Pet Snakes & Birds Safety

winged.serpent · 10-10-20, 10:42 PM

Hello!

For the past two or three years, I've been researching various species of snakes and their care, and there are several species I have fallen in love with. I feel like I have the knowledge, resources, time and space to provide a really good home to a pet snake.

However, before I can confidently bring a snake home, I have to absolutely ensure that I can do so safely without risking the well-being of my three pet cockatiels.

At the moment, I live in a one bedroom apartment, and the three birds live in the living room. My plan would be to keep the snake in the bedroom. I would have s securely locking enclosure AND I would want to take measures to try and escape-proof the bedroom itself (I've read it is possible to do this, but I have yet to find the details on how to do this). I would not have the birds and snake out together.

However, my husband is still somewhat wary about getting a snake. He has agreed to us getting a snake when we buy a house, but that may take a while... His main concern is that the snake would get out of its enclosure and try to each one of our birds.

For this reason, I have I have started putting my research into smaller species of snakes (rather than, say, a ball python). I've really fallen in love with rosy boas and Kenyan sand boas, and I think they would be a good fit for us. (I also really love corn snakes, but I worry about their reputation as escape artists). Based on my research, both of these small boa species would in turn, take smaller feeder sizes.

However, I know that I'll need to reassure my husband. And so, even in his nightmare scenario of a snake getting out of his/her enclosure, getting out of the bedroom, and going into the same room as the birds, would a smaller snake such as a rosy boa or Kenyan sand boa even see a bird the size of a cockatiel as food? I'll attach an link to an image here for size reference (note: this is not my cockatiel, just a reference photo).

I guess ultimately what I am asking is this: are rosy boas or kenyan sand boas small "enough" to pose little to no threat to a cockatiel? How do cockatiels compare to the average feeder mouse size for these two species? Is there an alternative snake species that you think would better suit this situation?

Thank you in advance! Any knowledge/experience/wisdom is much appreciated!

**EL Ziggy** · 10-11-20, 10:56 AM

With the proper enclosure and precautions your snake won’t be able to escape no matter how hard they try. Most times it’s an improperly secured enclosure or keeper’s error that allows for snakes to escape. Their paths probably shouldn’t cross but I don’t think a rosy boa or KSB would pose a threat to a bird that size. An adult BP or corn snake would probably be able to eat a bird that size though.

winged.serpent · 10-11-20, 07:40 PM

Thank you so much for the advice! I will focus on rosy boas and Kenyan sand boas then, just to be on the safe side until I both get more experience under my belt AND buy a house with more space.

From your experience, what enclosures are the most escape proof? I am leaning towards enclosures with access on the sides rather than the top to made feeding and maintenance easier. Do you find swing doors, drop doors, or sliding doors most secure? (Or do you recommend something else entirely?)

**EL Ziggy** · 10-12-20, 11:39 AM

I prefer front opening pvc enclosures with a lock. Most of my snakes are in Animal Plastics cages and have sliding glass doors.

https://apcages.com/

chairman · 10-12-20, 02:41 PM

I have a pet conure. He lives in the same room as my snakes, which include carpet pythons. Carpet pythons are semi arboreal and would absolutely eat my conure if given the chance. So, I simply do not create opportunities that would allow my bird to get eaten. For example, while my conure doesn't like it, he isn't allowed out of his cage on the day I feed the snakes (otherwise the conure is out socializing daily). If I have to clean a snake cage then I make sure that the bird is put up before I do. I've had my conure for about three years and haven't had any problems. As long as you pay attention to your birds and communicate/coordinate with everyone in your household then you should be fine with just about any species of snake.

I also have Animal Plastics cages. I really like them and I just received three new cages from them... about 20 weeks after I ordered them. I'm not knocking the company, just warning that if you go that route then expect to be patient. There are other cage manufacturers out there that make nice front opening PVC cages, and there may even be a local company that you could purchase from.

I'd advise going to a reptile show the next time one is local to you; that will give you a room full of snakes to look at, snake people to talk to, and cages that you can preview in person to decide what situation might work best for you.

winged.serpent · 10-13-20, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EL Ziggy

I prefer front opening pvc enclosures with a lock. Most of my snakes are in Animal Plastics cages and have sliding glass doors.

https://apcages.com/

Splendid! Those are the enclosures I have been mostly looking at.

Thank you so much!

winged.serpent · 10-13-20, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chairman

I have a pet conure. He lives in the same room as my snakes, which include carpet pythons. Carpet pythons are semi arboreal and would absolutely eat my conure if given the chance. So, I simply do not create opportunities that would allow my bird to get eaten. For example, while my conure doesn't like it, he isn't allowed out of his cage on the day I feed the snakes (otherwise the conure is out socializing daily). If I have to clean a snake cage then I make sure that the bird is put up before I do. I've had my conure for about three years and haven't had any problems. As long as you pay attention to your birds and communicate/coordinate with everyone in your household then you should be fine with just about any species of snake.

I also have Animal Plastics cages. I really like them and I just received three new cages from them... about 20 weeks after I ordered them. I'm not knocking the company, just warning that if you go that route then expect to be patient. There are other cage manufacturers out there that make nice front opening PVC cages, and there may even be a local company that you could purchase from.

I'd advise going to a reptile show the next time one is local to you; that will give you a room full of snakes to look at, snake people to talk to, and cages that you can preview in person to decide what situation might work best for you.

This is so reassuring! There are so many snake species I love! (Carpet pythons are on my "someday" list. They just so mesmerizing!)

Thank you so much!

Pythonguy1 · 10-15-20, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winged.serpent

There are so many snake species I love! (Carpet pythons are on my "someday" list. They just so mesmerizing

Yeah, carpet pythons are dope as. One of the reasons that I love them is all the different kinds of mutations in the genus. Ever seen an axanthic jaguar albino?

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=...AAAAAdAAAAABAD

mariaso · 10-15-20, 03:17 PM

You will not have trouble when you take appropriate precautions for the animal

winged.serpent · 10-15-20, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pythonguy1

Yeah, carpet pythons are dope as. One of the reasons that I love them is all the different kinds of mutations in the genus. Ever seen an axanthic jaguar albino?

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=...AAAAAdAAAAABAD

Whoa!!! That is a gorgeous snake!!! Wow! I had not seen an axanthic like that! Such a stunning snake!

Pythonguy1 · 10-19-20, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winged.serpent

Whoa!!! That is a gorgeous snake!!! Wow! I had not seen an axanthic like that! Such a stunning snake!

If you like that, check out the link below. Star pythons produce some of the coolest looking carpet mutations on earth!
https://www.carpetpythons.com/

winged.serpent · 10-23-20, 08:40 PM

Oh! I also want to ask about pythons in the antaresia too. I really love the look and size of spotted pythons especially, and I really like that they seem to be like tiny carpet pythons, in regards to behavior.

However, would a antaresia python be large enough to pose a threat to a cockatiel?

I am still mostly leaning towards a rosy boa, but I just wanted to ask out of curiosity.

Again, any advice would be appreciated! Thank you!