New Snake Owner - Lots of questions

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Originally Posted by Pandora

So what exactly is a humid hide?

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You can take a regular hide and add some moist sphagnum moss in there to raise the humidity.

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Originally Posted by JayBP

You can take a regular hide and add some moist sphagnum moss in there to raise the humidity.

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Aha I see.
Well, I mist the tank roughly once a day and have a towel over it to keep in humidity which is currently just above 70%
So I don't think there's a need for a humid hide.
=]

Judging by your location, I'm going to assume your talking about the Ontario Reptile and Aquatics Expo in Mississauga, correct? This is the expo I also go to. If you don't mind could you tell me who your bought your snake from? Just so I know to stay away from them in the future.

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Originally Posted by Pandora

So the hissing is normal and not a sign that she's about to murder me? :rofl:

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Its a sign that you need to put that snake down and let it acclimate.

You stated you knew it needs a week but have been handling it since day two, feeding early, etc.

The stress of overhandling a snake, especially a young snake is cumulative.

I don't handle new snakes till they've taken about 4 feeds. That snakes whole world has been upended, sounds like you are doing research, so why aren't you following it?

Let it shed, let it acclimate, and let it get another 3 feeds in... then start with small handling sessions.

Your snake has a very limited range of communications, hissing is one of them.

The snake's need for security should supercede your desire to play with it.

Bruce

And watch for those mites to come back... without proper treatment they'll likely come back.

Bruce

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Originally Posted by Pwilliams58

Judging by your location, I'm going to assume your talking about the Ontario Reptile and Aquatics Expo in Mississauga, correct? This is the expo I also go to. If you don't mind could you tell me who your bought your snake from? Just so I know to stay away from them in the future.

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Why would you avoid the breeder? They're reputable, not to mention she probably got the mites from the log I bought or just from the other snakes at the show. She didn't have them upon purchase.

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Originally Posted by Bruce Whitehead

And watch for those mites to come back... without proper treatment they'll likely come back.

Bruce

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And how do you suggest I prevent them? Other than PAM

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Originally Posted by Pandora

And how do you suggest I prevent them? Other than PAM

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PAM is the only way I've really heard of getting rid of them for good. Other stuff only kills them off temporarily, but before you know it, they're back.

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Originally Posted by JayBP

PAM is the only way I've really heard of getting rid of them for good. Other stuff only kills them off temporarily, but before you know it, they're back.

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Well in that case, I'm doing everything in my power to prevent them.

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Originally Posted by Pandora

Why would you avoid the breeder? They're reputable, not to mention she probably got the mites from the log I bought or just from the other snakes at the show. She didn't have them upon purchase.

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Both of those scenarios seem fairly unlikely to me...