Paul Stach, age 10, of Sarasota, Florida, for his question:

Do snakes make good pets?

Choosing a pet calls for a lot of thinking and you just don't make up your mind in a hurry. A pet, as you know, is really part of the family. So it is only fair to ask the members of the family if they will like the one you choose and get along with him. For example, snakes make some people shudder. Also check to make sure you have enough space and the proper container to keep him. A snake is not the sort of pet that we allow to roam freely around the house, Naturally you also learn what he eats and make sure you can supply the right kind of food for him.

It is terribly dangerous and most likely against the lacy to keep a poisonous snake as a family pet. But if you choose a small harmless type, he may turn out to be a very good pet. At least he does not demand a lot of attention. However, he never gets to be very friendly because he does not know much about what goes on around him. So don't expect him to know much about you or to care much about you.