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If you’re looking for an unusual, eye-catching pet, it’s hard to go wrong with a snake. They’re exotic enough to catch people’s interest, yet hardy enough to require minimal care. Nevertheless, uninformed first-time owners tend to make some basic mistakes, some of which can be quite costly. Here are some simple tips that can help ensure the health of the snake and prevent a lot of aggravation as well.

1. First, take note of how large your snake can grow to be. Most North American varieties only grown to be about four feet long, which is a reasonable size. Don’t let a pet store employee talk you into buying a Burmese python, since these critters can grow to be over thirty feet long, and will require huge cages and tremendous amounts of food. (And before you ask… No, most zoos will not accept these as donations.)

2. Don’t scrimp on cage size. A cage that is too small can be very stressful and unhealthy to your pet. Pet store clerks will sometimes try to sell you caging that is inadequate in size, so don’t fall into this trap. For adequate comfort, the combined length and width of the cage should at least match the snake’s length. Snakes can grow fairly quickly, so don’t forget to take that into account as well!

3. Do find out how docile that particular specimen is. Most non-venomous North American snakes are fairly docile, but if you’re a first-time keeper, you should probably make sure that your prospective pet can be handled easily.

4. Make sure that you select a pet with a hearty appetite. Ball pythons, for example, make great pets—but they are notoriously finicky eaters. Corn snakes make great starter pets because they are exceedingly docile and aren’t picky about what they eat.

5. Snakes—indeed, any reptile—can potentially spread salmonella. The risk involved is very small, but one should still play safe. This is especially true when young children or people with compromised immune systems are involved. Do read up on reptile hygiene and salmonella before purchasing your pet.

Obviously, these tips only constitute some basic advice. I recommend that all prospective owners should read up on snake care in general, as well as the specific needs of the species that they plan to purchase. A little bit of basic research can prevent a great deal of aggravation in the future.

Snakes are legless reptiles with hundreds of species across the world. About 40% possess deadly poison like rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, copperheads and coral snakes, while majority, like the soil burrowing species are harmless, and only grows in full size at under a foot long.

However, majority homeowners can’t stand the sight of snakes in their homes, backyard, flower pots, personal garden, pool sides, kitchen and even bedroom. So just how do you get rid of these unwanted legless creatures.

If you’re not sure whether the snake in your home is venomous, and you don’t want to personally get involve in removing it, then call in a snake handling professional to check it out for you. He’ll definitely assist you and take it out alive.

Find out why it came into your house: Try to discover how the snake was able to get inside your house. Normally, snakes go where there is food, e.g. rodents. So make sure the snakes can’t get to any food inside or outside your house. Cover all garbage cans tightly and don’t leave anything out.

Use snake repellent: If you live in an area prone to snakes then use this solution to keep them away. Spray the snake repellent every four weeks from the spring through to autumn.

This works because all snakes have a smell receptor known as Jacobson’s organ, they can’t withstand the repulsive odor and harsh taste the repellent will discharge, which will make the snake weak, as if anaesthetized. It will leave quite quickly.

Clean out your clutter: Don’t make it easy for snakes to hide. Keep your grass short and get rid of any clutter. Tidy up your garbage cans, recycling boxes and other areas where snakes like to hide.

Recurring snake problem: If you have a constant snake invasion in your backyard, you can invite some devoted “snake collectors” from your local herpetological society; they’ll gather and remove the snakes usually free of charge.

Move it yourself: If you’re confident and sure that the snake is not venomous, like the rattlesnake, you can personally catch it and liberate it somewhere far away from the house.

Leave it alone: There are some bigger species of snakes, like the black racer that in fact, eat up venomous snakes. So, you can always leave these in your backyard since they can assist you in getting rid of the more dangerous venomous snakes.