Should you quarantine your first snake?

[vivi]

I'm unsure on this. Should you quarantine your first snake? I don't want mites in the bioactive substrate I plan to use- because then I'll have to throw it all out (It's expensive substrate!) So should I set up a temporary enclosure just to monitor the snake's health before moving it into a bigger enclosure?

[Bogertophis]

Yes, in this case. Normally having only one snake means you don't have to quarantine, but if you put a new snake in a nicely furnished home, any mites (etc) will also be
"right at home" in substrate & branches or other wood "furniture". So that's why we recommend keeping any & all new snakes on white paper towels for a while: while
paper towels don't help humidity (you'll need other methods for a BP...like a humid hide with damp towels in), they DO allow you to see mites or other issues (like traces
of blood or excessive mucus passed with urates & stool that can indicate other medical issues).

By the way, I can recall a post from someone who made this mistake: so excited to house their new snake in their new bio-active set-up, they added the snake immediately, then found they had mites & had to discard it all & start over...

[Bogertophis]

In quarantine, also use only bowls & hides made of glass or plastic/resin so no mites can hide or lay eggs. Once you know all is well (like after a month), then go ahead.

[vivi]

Thanks, I just wanted to make sure. I'll have to do some research on how to quarantine snakes.

[Craiga 01453]

I'm unsure on this. Should you quarantine your first snake? I don't want mites in the bioactive substrate I plan to use- because then I'll have to throw it all out (It's expensive substrate!) So should I set up a temporary enclosure just to monitor the snake's health before moving it into a bigger enclosure?

Great question!!!

I personally would. I'd hate to see all the time, effort and expense go to waste. And then you're back at step one again.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

While not quarantine per say since you do not have other snakes, ideally when receiving a new animal, even your first would be to keep him in a minimalist setup allowing you to evaluate your animal.

Mites
Bowel movement
Etc

[vivi]

Right, It's not necessarily quarantine but more of just monitoring the snake's health since I don't have to worry about cross-contamination.

[Nick_MD]

While not quarentine per say since you do not have other snakes, ideally when receiving a new animal, even your first would be to keep him in a minimalis setup allowing you to evaluate your animal.
Mites
Bowel movement
Etc

Is there a good way to do this within a larger enclosure? I'm thinking through the best approach of how to adopt a small (neonate) boa, but without having to setup some type of bin system just for its first year. How do you balance the minimalist setup with their wanting the security of burrowing in substrate?

[Caitlin]

Is there a good way to do this within a larger enclosure? I'm thinking through the best approach of how to adopt a small (neonate) boa, but without having to setup some type of bin system just for its first year. How do you balance the minimalist setup with their wanting the security of burrowing in substrate?

If you have other snakes, the full quarantine setup and routine is needed. If this will be your only snake, really, they'll be fine on paper towels for a bit - that will allow you to better monitor for mites; check bowel movements and urates, etc. Just provide fake vines for ground cover/clutter and a couple of hides and they should feel secure.

[Bogertophis]

Is there a good way to do this within a larger enclosure? I'm thinking through the best approach of how to adopt a small (neonate) boa, but without having to setup some type of bin system just for its first year. How do you balance the minimalist setup with their wanting the security of burrowing in substrate?

If we're talking about something like a small spotted python, I adopted mine as a yearling that was a poor feeder for her previous owner (only because he insisted on feeding live!), so in essence she wasn't much bigger than a hatchling would have been, that is to say she was quite small. She moved directly into a 20 gal tank that I fixed up for her, & she never refused food or had any apparent objections to her home...she actually ate 3 f/t pinkies upon arrival.

Yes, I advise waiting to feed but I also have the experience to have taken the risk...besides which she was clearly hungry. I did not handle her...she ate and digested in total peace. I also gambled that she didn't have mites, & happily that proved to be true...I could have been wrong on that one, for sure. But at least it wasn't a bio-active enclosure, mites would have been inconvenient mostly.

I guess what I'm saying though is that with minimal interaction, most boas aren't NEAR the hassle of a shy young BP as far as housing. Don't assume that all
snakes have to be treated like a beep. If you let them settle in & they have appropriate hides, you shouldn't have a problem or need a "tub".