Humidity, and bad sheds.

[Craiga 01453]

What’s funny is that he claims he was a reptile expert, so he flat out told me lies which only hurt us in the long run. I feel so stupid for abiding by what he said, it just makes me feel horrible that a trained professional would say something like that. I can only imagine how many other people he swindled including me.

He may not have intentionally steered you wrong. He may know the proper husbandry practices of plenty of reptiles, but isn't too knowledgeable about retics.
However, like I mentioned earlier, and like bcr said, the shed cycle starts as soon as the old skin is gone. So for him to say just a soak is enough is way out there. That's not true of any species of snake that I'm aware of.

Don't beat yourself up. Use this as a learning experience. This is why I advocate so strongly for doing independent research and cross referencing info.

I honestly believe you and your mom would benefit greatly by researching together. Make it a fun, bonding experience if you can.
Quite simply, the more we know about our animals the better we can care for them. So sitting down with your mom and learning together could ease a lot of stress for both of you as well as your snake.

[TheReptileCyka]

Thank you, I appreciate your reply it made me feel a lot better. I’ll do as much research as I possibly can here on out.

[Craiga 01453]

Thank you, I appreciate your reply it made me feel a lot better. I’ll do as much research as I possibly can here on out.

Always happy to help. I feel like you're so close to having things nailed down. And just a few minor tweaks will pretty much solve your problems and allow you to enjoy your pet rather than stress over him.

If your mom is willing to learn with you you'll all be in good shape and hopefully stress free (at least with the snake, hahahaha. We all have stuff to stress over, but our pets hopefully shouldn't be one.).
Like the song goes "I got 99 problems, but my snakes ain't one". Ok, not EXACTLY how it goes ...

[TheReptileCyka]

It’s just very stressful to me, like I want to nail it perfectly but I just feel that I’m just not cut out for it sometimes. And since I struggle with my mental health it just makes things way harder for me stress wise and etc. I truly want my snake to live the best life he possibly can as I love him very much. But it’s just really difficult for me to do 100%, as he’s my first pet.

[Craiga 01453]

It’s just very stressful to me, like I want to nail it perfectly but I just feel that I’m just not cut out for it sometimes. And since I struggle with my mental health it just makes things way harder for me stress wise and etc. I truly want my snake to live the best life he possibly can as I love him very much. But it’s just really difficult for me to do 100%, as he’s my first pet.

Keep your chin up. You're doing just fine and now making improvements. Only you know if you're not cut out for it, but I think you're doing fine and on your way to being a great snake parent. Don't give up yet, unless you feel it's the only choice. But I think you're selling yourself short. You're currently putting in tons of effort and taking steps to make improvements. That's what good keepers do.

I also suffer from mental health issues. I've been struggling lately, quite a bit (currently working with my drs to find the right balance of meds and therapy. Not fun, but I can see light at the end of the tunnel). But my snakes are my serenity. They bring me peace. And I promise, once you have everything dialed in it gets a LOT easier. My snakes actually help tremendously with my mental health.

I hope you don't get too discouraged, you're so close!!! And once you're there it's so much easier.

Feel free to PM me with any questions. You seem like a good person, who truly cares about their pet. So I'll be happy to help you out if I can.

Keep up the good work, you'll get there...and soon.

[Bogertophis]

It’s just very stressful to me, like I want to nail it perfectly but I just feel that I’m just not cut out for it sometimes. And since I struggle with my mental health it just makes things way harder for me stress wise and etc. I truly want my snake to live the best life he possibly can as I love him very much. But it’s just really difficult for me to do 100%, as he’s my first pet.

You didn't exactly start with an easy "first pet"...so keep that in mind too. Don't beat yourself up, it sounds to me like you've almost got this dialed in, & it sure helps to know that for this species, normal sheds often resemble an "explosion", lol. I have lots of snake experience but none with any kind of retic, so I couldn't have told you that either.
Your good intentions speaks volumes about you. And no one's perfect all the time.

As far as the vet goes, check out his actual credentials (degrees & any advanced training)...most have them framed up on their wall somewhere, but they shouldn't be shy when asked about it.

[jmcrook]

You didn't exactly start with an easy "first pet"...

Nope. I’ve kept snakes for close to 25yrs and my two retics were the most challenging, expensive, and stressful animals I’ve ever kept. Never again.


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[Craiga 01453]

Nope. I’ve kept snakes for close to 25yrs and my two retics were the most challenging, expensive, and stressful animals I’ve ever kept. Never again.


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I've got over 15 years of snake keeping experience and started out about 21 years ago. Took a few years off. But I consider myself to be "experienced" and I personally haven't added a retic to the family and don't plan to.

Like the others said,a retic isn't an easy species, let alone for a fish time snake keeper. But that being said, you're still SOOOOO close. A retic wouldn't be my first choice, but they are awesome animals.

Keep doing what you're doing. Keep up the research and you'll be good to go.

And your next snake (cause one is never enough, hahahaha) will be a breeze for you. Well, most species anyway.

[Bogertophis]

I've kept lotsa snakes of many (not all) kinds for 35 years now...time flies when you're having fun. I've had my share of challenging snakes (including some hots
for 20 years, & harmless lizard-eating longnose snakes that I've converted successfully to a diet of mice, also a very "hostile" -frightened!- & unwanted BCI that became
my sweet reliable pet with NO bites since she moved in with me) but no retics.

Keep in mind that when I got into snakes, there weren't forums to ask or much in the way of good books for reference. Whatever we choose to take on, we do our best
to research what is known, then bring our own powers of observation & common sense & whatever snake experience we have to the "table" & go from there. It all gets
easier with experience, & the whole reason for sharing our experience is so that the snakes get better care & those keeping them don't have to "re-invent the wheel".
There's always plenty more to learn anyway. Welcome...& fair warning, these things are habit-forming!