All-Time Favorite Accessories For Pet Snakes

Who knew snakes could have such chic accessories? I know people who spoil their dogs, their cats, and even their mice, but I don't think I ever realized until visiting my friend with a snake that these animals can live lavishly, too. So what are some of the favorite pet snake accessories? Coconut Fiber SubstrateCarolina Custom Cages TerrariumCeramic Heat LampOMEM Reptile Natural Bowl FoodNature Background PicturesJungle Vines & LeavesRhino SkullLog Hide-Away The Essentials Let's kick off this virtual shopping spree with the necessities. These are the products you have to buy anyway if you own a pet snake, so you might as well get the highest-class version of them. Just a small disclaimer before we get started: I'll recommend the most diverse accessories available, but keep in mind that different species require varying accommodations. Please consider your snake's personal needs before you purchase anything. Substrate The classic snake substrate is cypress mulch, and there's nothing wrong with it, per say. It's a fine bedding for the average reptile. But your snake isn't average. It deserves the best mattress nature has to offer. Coconut fiber is the serpentine equivalent of 1800 thread count Egyptian cotton bedsheets. It's soft and comfortable, and, while you can use it for just about any species, it's especially perfect for tropical snakes, as it keeps the surrounding enclosure humid and breaks down odors and waste products. But the miracle of coconut fiber substrate doesn't stop there: This substrate is ideal for the environmentally conscious. You can safely compost it in your garden, so absolutely nothing will go to waste. Your snake will love it; your succulents will love it; you'll love it. I love that you can buy an entire eight-quart bag of it on Amazon and have it delivered in just a couple days. And trust me, with this stuff to slither around and sleep on, your snake will love you forever. Tanks And we can't forget those luxurious tanks. This first terrarium truly belongs in the Museum of Modern Art. You can purchase it in whatever size suits your pet, and you can fill it to the brim with equally sophisticated decor (which we'll talk about soon. Don't worry). Just be sure to leave room for the snake. Check it out over on Amazon. This second terrarium might be the most high-tech terrarium you will ever find. Complete with secure ventilation, a waterproof bottom, extra room for a substrate heater, safe and easy-to-open feeding hatches, closable inlets for water tubes and wires, and a specially designed lock to prevent escape, this epic enclosure will ensure a comfortable life for any snake. You can conveniently check current pricing on Amazon. Finally, this third terrarium is the Buckingham Palace of snake terrariums. Check out those dual doors for "escape-free access." Gaze in awe at that flawless window ventilation. This tank is completely waterproof and dazzlingly deluxe. Sure, it might lean a bit toward the expensive end of the snake accessory spectrum, but forget the price tag for a minute and just imagine your snake slithering around this beauty like the king or queen it deserves to be. It's also available over on Amazon. To help you on your quest for a terrarium and to not break the bank, I wrote an article about the best terrariums for under $50. I give many examples as well as what to look for when purchasing a terrarium. Heat Lamps Once you get your hands on one of those inimitable enclosures, you'll need some sort of heating lamp. Snakes' temperature requirements usually exceed room temperature, and most snakes do well with a little extra light. Experts agree that "UVB and UVA light have many...benefits for reptiles as a whole, assisting the immune system, in skin, and with colour vision." (You can read more about why snakes need UV lighting here.) This heat bulb (available on Amazon) is a great 24-hour heat source for any reptile. It emits no light, so it's the ultimate commodity for non-nocturnal snakes. If your snake sleeps during the day, you'll have to buy a separate lamp for nighttime, but don't worry: This heat bulb is only ten dollars (super affordable, as far as quality heat bulbs go). It's suitable for humid environments, so it'll pair well with the aforementioned coconut fiber substrate and any other necessary components to a tropical snake's environment. This lamp actually gives off enough heat to stand on its own, so if your snake needs heat and light, this is the product you've been waiting for. It's not too pricey, and it's compact enough to fit in small tanks, but strong enough to suit larger ones, as well. Your snake won't be able to bask in this spotlight enough. Water and Diet The last of the absolute must-haves, this water bowl is virtually unbreakable, easy to clean, and totally natural. Your snake will feel right at home sipping from this neat little dish. Of course, the size of the bowl is a huge concern. The ideal size can change drastically depending on the species of your pet snake (certain species drink more or less than others), so before you settle on any water bowl, you might want to read this article. It explains where to find and how to choose the right bowl for your pet. As for food: I don't really consider this an "accessory," but there are plenty of great meal options for your snake on Amazon. Again, before you purchase anything, take some time to study your particular snake's dietary needs and feeding patterns. Here, you can find an article I recently wrote about snakes and eating chicken. I also wrote an article about whether or not snakes can eat eggs. These are a few other options, should they be healthy for your specific snake. Find it here. Okay. Things are about to get way more exciting. Sure, the basics are important, but how can you really spoil your snake without some neat nonessentials? Keep reading for some of my favorite superfluous tools, trappings, and trinkets. The Nonessentials In no particular order, these are some of the best unnecessary-but-glamorous snake tank adjuncts the internet has to offer. Decor No terrarium is complete without a super cool backdrop. This background is great if you don't want your pet rattlesnake to know it's living in a college dorm room in Queens, and not in the wild, wild West. This one is more subtle, but it gets the job done. These sorts of settings are great for desert-dwelling snakes. Tropical snakes might prefer a more textile environment. This jungle vine will make your reticulated python or king cobra feel right at home. These lush and realistic leaves will do the same. Really, any sort of vegetation, real or imitation, will help rainforest-accustomed snakes adjust to domesticated terrarium life. If you want your pet garter snake to seem more intimidating than it actually is, plop this rhino skull into its terrarium. You'll have your nemeses running for the hills. Your snake killed a miniature rhinoceros? Yikes! Guess I'd better not mess with you. You could put this human skull in there, as well, but that might be a little too far. We just want to keep your archenemies at a safe distance, not on the other side of your prison cell door. Hideouts This just in: Snakes LOVE logs. I'm serious. Logs are the perfect cozy, dark hiding place for any reptile. This is a great one for small snakes. This one is a bit bigger, and, even though it's not technically made of real wood, its texture is so realistic that your snake will be none the wiser. If you're not really a "log" person (whatever that means), maybe you'll opt for these dinosaur egg baubles instead. They provide a snug little hideout and sleeping place that your snake will love, and, let's be honest, they look fresh to death. If your snake is extra shy, you might want to buy this cave. It provides security and comfort to skittish or darkness-loving reptiles of all sizes. Even if your snake is as sociable as they come, it might want to take refuge in this discreet little sanctuary when shedding, hiding, or laying eggs. (If the above-named sanctum doesn't quite align with your snake's enclosure's color scheme, here's another option.) Playgrounds I can't imagine snakes are any less enthusiastic about playground equipment than I am. This ultra-suave reptilian jungle gym will keep your pet snake occupied all day long. This one is made to withstand humid environments, but it looks great in desert terrariums, as well. You can probably find some similar items at your local craft or home supply stores. This decoration, for example, isn't technically made for reptiles, but it serves the same purpose as the jungle gyms. It just goes to show that you can be as innovative as you want with your snake terrarium interior decorating skills. Your snake might prefer a rocky habitat to a wooded one, in which case, Amazon sells some awesome rock ledges. This one is practical and easy to maintain. This one serves very little purpose (it's just a wall adornment), but it'll look great in any tank, and I'm sure your snake will agree that aesthetic value is as important as anything. I love a good innovation, and this novelty is the prime example of just that. It combines a basking platform, water or food dish, and crawl space into one charming little implement. It doesn't hurt that the seller designates this item for the "coolest crib around." Snake Snacks I suppose the following products all fall under the "food" category (which I previously classified as irrelevant to this article), but you'll have to let them slide. These are more unconventional delicacies than typical snake food. They're simply too enthralling to ignore. I'm sure we're all interested in raising the fittest snakes possible. It turns out there's an entire online emporium dedicated to keeping reptiles in supreme condition. Snake supplements are growing fast in demand. These powdered supplements are generally calcium-based (check out this calcium carbonate that will help your snake get its vital dose of Vitamin D3), but you can also find some multivitamins that will strengthen your pet snake in every conceivable way. Turns out, there's an entire website dedicated to unique, convenient, and affordable reptile food. Perfectprey.com might just be the web's best destination for snake sustenance. Perfect Prey sells the perfect snacks for any species of snake. Whether your pet eats mice, birds, or insects, Perfect Prey has you covered. This site is ethical, too, if that's a concern for you. "Rodents raised for food deserve the same level of care as all animals in captivity. Our rodents have constant availability of fresh air, food and water. You can be assured that every animal you purchase from us was well cared for and treated humanely, with compassion and respect."(Read the rest of Perfect Prey's philosophy here.) If you're struggling to keep up with your snake's dietary needs, check out Perfect Prey's blog, which recommends reptile feeders, feeding techniques, reptile care tips, and more. Perfect Prey is a one-stop shop for all things snake and a great resource for new snake owners. Happy hunting! Related Questions Can snakes wear clothes? Listen. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I'm all for dressing our furry friends in spiffy outfits and parading them to the world. It's adorable, I'll admit. But I never thought of doing the same to a snake—I mean, snakes are anything but "cute." No one would ever make clothes for them, right? Right. Unfortunately, I've been so far unable to locate any snake suits or cobra costumes. This is really too bad for your pet snake, but it's actually a great opportunity for you. Snake clothing might just be the perfect niche market for all you aspiring entrepreneurs out there. (But don't sew any arms onto the sweaters. That's insensitive.) Other than Amazon, where can I buy snake accessories? I get it. Shipping costs can be a pain in the neck. Other than that, the time in between purchasing a product online and scooping it up from your doorstep to use to pamper your pet snake can often be too great. If you're concerned about buying snake accessories from Amazon or any other online source, or if you're looking for an interim enclosure until your snake's new chateau arrives, your local pet store probably has just what you need (maybe not what you want, but that's another matter entirely). Are these accessories fitting for any species of snake? I believe I said this once already, but it's an important enough note that I don't mind stressing it again: These are just my personal favorite snake accessories. They don't apply to any snake in particular. Before decorating your snake's terrarium (or even buying it a terrarium in the first place), research and find supplies that will best suit its needs and preferences. I guarantee that you'll be able to find some awesome accessories, no matter what snake you have.