» Site Navigation
2 members and 3,063 guests
Most users ever online was 6,337, 01-24-2020 at 04:30 AM.
» Today's Birthdays
» Stats
Members: 75,079
Threads: 248,525
Posts: 2,568,633
Top Poster: JLC (31,651)
|
-
Should you quarantine your first snake?
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?
-
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to vivi For This Useful Post:
Bodie (05-13-2020),Bogertophis (05-12-2020),Craiga 01453 (05-12-2020)
-
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...
Last edited by Bogertophis; 05-12-2020 at 01:12 PM.
Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength.
Eric Hoffer (1902 - 1983)
-
The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to Bogertophis For This Useful Post:
Craiga 01453 (05-12-2020),dakski (05-12-2020),GoingPostal (05-12-2020),QuesadillaWizard (05-13-2020),vivi (05-12-2020)
-
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.
Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength.
Eric Hoffer (1902 - 1983)
-
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Bogertophis For This Useful Post:
Craiga 01453 (05-12-2020),vivi (05-12-2020)
-
Thanks, I just wanted to make sure. I'll have to do some research on how to quarantine snakes.
-
The Following User Says Thank You to vivi For This Useful Post:
Craiga 01453 (05-12-2020)
-
Re: Should you quarantine your first snake?
Originally Posted by 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?
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.
-
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Craiga 01453 For This Useful Post:
Bogertophis (05-12-2020),GoingPostal (05-12-2020),vivi (05-12-2020)
-
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
Last edited by Stewart_Reptiles; 05-13-2020 at 04:11 PM.
-
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Stewart_Reptiles For This Useful Post:
GoingPostal (05-12-2020),vivi (05-12-2020)
-
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.
-
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to vivi For This Useful Post:
Bogertophis (05-12-2020),Craiga 01453 (05-12-2020)
-
Re: Should you quarantine your first snake?
Originally Posted by Stewart_Reptiles
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?
-
-
Re: Should you quarantine your first snake?
Originally Posted by Nick_MD
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.
1.0 Jungle Carpet Python 'Ziggy'
1.0 Bredl's Python 'Calcifer'
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa 'Mara'
1.1 Tarahumara Mountain Boas 'Paco' and 'Frida'
2.0 Dumeril's Boas 'Gyre' and 'Titan'
1.0 Stimson's Python 'Jake'
1.1 Children's Pythons 'Miso' and 'Ozzy'
1.0 Anthill Python 'Cricket'
1.0 Plains Hognose 'Peanut'
1.1 Rough-scaled Sand Boas 'Rassi' and 'Kala'
1.0 Ball Python (BEL) 'Sugar'
1.0 Gray-banded Kingsnake 'Nacho'
1.0 Green Tree Python (Aru) 'Jade'
-
-
Re: Should you quarantine your first snake?
Originally Posted by Nick_MD
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".
Last edited by Bogertophis; 05-13-2020 at 03:07 PM.
Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength.
Eric Hoffer (1902 - 1983)
-
Posting Permissions
- You may not post new threads
- You may not post replies
- You may not post attachments
- You may not edit your posts
-
Forum Rules
|