Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was wondering how you quarantine a snake. I keep all my snakes in separate cages and sanitize me hands after handling. I'm asking because I'm thinking about getting a new snake(s) soon.
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1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Rex- "normal" orange fire)
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Glutany- German Giant Mix)
0.1.0 Okeetee Corn (Okatee)
1.1.0 Spotted Python (Hotdog and Shoelace)

There are "levels" of quarantine. For some like me, it consists merely of a separate cage with its own water bowl (not used in other cages), and washing my hands after servicing that cage or animal, just like you've described. Then again, I'm not working with animals that are known to be easily susceptible to IBD. If I was working with expensive boa constrictors for example, I would go to the next level.

A higher level of quarantine would be a separate room for the snake and cage, with its own handling equipment.

Honestly, and especially if the snake is captive produced, what you are practicing now (separate cages, washing hands) is fine for the species you've listed - cornsnakes, spotted pythons - in my opinion.
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Mark

well I was thinking about getting a kingsnake down in Daytona in august. that's why I asked.
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1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Rex- "normal" orange fire)
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Glutany- German Giant Mix)
0.1.0 Okeetee Corn (Okatee)
1.1.0 Spotted Python (Hotdog and Shoelace)

I strongly suggest you quarantine new animals. Roughly 8 years ago I picked up a pair of Pyros from a very well known breeder. Since the breeder had a good reputation I didn’t quarantine the animals and placed them in my snake room. To make a long story short I lost over 40 snakes to due to Cryptosporidium, and stopped breeding for 2 seasons to make sure nothing else was affected. Crypto sheds infrequently meaning it took many “stool samples” to detect. Even though I routinely soak all my hides and water bowls in bleach/water this doesn’t kill it and I was spreading it, while I thought I was providing good husbandry.

The minimum you should do is keep the new animal separate from your established animals. Do not share water bowls, hides or any other cage fixtures. Do not handle the new animals and the established ones on the same day if possible. Try to deal with the established animals first so if you do handle them the same day you won’t transfer anything from the new to the old.

Read this from Mark Lucas's website. It is very informative.

http://markmlucas.com/Articles/Information.html

Another thing to very careful of is mites. Quarantine the new snakes/snakes and even lizards till you are sure they are clear. Have a Vet look at them too.