Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've been bitten by the love bug and fallen for the baby sand boa at the pet shop where I work, and I think it's fate, because we got him the day after I'd been researching them and rosy boas. I've been planning on trying to find a snake or lizard that I can hide in my dorm room (only fish are allowed, and I love my fish dearly but it's just not enough). Don't worry, I'm not one of those college students that just gets a pet to rebel or be cool... I've wanted a snake all my life, and I can't pass this little guy up. Plus he's ideal, since I'm pretty sure he's male and won't require more room than I can afford to give him(I've been researching various species for quite a while. I'm not about to get something that I can't guarentee I can keep healthy/happy for a good long time). I do have some questions however...
-First off, I know that they don't require lighted heating, but they still need the day/night cycle right? Because the only safe places I could keep him set up would be my dresser, desk drawer, or(most likely choice) closet, which could accomodate a larger tank and is well ventilated. I have to keep him out of sight but I don't want him to be a prisoner shoved off in a corner somewhere.
-Second of all, how fast do the males grow? He's a hatchling right now, and I know that he'll be able to live most if not all of his life in a 10 gallon, which I'll probably be able to manage, but if he could be happy in a 5 gallon for about 8 months or so that would be great.
-And finally a general question... If/when I get him(or any snake really) and he gets big enough to eat full grown mice, is there any easier and humane way to kill them? The only way I've seen is to kill/stun them by hitting them against a counter or the like, and I could do that if I have to, but I'd really prefer to avoid it. I suppose pinkie rats would work if available, I was just wondering if anyone else had some better methods.

Sorry for the long post, I'll probably be back with more questions eventually
-Katie

First off, I know that they don't require lighted heating, but they still need the day/night cycle right?

Yes. Although snakes do not need light to process vitamin D, they do require a regular photoperiod to establish normal circadian rhythms.
If you have to keep it in a closet, you will have to provide some form of light, preferably a compact fluorescent that doesn't heat up the cage. You should have the light on a timer that leaves it on approximately 14 hours per day.

Second of all, how fast do the males grow? He's a hatchling right now, and I know that he'll be able to live most if not all of his life in a 10 gallon, which I'll probably be able to manage, but if he could be happy in a 5 gallon for about 8 months or so that would be great.

A male kenyan sandboa should be comfortable in a five gallon tank for at least a year to year and a half, depending how often you feed.

And finally a general question... If/when I get him(or any snake really) and he gets big enough to eat full grown mice, is there any easier and humane way to kill them?

Simple, buy frozen mice and keep them in your freezer until you are ready to use them.

Katie,

There is a bigger issue here, however, than where/how you will keep the snake. The problem seems to be that you are in love with the idea of having this animal, but you live in a situation where it is prohibited. This can cause problems you may not have anticipated.

What would you do if you got caught? What is your contingency plan for the animal? Would it be destroyed? Do you think it is fair for you to risk that animal's existence for your desire to possess it? I am not making ethical judgements here, just asking you to consider the consequences of your action more fully.

Who would you tell or show it to? Word would get out pretty quickly that you had the snake. Even if people didn't want to get you in trouble....loose lips sink ships!

What chemicals are used to clean your dorm? Do they use phenolic derivatives like lysol or pinesol? They are extremely toxic to snakes. How would you approach the staff and ask them not to use them in/around your room? You couldn't tell them the truth. So....do you put the animal at risk?

I am not suggesting that you do or don't get this animal. I am just suggesting you fully consider the ramifications of keeping this animal in a place where they are prohibited and particularly in a place where you do not have total control of the environment.

Wanting to keep an animal is a selfish act (I know, I have been that selfish hundreds of times in the past and currently am being that selfish about 30 snakes and 2 cats). I have no problem with this idea. I think it is OK to be selfish along these grounds, as long as you are taking total responsibility for the well being of your captive.
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Chris Harrison

Thanks for the info! Yeah, I'm aware of the risks. I don't intend to tell anyone(except my roommate of course, I've known her since 4th grade though, so she won't tell, and possibly one other friend), and if I get caught my parents live in town so I can board him there and still be able to care for him (cleaning feeding etc...). As for cleaning agents, the staff doesn't clean the rooms, and I live far enough from the bathrooms(farthest possible point actually) that any cleaning fumes or anything shouldn't be a problem... I've researched this a lot so I (hopefully) should be prepared for anything.
-And a follow-up on the mice...(even though he'd be a long way from anything bigger than a pinkie) If you buy frozen, don't you have to microwave them so they sense the heat? I'd read something about "nose scratches" so I'm guessing that it's to stimulate the snake and make it easier to locate... so that would be another possibility....

Just thaw in the fridge, at room temp, or place the mouse in a ziploc and sit in a bowl of warm/hot water until thawed. If you wish to warm it up a bit you can sit under a light or on top of a light fixture. Never microwave! Microwaves can cook from the inside out and by the time you believe the mouse to be thawed (by touching the outside) it could be boiling on the inside - burning your snake.
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Check Out My Albums

1.0 Ball Python "Aragorn"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"
1.0 Saharan Sand Boa "Frodo"
0.1 Rough-Scale Sand Boa "Arwen"
1.0 San Felipe Rosy Boa "Legalos"
0.1 California Kingsnake "Gentoo"
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake "Indigo"
1.0 Snow Corn snake "Chile"
0.0.1 Crested Gecko
0.0.1 Irian Jaya BlueTongued Skink
0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer "Kira"

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Check Out My Albums

1.0 Ball Python "Aragorn"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"
1.0 Saharan Sand Boa "Frodo"
0.1 Rough-Scale Sand Boa "Arwen"
1.0 San Felipe Rosy Boa "Legalos"
0.1 California Kingsnake "Gentoo"
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake "Indigo"
1.0 Snow Corn snake "Chile"
0.0.1 Crested Gecko
0.0.1 Irian Jaya BlueTongued Skink
0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer "Kira"