With the recent escapades of the Brownwood Cobra, the question has been raised, do snakes really make good pets?
"They can, if you're willing to take the time to commit to them," says Joy Harsh, Education Curator for the Abilene Zoo.
But before you decide to take home a scaly friend of your own, Harsh says you might want to do your research.
"I normally don't recommend pythons for a first snake," she explains, "because it's recommended you get a cage as long as they are."
As in the case of Jo-Jo, Ball Pythons for example, can grow up to five feet in length.
"We also don't recommend a lot of reptiles for small children," says Harsh, due to the fact that some snakes have been known to carry salmonella in rare cases
Most snakes rely on a diet of rats and mice, which could be something to consider if the idea of feeding life critters to a snake makes you cringe.
Harsh says the best snake for starters, is a simple Corn snake.
Connect with the Abilene Zoo:
Abilene Zoo
Open Daily
9am to 5pm
$5 for Adults, $4 for Seniors
$2.50 for Children
Children under 3 are FREE
"They can, if you're willing to take the time to commit to them," says Joy Harsh, Education Curator for the Abilene Zoo.
But before you decide to take home a scaly friend of your own, Harsh says you might want to do your research.
"I normally don't recommend pythons for a first snake," she explains, "because it's recommended you get a cage as long as they are."
As in the case of Jo-Jo, Ball Pythons for example, can grow up to five feet in length.
"We also don't recommend a lot of reptiles for small children," says Harsh, due to the fact that some snakes have been known to carry salmonella in rare cases
Most snakes rely on a diet of rats and mice, which could be something to consider if the idea of feeding life critters to a snake makes you cringe.
Harsh says the best snake for starters, is a simple Corn snake.
Connect with the Abilene Zoo:
Abilene Zoo
Open Daily
9am to 5pm
$5 for Adults, $4 for Seniors
$2.50 for Children
Children under 3 are FREE
