Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Anyone ever had their first snake die? I'm close to picking up my Amel, and I'm terrified it will end up dying because of me doing something wrong. Just wondering if any of you have had your first die.

Thanks
Shane

I just got my first snake on Thursday and am really nervous too. He was shipped overnight so that added extra stress. However, he was very active when he arrived, exploring his large enclosure and then he settled down. I waited until Sat until I handled him and just fed him his first pinkie last night. He ate it right up and has had no regurge. He is still very shy, he only comes out after all the lights, except for the moon light simulator, are out. I think the waiting to handle him and feed him makes a big difference, that is what I have read. Paitence, although hard, seems to be the way to go. Wish me good luck as I hope you have it too. If you have done your research and set everything up, then you should be fine. As I have found out with other animals, sometimes there is nothing you can do to save them but generally they have a strong will to live.

What did you think you were doing wrong?Tell us your about your husbandry/feeding schedules.Maybe we can help...Paul.

Oh, I haven't had any die, we were just comiserating on the stress of getting new animals you have never raised before. I spent alot of time researching my set up and feel confidate that it is good. It is a 55 gal tank w/ reptibark. There is a half log hide on the cool side, a slate stair step hide on the warm side and a branch that goes from the middle to the top step under the heat lamp. Right now he likes to hide between the bottom step and the glass (its very tight and dark and warm). The temps range from 86-88 on warm side to 76-80 on cool side. What he likes most when he isn't inbetwen the glass, is to sleep in the vines. He is active at night and comes out to watch me and the cats. His first pinky on Sun went down and stayed down and I plan on feeding him on Wens. Let me know if you think I should change anything.
Thanks

I suppose I should have seen it coming~ Karma and all ya know~ my first snakes were shipped on 9-11-01 What a nightmare THAT turned into. That is another story though.

2 of those died, the breeder replaced those, the replacements died, I bought 2 more at the pet store...........those died.............I just about gave up. We moved, and I haven't lost a snake since. Must have been environmental. Wish the vet I spent all that money on had thought of that!!

My collecttion is somewhere around 60 to 70 snakes right now (no, I don't have an exact count, if I knew exactly how many snakes I had I would have to admit that number to my husband~ I just tell him I have 20.....and I do, I have 20~ and then some) So don't give up. Get the Corn Snake Manual, and just do your best.

Good luck!

You've gone from zero to 60 snakes in 2 years and a bit? Wow. That sounds excessive. What type of snakes are you keeping? Just corns? Are some of these babies that were hatched and not sold?

I'm just really curious about people who suddenly blossom out huge collections.

Thanks. =]
-----
Stephan
The Canopy

Hey wizwise who are you getting the snake from? is it going to be shipped or are you picking it up?
look foreward to pics
Demon

and a pic because i love my baby (did not die)

i'm sorry my post almost seems like i am trying to make you feel bad, that is not the case. i wish you luck with your new corn and all the others you are shure to get
Demon, again

Maybe thats why my husband calls it the "Hobby from Hell."

Seriously though, it sounds a bit worse than it is. I only have 5 adult corns. Then 5 more that I held back from breeding last year, and 6 I bought this year at shows. (I only bought 3 of them, 3 of them were gifts for my last B-day that happened to fall on a show weekend)

I have one King snake, purchased on a whim last year.

I have maybe 8 to 10 ball pythons I am rearing to breed. One female is large enough this year to breed.

The rest are Ball Python females I purchased last summer. I got lucky and got in on a couple REALLY good deals on females cheap. I plan to put most of these back on the market next October/November after they fatten up some.

I guess it's easy to get obsessive considering the start I had with it. I was absolutely determined NOT to give up, I learned a lot, I spent a lot of money, and I developed an absolute determination to succeed. And after all the trouble..........well.........all of my family thinks snakes make a fine gift for me now! (I think most of them don't realize I'm not killing them any longer!)