The quarantine process

I'm getting a new BP tomorrow and I was wondering about the quarantine process, what should/shouldn't I do? How long should it be? Etc.

Thanks for the help!

It varies from person to person. I do for as long as it takes the new guy to poop, pee, and a good shed. :) Maybe two if it sheds shortly after I buy it. Good Luck!

It depends what kind of room you have to work with. If you can place them in different rooms, do that. If not, your efforts of quarantine won't go as far...

How many other snakes do you have?

I would also take into consideration where you're getting it from and how old it is. If you are getting it as an older snake, from a pet store, mediocre breeder, or even from a previous owner, I'd give it a little extra time. If it is younger and from a reputable breeder and you KNOW FOR A FACT that it was kept it pristine conditions, then I'd go with a good shed or two.

There is also the debate whether or not 2 snakes should be kept together AT ALL. Are you going to be breeding them or just housing them together? How big is the enclosure they'll be kept in? How close are they in age/size? What are their sexes?

I'm getting a much older snake and I already have one. I never planned on housing them together, ever, but I guess my question is whether or not I need to be extra careful when handling one then the other, or if I can even do that? And if the older snake also needs a week to adjust? Can I just put their tanks near each other just make sure they don't see each other? Should I wash my hands in between handling the two? And what other things I need to know?

You can handle them one after another, just do make sure you wash your hands. It is a good idea to refrain from handling them at the same time for a little while. For this purpose, a shed or two should be plenty of time to ensure nothing is wrong. After that you should be all set.

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Originally Posted by 55Ballin

You can handle them one after another, just do make sure you wash your hands. It is a good idea to refrain from handling them at the same time for a little while. For this purpose, a shed or two should be plenty of time to ensure nothing is wrong. After that you should be all set.

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X2 :) Yeah, after the quarantine process you can get them out together. I've had all 10 of mine out together. Good luck!

Thanks everyone!!

I do 3 months in a seperate part of the apartment. In this time I try my hardest not to share anything with my established snakes. Anything I do (feeding, handling, cleaning, etc.) I do with the established ones first then wash up and move to quarantine. Then wash up.
I look at it this way. It's much cheaper to take one snake to the vet if it becomes ill then the whole collection.
I believe there is a quarantine sticky about the steps and percautions that are recommended.


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