Opportunity to rescue

[racerjay]

So, I was in the pet shop today buying a frozen mouse for Gilbert (4 month old BP) and a woman struck up a conversation with me about what I have and how long etc... Turns out she has an adult (don't know the age or sex) BP that she is going to turn over to a rescue because she just doesn't want it anymore. She offered it to me free of charge along with the 40g tank and accessories. I have not seen exactly what is included yet. She did mention that the snake will only eat live. I would love another one, and it would seem that this is a great opportunity to give it a good home rather than having it sit at a rescue for who knows how long. My concerns are that I'm a new snake owner. I've had Gilbert for about 2 to 3 months and everything seems to be going fine. Are there any differences in caring for an adult that eats live compared to a little guy who I've gotten to eat F/T? (of course there are the obvious differences, I'm just looking for things to be aware of, or concerned about if I take on this responsibility)

[iceman25]

If you think you can afford to house another, by all means get it. If you get it, please be sure to quarantine the newcomer till its all settled; a vet visit is highly desirable and encouraged. Wash your hands well after you have handled the newcomer so you do not accidentaly pass any undesirables over to your other snake. Thats about all I can think of for the moment. I'm sure someone with more experience will chip in

P.S Also read through our caresheet if you have not already. Read the following thread, it may help you some.

Link

[jglass38]

You also shouldn't have a ton of trouble getting it switched over to FT. Good luck and definitely quarantine!

[frankykeno]

Just some things from our own experience with taking in adults from basically unknown sources.

We keep the new snakes in a seperate room from our other snakes, everything we do for the new snakes is done after the rest of our snakes so that we don't accidentally transmit anything from the new, unknown snakes. We always wash well anyway, but especially with new snakes in the house until we get a vet check done. Actually the last two adult females we got we had them vet checked before they came home with us just in case. We treat the new snakes whether they are adults or babies basically the same....quiet, low light, minimal handling for at least a week, then they get their first prey offered. Once they eat twice or so, we start handling them for small amounts of time to see how they react to it.

After about 90 days (if they are healthy and eating well), we'll move our current three in quarantine out of the bedroom. We have one though that was wild caught and is very nervous and shy, so she may stay in the quiet for a few more months.

We have some of our snakes on live feeds, some on p/k or f/t.

Best of luck with the new snake. It's great of you to offer a home to this adult snake.


~~Joanna~~

[racerjay]

Thanks for all the great advice. I'm going to go over there on Saturday and see what the situation looks like. Most likely I'll be coming home with another member of the family.