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First time snake owner needing some advice

M

meanbuggy

New member
Hi, I just got my first snake and have done things wrong from day one. First off ive owned lots of critters but never a snake. I walked in to petco unsure of what I wanted and decided to get a snake. The snake I chose was the only one that wasnt albino but, he was a little skinnyer than the others so the guy helping me sagested we feed it so I could be sure its a good eater. It ate the pinky. When he told me what set up I needed he recomended using eco earth as bedding. Its ground coconut fibers It comes in compresed blocks and you mix it with water so its usable. And he said one 75w basking light would be good for my 20 gl tank. Well with the cold wet floor and the basking light off my snake was cold that night. My thermometer was broken so I dont know how cold. The next morning I found the pinky yacked up. The next day I bought a UT heater and a working therm. and humidity guage. The dirt on his warm side stays In the high 80's and in the day the the air stays in the high 70's but drops 70 or high 60s at night. I have two concerns one is that he wont leave the roof of his warm side hide. He sits there all day and as much as I can tell all night. I dont think hes drinking so I put him by his water and he drank a lot. He cruzed around checked out the other hides and rocks and then went back to his roof. My other worry is he was skinny to start then he rejected his meal. Its been four days sience I got his temps decent and steady so I tried to feed him today with no luck. Hes really skinny. Should I wait a few more days and try again, should I bring him to his water every day. Any help will be greatly apreciated - Peace
 
Ok, firstly i believe that it"s recommended to wait at least 10 days after a regurge before attempting to feed. When you do try putting him in a small dark tub ie margarine tub or similar with the pinky. Defrost it then dip it in boiling water for 30 seconds then brain it just for good measure! Lots of us have had a lot of luck using this method for picky babies last year. Leave him with the pinky for at least an hour, over night is better, no peeking. Also you mentioned that you got a uth, did you also get a thermostat to regulate it? If not, get one! Those uth can get WAY too hot if not regulated. If it were me i'd leave him alone for a few days, he knows where the water is if he wants it.
It was a big mistake feeding him just before relocating him to your house, and the pet shop should have know it, but if he ate readily there then he should be ok with you. Just give him time to settle and recover from the regurge then try again. Good luck!
 
Can you post a picture of him? I'm not sure what the humidity is like where you're at so he may be okay if you switch his bedding to aspen, though the Eco earth is okay too I believe. I would follow MarieK's advice, you want to wait ten days for the regurge. If he does it again I would order nutribac for him and give it in the water for ten days and then only a pinkie's head rolled in it. The nutribac helps calm their tummies by replacing the good bacteria. Also, I would avoid handling until the next feeding day. He may have just gotten sick because of the stress from moving, then the temps being off. Do you have a thermoSTAT for the under tank heater? And what thermometer are you using?
 
I would say first off buying from a brand name store is not the best start. I am friends with my breeder but I am lucky enough to live by him. Also try to relax about the snake just hanging out, it may take him/her a couple weeks to get used to its new home.
Best of luck!

Also feel free to correct me if need be.
 
I'm sorry to hear that you lost the baby.
There's a number of good breeders here, that could provide you will a well started, healthy baby.
 
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