Few Qs from a future BP owner

[Dragon Fyre]

I have a chance to get a young (<2 months) High yellow for $180 Canadian.
The pet store does their breeding in house, has hand raised the little girl by hand from the time she was born till now. She's an established eater on FT mice. Couldn't tell you how long she is or how much she weighs but she fits nicely into the palm of my hand and after about 30 seconds of me holding on to her she was up and about moving up to my elbow and back down. She just ate yesterday and from what I have heard, she has never refused a mouse.

Does this sound like a good price for a snake fitting the description above?

I've already gotten a clear tupperwear container, heater, tiles for the container to sit on, two hides, the substrate and thermometer set up. I'll be purchasing the water dish and Hydrometer in the next day or so.

Cheers
DF

[SatanicIntention]

Congrats on the new addition when you get her And welcome!

Just wondering if the thermometer and hygrometer you are talking about are digital? Digital monitoring is the only way to go when keeping this species since they require very stable temperatures day and night. The analog dial-type will not give you this accurate measuring. I don't know if you have WalMarts up there, but a good unit can be bought from there that measures both temp and humidity for around $15US. Try chain hardware/building stores, and if you have a RadioShack, those may have it too. The Brand is Acu-Rite(don't know if they have that brand there either, LoL)

One suggestion I would make is to use newspaper or papertowels for the first few months so you can monitor the consistency of the feces and make sure they are normal. Even though the pet store seems like a good place to buy a snake, I would get a fecal done on the snake to make sure it is completely healthy. Any veterinarian will be able to perform one and it shouldn't cost much at all. Whenever you get the snake, and after it passes feces the first time, take a small sample about a teaspoon, or the size or your fingernail, place it in a plastic storage baggie, and put it in the fridge until you can get it to the vet.

Also, what type of heating are you planning on using? Undertank heating with a heating pad or flexxwatt attached to a thermostat will be your best bet when keeping these snakes and any snake. Any kind of heat lamp is going to dry out the air and the snake won't be able to shed properly. Temps should be maintained year-round 24/7 at 82-84 on the cool side and 92-94 on the warm side. Humidity can be around 45-60%. Just make sure the substrate isn't retaining moisture though, as it can lead to scale rot and blister disease.

Ok! I'll quit babbling now. Hopefully some others from Canada can help you out with that price and whatnot. Good luck with everything

[Dragon Fyre]

At the moment I have a digital medical thermometer that will be replaced with the acu-rite from the Walmart I have right around the corner. Paper towle is over running my panrty so I'll be glad to use some of it up with the BP. You say that any vet should be able to test the feces, is that any reptile vet or will the vet that I take my cat to work? As for heating it will be UTH, a small bed warming pad, no auto shut off, placed under a floor tile that the tupperwear container will be sitting on.

If I am using paper towle for my substrate and you say that it shouldn't retain any moisture, is misting the tank going to cause problems, or do I not have to do that with a BP?

Thanks again.

DF

[daniel1983]

I am not sure of canadian prices either....but I am sure someone does.

Just remember to purchase you enclosure and heating before you purchase your bp. It is good to get that stuff first to get temps and such correct before bringing the little one home. Once you get her home, be sure to let her grow accustomed to her new environment for a week or so, then after several successful feedings. Start handling.

Hope that adds a bit more

[SatanicIntention]

Are you using a glass tank to house the snake or a plastic sweater box(rubbermaid, iris, sterilite, etc)? Sorry, I got confused when you said "clear tupperware container". Is that going to be the humid hide or the actual enclosure for the snake?

If you need to mist the enclosure, try misting the sides instead of the bedding.

Yes, any vet tech should be able to tell you what parasites(if any) that the snake has. I say "should" lightly... Not every tech(or vet for that matter) can tell what different kinds of parasites are, let alone what species they can inhabit. Weirdos But yes, the one you take your cat too should be able to do a fecal for you. I would just take the fecal sample in there, and ask them if they wouldn't mind doing one. If they have to see the animal first, you can either take the snake to the vet along with the feces, and just have a general exam done as well as the fecal, or you can find another vet who will do a fecal without seeing the animal.

Hope that helped with a few of your questions