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Dougal's Pet Corner
The place for your pet stories and pictures, let me have them |
I just thought I
would tell you about this snake that I met while I was wandering the golf course.
His name is Cedric and he runs freely around the town, seeking out rats for his dinner.
Now, there are not a lot of people who have a pet snake, but Cedric has told me the best
way to look after one properly, just in case you do happen to have a Burmese Python
swimming in your bathtub.
Generally speaking, the size of the enclosure should allow inclusion of certain required
items and still allow the snake adequate space to stretch out and move about. Aquaria, or
other similar glass or plexiglass-lined enclosures, are usually most suitable because it
allows you to see the snake, and the snake to see you, and help to maintain desirable
environmental temperatures and generally high relative humidity levels. Any enclosure used
must have a secure top and be escape-proof. All hinges and locks should be secure.
Newspaper, paper towels, towels and carpet are the most suitable materials for covering
the bottom of a snake's enclosure.
Various objects should be included within a snake's enclosure that occupies its vertical
area. These include sturdy branches of various hardwood trees or those fabricated from
artificial materials, driftwood, hanging ropes, and shelves situated along the sides of
the enclosure. Relatively large enclosures can be supplied with heat lamps or heaters
equipped with thermostats, whereas small enclosures may be adequately heated by placing a
heating pad directly underneath them.
Exposed heat sources must be shielded to protect snakes from serious burns as they attempt
to warm themselves by coiling next to them.
Water should be provided at all times. Most snakes drink infrequently but use a suitably
sized container for immersing themselves and soaking. Another advantage for including a
relatively large water container is that water evaporation contributes to the relatively
humidity of the enclosure. This is especially true if the enclosure is glass or plexiglass
lined. The water container should be roomy enough to allow adequate soaking and heavy
enough so it cannot be easily overturned.
Rodents (rats and mice in particular) left unattended and unobserved within an enclosure
with a supposedly hungry snake sometimes turn on the "diner" and inflict serious
bite wounds on it. These "dinner becomes the diner" incidents are most likely to
occur when a snake is ill or otherwise uninterested in feeding.
If snakes do not accept freshly killed or well thawed frozen prey, then live prey can be
used instead.
I hope all of this info teaches you that snakes are very hard to look after and you should
think carefully before getting one.
As for me, I'm off to the butchers to beg for some sausages.
See you next time. |
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ANIMAL CRACKERS
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Jingle Bells,
Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way. Yes it is that time again. Time to buy cards, presents
and fill the freezer with festive goodies. What better place to do that than our Christmas
Fair on Saturday November 30th in St Peter's Church Hall, Waterbank Road, Sheringham. The
fair is from 9.30am to 11.30am. Admission is FREE.
We advise you to come early to get your choice of our excellent, high quality, home-made
cakes, including mince pies and sausage rolls which can be put in the freezer for
christmas. The cards on sale are not the cheapest in town, but they are good value for
money as they do look appealing and have animal and bird themes. Our craft items are
suitable for Christmas Gifts or for a treat, we have hand quilted cushion covers, peg
bags, shopping bags and really lovely toy and shoe bags. Also 'Real Lavender' lavender
bags and not forgetting the most important member of the household, real catnip mice and
stockings... these have become very popular and Pat has to work very hard to make enough
to satisfy our customers .... one lady buys ten at a time!!!!!
At the Christmas Fair we have jewellery and hand crafted cards. Our Christmas tombola is
packed with excellent prizes, far more than normal as a special thank you to those who
come and support our events. A Cromer lady knitted and donated a wonderful Romany Caravan,
bright red, covered in roses, complete with furniture, people and the family pet and this
is first prize in our raffle. Other prizes are champagne and chocolates. We started the
raffle at our Coffee Morning, at which £626.55 was raised, and the raffle will be drawn
at the close of the Christmas Fair.
The group organises events throughout the year in order to raise funds for animal
sanctuaries. This year funds are being raised for Cat Protection in North Walsham, Animal
Care in Swanton Abbott and the Canine Defence Rehoming Shelter in Snetterton. Please come
and help us to help them.
For any information or to donate any items for our sales, please contact Robina on 01263
823588
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Christmas Lights |
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1st December
1pm until 4.30pm |
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Stalls
Children's Rides
and
Much
Much
MORE |
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