Snakes: The Keeper and the Kept

Despite ago-old prejudices and fears, herpetology, the study of snakes and other reptiles – has become an increasingly popular hobby. More and more people are discovering that snakes are fascinating creatures, beautiful in their own way, and a challenge to the intelligence and ingenuity of the keeper.

Here, Carl Kauffeld (1911-1974), who was Director and Curator of Reptiles at New York’s Staten Island Zoo for 37 years, offers highly specific and complete advice for the amateur snake keeper, including how to select snakes, the most favorable environments in which to keep them, their feeding, their habits and the treatment of sickness and disease.

He points out that snake-keeping is an especially good hobby for young people, helping them to learn responsibility and yet not demanding the constant care of a dog or a cat; in fact, most snakes need food only about once a week. Moreover, snakes take up very little space – a cage 3-1/2 feet x 1-1/2 feet by 1-1/2 feet is quite adequate for a 6 or 7 foot Boa Constructor (currently the most popular with amateur keepers).

Highlighting his text with anecdotes from his own experience, Mr. Kauffeld discusses the many varieties of snakes readily available for amateur keepers. And, while he does not suggest that any but the very experienced handler attempt the poisonous varieties, he describes in fascinating detail the characteristics of such different snake as rattlers and cobras. But most important are the detailed instructions provided for the relatively simple yet exacting care necessary to keep snakes successfully in captivity.

Finally, the author describes some of his experiences in snake-hunting – for capture, not for kill – which make exciting reading for everyone who loves the drama of the chase. SNAKES: THE KEEPER AND THE KEPT is an invaluable handbook, not only for the snake fancier, but for every nature-lover interested in learning more about that fascinating world of other animals.