palpating questions

Rat and snake mites are host specific. They wont cross species. ;) But still, on the temps of the water... I would shoot for 90 degrees.... anything hotter and you could over heat your animal. That is potentially dangerous given they depend solely on thermoregulating. I wouldn't expect them to always understand what's happening to them and how to get out of that (going to wife with towel), that's where being a responsible keeper comes in. Make decisions for the snake based on simple instincts and habits.

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Originally Posted by roosterman2173

I was not tring to cause a disagreement! But I dont like the idea of puppy mills or snake mills if you will. i don't make them do anything if they want to get out they can just crawl over the side where my wife is waiting with a towel and I always check the water temp. harming them is the last thing I want. As far as breeding them I just wanted to see what they would produce and for me it would be nonprofet for sure. My wife don't to give up anything. Nock on wood we have never had a problem with RI or mites. And I fell so lucky because I have heard of some bad cases of both and I fell sorry for snake and the keeper! We bath them after they eat to make sure they don't have any tagalongs from the rat before they go back in there homes and this is done the next day .They stay in the feeder tank over nite. Sorry I didn't mean to cause conflict. I just wanted to know about palpation

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Sorry! I wasn't trying to imply that you were trying to start any conflicts. I was just trying to give a heads-up to both you and to the people who might want to reply and hopefully squelch a heated discussion before it started. The thing is, your post is full of information that begs a response from those who may be concerned for your animals.

It's very apparent to me that you care deeply for your animals. It just may be that if you knew more about their needs and their extremely basic understanding of the world around them, you might be able to give them an even better home than you already do. An ideal home for a snake is not particularly emotionally satisfying for us humans...except the satisfaction of knowing the animals are well cared for.

That being said...if your animals are healthy and eating and not regurging, then you've no reason to believe that what you're doing is not right. Just understand that folks might try to tell you differently.

As for the issue of palpating....I think that question has been lost in the deluge of other information that begs a response. You might start a new thread with a very basic question such as, "Exactly how does one palpate for eggs? How hard can you mash around without hurting the snake or potential eggs?"....without any other distracting information. I would answer the question for you, but that is beyond my personal field of experience and knowledge. :)