Question ?? help!

[Dave S]

Jinx,
Jess and I share the computer. She was on it when Shadow struck at me. So I asked her to post. I'm not going to kick her off the computer just so I can ask a question when she is more than able to do it as well.
I understand that most of you guys/gals get jumpy when it comes to snakes. Obviously you care a great deal, as we do. We wouldn't ask questions if we didn't care.

As for my "child-like thinking", that's exactly the type of things posted that pissed me off. The advice given was taken into consideration, but the ignorant comments didn't sit well. Insults didn't give any helpful advice, and adding more still doesn't help. If you want people to actually take your advice seriously, maybe keep the insults out it...

Heather,
Not everyone that posted tried to help. Some did make ignorant comments. Hence what I said. If you posted helpful info, then obviously I didn't mean you were an ignorant idiot. The people that were ignorant, my comment still stands.






As for his temps, they go back and forth between 82 and 85 on his cool side and stay around 89-90 on his basking side (depending on what the weather is like). Damp days it becomes harder to regulate. Humidity stays around 60, except when he's in a shed and I mist his tank to bring it up.

[kitedemon]

I am guessing that Shadow is a sub adult? (this is a simple guess) Smaller snakes often need lower temps. Is the snake staying on the cool side all the time? if this is the case you may try to drop the cool end temp a few degrees. I aim for 80 even but accept variations 78-81. Can you drop the cool end temps?

[Royal Hijinx]

Jinx,
Jess and I share the computer. She was on it when Shadow struck at me. So I asked her to post. I'm not going to kick her off the computer just so I can ask a question when she is more than able to do it as well.
I understand that most of you guys/gals get jumpy when it comes to snakes. Obviously you care a great deal, as we do. We wouldn't ask questions if we didn't care.

As for my "child-like thinking", that's exactly the type of things posted that pissed me off. The advice given was taken into consideration, but the ignorant comments didn't sit well. Insults didn't give any helpful advice, and adding more still doesn't help. If you want people to actually take your advice seriously, maybe keep the insults out it...

Heather,
Not everyone that posted tried to help. Some did make ignorant comments. Hence what I said. If you posted helpful info, then obviously I didn't mean you were an ignorant idiot. The people that were ignorant, my comment still stands.






As for his temps, they go back and forth between 82 and 85 on his cool side and stay around 89-90 on his basking side (depending on what the weather is like). Damp days it becomes harder to regulate. Humidity stays around 60, except when he's in a shed and I mist his tank to bring it up.

The "child-like" thinking comment is directly related to your expletive filled "weighing in" not to the original question, which was valid, albeit you did not get an answer you liked. The rudimentary inability to take criticism for what it is, is not the hallmark of adult thinking IMO. And when you put a problem out on a open forum, you need to be prepared that you may not get the answer YOU want. That is the price for anonymous open question asking. The vast majority have not "insulted" either of you, rather they have expressed a passionate point of view.

As far as the strike it really narrows down to a few options:

-Hungry (not as likely if there is no other trigger)
-Scared/Uncomfortable (somewhat likely in the given scenario)
-Random bad mood or quick movement on your part (equally as likely) - I can make my Calider strike on demand if I wave my hand in front of her a certain way - just juvenile jumpiness that she will grow out of.

ONE strike by no means indicates a mean snake, and it very well could mean nothing. If it had taken less than 3 or 4 pages to fully explain the set-up and situation, this thread would have likely stayed more in line.

[Kaorte]

Honestly, I don't think there are any HUGE problems with your husbandry. The random strike/bite is probably unrelated. If it isn't happening all the time and your snake eats regularly then who cares!

I think what most people were concerned about was the heat source IN the enclosure. That is generally a no no unless you have a specific heat mat that is made to be used in the enclosure. And it absolutely needs a thermostat, even if it has a buit in hi-med-lo function.

Really it all comes down to the safety of your animal. The last thing we want is to see you back on the forum looking for help about your snakes burned belly! We are all just concerned snake parents!

I've noticed it is much easier to say mean/hurtful things over the internet because you are actually just talking to your computer. We have to remember there are people on the other end who are just like you and me. Whether they are just beginners or have been keeping snakes for many years, everyone deserves the same amount of respect.

[Dave S]

Kitedemon,

Shadow is between 5 1/2 and 6 1/2 years old (unsure as we got him from somebody else and had him for 1 1/2 years). He's right around 5 feet in length. From what I've read, his temps meet his requirements. I do check the temps/humidity constantly.


Kaorte,

I already experienced the burnt belly with Shadow, after not even having him for a month (I think I posted about that early last year). I used to have a heat pad that didn't shut itself off and he stayed on it during a shed. At the time I was still a new snake owner and went by info from a friend that used the same methods. I more than learned my lesson from that. I was very lucky to have been able to help him heal. We use a heat pad that we need to turn on after a period of time, which I do monitor. Until I get the plexi-glass to alter his enclosure, it does the trick. I know that the pads are supposed to be outside the tank, but unable to do so right now.



jinx,

If you call my first reply "expletive filled" you really need to get out more or something. One word got bleeped out. I don't think that is "expletive filled" as you claim.
I don't recall ever saying I didn't get the answer I wanted. Everything (minus the ignorant comments) was taken into consideration. I also never said everyone was insulting or ignorant, but for some reason you seem to think I did. If I ment everyone, I would have said so.


I will say again, to everyone that actually replied with useful information, I appreciate it and took it all into consideration. My concern was him turning into a mean snake, but from all indications/advice that isn't the case. My fear was that if he was to become mean, I would have to get rid of him and that is a thought that breaks my heart.

[kitedemon]

I'd still suggest that 85 is too warm for a cool side temp. 82 is about the warmest I'd like to see for an adult. They do better with higher temps than young do. I could be nothing but personally I'd drop the cool side temp a touch.