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Emby
Snake mite
United Kingdom
4 Posts |
 Posted - 10/10/2011 : 16:37:30
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Hi all,
I recently fell in absolute LOVE with my friend's Royal Python, and went to my local reptile place, and bought myself a cute little Brazilian Rainbow Boa on Saturday. He is just over 7 weeks old, and I LOVE HIM TO BITS.
I researched snake care in general, before going, and read up on some information on Royal Pythons specifically, because I thought that's what I would get, but on speaking with the staff at the centre, I was advised off having a Royal Python as a starter snake. They recommended a BRB as my first snake, and gave me all the information on what I needed to do to take care of it.
However, looking at this website, I was a bit daunted to read that a BRB isn't really recommended as a first snake... and it looks like there might be a lot more complicated things I need than I thought...
I'm keeping him in a tub I bought from the same shop, and I have a heat mat under half of it. I have damp newspaper as substrate, and I have a water dish and a hide. The man at the shop said that that was all I needed...
I now am worried that I don't have a thermostat, and I don't have a dampness monitor, and that it will adversely affect him.
He seems to be doing really well... I've taken him out and handled him a couple times since bringing him home, and he seems really inquisitive and happy (but then, what do I know, right? ^__^)... He hasn't bitten me yet... :)
He stayed in his hide all of the first day, but after that, he didn't hide any more when I was around....
Can anyone let me know, based from the above, if there is anything really major I am missing, or what your top 5 tips for looking after your first brand new BRB is?
Many thanks for all your help with this! |
Emby Esse. |
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 10/10/2011 : 17:20:49
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Esse--
Welcome to the forum.
For your new pet, your first and most urgent priority is to get a thermostat. This species needs a temp gradient ranging from a low of 72F to a high of 82F. Exposure to temperatures over 85F degrees can *kill* them.
Everything else is lower priority.
At the top of the "next" list, however, would be humidity management. You want a baby to be in a highly humid environment, 90% or more. This means you need several sources of water vapor in the viv, and limited ventillation (no screen tops or tons of holes) to *keep* it in the viv.
As for other items:
Newpaper is fine as a substrate, but for a baby paper towel (kitchen towel) is better -- it retains humidity better and does not mold easily.
The hide can be packed with damp moss. Make sure you gte the moss from a garden supply store rather than pet store, or boil it first.
The water dish should be big enough for him to soak in.
If you have any other questions, please let us know! |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
Website, Facebook |
Edited by - Snakesitter on 10/10/2011 17:22:21 |
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Emby
Snake mite
United Kingdom
4 Posts |
Posted - 11/10/2011 : 09:59:20
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Hi Cliff,
Thank you for all your great advice! I will get a thermostat, stat!
The air in the tub seems to be VERY damp... the sides are constantly steamed up... but I will get a humidity scale...
Also, I was supposed to feed him yesterday (he had been fed every Monday at the store). But he wouldn't eat the little warm pinkie mouse... I was told that he would need several days to settle in, but to feed him soon to let him know he can get food. So, I thought, if I brought him home on Saturday, Monday would be a good time to feed him. But, he didn't take. What would you advise I do? Should I try again in a day or two, or wait til next Monday? Also, should I leave his food in there for him in case he wants to eat it later, or throw it away, and try with a new one next time?
Sorry for being such a n00b. I bet you're thinking "poor snake!", but I do really want to take good care of him!
Many thanks again!
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Emby Esse. |
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Welly
Hatchling
United Kingdom
164 Posts |
Posted - 11/10/2011 : 17:12:59
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My advice is to relax and don't take everything as gospel. It is a learning curve and you will adjust to your BRB's needs.
Stick to advise on here and you'll be fine. The net is full of crap and bad advise.
As for feeding, leave it till the end of the week. Chance to settle in and build up an apitite. They can go longer than you think without food.
As for humidity, you'll soon become a master at temps and humidity without realising it.
Stick with it and don't be afraid to ask
Paul |
0.1.0 Royal Python
0.0.1 Mexican Black King
1.0.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 12/10/2011 : 22:37:27
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Fogged sides is usually a sign of proper humidity.
I agree, one skipped meal will not hurt him, and in fact may make him more likely to eat next time! For future reference, yes you can leave the food in his viv overnight.
Good luck! |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
Website, Facebook |
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Emby
Snake mite
United Kingdom
4 Posts |
Posted - 18/10/2011 : 10:01:32
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So.... I've had my super snake over two weeks now, and he hasn't eaten a bite. I'm slightly worried, but not massively, as he seems to be quite active, and happy, and also has grown about twice the size since I got him...
Any advice on him not eating? :( |
Emby Esse. |
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Welly
Hatchling
United Kingdom
164 Posts |
Posted - 19/10/2011 : 09:54:39
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| Stick with it. Offer it and he will eat when he's ready. If he's growing i wouldn'y be overly concerned just yet |
0.1.0 Royal Python
0.0.1 Mexican Black King
1.0.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
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CDN_Blood
Rainbow oddball
Canada
489 Posts |
Posted - 19/10/2011 : 16:20:43
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I was once sent a Royal Python to see if I could get it to eat. It survived the 350+ km trip and was on month 22 without food when it arrived. It took another 5 months to get it to eat and never really showed any signs of being the worse for wear the entire time. It was always alert, active and seemed quite content. Of course, this was a wild-caught animal and I never recommend getting one of those.
Does that make you feel better about missing a meal or two? Just make sure it's got fresh water all the time and it'll be just fine  |
TODD
25 Years of Commitment and Responsibility in Private Herpetoculture |
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Top tips for a brand new snake owner?
