Do I quarantine my new snake?

[teddy90]

I'm collecting my new BP a week today, I'm getting him from a breeder so obviously ATM hes around other snakes. I don't currently have any pets. I've spent the last 6 months making my bioactive enclosure, everything I've put in be it live plants, real wood ect I have sanitised/disinfected. Do I need to quarantine my new snake before I put him in or as I don't plan on getting anything else can I just put him in straight away?

[bcr229]

I would. Some sellers send free mites with their snakes.

[teddy90]

hahaha Free mites
So my other question is how do I quarantine? As I don't have another tank and as my enclosure is bioactive and full of plants. Can I try and just put a tub in the existing one so the temps and humidity will be correct or should I try and make a temporary set up with what I have?

[Lord Sorril]

Greetings!

Yes, I would also quarantine a new arrival: Especially if it is going into bioactive. You want to find any issues beforehand.

If you can set up a separate secured enclosure with a thermostat and heating element--that would be ideal. Paper towels as substrate until you confirm there are no hitchhikers or suspicious fluid discharge (nostrils, mouth, vent). IMHO: Feeding routine and preference should also be set and imprinted before you provide a highly varied environment to a snake that could potentially be a picky eater.

I'm not sure the size of your bioactive enclosure...none of my planted bioactive enclosures could handle an adult ball python indefinitely. They are like small bulldozers that drive around and can periodically produce some serious amounts of waste... I know a lot of people like to start off with bioactive, but it often becomes less feasible as the snake grows larger.