Sunbeam Help

[Jay_Bunny]

My friend purchased a WC sunbeam at a show and now after reading up on them realizes they are not a beginner snake. She has asked me to care for the sunbeam until she moves and can provide the proper care.

So I am asking for any advice on keeping this sunbeam alive and healthy. I read they like temps around 88 for the hot side and a humidity level of around 80%. She does not have contact info for the person she purchased her from so that is why I'm taking on her care. I've also read they like deep substrate. They purchased a bag of eco-earth for her. Anything else I should provide? She's in a 20 long tank.

Sorry if this is short and to the point but im typing from my phone at work. The sunbeam is coming to me on Thursday.

[Jay_Bunny]

I've been reading a bit more. From what I'm reading 80% humidity is good for them. Too much or too little can cause problems like blisters or death. They eat a variety of things from ground-dwelling birds, lizards, and small mammals.

Because this was an impulse buy, my friend did not ask what the snake was eating, or how long it had been in captivity. I'm going to attempt live mouse fuzzies and see how she takes them. If not, I'll go from there and try something else.

When she gets here I am going to cover most of the lid (since it is a glass tank and we all know glass tanks suck for humidity) and make the bedding damp but not wet (similar to how vermiculite is used for incubating eggs) to increase the humidity. I'll be using an accurite thermometer to track humidity and temps. I'm aiming for temps around 85 or so as from what I've read any temp above 80 works. Natural dips and rises in room temp should be fine.

I'll be using the Eco earth. I am aiming for a substrate depth of 4-5 inches to start. If she looks like she could use a little more, I'll put some more in. I'll also be using a big water dish, but lightweight in case she burrows under it. I'm guessing I will not need any hides as they are a burrowing snake and will probably not use them anyway.

To keep humidity levels up, I was toying with the idea of live plants. This snake does not seem very active and even if she was and damaged the plants, I would have no problem replacing them from time to time. Live plants will keep humidity up a little and will make the tank more attractive too. Any suggestions on plant species to use?

Now, as far as keeping temperatures up, this will be tricky during QT. The house temperature stays around 72-74 or so. Using a heat lamp will quickly zap up any humidity in the tank and make it near impossible to keep the humidity levels at 80%. So I plan on using a heat mat. With temps around 74, how warm should I keep the heat pad, especially with as thick a layer of bedding as she will have. She'll be burrowing in it, so she can get all the way down to the bottom glass if she wanted. Should I just set it for 85?

I'll post pictures of her and the setup once I'm done getting it all just right on Thursday.

[j_h_smith]

You do realize, you're probably going to have this snake for some time. Sunbeams aren't what one would call a friendly snake. I think they musk too.

Your friend should try to sell or give the snake to someone that is more prepared to keep this snake. This snake being a WC, has it been taken to a vet to ensure everything is okay? Mites, ticks, worms, etc?

I personally would NEVER take in a WC from somewhere on the east coast of the USA, even if the snake is on the other side of my house with it dripping in PAM.

That's just my opinion, but my collection is worth much more to me than any favor I could do for a friend.

Good Luck!
Jim Smith

[Jay_Bunny]

After speaking with her, she has decided to find someone else to take her. Neither of us is knowledgeable enough to care for the snake and I don't want to risk my snakes, as you said.

[j_h_smith]

Good decision, in my opinion.

Take Care!
Jim Smith