Are Candles Bad For Snakes? (Explained)

Although most snakes do not like the smell of candles, they are not necessarily harmful to them. Snakes are cold-blooded animals and need to warm up their bodies by basking in the sun or by using special stones that absorb heat.

Since this is how they regulate their body temperature, keeping it in check will be difficult if you use candles for decoration around your home.

Reptile Safety | Smoke + Candles

Takeaways
Candles can potentially be harmful to snakes.
The chemicals and fragrances in candles can affect the respiratory system of snakes.
Soot and smoke emitted by candles can also pose risks to snake health.
It is important to consider the type of candles used and their potential impact on snakes.
Taking precautions and ensuring proper ventilation can help minimize risks.

Table of Contents

Are Candles Bad For Snakes?

Candles are bad for snakes because they are too hot. Wax candles burn at high temperatures, and a snake will not be able to escape the fire if it gets too close to a burning candle.

The wax burns at roughly 1500 degrees Fahrenheit, while the ideal temperature range for your snake is 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit.

In addition to being too hot, beeswax candles have been known to cause respiratory issues in animals due to their high levels of carbon monoxide.

Candles made from paraffin also present problems for snakes as they emit toxic fumes once lit up that can kill your pet instantly or over time if exposed often enough without proper ventilation (something you should make sure you have before keeping them around).

Paraffin candles also produce carbon dioxide when burned which is harmful if inhaled over long periods of time or in large amounts (which happens when left on its own).

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Can You Light A Candle In Your Reptile Tank?

The short answer is no, you shouldn’t light a candle in your snake’s tank.

Candles can cause burns on your snake.

The heat from the flame can also cause burns, especially if the reptile gets too close to it.
If the candle is knocked over, it will burn whatever it lands on and could start a fire that would be difficult to put out without burning yourself or your pet.

What Can I Use To Heat My Snake Tank?

There are several options when it comes to heating your snake tank:

Heat mat (underneath the cage) – This is a good option for smaller snakes, especially ball pythons.

The infrared heat emitter puts out no light and is safer than incandescent bulbs. You can also use this in conjunction with a ceramic heat emitter or lamp bulb if you want more intense heat in one area of your tank.

Ceramic heat emitter (inside the cage) – This provides higher levels of localized heat that some snakes need but might not work well if you have large enclosures with multiple small areas where you want different temperatures (e.g., dry and wet areas).

It’s also safe because it puts out no light at all, which makes it ideal for nighttime viewing.

Heat lamp (included in a terrarium) – This should be used outside of the enclosure so that your snake doesn’t accidentally bump into or fall on top of it while trying to climb around inside its home base!

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How Do You Keep A Snake Cool In A Glass Tank?

If you want to keep your snake cool in a glass tank, you should make sure that the room is cool and that there’s no direct sunlight hitting the tank. You can also use a thermometer to monitor how hot or cold it is in the room, and adjust accordingly.

If it’s too warm, try using a heat mat under one side of the tank or an overhead light on a low setting with a fan pointing at your pet’s hidey-hole. If your room is too cold (under 70 degrees), you can use an overhead light on a low setting with a heat lamp pointed at your pet’s hidey-hole.

Methods	Examples
Providing a temperature gradient	Corn snake, Ball python
Using a thermostat to regulate heat sources	Boa constrictor, Reticulated python
Providing a cool hiding spot	King snake, Milk snake
Using heat-absorbing materials	California king snake, Garter snake
Proper ventilation and airflow	Green tree python, Rosy boa

How Do You Make A Heat Mat For Reptiles?

Several types of reptile heaters can be used to create a suitable environment for your snake. These include:

Heat mat. A heat mat will keep the entire area at the right temperature and is good for snakes that require higher temperatures, such as ball pythons and corn snakes.

Heat bulb/lamp. This can be used as a basking lamp as well as a night light, giving your pet both daytime warmth from above and nighttime security from underneath.

It also comes in handy if you have an enclosure with no floor space where your snake can bask on top of rocks or branches; just place the heat source underneath these items so that he has access to both basking areas simultaneously.

Heating rock/pad/cable/coil (depending on whether it’s electric or not). Some people prefer this method because there are no cords involved in heating their pet’s environment all you need is an outlet close by!

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Will Snakes Attack Humans?

The answer is no, snakes will not attack humans. They are extremely shy and will try to avoid you at all costs.

If you are concerned about snakes biting you, understand that it is very rare for a snake to bite unless it feels threatened or cornered by human interference in its habitat.

Snakes only want to be left alone so that they can eat insects and slither around in the dirt peacefully (which is why keeping your snake in a tank or vivarium helps them feel comfortable).

That said, though these creatures aren’t aggressive towards humans, some species of snakes could potentially be dangerous if handled improperly for example coral snakes (Micrurus fulvius) have toxic venom that can cause severe illness.

Or even death in humans who come into contact with it; but again these kinds of encounters are extremely rare because we simply don’t encounter these animals regularly.

Why Do Snakes Look At You?

Snakes have extremely good eyesight, and they can see very well in low light. They’re able to see colors, though not in the same way humans do. Snakes use their eyes to detect movement and determine if a predator or prey is nearby.

They also have a sense called infrared vision, which allows them to see heat signatures with their eyes so that they can spot warm-blooded animals through camouflage like leaves or grasses.

This means that the answer to why snakes look at you is quite simple: because they can! Snakes use their eyes quite frequently in fact, it’s one of their most important senses.

So when your snake looks at you with those big beautiful orbs of theirs (and let’s be real here they are pretty beautiful) just remember that this means he or she trusts and respects you enough not only for food but also as part of his/her family!

Reasons	Examples
Threat assessment	Reticulated python
Curiosity	Ball python
Visual recognition	Western diamondback rattlesnake
Environmental awareness	Green tree python
Predatory behavior	Black mamba

Do Snakes Fear Humans?

Snakes are not afraid. They are not dangerous, and they certainly don’t hate humans. Snakes may be a little bit wary of you when you first approach them, but this is normal snake behavior.

Your snake will likely start out acting shy when it’s first introduced to its new home, but once they get used to the new surroundings (and you) it will stop being afraid altogether.

The only time a snake would feel threatened by your presence is if it feels like something is threatening happening right now for example: if someone tries to pick it up without wearing any gloves or holding him gently so he doesn’t feel trapped in their hands.

But even then it won’t attack as much as try to get away from whatever is happening at that moment (like getting picked up).

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Do Snakes Like To Be Petted?

Snakes are omnivores and love treats, so they will be happy to be petted as long as you don’t try to give them a meal. Snakes also enjoy being rubbed on top of their head, behind the ear, and along their back.

A snake’s belly is softer than its scales so it can feel sensitive in that area. Snakes like the gentle rubbing of their tail too; if you want to make your pet feel good just go ahead and rub him/her all over!

Will Snake Chase You?

Unlike other animals, snakes do not attack humans. They are not aggressive and will only strike out if they feel threatened.

However, you should be aware that some species of the snake may chase you if they feel they need to escape from a dangerous situation. It is important to keep this in mind when encountering a snake outside its cage.

Behavior	Likelihood	Examples
Non-aggressive	High	Corn snakes, Garter snakes
Aggressive	Low	Black mamba, King cobra
Defensive	Medium	Rattlesnakes, Copperheads
Passive	Very low	Ball pythons, Boa constrictors

Don’t Leave Your Pets At Risk, Keep The Candles Away From Them

While candles can be lovely, they can also be dangerous to snakes. Snakes have extremely sensitive skin and being exposed to the heat of a candle can cause burns or even death for your snake.

It’s important to keep in mind that if your pet becomes distressed, it may try and escape from its enclosure which could result in injury or injury from another animal trying to get out as well.

Additionally, candles produce smoke which is not good for any living creature’s respiratory system, especially reptiles who already have difficulty breathing due to their lack of lungs!

If you have decided that you must use candles around your pets then make sure that there are no other sources of heat in their enclosure (like heat lamps) that could cause additional stress on them when you leave them alone at night while using the candle inside their tank.

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Conclusion

Hopefully, you’re now a little bit more informed about what kind of dangers there are for your snakes and other reptiles. As we mentioned earlier, it is important to know how to properly care for your pets so that they can live long and healthy lives.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions related to the topic:

Q: Can candles release toxins that are harmful to snakes?

A: Yes, certain candles can release toxins, such as fragrance chemicals or soot, which may be harmful to snakes when inhaled or ingested.

Q: What types of candles should I avoid using around snakes?

A: It is recommended to avoid using candles with synthetic fragrances, lead-core wicks, or paraffin wax, as they can potentially emit harmful substances.

Q: Are there any safe alternatives to scented candles for creating a pleasant environment for snakes?

A: Yes, using unscented candles made from natural ingredients like beeswax or soy can be safer alternatives for creating a pleasant atmosphere without potentially harmful effects.

Q: How can I minimize the risks of using candles around snakes?

A: To minimize risks, ensure proper ventilation in the snake’s enclosure, keep candles at a safe distance, avoid burning candles in the immediate vicinity of the snake, and opt for safer candle options.

Q: Are there any signs or symptoms that indicate a snake might be negatively affected by candles?

A: Signs that a snake might be negatively affected by candles include respiratory distress, excessive shedding, loss of appetite, or behavioral changes. If you observe any of these signs, it’s important to consult a veterinarian.

Dr. Hellen James (Vet)

I am Dr Hellen James a veterinarian, pet lover, and writer. I have many years of experience caring for pets, including dogs, cats, birds, and fish (and even axolotls!). I love spending time with the animals in my life, especially when they are sick or need love.