Wc ?

Suffice it to say-when in doubt or when there is a conflict in advice from different sources.......

BELIEVE THE BARKERS!

(And buy their book:gj: )

They will even tell you they haven't been very active on dealing with imports for 15 years so they are not the bottom line answer some people think, with c.b / and breeding maybe but imports not so much.

is the snake in good health? i know larger snakes can go aslong a 6 + mounths with out eating.&still be healthy. you could play with the tank temp. lower it in the night and drop the rat in.

For what its worth here is my recommendation. Though I am in no way an expert at it I have been able to get more then 10 WC girls setup and eating.

You have to replicate a WC's natural setup. So that means dark, moist and quiet. A small dark tub works best (big enough for them, a water dish and a small amount of floor space - mine can crawl around their water dish that is it), cypress (I keep my humidity levels at 60-65% till they eat a few times) Larger water dish (helps with the humidity - and for some reason they seem to soak more then CB animals). Temps in the upper 80's ambient. Once setup leave them alone - check the water daily but unless it is empty (or they pooped in it) don't mess with it (a little cypress in it won't hurt them). Wait several weeks then try a small rat/mouse (live). If they don't eat wait another 3 or so weeks try again...repeat till they eat. I had one girl go 13 months before she ate with no adverse issues so 6 months is nothing for a WC provided she isn't losing weight.

Oh...WC's are notorious for having ticks so you need to go over her with a fine tooth comb. It is my experience that even one will keep them from eating.

Hope this helps
Sean

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Originally Posted by jnjreptiles

They will even tell you they haven't been very active on dealing with imports for 15 years so they are not the bottom line answer some people think, with c.b / and breeding maybe but imports not so much.

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Let's see-that "15 years" takes us back to the mid 90s. Yet the Barkers (and, I might add, myself-obtained my first wc ball in 1977) have been working with wc since the 70s. So I'd say they still have far more experience than almost anyone else. Their advice in this case is sound.

Dave and Tracy will also tell you that the trade in wc ADULT balls is unsustainable, and should not be supported by U.S. herpers.

Finally, to me the advice of those who profit from wc animals is suspect. Of course it is in their best financial interest to minimize the considerable problems involved. Sorry, but that's my opinion after dealing with wc animals and their suppliers (both as a retailer and hobbyist) for three decades.

Yes, we should help those who already have wild caughts care for them properly-but we should strongly discourage anyone else from buying them.

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Originally Posted by BChambers

Let's see-that "15 years" takes us back to the mid 90s. Yet the Barkers (and, I might add, myself-obtained my first wc ball in 1977) have been working with wc since the 70s. So I'd say they still have far more experience than almost anyone else. Their advice in this case is sound.

Dave and Tracy will also tell you that the trade in wc ADULT balls is unsustainable, and should not be supported by U.S. herpers.

Finally, to me the advice of those who profit from wc animals is suspect. Of course it is in their best financial interest to minimize the considerable problems involved. Sorry, but that's my opinion after dealing with wc animals and their suppliers (both as a retailer and hobbyist) for three decades.

Yes, we should help those who already have wild caughts care for them properly-but we should strongly discourage anyone else from buying them.

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I agree, in the old days thats all you could get. Nowadays everyone is breeding BP's, ne need to deal with WC anymore.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BChambers

Yes, we should help those who already have wild caughts care for them properly-but we should strongly discourage anyone else from buying them.

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I agree...WC take a lot of work and require a very specific and dedicated setup/care to thrive. Stick to CB :gj:

ok she is in shed now. shuold i wait till she sheds to put her in the tub or set her up asap?

The sooner you get the snake set up, quiet and stable, the better. I would definitely set it up now, then leave it as undisturbed as possible.