So I've been wanting an ATB for a while now and finally decided last weekend at a show to get one. I've read a few care sheets and I usually check this forum every couple of weeks but I have a ton of questions still. I kinda think I got in over my head but I'll hopefully get it worked out.
1. Can you tell the sex of an ATB without probing like you can with some other boas?
2. What is the preferred substrate for ATBs? I usually use a paper or aspen substrate with my other snakes but it seemed to dry and we are going for a more natural looking display. So against my better judgement we decided to try Bed-a-Beast to help keep the humidity up. Of course, just as I suspected she got it all in her mouth her first day home as she was exploring.
3. We were expecting our new snake to be a horrible beast, but so far it's been a doll. I had to take it out and clean it's mouth out with a Q-tip where it had substrate all smooshed in there. It's so mellow in fact that I am worried about health problems. Since we took out the Bed-a-Beast it has pooed twice so I don't think it's plugged up and it's breathing tube is clear (no bubbles or mucus) although, I thought I heard faint wheezing but then I couldn't. It may have been my imagination since I am so worried about it. It did have a little retained shed near the vent when we first got it but it has since come off. Since the first day we are leaving it alone so it can get comfortable. I don't want the poor snake stressed. I did try feeding a rat pink last night in a large deli cup with no reaction at all.
Here's the current living situation, and you can feel free comment to help me adjust so it's comfortable. 15 gallon tank (with papertowels for now) I have a large piece of drift wood that it can curl up under or on top of. I have a smaller chuck of wood crossing so there are plenty of wide touching areas that it coils up on sometimes. Other times it does go underneath. I also have a large water bowl for it to soak in if needed. I also have a small fern in one corner. The temp is about 85 on the warm end during the day and drops to about 78 at night. The humidity seems to be hanging out at about 70% but spikes up to 90% when I mist twice a day.
The thing I was worried about is that the snake seems calm to the point of being unnatural. My corns are more agressive than this snake. It does crawl around and check out the cage at night and I have seen it drinking from the bowl. Do they get really mellow when they are sick? I'm already thinking about a vet check but I just wanted to see if anyone had opinions or husbandry suggestions.
Thanks!
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Anna
The Zoo
Corns
1.0 Snow - Cornelius
1.1 Ghost(pastel) - Gray Ghost & Pink
1.1 Amel - Parker & Scarlet
0.1 Hypo - Nikko
0.1 Anery - Missy
0.1 Hypo Motley - Cordelia aka Cordy
Boas
0.1 Columbian (BCC) - Bella
Lizards
1.0 Leopard Gecko - Leo
Rats
I have two pet rats and about 14 breeders
Cats
1.1 Siamese - Blue & Fiona
0.1 Gray DMS - Druscilla aka Dru
Plus 3 kittens
Horses
1.0 Thourghbred (Hunter/Jumper) - Morgan's Majesty aka Cody
Plus whatever animals I am fostering for the local shelter!
