Question about leaving snakes for a week or so

[ChadOwens]

So I'll be gone for about 7-10 days or so and was wondering if i should feed my snake before i go or not.

He is a few months old about 140g, I feed him this last saturday. I'm worried about him pooping the day after i leave and him having to hang out with it for a week or more in his small shoebox tub.

What do you guys think? Should let him empty this week and not feed him until i get back so he doesn't poop while i'm away or should I go ahead and feed him before i leave?

I figure id put some wood shavings(don't usually use them) + paper towels in his tub while im gone.


Thanks

[mrshawt]

I'd say find someone you trust that can check on your bp every couple days to make sure everything's ok. You'll also need someone to replace the water. Then you can feed him before you go.

Just make sure you're not using pine or cedar shavings.

[ChadOwens]

I don't have anybody that I trust to enter my home that is able to change out the tub while im gone...

[mrshawt]

What if something goes wrong when you're gone?

[spygirl]

Try contacting a professional pet sitting service. You'd be surprised at how many will pet sit reptiles. That's what I always do. Usually they will watch 1-2 reptiles for pretty cheap. I usually have mine come every other day.

Just make sure they will give you references. Helps to weed out irresponsible and untrustworthy types. I also prefer to use companies that are registered with the BBB.

Hope that helps!

[CTReptileRescue]

I would also highly recommend that someone visits every few days.
1) heating elements.. can never trust any to not go haywire at anytime (not to spread hysteria just better safe then sorry)
2) Snakes fresh water issue...

Your avatar also portrays some fancy rats.. Maybe if you keep them in house you may have the same person check on them.

Call your vet, I am sure a vet tech wouldn't mind swinging over once in a while, or check w/ your local animal control (some have experience and some do not).

And you can always look for pet sitters.. There are many these days that have become knowledgable in herp care.

Wouldn't hurt to check those avenues out.
Good luck and happy travels
Rusty

[TRL94]

Just use newspaper that way she won't get her water dirty for 7 days make sure you have a decent size water dish for her to last a week. Don't feed her she'll be fine.

[TalismanK9]

Why not just bring the snake & its habitat to a friends house if the snake is kept in a small enclosure. Feed it and just leave it so all that has to be done is possible spot clean and water? That way you don't have to let someone enter your home while your away or just do the pet sitter routine like spygirl recommended.

[muddoc]

We do it every year for the family vacation. I typically change the water for everyone, and go on vacation for a week. I change the water when I get home, and offer a meal, since it has usually been 10 days since the last meal. Actually the lack of interaction typically causes at least a few if not upwards of 15 snakes that have been fasting for a while to eat and begin eating again. I do have someone that comes and checks the A/C while we are gone to make sure that the ambient temps don't get too hot or cold from an A/C malfunction or power outage, but other than that, they do fine.

Lastly, we only clean our cages once per week. Therefore, often times a snake will deficate an hour after cleaning, and they do fine living with it until next week. Sometimes theyt may get some on their skin and need a bit of a wash, but otherwise they are just fine.

[Egapal]

I have a single 617 gram ball python and I would leave her for 7 to 10 days without worry.

That previous statement was an out right lie. I would leave my snake for that time but I would worry constantly. I had planned to go to my friends Saturday morning returning Sunday. I was worried because she was in shed and her eyes cleared up on Thursday. She had refused to eat the previous Sunday and had only taken a single 30 gram mouse the Sunday before. She always eats after a shed so I was worried she would shed Friday night and I wouldn't be be able to feed her on Saturday night. Saturday morning I checked and she had not shed. So then I thought oh great now she will shed Saturday night and have to sit in her cage with her feces and urates until I get home mid to late Sunday, but at least I can feed her Sunday night. So I get home and sure enough she has a perfect shed. I spot clean her cage as quietly as possible as not to disturb her for her feeding that night. 10pm that night, 3 hours after lights out, she refuses the mouse.

Moral of the story is that your snake does not care about your plans, your snake would experience much worse in the wild. Unless your snake dumps its water bowl often. I don't see a problem. That doesn't stop you from worrying but in the end you should listen to your logic not your emotions and go on the trip. Of course its much better if you can get someone to check on your animals.