Reptile & Amphibian Forums

About two months ago, we were fortunate enough to have a baby ball python that one of my wife's co-workers found under her stove. She was very sweet, but she was injured and wouldn't eat. We listened to advice, and looked for information in several different places. We obtained everything we thought we needed. After about five weeks, she died, most likely from her injury. We then purchased another hatchling ball. After four days, he showed signs of a respiratory infection. We had him treated twice, and he was showing signs of getting better, but I found him this morning, motionless, in his water bowl. We have now lost two snakes in the last two weeks. The family had really liked them. I have learned a lot about these animals from reading this forum, and talking to local experts, but with the recent losses we've had, I don't know if we should try again. If we do, what type of snake would be best for us? I'm a little gunshy on ball pythons, but I'm considering others. My son is interested in a Columbian red tailed boa, but I've also had a corn snake recommended to me. Which, from these three types of snakes (or any others), will be a pet that doesn't mind being handled, will like people, and adapt to a new home well? Or should we just stop?

If you brought the snake home and it was sick, then don't worry about another snake. As long as you don't use those stick on thermometers or dial thermometers/hygrometer because people may tell you they work, but they really don't work good. I use these and reccomend them highly.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=21243-1308-00887GT&lpage=none

If I were you, I would try again with a ball python. Just don't get one from a pet store or something like that. I would buy from a breeder.

Out of curiosity, how did you set your tanks up?

Our tank is 20 gallon/long. The substrate, water bowl, UTH, and half log hide were part of an ESU Reptile starter kit. We also purchased a coconut shell hide that our first ball was partial to, a plastic plant that our second ball kind of liked to hide under, and a driftwood "jungle gym" to climb on. We also have an infrared heat lamp for radiant heat, and a UVB lamp. We also added moss to retain humidity. Our thermometer came in the starter pack and we added a humidity gage. I'm pretty much planning on going with a completely different substrate. I'm sure that what I have isn't cedar, but I think it would make better kindling than snake bedding.

First of all, get rid of the thermometer and hygrometer and get the indoor outdoor thermometer I gave a link to. You can find those at Wal-Mart and lowes, and Home depot. Those thermometers and hygrometer you have isn't very accurate at all. You don't need a UVB lamp, but if you want to keep it, then turn it on/off every 12 hours.You also might want to get rid of that half log hide and get another coconut hide. They tend to like those better. Get a lutron dimmer like this to control the heating pad. The heat pad without a control can get too hot.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=70717-000000539-TT300NLH-WH

You don't need a heat lamp. They actually can be bad for the snake because it sucks out humidity. Just keep the heat pad under half the tank and use a dimmer for it.

Use the thermometer I showed you and keep the temperatures on the warm side about 90-95 (where the thermometer should be,over the heat pad), and put the probe that comes with the thermometer on the other side and don't let that side get below 76. If you need to, you might have to get another heat pad for that side and another dimmer to keep it that temperature.

It sounds like you try to spoil your snakes though.

Ball pythons can be a very good snake when bought from the right person. Where do live, so I can find a breeder or a reptile show in your area. Do a search for Ball python caresheets in google to find out more.

Have fun with your next snake

Also, if you don't know what substrate it is, get aspen or use newspaper. Keep the humidity up to 50-60%.

It might be hard to keep the humidity up in a tank. I would use a 28qt rubbermaid with holes drilled in for ventilation.

...yellow ratsnake,i love mine!

We live in North Texas, about 20 miles south of Fort Worth.

I would strongly suggest a corn as a perfect starter snake. I agree that you should avoid a "pet shop snake" if at all possible. Find out if any reptile shows come near you (click EVENTS, above). Or you could order online. Good luck. Duffy

What about a pet store with a breeder? There is a store in Fort Worth that has a snake breeder on premises, and she seems very knowledgeable. She just won't be back until tomorrow.

I would steer clear of ANY pet shop, especially for your first snake. It might sound like he's knowledgable, but he probably really doesn't know anything.

It really depends upon the pet shop.
Yes, there are countless bad experiences with pet shops, but there are some very good pet shops that DO know what they are doing - especially in metro areas.

One thing to note - he says he lives in Texas. Unless he can go to a show, buying from a breeder quite likely means the animal gets shipped to him, and that he does not get to look at the animal before he purchases it.

Shipping this time of year is more likely to result in a dead snake - and despite how bad pet stores are, there are a lot of breeders who are just as bad - don't properly pack animals for shipping, don't have their animals inspected for parasites regularly, have lots of animals in close proximity (racks) which makes parasite transmission easier, etc.

The breeder may have parasites and not know it. Animal gets shipped, goes through the stress of shipping, which causes it to not fight the parasite as well. A few days after arriving, things get bad.

Anyway - if the pet shop specialized in reptiles, there is a decent chance they know what they are doing. If they don't specialize in reptiles, they may or may not know what they are doing. But there are good pet stores, and plenty of them - and there are bad breeders, and plenty of them.
-----
3.0 WC; 0.2 CB L. getula californiae
0.1 WC; 10 eggs (7/11) Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata

Thanks to everyone for their helpful advice. The small pet store in Fort Worth that I was talking about does specialize in reptiles. The woman who cares for the snakes is the breeder and used to work for a herp vet. Everytime I've gone into the store, she is with the snakes, checking on their needs.

Well if they sold you that snake kit, they must not know.

We got the snake kit from Petco, which is not the pet store I was talking about.

Ooooh okay.

Well, if you are going to buy from a shop, make sure the snake is in good condition before you buy it.

A corn, a ball python(my first snake) and a Columbian boa..All three are great pet snakes.I got my Ball python and my boa at a petstore as well.I will say my Ball python had mites(he is the first snake I got years ago before I knew any better). Anyway my Ball python is very shy and rarely shows his face except at night if Im lucky,but is slow and very easy to manage, can be a picky eater through winter, .The corn is active, almost too active for a younger child to keep under control without it getting away and it wont just hang around like a python or boa.But she is a great eater and fun to watch and handle..My Boa is probably my favorite, she rarely hides except when shedding, she is easy to handle and eats great, but she is big(at 6ft) and growing bigger.She sure wouldnt fit into a 20gal for long.
-----

Newbie news update. We brought home a one month old male Columbian Red Tailed Boa last weekend. He is very friendly, and had taken well to us. Just a few hours ago, we crossed a major obstacle. I noticed he was acting hungry, and offered him a f/t fuzzy. Within 25 minutes, he had found it, constricted it, and swallowed it. He is the first snake to ever eat for us, so it's a big deal at this house. Just thought I'd share.

-----
1.0.0 CB Columbian Red Tailed Boa
2.0.0 CB Labrador Mutts
1.2.0 CB Domestic Short Hair Cats
1.1.0 CB Parakeets
1.0.0 CB Beta Fish
0.0.1 CB Snail
1.1.0 CB Children
0.1.0 WC Wife

...beautiful snake (you picked the right one imo lol)...