WINNIPEG FREE PRESS (Manitoba) 22 April They don't fetch, but snakes fun at home (Al Besson)
They won't fetch your morning paper or bring you your slippers.
After your hard day at work, they won't meet you at the door with a wagging tail, or roll over for tummy rubs, either.
But if you enjoy the esthetic pleasure and beauty of a pet reptile in the simulated natural environment of an aquarium, there are some benefits that your dog or cat can't provide.
Take the ball python, for instance. One of the many constricting snakes, this species is found naturally on the African savannah, and can grow to six feet in length. It has beautiful markings.
Watching it devour a mouse is interesting. "Once they have a hold of it, in a minute or two they have it all the way down to their stomach," says Jason Neustaedter, manager at River City Reptiles.
"With the bigger guys, once the mouse is past their neck, they make a coil in front of it and just run it straight down to their stomach." Now that's entertainment! But snakes aren't the only reptiles that can provide companionship and beauty in your home.
"Bearded dragons are very, very popular, as well as leopard and crested geckos," Neustaedter says. "The ball python is one of the most popular snakes, but there are others, such as the Dumeril's boa, which can also reach lengths of five to six and a half feet." Each reptile comes with its own specific requirements. Turning to the bearded dragon, Neustaedter says, "He is a desert species and has high heat requirements for day and night. There is a florescent light which goes above his unit, providing UVA and UVB, just like the sun." Without light to synthesize through their skin, these animals wouldn't be able to process minerals and multi-vitamins.
People bond on many different levels to their animals and their personalities, says Neustaedter. "The bearded dragon is highly alert," he notes. "We are standing at the side of the aquarium and he is clawing away and looking at us. But if we go around to the side and duck down, he'll come and look us right in the eye. That alertness you don't find in all reptiles." If you have dogs or cats in the house, they may take a while to get used to your reptile pets.
"Your snake should be supervised when you have it out," says Neustaedter.
"Most animals will learn to tolerate your snake, and you will get to the point where you can sit on your couch with it on your arm, and your dog beside you. But they aren't going to become best buddies." While the cost of a baby bearded dragon is about $85, once you have set it up in a 70-gallon tank with the proper lights, and other requirements to keep it healthy and happy, you could be looking at an investment of about $450.
Then there's the menu for feeding these critters. It can range from dead or living mice and rats, to crickets, meal worms, super worms, butter worms, fruit flies or silkworms.
Mealtime is not a job for the squeamish, but reptiles for the most part are low-maintenance pets. "If you have a hamster, he probably costs you more time a week than a reptile will," says Neustaedter.
"Once you are set up, you are talking about just making sure it has food, water, lights and handling.
"Snakes (require) less care. You feed your snake approximately every seven to 10 days. Cleanup of waste matters, and shed skin or exoskeletons, is only a few minutes a week."