Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What are the appropriate steps that should be taken when trying to quarantine a new snake? How isolated from the rest of your snakes should they be kept...separate area of the room, separate room altogether?

What about handling protocols? Gloves?

How easy is it to transfer something (IBD, other?) from one snake to another?

Thanks for your help!

I don't know about the practices of others, but mine are very careful. Quarantines are kept on a different floor. I don't use gloves, (except for feeding) but thorough hand washing before and after handling is a must. I am even careful to not allow a quarantine to touch my clothing. Granted my quarantines are usually rescued animals, who have a higher risk of poor health, but I say better safe than sorry.
I don't handle new arrivals much, for the first month, and keep them separate for three. I also have separate tongs, and thaw food separately.
Maybe a bit extreme, but I don't have a ton of animals, so its not hard for me to devote a little extra time and effort.
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James.....
"Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought the beast back."

I keep mine in another room, wash hands and sanitize after handleing. I usually do not quarantine more than a week or 2 if the snake comes from a replicable dealer. If it is a individual purchase or a rescue I usually leave it 4 to 6 weeks. I have glass tanks set up for quarantine and all are disinfected and treated with Prevent-a-Mite before anything goes in them.
Link

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Thanks for all of the advice. I live in a 1 bedroom apartment and therefore don't really have the luxury of keeping new snakes in a separate room from my collection. Are there specific agents capable of airborne transmission? Would it be advisable to at least separate new snakes through placement at opposite sides of the room and continue to use proper handling/handwashing practices?

Thanks again for your help.