamins, vaccines and vet care is roughly 0. per year. Your help now makes it possible for her to have a forever home.

If you have been following us in the AdvoCat you know that Cloe the Snow Leopard just had a very expensive procedure done to save her life. Veterinarians, Liz Wynn, Allyson Berent, Chick Weisse, and Haven Bade from the Animal Medical Center in NYC, and Demetrius Bagley MD donated their time and Bay Area Renal Stone Center donated the equipment but Big Cat Rescue had to pay for airfare, car rentals, food and lodging for the vets and that bill just came to ,614.78.

Your ongoing donations make it possible for us to race to the rescue of cats like this Serval and Cloe the Snow Leopard. We can’t do it without you. Please donate now and put in the notes section that it is for the Serval rescue, or for Cloe the Snow Leopard. Thank you from the 100+ big cats who are counting on you.

For the vast majority of us there is a drive to want to help something that is in need of it.  There are many thousands of pets that are homeless, feral, abused, and forgotten.  Here are some simple ways to help out the animal population in your community.

Spay and Neuter

“Roaming fertile female cats suffer from being reproduction machines. A female cat can be nursing one litter while pregnant for the next. One unspayed female cat, her mate and their offspring, reproducing at a rate of two litters per year, will result in 11,800 felines in just five years.”  (http://www.csnip.org/faqs08.html)  That’s a lot of cats!  Remember dogs need to be spayed or neutered as well.

Adoption is an Option.

Rather than buying your new pet from a pet store, think adoption first.  Sure it may take a little bit more time to find your perfect pet, but one is always out there.  There are many good and loving pets in need of a caring owner.  While some may have behavioral problems, many do not.  Those that run the rescue or are adopting out the pet, should be able to give you an idea of its personality.  Keep in mind that there are always those that are looking for a quick buck and will sell/adopt out anything.  It is always your responsibility to take your time to look at your potential adoptee.  Just like buying a car, you want to ask questions, you wouldn’t want to drive a car that ran a few miles and then stalled, would you?  When thinking of things to ask, offer to have your vet check out the animal.  Certain animals need a specialist vet.  These vets usually are trained in exotics, such as reptiles, amphibians, bird, rodents, and fish.  They are a little hard to find as well, since exotic pet ownership isn’t as big as companion pet (cat and dog) ownership.

Can’t Adopt?  Try fostering.

Many rescues and humane societies are always in need of fosters.  What will happen when you foster an animal, the adopting agency will usually have you fill out an application.  The agency will check to see if pets are allowed in your home, by calling your landlord.  If pets are not allowed, don’t try to sneak them in.  It ends up bad for all parties involved.  You may be terminated from your lease and your charge will be taken away from you, put back in the same situation it was in before it came to you, which is homeless.  Also while considering fostering, think of your other pets at home.  Do they get along with other animals?  Are your pets currently aggressive in any way with food, toys, or treats?  That may pose an issue for your new foster.  Also keep in mind that certain breeds of dog and small animals don’t mix such as Fox Terriers and rabbits or birds.  Terriers are known for their hunting and will ‘hunt’ when given a chance.

Can’t Foster?  Collect Donations or give money.

Collecting donations is probably the second easiest thing to do besides making a direct monetary donation.  Most rescues and humane societies will have a list of what is needed.  If they don’t, then call them and ask what they can use.  Every few years at Christmas time, a friend and I will collect things and take them to a local shelter.  Staff and animals are always happy to see the piles of stuff we bring in.  If giving a monetary amount check to see if its tax deductable.  Most non-profit agencies off tax deductions, but not all rescues have the 501( c )(3) exemption code.

Can’t Donate?  Educate!

It is astounding at the lack of properly educated people there are when it comes to pets.  Of course we are always learning new and better things with our  furry friends.  Join a reputable message board or a local animal organization and educate society.  There are many places to choose from, the most popular being ASPCA, PETA, and NWF.  Attend a meeting or two; do they have the same beliefs as you?  What group maybe good for one doesn’t have to match the other?  Everyone has a view on pet ownership.  Just make sure it is a well thought out view and is supported by facts.

Written by Rhalina Fassett

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Snake Bite Vaccination For Dogs

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Red Rock Biologics produces snake bite protection vaccination for dogs.  The dog vaccine for poisonous snake bites is specific for Western Diamondback rattlesnake bites. It also confers protection against Western Rattlesnake bites and the bites of Sidewinders, Timber Rattlesnakes, Massasaugas and Copperheads. The vaccine for venomous snakes confers partial protection against Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake bites.

Snake bite protection for dogs should be given twice during the first year, with one month between them. Booster vaccinations are needed every spring.

Side effects from vaccine for poisonous snake bites are uncommon. My three dogs had zero side effects. Less than 1 in 100 dogs experience minimal nonpainful swelling at the injection site. The swelling usually resolves without treatment. One in 1,000 dogs has experienced gastrointestinal side effects or fatigue from the poisonous snake bite dog vaccine for a couple of days. One to 3 dogs in 1,000,000 may have anaphylactic reaction to the vaccination.

When a vaccinated dog is bitten, protective antibodies start neutralizing venom immediately.  A recently vaccinated dog produces antibodies in quantities similar to that produced after treatment with three vials of snake bite antivenom. Vaccinated dogs have less discomfort and less permanent tissue injury.

Most healthy dogs can receive the snake bite protection. Vaccination can be given to puppies as young as 4 months and to dogs previously bitten (6 weeks recovery time should be allowed between the bite and vaccination). Pregnant and nursing dogs can also be vaccinated. Elderly dogs can also receive the vaccination for dogs.

The cost of snake bite protection vaccination for dogs varies between veterinarians. I paid just over .00 for the initial vaccination for each of my dogs and .00 for each of their boosters.

Anytime a dog receives a bite from a venomous snake, vaccinated or not, it is an emergency. Rattlesnake bites are the most likely to be fatal. Bites by copperheads or water moccasins are less apt to cause death.  Get the dog to a veterinarian as quickly as possible. Call the veterinarian to let them know a poisonous snake bite victim is on the way.

Identify the snake so that the veterinarian can make accurate decisions about treatment. If you cannot identify it, make a note of its physical characteristics. The size of the snake is also critical information in estimating how much venom was been injected. This information is essential for selection of and dosing of the correct snake bite antivenom.

Between the time of the poisonous snake bite and arriving at the veterinarian, the pet’s activity should be strictly limited. For bigger dogs that cannot be carried, walking should be done slowly.  Since venomous snake bite causes extreme pain, avoid touching the area or putting pressure on it. Your dog may bite if you do. Do not apply a tourniquet. Do not suck out or aspirate the poison. Do not apply heat or ice to the wound.

Summary

Snake bite protection vaccination for dogs can prevent pain and suffering and may save the dog’s life. Cost is minimal and only yearly boosters are necessary after the initial round of vaccinations. Dogs that are bitten by venomous snakes must get emergency treatment even if they have received the vaccine even though their bodies begin producing antibodies right away.

SOURCES: Dogs Vaccination for Poisonous Snake Bite. Frequently Asked Questions. Redrockbiologics.com

Written by Janie Ellington
I am a registered pharmacist and professional writer

Red Rock Biologics produces snake bite protection vaccination for dogs.  The dog vaccine for poisonous snake bites is specific for Western Diamondback rattlesnake bites. It also confers protection against Western Rattlesnake bites and the bites of Sidewinders, Timber Rattlesnakes, Massasaugas and Copperheads. The vaccine for venomous snakes confers partial protection against Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake bites.

Snake bite protection for dogs should be given twice during the first year, with one month between them. Booster vaccinations are needed every spring.

Side effects from vaccine for poisonous snake bites are uncommon. My three dogs had zero side effects. Less than 1 in 100 dogs experience minimal nonpainful swelling at the injection site. The swelling usually resolves without treatment. One in 1,000 dogs has experienced gastrointestinal side effects or fatigue from the poisonous snake bite dog vaccine for a couple of days. One to 3 dogs in 1,000,000 may have anaphylactic reaction to the vaccination.

When a vaccinated dog is bitten, protective antibodies start neutralizing venom immediately.  A recently vaccinated dog produces antibodies in quantities similar to that produced after treatment with three vials of snake bite antivenom. Vaccinated dogs have less discomfort and less permanent tissue injury.

Most healthy dogs can receive the snake bite protection. Vaccination can be given to puppies as young as 4 months and to dogs previously bitten (6 weeks recovery time should be allowed between the bite and vaccination). Pregnant and nursing dogs can also be vaccinated. Elderly dogs can also receive the vaccination for dogs.

The cost of snake bite protection vaccination for dogs varies between veterinarians. I paid just over .00 for the initial vaccination for each of my dogs and .00 for each of their boosters.

Anytime a dog receives a bite from a venomous snake, vaccinated or not, it is an emergency. Rattlesnake bites are the most likely to be fatal. Bites by copperheads or water moccasins are less apt to cause death.  Get the dog to a veterinarian as quickly as possible. Call the veterinarian to let them know a poisonous snake bite victim is on the way.

Identify the snake so that the veterinarian can make accurate decisions about treatment. If you cannot identify it, make a note of its physical characteristics. The size of the snake is also critical information in estimating how much venom was been injected. This information is essential for selection of and dosing of the correct snake bite antivenom.

Between the time of the poisonous snake bite and arriving at the veterinarian, the pet’s activity should be strictly limited. For bigger dogs that cannot be carried, walking should be done slowly.  Since venomous snake bite causes extreme pain, avoid touching the area or putting pressure on it. Your dog may bite if you do. Do not apply a tourniquet. Do not suck out or aspirate the poison. Do not apply heat or ice to the wound.

Summary

Snake bite protection vaccination for dogs can prevent pain and suffering and may save the dog’s life. Cost is minimal and only yearly boosters are necessary after the initial round of vaccinations. Dogs that are bitten by venomous snakes must get emergency treatment even if they have received the vaccine even though their bodies begin producing antibodies right away.

SOURCES: Dogs Vaccination for Poisonous Snake Bite. Frequently Asked Questions. Redrockbiologics.com

Harsh Reality or Freak ‘Accident’ — Where’s the truth?

With the recent news that a chimpanzee in Connecticut severely attacked and almost killed a woman, there have been a number of news stories and articles that tout monkeys as great pets, or depict monkey owners as doting on their pets and treating them as children, very literally. So, it seems many think the incident in Connecticut was an isolated and unusual incident. The story of what happened to the Charla Nash in Connecticut – and to the chimp and his owner – is absolutely heartbreaking. 

While it can easily and truthfully be claimed that this was an extenuating circumstance, it is not hard to put the pieces together and also realize that keeping a chimpanzee in a human environment is a disaster waiting to happen. The chimp was being treated for Lyme disease, which can cause behavior changes and agitation in humans, and then was given Xanac to help reduce his anxiety and moodiness from the illness and treatment. But anti-anxiety medications also can have the opposite effect in some people. Further, this wasn’t the only time the chimp, Travis, had caused problems. He had gotten out of the car while stopped in traffic, and chased a man who had thrown something at him. Lucky man got away, but traffic was held up for 2 hours before they could calm Travis down and get him back in the car.

Actually, according to many monkey owners, trainers, and wildlife refuge workers, most monkeys kept as pets do not work out in the end, and have to be euthanized or sent to a refuge. They are wild animals, and as with most wild animals, their wild nature does come out as they mature. Add to that their intelligence, dexterity, agility, and strength, and you clearly have a recipe for trouble.

“Typical” pets are domesticated

People often don’t realize the animals that are typically kept as pets, even pet rats, mice, and rabbits, as well as bigger animals, are all domesticated. They have been domesticated forever, or at least for hundreds or thousands of years, depending on the animal. Keeping a wild version, such as a wild rabbit, rat, raccoon, wolf, dog, is NOT the same. They will seem like domesticated animals sometimes, as babies, but as they mature, it becomes clear that they are WILD. As wild animals, they will be more nervous, often have a much higher energy level, unpredictable, and less inhibited about biting or attacking humans or other household pets.

Exceptions to every rule

There are always individual exceptions to every rule, but you cannot domesticate any animal in just one or two generations. But people don’t always realize this, and so when they hear about assistance monkeys for the disabled, or hear of a (so far) friendly monkey that someone has had for a few years, they assume it’s a safe pet. What they don’t realize is that one well behaved monkey is an exception, not a rule — and may be well behaved when they see the pet, but not all the time. Also, the monkeys that are trained as assistance pets for the disabled are much smaller than chimpanzees and are specially selected, specially trained, and most likely specially bred (domesticated).

Still, for every one person with good experiences and the lifelong company of a wild animal, there are many, many more with bad or even dangerous experiences, who had to give up their pets after becoming very attached.

A good experience is the exception. Most chimpanzees don’t make good pets. Most wolves or wolf hybrids don’t make good pets, even for people who live out in the country. Most other wild animals don’t make good pets, whether they live in big houses in the country or in small houses in the city. A very small pet that is wild might “work out”, simply because it is very small; the smaller snakes that are kept as pets are an example. But people who keep very large pythons and other types of snakes sometimes find themselves in danger — even dead — as that seemingly gentle pet grows too large to control. According to the ASPCA, “Thousands of people have been attacked and seriously injured by exotic pets. Some of the attacks are fatal, and children have too often been the victims.”

Consider the Animal, Too

If the concern for safety doesn’t bother some people, they should also stop to consider the effects of captivity on their wild pets, who suffer mental and physical distress over their captivity. They usually have no normal outlets for their energy, whether mental or physical.
Even domesticated dogs — who some believe may have never been wild — sometimes suffer from lack of meaningful work or activity. If they were wild at one time, it was thousands of years ago; dogs have a very long history with humans.  A wild animal suffers even more so. 

Update on Charla Nash, the victim of the chimpanzee attack. 

Victim of Chimpanzee Attack Receives Face Transplant

Written by AJTyne

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Worlf of Warcraft Hunter Pet Guide. Tips on Selecting and Controlling creatures in WoW

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The hunter is one of the 2 pet classes in World of Warcraft. While some hunters play their class as a melee character with a pet, this is not the correct way to play the class. The Hunter’s pet is their to assist the hunter and keep the mobs busy while the hunter launches his powerful ranged attacks.

The type of pet a hunter uses to level up does not matter until he reaches higher levels in the game. Hunter pets fall into 3 categories: High damage pets, pets with high armor class, and pets that are balanced between high armor class and damage. All pets of the same creature type will share the same basic stats, but which pet the hunter uses will depend on the strategy the hunter wishes to employ when soloing or grouping.

High Damage Hunter Pets

World of Warcraft Hunters who wish to have their pet doing a lot of damage should consider a pet with a high damage rating. The high damage pets have slightly higher attack bonuses, but lower armor class and hit points. Some pet abilities and the beast mastery talent tree may make the high damage pets more suitable for tanking, but these same tree will also increase the damage of the pet.

If the hunter wishes to take mobs down more quickly in the World of Warcraft a high damage pet may be the way to go.

Examples of High Damage Pets:

Cat

Bat

Owl

Raptor

Spider

Ravager

Wind Serpent

High Health Hunter Pets

High health hunter pets in the World of Warcraft are intended to be used to tank. The damage output of high health pets is the lowest of the three pet types, but high health pets can fight longer than their counterparts. If a hunter has a high damage weapon or if the pet is not capable of holding aggro while the hunter solos, a player should switch to one of the other pet types. Should the player gain the mob’s attention, hunters have several tools for reducing aggro, feign death and disengage.

Examples of High Health Hunter Pets:

Nether Ray

Bear

Well Rounded Hunter Pets

Well Rounded Hunter pets in the World of Warcraft are designed to fill the 2 roles mentioned previously. The stats of the well rounded pets are not designed to give the creature an advantage in any specific area. Which pet a hunter chooses will most likely depend on the abilities of the pet, but all well balanced pets can fill the role of tank and additional dps. The mend pet ability can be used to make up for the lack of additional hit points possessed by the high health pets.

Examples of Well Rounded Hunter Pets:

Carrion Bird

Gorilla

Hyena

Tallstrider

Dragonhawk

Sporebat

Wolf

Using the Hunters’ Pets in the World of Warcraft

For leveling, almost any pet will do and the major difference comes in the end game with the trained abilities of each pet. Knowing the trainable abilities of the well-rounded pets will help a hunter pick out a creature that fits his particular play style. Boars are popular in the high level game, but for leveling purposes, the difference between each pet type is minor.

When this article was originally written, hunters were not able to tame many elite or exotic pets. With the upcoming release of Wrath of the Lich King, the pets available to hunters have changed. World of Warcraft hunter playes should know that generally, the elite pets follow these rules, and the WotLK expansion introduced exotic pets.

Wrath of the Lich King Additions

This guide was written long before Wrath of the Lich King was thought of, and finding and selecting an epic pet for a hunter is an seperate topic in its own right.   The important addition that came with Wrath of the Lich King was the ability of hunters to tame epic pets, which further increased the damage per second a hunter pet can do.  Epic pets require a talent in the beast mastery tree and must be obtained in a special way.

Sources

“World of Warcraft Hunter Pets Guide .”

“Pet Type FAQ. ” Home of the Mystic

World of Warcraft Warlock Pet Guide

Written by Laratacita

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Ten Things You Should Know About Pet Snakes

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If you are one of the legions of people who have acquired, or are about to obtain a new pet snake, then you are also about to have a rewarding experience. Snakes have a lot to teach us. A properly maintained terrarium can be a work of art – many are prominently displayed in homes – so long as the snake keeper keeps some essential information in mind:

· Be sure you give your snake enough heat – that means enough for the snake, not you. A snake is best kept at warmer, summer temperatures of 85 – 100 degrees F, unless being cooled for hibernation. Temperate zone species may tolerate a 30 degree drop in temperature at night, but tropical species rarely do well with such fluctuations.

· Never, ever use your snake to scare somebody! Many people are afraid of snakes, some pathologically so. Using a snake to scare a person is irresponsible of you, may cause injury to another person, and is traumatic for the snake.

· Be sure to feed your snake an adequate diet at appropriate intervals. Snakes under 3 feet in length should generally be fed prey about the size of an adult mouse once or twice a week. Larger snakes take more or larger prey at less frequent intervals. Truly large snakes may eat only once per year, but these are not snakes for novices.

· Do not handle snakes after feeding, or until they have digested their meals. If a snake is handled too soon after eating, it is often likely to regurgitate the meal, and may refuse to feed for many days afterward.

· Snakes must shed their skins, but they do much better if you do not help them. If the snake has been fed and watered well, it will grow, and the old skin is carefully broken by the snake and shed in one piece. If a snake sheds in patches, it may be dehydrated or have a nutritional disorder.

· Do your homework! Buying a snake is not the same as knowing how to care for it properly. It is your responsibility to learn about your snake and any special needs it will have in captivity. For example, unless you carefully teach your snake otherwise, many have specialized diets: garter snakes eat fish and frogs, hognose snakes eat toads, and corn snakes eat small rodents and eggs.

· Get a snake veterinarian lined up now. Snakes have a slower metabolism than us mammals, so they may manifest symptoms long after contracting an illness. Waiting to find a qualified vet until the snake is ill may be too late.

· Clean the snake’s cage as it becomes dirty – don’t merely wait for Saturday morning. Only use appropriate disinfectants for a snake cage. You may use rubbing alcohol, soap, and specialty products available at your pet shop. Do not use chlorine bleaches or industrial cleansers such as Ajax or Comet, because their residues are often toxic to snakes. Lysol is particularly dangerous.

· Always wash your hands well with soap and water after handling your snake or the cage accessories. Snakes, like most animals, may harbor dangerous bacteria such as Salmonella.

· Okay, now go watch your snake and have some fun!

Written by HafizaAli
I’m Bos for my Shops

If you are one of the legions of people who have acquired, or are about to obtain a new pet snake, then you are also about to have a rewarding experience. Snakes have a lot to teach us. A properly maintained terrarium can be a work of art – many are prominently displayed in homes – so long as the snake keeper keeps some essential information in mind:

· Be sure you give your snake enough heat – that means enough for the snake, not you. A snake is best kept at warmer, summer temperatures of 85 – 100 degrees F, unless being cooled for hibernation. Temperate zone species may tolerate a 30 degree drop in temperature at night, but tropical species rarely do well with such fluctuations.

· Never, ever use your snake to scare somebody! Many people are afraid of snakes, some pathologically so. Using a snake to scare a person is irresponsible of you, may cause injury to another person, and is traumatic for the snake.

· Be sure to feed your snake an adequate diet at appropriate intervals. Snakes under 3 feet in length should generally be fed prey about the size of an adult mouse once or twice a week. Larger snakes take more or larger prey at less frequent intervals. Truly large snakes may eat only once per year, but these are not snakes for novices.

· Do not handle snakes after feeding, or until they have digested their meals. If a snake is handled too soon after eating, it is often likely to regurgitate the meal, and may refuse to feed for many days afterward.

· Snakes must shed their skins, but they do much better if you do not help them. If the snake has been fed and watered well, it will grow, and the old skin is carefully broken by the snake and shed in one piece. If a snake sheds in patches, it may be dehydrated or have a nutritional disorder.

· Do your homework! Buying a snake is not the same as knowing how to care for it properly. It is your responsibility to learn about your snake and any special needs it will have in captivity. For example, unless you carefully teach your snake otherwise, many have specialized diets: garter snakes eat fish and frogs, hognose snakes eat toads, and corn snakes eat small rodents and eggs.

· Get a snake veterinarian lined up now. Snakes have a slower metabolism than us mammals, so they may manifest symptoms long after contracting an illness. Waiting to find a qualified vet until the snake is ill may be too late.

· Clean the snake’s cage as it becomes dirty – don’t merely wait for Saturday morning. Only use appropriate disinfectants for a snake cage. You may use rubbing alcohol, soap, and specialty products available at your pet shop. Do not use chlorine bleaches or industrial cleansers such as Ajax or Comet, because their residues are often toxic to snakes. Lysol is particularly dangerous.

· Always wash your hands well with soap and water after handling your snake or the cage accessories. Snakes, like most animals, may harbor dangerous bacteria such as Salmonella.

· Okay, now go watch your snake and have some fun!

So that you finally have your corn snake home with you, do you know what kinds of food they need and want? Do you know how to feed your snake right? What types of food you should provide for them to grow healthy and live long? This article about feeding your snake will surely teach readers a lot about how to feed their snakes right. This is a very helpful article.

When feeding corn snake, it is better to feed your pet snake some freeze or thawed mice and rodents. It has been tested and proven that dead mice and rodents are safer for your snake to eat. Live mice and rodents especially if the mice or rodents are bigger than your corn snake will be risky for your snake. Bigger mice and rodents might bite your snake and snake will have no defense against it. So if you want to feed your snake, make sure that the mice and rodents are already dead and then freeze it and thawed it when it is time for your snake’s meals.

Another thing about feeding snake, you should never handle your snakes right after you fed them because this may only lead to regurgitation. Leave them alone for at least 48 hours after feeding your corn snakes. Also see to it that your snake’s cage has a proper temperature to help the food inside them to digest well. Remember that the two common factors that could affect your snakes to lose its appetite are stress and improper caging. It is also not necessary to give your snakes some powdered vitamins and minerals. These are just supplements that most of the time does not really have the right amount of vitamins your corn snake needs.

When feeding your snake, you also must provide clean and fresh water everyday on a shallow water dish place on their tank. This water will use as for drinking and for bathing. Just on case your corn snake defecates on it, immediately throw the filthy water and replace it with new clean one. You must also provide them some pine chips; never give your corn snakes cedar chips because these will certainly harm your corn snakes. By feeding snake right, you will be sure that its going to live long and will have a healthy life with you.

What you feed your snake will surely reflect on their health and how fast they will grow. Another thing to consider when feeding snake is that you must also provide your snake a proper hiding place and even tree limb wherein it can hide, burrow and climb in. Improper tree limb and hiding place will surely stress your corn snake and this will lead it to refuse from eating its meals. By providing your snake all these guidelines regarding feeding snake, your corn snake will be healthy

Written by HafizaAli
I’m Bos for my Shops

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Designing a Proper Pet Snake Habitat

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3305352165 fa417fa501 m Designing a Proper Pet Snake Habitat
by lovine

Vivarium Choice

A vivarium is the correct term for an aquarium used to house animals other than fish. An aquarium, or other enclosure, should be selected and should be as large as possible, at least as long as the snake that it will house. Some snakes prefer having a lot of vertical space so a taller enclosure is better suited for those species.

Lid

A secure lid is very important, it should be snug and fit in such a way that a snake cannot push it up.

Lighting and Heat

Although not important in terms of designing a habitat environment, the utmost care should be used when selecting the proper lighting and heat requirements for the vivarium. Lighting is species specific so one light may not work for all types of snakes. As well some short of heating rock, or lamp, should be provided to keep the enclosure at the correct temperature and allow the snake a needed place to sunbathe.

Moisture

For snakes that prefer tropical environments, a drip system might be desired when in a dry climate. All species of snake will require a bowl for drinking water, but some will also enjoy a larger container for water for bathing in. Again, knowing your snake species is important. Litter boxes can be used for a bathing area for snake species that enjoy this sort of thing, although a few rocks should be placed in it to allow the snake something to grip with its scales.

Flooring

Reptile supply stores will sell flooring, which may be sand, coconut bark, or other material. It is important to consider what they natural environment for the snake would be. Desert species would want sand (store bought, not collected from a beach), while tropical species would feel more at home in the coconut bark.

Rocks

Having rocks is very important, particularly rocks with some sharper edges. The rocks are use for snakes to rub on when shedding their skin, as well as to and environmental features. They should be arranged artistically, with taller rocks towards the back of the tank.

Climbing

Most snakes enjoy climbing and as such their enclosures should always have some structures for climbing. Apple tree branches can be used, or branches may be purchased at a pet supply store. Use care to select branches of appropriate width for the animal involved, strong enough to support the weight of the snake. For tree snakes the branches should extend up with several horizontal resting areas at various heights.

Greenery

Greenery may look silly in an enclosure for a desert species, however it does look great in more tropical enclosures. Real plants can be used but most keepers use silk plants.

Décor for Desert Snakes

A feature such as a cows skull, or plastic cactus would add interest for a desert snakes tank.

Shelter

Be sure to include some way for the snake to escape the heat, such as a cave or shaded spot in the tank.

Review

When the enclosure is done, introduce the snake, over the next few weeks it may be apparent where changes need to be made, things added or removed.

 Other Pet Links

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Written by Brenda Nelson
Pet and Animal Expert

Vivarium Choice

A vivarium is the correct term for an aquarium used to house animals other than fish. An aquarium, or other enclosure, should be selected and should be as large as possible, at least as long as the snake that it will house. Some snakes prefer having a lot of vertical space so a taller enclosure is better suited for those species.

Lid

A secure lid is very important, it should be snug and fit in such a way that a snake cannot push it up.

Lighting and Heat

Although not important in terms of designing a habitat environment, the utmost care should be used when selecting the proper lighting and heat requirements for the vivarium. Lighting is species specific so one light may not work for all types of snakes. As well some short of heating rock, or lamp, should be provided to keep the enclosure at the correct temperature and allow the snake a needed place to sunbathe.

Moisture

For snakes that prefer tropical environments, a drip system might be desired when in a dry climate. All species of snake will require a bowl for drinking water, but some will also enjoy a larger container for water for bathing in. Again, knowing your snake species is important. Litter boxes can be used for a bathing area for snake species that enjoy this sort of thing, although a few rocks should be placed in it to allow the snake something to grip with its scales.

Flooring

Reptile supply stores will sell flooring, which may be sand, coconut bark, or other material. It is important to consider what they natural environment for the snake would be. Desert species would want sand (store bought, not collected from a beach), while tropical species would feel more at home in the coconut bark.

Rocks

Having rocks is very important, particularly rocks with some sharper edges. The rocks are use for snakes to rub on when shedding their skin, as well as to and environmental features. They should be arranged artistically, with taller rocks towards the back of the tank.

Climbing

Most snakes enjoy climbing and as such their enclosures should always have some structures for climbing. Apple tree branches can be used, or branches may be purchased at a pet supply store. Use care to select branches of appropriate width for the animal involved, strong enough to support the weight of the snake. For tree snakes the branches should extend up with several horizontal resting areas at various heights.

Greenery

Greenery may look silly in an enclosure for a desert species, however it does look great in more tropical enclosures. Real plants can be used but most keepers use silk plants.

Décor for Desert Snakes

A feature such as a cows skull, or plastic cactus would add interest for a desert snakes tank.

Shelter

Be sure to include some way for the snake to escape the heat, such as a cave or shaded spot in the tank.

Review

When the enclosure is done, introduce the snake, over the next few weeks it may be apparent where changes need to be made, things added or removed.

 Other Pet Links

Before Getting a Pet

Adopting an Exotic Pet

Five Biggest Scams in the Pet Industry

Now, you just might think this is an outrageous idea. Let us face it: there are indeed some people who think snakes would make the most dangerous pets in any household. No matter how you contain it, there is always that off-chance that it could break free of its cage and wreak havoc in your household. This scenario is indeed a common speculation, but this does not have to be the case at all. There are indeed snakes that are far from dangerous. In fact, there are many snakes that are not poisonous at all. Whatever choice you make, you have to consider four things. These are the size of the snake, especially when it reaches adulthood, the snake’s feeding habits, the snake’s behavior or temperament, and the snake’s health, especially when captive.

Here are some of the pet snakes you just might want to consider getting. The first on the list is the corn snake. This type of snake can easily be dubbed as the best snake you can ever have for a pet. There are so many reasons to support this as well. Firstly, this snake does not grow over six feet in length. Its average length is just a little bit over five feet long. The corn snake can be tamed very easily as well because it has good temperament. And the corn snake eats frozen rodents on a very consistent basis. So, you don’t have to worry about getting live prey for your snake. If you pay attention to the needs of the corn snake, it can very live a very long life. Corn snakes also come in so many colors. These colors include blood red,
pewter, candy cane, snow, and creamsicle. If you are not too familiar with these colors, it is because these are actually morphed colors.

Another pet snake you should consider is the gopher. The average length of the gopher snake in its adulthood is a little over six feet. This type of snake can be one of the longest pet snakes, but they are still very easy to manage. You can use the typical 4′ x 2′ cage that you can find in any pet retail store. What’s more, you do not really have that much trouble feeding gopher snakes because they do not really eat that much. In fact, there just may be times when your gopher snake would turn down a meal or two in a day. Maintenance would not be an issue at all.

The ball python is another great snake that you can add on your list. There is one very good reason why the ball python is mentioned last on this list. It is because the ball python is quite difficult when it comes to feeding the ball python. If you have two or more ball pythons under your care, you just might notice that they have varied feeding habits. One of them could prefer eating frozen meals. Another could prefer eating fresh prey. Another could prefer eating frozen rats at one time, and then go for fresh rats during its next feeding. This fact can demand quite a lot from you because you would have to take many trips to the pet store. Still, these snakes are nice to have because they are the easiest to tame. In fact, the ball python is known to be one snake that never strikes its master or any other person that approaches it.

These are just some of the types that would make a good pet snake for you. For more information, you can check the web yourself and find the ideal pet snake for you.

Written by LoraineDelaCruz

select: More Pet Snakes Articles