This video covers several tips on how to safely handle snakes.

A lot of people are afraid of snakes unnecessarily, and if you know how to properly handle them, they’re no more dangerous - probably safer - than a pet dog.

I just put up an article on choosing a snake if you’re new to the world of pet snakes, an article on what to do if your snake won’t eat, and article on how to keep your snake healthy, and an article on hibernating your snake.

And remember, if you have any questions, pop into the Boatips forum and ask away.

I’ve also made it easier for everyone to sign up for our newsletter (you’ve signed up, right?).

The other new video is on caring for a sick snake.  I explained the methods I used to nurse a rainbow boa back to health after it had been ill.

I’ve also added a page that answers all the questions I get about feeding your snake.  So if you have any questions about feeding, be sure to check that page out.  As always, if you have questions or would like to share your expertise or experiences, I encourage you to join our snake community.

I added pictures of a woma, another taipan (a really cool picture of one), a twig snake, another centralian python, collette’s snake, and a mottled rock rattlesnake.

So make sure you check out the new pictures and be sure to vote for your favorites.

For example, for the boa contrictor page, the only downside to the snake is that it gets to be rather big. However, everyone I know who’s ever owned one has said they’re extremely calm and make excellent pets.

On the other hand, I’ve read a lot of reports of rainbow boas making poor pets, since they have a tendency to bite. I currently have a brazilian rainbow boa and have never seen it bite anyone. Sometimes I have to question the things other people read, though, since many times I’ve seen people mention this snake likes to climb on branches. These snakes like to dig, I’ve only ever seen them dig - give them a place to burrow and they’ll be very happy - expect them to climb on branches and you’ll be disappointed.

So be sure to spend some time looking around at all the new pages. I’m currently working on the new videos for each page. I hope to finish a few of them this weekend, but most of them will probably have to wait until I get back from Ireland to be edited and published.

Oh, and if you haven’t done so already - register yourself in the forum and say hi.

A special thanks to Lawren Graf of Zooshots.com for providing the photos.

Gary Ruplinger - Webmaster - Boatips.com