How Can You Tell the Snake is Old?
If you are interested in snakes or you have just got a snake as your pet, this post is for you! Although when someone mentions the term “pet”, the first thing that comes to mind is that it can either be a cat, dog, or bird. However, some people are highly captivated by learning about snakes and even getting them as a pet.
Just like any other pet, snakes age too. So if you are considering getting a snake for yourself, you might be interested in knowing its age. If you don’t want to get an old snake, you need to ask the breeder before adopting one. However, you must also know the factors and characteristics by which you can tell how old a.
In this post, we are going to discuss some important factors that you should consider for knowing the age of a snake. So let’s dive into it!
Factors to Consider for Telling the Snake’s Age:
Here are some important considerations you need before adoption if you are thinking about how old the snake is. These characteristics include the snake’s length, weight, head size, and color/patterns.
1. Length:
The first visible thing is how long a snake is. The length of a snake is one of the important factors to tell if it’s a young or an old snake. However, you need to keep in mind that gender can impact the snake’s length.
When it comes to female snakes, tend to grow in length more quicker than male snakes. A young snake is between 10 and 16 inches and it can grow up to 2 feet in the first year after its birth.
If you want to know how mature is, you can measure its length. If it has grown up to 4 – 6 feet in length, it probably means that it’s almost 3 years old.
2. Weight:
The next factor you need to look at is its weight. Weight is also an important factor in determining sexual maturity. A female snake can only get pregnant if it reaches a certain weight.
A young snake can weigh between 65 and 100 grams. In their first year, they can reach a weight of 400-600 grams. Female snakes gain more weight in their second year of age but it still depends on their diet.
3. Head Size:
The next important factor is a snake’s head size. The head size depends on the first two factors which are length and weight. The head size increases gradually as the snake age.
If you compare both an old snake and a juvenile snake, the head size of the older snake will be bigger than the other one. But, it can be difficult to tell the age by just observing the head size unless you are a breeder or has extensive experience in keeping snakes.
Also Read: Is there any Snake with Feet? Snakes have Toes!
4. Color Patterns on their Body:
The last but equally important factor on the list is the coloring and patterns on a snake’s body. Snakes undergo a similar transformation just like human’s aging process. As the snake gets older, its scales start to fade.
In the first 3 to 10 years, snakes have vibrant coloring and patterns on their bodies. When they cross the age of 10, their coloring starts to fade and that is how you can know the age of a snake.
Bottom Line:
Guessing a snake’s age can be tough, especially if you have less or no experience. It is always a wise idea to consult a vet or a breeder if you want to know the age of a snake.
