Need help with a scared baby BP

[Craiga 01453]

HNECdn, I agree that it would have been much safer to have quarantined your new snake from your other one for at least 3 to 6 mos. but at this point and with
only the 2 snakes, I personally think that ship has sailed. IE. at this point I wouldn't bother...hopefully you got lucky this time & if you add any more snakes, by
all means do a quarantine...the only thing sadder than having a new pet that's sick & dies is sharing that tragedy with your other pets too. Not to mention that
vet bills mount up quickly treating multiple snakes.

Now & then I've been known to capitalize a word or two for emphasis (since written words can be misunderstood as to intent), but I'll vouch for Craig's desire to
only be of help here. This is not generally a pugilistic forum, we're all here to help.

You know, I hadn't really thought of that, but you're probably right. The time to quarantine has already come and gone. I was thinking better safe than sorry, but you're right. At this point it's probably too late.

[HNECdn]

I am not offended at all, and understand we are all busy. Thank you for the consideration though, I do appreciate it.

So I went and rechecked my substrate and I'm using Cypress, not Aspen... When I read the reply, I thought, hang on a second.... Didn't I choose Cypress for all those specified reasons?? Turns out I did! Thank you for the info.

Question then about QT... Is the main concern transmission of disease and parasites, or are there behavioural considerations too? Being new to this, I obviously thought wrong that separate enclosures and vet checked for mites was decent protocol, so again, thank you for pointing that out. I am however, curious as to whether having them side by side increases overall stress...

Heather

[HNECdn]

You know, I hadn't really thought of that, but you're probably right. The time to quarantine has already come and gone. I was thinking better safe than sorry, but you're right. At this point it's probably too late.

I'm really glad you guys said something as I would have never known otherwise. I'm happy that we have been lucky but definitely don't want to count on luck going forward. Someday my daughter (currently 11) wants to have a lot more reptiles, so this is good for her too. Keep the info coming!! lol

[Bogertophis]

...

Question then about QT... Is the main concern transmission of disease and parasites, or are there behavioural considerations too? Being new to this, I obviously thought wrong that separate enclosures and vet checked for mites was decent protocol, so again, thank you for pointing that out. I am however, curious as to whether having them side by side increases overall stress...

Heather

Yes, mainly the transmission of diseases (some quite fatal & capable of wiping out all your herps!) as well as mites, which can spread some of the diseases, & also kill
"just" by the loss of blood they suck out (dehydration leads to organ failure quicker than many realize).

Most snakes are compatible in nearby (never the same) cages, but NOT all: king, milk & indigo snakes are some that many other snakes recognize as predators by
their scent instinctively, so you wouldn't house them in the same room as other snakes native from the same areas -I don't think BPs are going to notice them- they
aren't "neighbors", for example...but North American native snakes would be stressed...things like corn snakes & rosy boas would "know them as a danger".

[Craiga 01453]

I'm really glad you guys said something as I would have never known otherwise. I'm happy that we have been lucky but definitely don't want to count on luck going forward. Someday my daughter (currently 11) wants to have a lot more reptiles, so this is good for her too. Keep the info coming!! lol

Unfortunately, you don't know you've been lucky yet. Snakes are fantastic at hiding illness and it's definitely too soon to know for sure both animals are healthy.

And please know I'm not trying to be rude, but quarantine is a pretty basic step. This is why it's so important to put in ample research and due diligence before bringing animals home. They rely solely on us to survive. So we owe it to them to learn all we can to provide them with the best lives possible.

[Moose84]

If you got that snake from a breeder and it came out of a smaller enclosure (rack tub) then I would say the transition into a much larger enclosure is likely causing you problems.. The snake doesn't feel secure. Usually they stop eating too but it doesn't sound like you are having that issue. The aspen has nothing to do with it.. I have had multiple snakes on aspen for a long time without any issues..

[Commander's Balls]

This should be a pre req for anybody that is new to housing and keeping snakes!

let's get the ball rollin'

[JRLongton]

So the snake eats, poops, and sheds well enough, eh? That all sounds great!

She strikes at you when you handle her. Yeah, I can see that being unpleasant.

Most snakes will only strike when they are in their enclosure, typically when being pick up out of the enclosure. Once they are out, no problem, until they're put back. She very well may be scared being in a larger enclosure than she's used to, she may just be a shy BP, maybe something else, or a combination.

My advice, and take it with a grain of salt, you need to muscle through this one. It's little known but snakes are born with only a certain number of bites. Once used up, they can't bite anymore! Best to use them all up now while she's a hatchling!

LOL, but in all seriousness. She probably just needs to get used to human interaction. Approach confidently, maybe use a hook to take her out, and keep handling. Not too often so as to stress her, but at lest 2x a week I'd say. If she stops eating, stop handling. If she keeps eating, keep handling.

My suspicion is that after a short while she'll settle in and get used to being handled and will be no problem. She may also eventually grow out of it.

[Bogertophis]

...My suspicion is that after a short while she'll settle in and get used to being handled and will be no problem. She may also eventually grow out of it.

Except for the ones that develop a real taste for blood, Bbwhahahahahaha. (-also kidding)

[Commander's Balls]

Except for the ones that develop a real taste for blood, Bbwhahahahahaha. (-also kidding)

My cinnamon sub adult and my cinnabelly hatchling enjoy how I taste. Even my 2200g sterling takes shots at me anytime she can. I think it's a real thing.

let's get the ball rollin'