new owner, first post, good news:)

[wolfpack]

I've been checking this site, and learned plenty already. I decided I wanted a bp, and researched. Decided that I would be able to provide the time and care to ensure a healthy pet. (Have had dogs forever, different needs)

Found a bp on the local version of craigslist, a "kid has lost interest, comes with everything"

Went to see it. I didn't know anything could survive over a year without a water dish.
Knowing not much about healthy snakes vs sick snakes, I based my decision on appearance and behavior. I was handed the snake. He felt firm, no odd looking areas on his skin. He opened his mouth a few times, I saw nothing unusual in there, based on photos of healthy animals. One eye looked odd, but realized after surfing here that it was an eyecap.
He was friendly and curious.
He had been fed "a rat every 2-3 weeks"
The dad figured it was about 2 yrs old. I brought him home. Just guessing, as they didn't know if it's male or female.

I scrubbed the tank, its 36x18x16, mesh top. Fresh aspen substrate. Put water dish.

He came with a heat lamp, I was told an uth would be helpful too. Using towels, and some cocobark substrate too, got his tank to a happy temp and humidity.

His hide was too small for him, so I put a tissue box in, which he happily snuggled in to.
Last night I placed a f/t small rat on his old hide, as his previous owner told me he did.
Checked at 4am, untouched.

8am.....gone

After reading some more, I see that maybe I should have let him settle in for a week, I just got him on the first.......but I think its a good sign that he is doing well

[KMG]

Many of us use a form of belly heat. Just be sure to get a thermostat for the uth if you decide to get one.

Buy the best tstat you can afford. I use Herpstat and love them. I have two Herpstat1s, a Herpstat2, and a Herpstat4 and have never had an issue with them.

http://www.spyderrobotics.com/home/products.html

[200xth]

Eating is usually a good sign so that is good that he ate.

You will need to be careful on temps and humidity with a tank. Make sure you have a good digital thermometer and a hygrometer for checking temps and humidity. Accurite is a fairly popular choice from what I can see. You may need to do something to keep the humidity up, especially with a mesh top.

Congrats on the new snake. Good luck with him.

[alykoz]

Looks like he'll be much happier from now on


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[Flint]

Is anyone else concerned that the snake opened it's mouth a few times while they were there picking it up? Snakes generally (from my limited experience with them) don't open their mouths very often, if at all unless it's defensive or after eating to realign the jaw.... I've never dealt with an RI but I have read that this is a symptom so I figured it was worth re-mentioning.

[alykoz]

Is anyone else concerned that the snake opened it's mouth a few times while they were there picking it up? Snakes generally (from my limited experience with them) don't open their mouths very often, if at all unless it's defensive or after eating to realign the jaw.... I've never dealt with an RI but I have read that this is a symptom so I figured it was worth re-mentioning.

I agree. I've heard they won't do this unless completely comfortable and after eating. I've seen my snake open her mouth even when just exploring my bed but to have them do it multiple times upon first meet WHILE being held is odd. take it to the vet for a check up. but also do your research because an RI is very hard to diagnose, even for vets.


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