How to Keep a Green Snake As a Pet

How to Keep a Green Snake As a Pet. The green snake (Opheodrys) is a North American colubrid snake with two common species: the rough green snake and the smooth green snake. Rarely exceeding 36 inches in length, green snakes are relatively easy to care for and inexpensive. Take serious consideration before buying a green snake because, like any pet, it requires constant care.

Things Needed

• 10 to 20 gallon aquarium with mesh top
• Water bowl
• Reptile Bedding
• Aquarium decorations (foliage, bark tunnel)
• Under-tank heater
• Live crickets

Step 1

Cover the floor of your aquarium with reptile bedding, which will help you keep your snake's aquarium clean and moist.

Step 2

Place a large water bowl in your aquarium, and fill it with water for your green snake to drink from and swim in.

Step 3

Add foliage for your snake to climb on, a bark tunnel for your snake to hide under and sticks for your snake to rub up against to make the interior similar to its natural environment.

Step 4

Place an under-tank heater underneath one-quarter of the tank.

Step 5

Place small insects such as crickets, which can be bought at most pet shops, in your aquarium daily to feed your snake.

Warnings

• Don't fill your cage with green foliage, because your green snake will blend in, making it difficult to find and admire. Use white or dark foliage.
• Clean the cage weekly and after your snake has eaten and excreted.
• Dust the crickets with powdered calcium and vitamins at least once per week to supplement your snake's diet.
• An under-tank heater is not necessary, as long as your room is warm, but it does help a green snake digest its food better.

Warnings

• Handle your green snakes as little as possible, because its skin is delicate.
• Every two months, your green snake will shed its skin. During shedding, limit handling and keep the cage as clean as possible to help prevent infections.

References

• Aqualand Fact Sheets: How To Keep Your New Green Snake:
• Exotic-pets.co.uk: Smooth and Rough Green Snake:
• Petinfo4u.com: Essential Care Items