What You Did Not Know About the House Snake

Even if for most people an ideal pet is a fluffy one, with a gentle look and a playful nature, there are also many reptile enthusiasts who prefer to have lizards or even snakes in the house.

They are more difficult to care for and have special needs, but they are also fascinating to some extent, at least for those who are not afraid of them. The house snake is not a dangerous species for humans, although it is not easy to take care of because of its "shyness".

Find out more about this unusual pet!

What you didn't know about the house snake

The house snake is a European animal and is the largest terrestrial reptile in the UK. This is not a small snake, but one of about 1.50 meters at maturity.

This snake, scientifically called Natrix natrix, is not a danger to humans and does not kill by constriction or venomous bite, which is why it can be kept indoors in an aquarium.

What does the house snake look like?

Most often, the house snake is olive or gray, but there are also albino species. The belly is yellow or white and has triangular or rectangular marks. A species-specific feature is a collar below the head, a combination of yellow and black, with which it can be easily distinguished from other venomous species of snakes.

The clearest distinction between females and males is that the former are often much larger, reaching up to 1.80 meters in length. Because it resembles a viper, the house snake is often killed, but the species is not classified as endangered.

The environment in which the house snake lives

The house snake prefers humid environments because it feeds mainly on insects and frogs, which it swallows completely, with an amazing speed. Therefore, it is most often found in swamps or near lakes. Interestingly, it can stay underwater for a very long time (about an hour), which is a good hiding place for it when hunted by predators.

During the day, like many other snake species, it stays in the sun to store heat.

In the apartment, the house snake can be kept in an aquarium. But we must point out that feeding it can be difficult because it is not exactly the friendliest animal, which is why it is recommended that only experienced people keep it as a pet.

The behavior of the house snake

If you are interested in such a pet, you probably want to know more about its behavior in the presence of humans. The house snake is not an animal to attach to its owner, but it is generally docile. It doesn't really bite the man, it just defends itself through "fake" and hissing attacks, which are similar to those of venomous snakes.

It will probably amuse you to find out that a house snake is very cunning and pretends to be dead if the attacker gets too close to it. He even plays the role with mastery: he sits on his back, opens his mouth, and sticks out his tongue! He may even secrete blood from his nose and mouth to make the predator believe he is dead!

How to take care of the house snake

Because they are not very large, house snakes need a medium-sized aquarium, but what you need to ensure is vertical space for climbing. Aquariums with a volume of 100 liters are usually used, considered ideal for this type of snake.

To reduce the snake's stress and create a comfortable environment, you can put non-toxic plants in the aquarium to make it feel natural. You should fill about a third of the aquarium with such plants. Also, make sure he has a shelter (such as a cardboard box) in which to retreat when he feels threatened.

Feeding the house snake will not delight you too much: when it is domesticated, it must be fed with crickets, this being the safest option. To vary the diet, you can also give him worms, earthworms, spiders, or other "delicacies".

Would you ever choose a pet snake as your pet or do you prefer more ... fluffy creatures?