Looking for advice for just relocated snake.

I just got a snake as a gift. 4-5yrs old, 5' long.
I picked her up yesterday morning, quit cold here but kept her as warm as possible on the drive. She is in the same viv and everything is the same as she has known all her life. The warm end is now up to 81 degrees (only using a 50w infrared spot light which is left on all the time) but the cool end is down around 67 degrees. She doesn't seem to mind and has been very active and noisy and spends about half her time in the cold end. She only spent about 4-6hrs in total hiding and does go into her hiding log but quickly sticks her head out about 8" and watches whats going on.

Now my main question, since she seems pretty happy and and ate last on Thursday how long before I can handle her with out causing too much stress?
I would like to be able to move her pretty soon as you can see her last meal is almost to the back end of her and a lot of the substrate got shifted and I would like to level it out. I can probable get the poo out with out moving her but think I am going to need to get in and find the pee as I am really new to this hobby/pet.

If you just aquired her yesterday then i would put off handling for a couple of days to allow it to settle in, although with a mature corn like yours, this isn't quite as important as if it were a hatchling.

Remember to leave a two - three day gap or so after you feed to allow for digestion, i usually just wait till it see a decent poop, people differ in their opinions

Those temps sound a little to cool for your corn, for proper digestion you'll need to higher those, you should get a UTH (Under tank Heater) with thermostat, thats how people usually heat their snakes, good oll belly heat, most people agree this is better for digestion.

You should check out the FAQ on this site, it answers alot of the questions new people to the hobby might ask.

Good luck with your snake!, and put some pictures up, we all love pictures

Tom

Oh yeah I am also wondering if a trip to the vet will be needed?
She eats well and has always been healthy and the only reason they gave her to me was her son lost interest and is off to school soon.
I would rather not take her out as the weather is very cold and I worry that could cause more harm now then a visit to the vet is worth?

If she's eating fine, don't risk a vet visit. A chill could do alot of damage.
One of my corns is a 12.5 year old amel. I have had him since he was a yearling. He's fat, healthy as a horse, and has never been to a vet.
Snakes don't need checkups like dogs and cats do.

Thanks Tom, and I may try a under tank heater? She seems to have done very well with out but my house could be colder?
Thanks Starsevol, I think a vet trip will wait till summer if at all like you said.
I am also glad to here that you have had a health corn for so long! It would be nice to have her with me for a long while. I don't know if she could be breed but that would be really neat to see, would I have to find someone with a male of the same size?
I can't believe how many snakes you have but my girlfriend is already itching to get a bloodred or candycane!
Thanks all,
Bill

Hi there Bill.
I would say let her settle in for about a week. Take her out and handle her for a few minutes, maybe 10 or so, put her back and leave her for about 24 hours and give her a feed.
The Under Tank Heater (UTH) I would say shouldn't be bigger than about one third the bottom area of the viv. try and get temp. ranges of between 75 & 85 degrees I should think, get readings from local people, I am working in degree c and am not too good at conversions.
The Vet issue, forget it, not needed as long as she is healthy, shedding well and eating well.

Ciao