| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| DannyBrown91 |
Posted - 12/02/2010 : 23:19:56
My brother bought home his schools corn snake today, and when we looked at it, it had bits of shed all over its body. We got it in a luke warm bath and got the excess skin off. Then i put my thermometer in the tank. They have a thermostat set up but it goes between 30c upto over 35. After a little tweaking i have got it going from 26.5 - 30.
Apparently the snake gets fed 2 x 1g pinkies every 5 days but it should clearly be on more. It isn't looking skinny but weighs 25grams and is around 18inches long.
This really p***** me off as they clearly don't know what they are doing anbd don't seem to have the time to look after their reptiles. But its not just the corn snake they have. Apparently they also have a royal python which they bought 2 months ago and hasnt ate since. My brother dosnt think they have a thermostat regulating temperatures as i was saying that they can be really fussy eaters. According to my brother the royal is practically skin and bones.
The school also has Bearded dragons in, although i don't know much about them and the set up they need my brother has said that the tank has a heat mat and heat lamp but dosn't think either are regulated with stats.
Now heres the Dilema,
Do i have a word with the school and try to get them to pay more attention to their reptiles, buying the things needed and giving them basic information which they should have already looked up before buying the reps int he first place.
If this dosn't work then i would have to contact someone about the animals as they clearly arn't being looked after, then they would also suspect it may have been me that phoned them.
Or should i just phone the RSPCA, or a similar organisation for them to go to the school themselves and check out their reps and set ups? |
| 20 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| DannyBrown91 |
Posted - 24/02/2010 : 12:26:47
Well i directeed him to the care sheet on both this site and the TRP site, wether he will join i don't know but next time i go ill tell him. |
| Kellog |
Posted - 24/02/2010 : 05:00:20
Thanks for bringing us up to date Danny and it sounds as though you got a positive reaction from the head....he was probably relieved to have someone who knew what they were talking about explain things to him once you had pointed out that the conditions werent as they should be.
Let us know how it continues...and as Paulusworm has suggested - mention to him about joining up if he really wants to learn more and do what is best for the reptiles that are ultimately his responsibility.
Well done Danny, you have done a really good thing.
xxx |
| kdlang |
Posted - 23/02/2010 : 19:45:15
The head sounds very responsive to your advise and almost glad to speak to someone who knew what they were talking about. He obviously had concerns about the Royal since he asked for your advise on that too. |
| Paulusworm |
Posted - 23/02/2010 : 17:00:59
Just got up to speed on the thread. Good to see some positive results (hopefully) happening. Have you mentioned to the head that he is more than welcome to join this site, TRP and thereptilian? All the animals will be covered then and he'd have experienced advice on tap when he needed it. |
| DannyBrown91 |
Posted - 23/02/2010 : 14:38:15
The roads were a bit icey monday so my mum and i took the snake back today and as we pulled in we seen the head, so i just told him that the temps in that particular viv where a bit too high. He asked how he could control them more so i went in for half an hour showed him the 888 reptiles site and pointed out a few things that he would need to pick up including ,a stat and a digi thermometer. He had a dial therm in the corns tank but i told him that not only where they not very accurate but because they stick on the wall dont measure where the snake actually gets its heat from.
I also showed him the care sheet on this website.
He seemed happy enough that i showed my concerns about the corn and asked wether i knew anything about royal pythons. I directed him to the care sheet on theroyalpython.co.uk, told him that he would need to replace the strip thermometer with a digital one and get a thermostat for that aswell. I told him how they could be fussy eaters and once all the temperatures and things are correct he may start eating.
He was a beautifull little thing but a little on the thin side.
The beardies weren't there they were at one of the teachers houses as he hadnt been able to bring them back into the school yet.
Hopefully when i go back in a couple of weeks he will have everything up and running properly. |
| Kellog |
Posted - 23/02/2010 : 10:45:39
Sorry to bump the topic Danny, just wondering what you decided to do about your brother's school's corn now that half-term is over?
Hope you dont mind me asking.
xxx |
| DannyBrown91 |
Posted - 13/02/2010 : 23:02:15
quote:
Originally posted by SexyBear77
Thats a tricky one tbh- it wouldn't be something I would be willing to do.
I once had to move Casper from his usual position about 3 feet off the floor to a viv on the floor, and he was MENTAL. Striking at the glass everytime something walked past, off his food and generally behaving out of sorts.
I have definitely noticed that my guys get stressed when they are moved, and generally require a couple of weeks to settle. In your case, they may not settle at all when you are staying at the place for the 2 weeks, and then you will be moving back again.
However, it could just be that my snakes are generally stressy, or just that they get moved so rarely that it is more of an issue for them. Chances are yours would be fine- then again they may not be.
I don't mean in any way to sound harsh (though I accept it is going to sound that way, and I'm sorry) but maybe have a good think about whether its fair to move your snakes around a fair bit, to different vivs and different surroundings with however much traveling in between.
At the end of the day though, they are your snakes, and it is solely your decision as to what you do with them.
Hmm, i guess i will just have to wait and see too how they react in themselves when the time comes. |
| Nazzle |
Posted - 13/02/2010 : 22:46:47
As Kellog said, I started a job as a teacher and after a bit of research I found that I needed to act quick to change things (I actually couldn't believe the RSPCA hadn't picked up on anything during their visits). I think the best way to go is to politely offer your advice and help, I know that's definately what I needed (and still need) and I would bite the hand off anyone with experience, if only to bounce ideas off and check things for me. If they care about the animals then they should welcome an offer of help. I think you should approach with friendly advice rather than accusations, as this way I believe they are more likely to respond positively.
If they are happy to accept your offer of help, all's good, you can give them caresheets/tips/forum links etc. If they refuse or you see no change then you will have to step things up. Then you can make things official by writing letters and approaching the RSPCA
I have to say I'm suprised at moving animals during the holidays (could the move effect the temperature, I know when I've moved vivs I've had to alter the thermostats quite alot). I definately wouldn't let anyone look after our animals who I didn't know for certain would care for them. We cover hols ourselves and claim time back in term time.
If you need any more help, let me know. If the person in charge is anything like me then they will be desperate for any advice. |
| SexyBear77 |
Posted - 13/02/2010 : 21:53:01
Thats a tricky one tbh- it wouldn't be something I would be willing to do.
I once had to move Casper from his usual position about 3 feet off the floor to a viv on the floor, and he was MENTAL. Striking at the glass everytime something walked past, off his food and generally behaving out of sorts.
I have definitely noticed that my guys get stressed when they are moved, and generally require a couple of weeks to settle. In your case, they may not settle at all when you are staying at the place for the 2 weeks, and then you will be moving back again.
However, it could just be that my snakes are generally stressy, or just that they get moved so rarely that it is more of an issue for them. Chances are yours would be fine- then again they may not be.
I don't mean in any way to sound harsh (though I accept it is going to sound that way, and I'm sorry) but maybe have a good think about whether its fair to move your snakes around a fair bit, to different vivs and different surroundings with however much traveling in between.
At the end of the day though, they are your snakes, and it is solely your decision as to what you do with them. |
| DannyBrown91 |
Posted - 13/02/2010 : 21:37:25
quote:
Originally posted by Sammysnake
As well as the heatlamp giving a basking point of around 105c, the Beardie MUST have a UV light (5% or higher) and this should be changed every six to nine months. Without this it will be unable to metabolise calcium and will end up with metabolic bone disease. It should also be receiving calcium supplements on its food five times per week and a multivit such as Nutrobal once or twice a week.
It sounds like unbelievably poor care. Why would someone get all these animals if no one knows how to care for them properly? Also, I don't see how they can keep being transported to different homes. Surely the Beardie itself must be in a 3ft viv .
Good luck with getting something sorted - I hope you are able to do it amicably.
Thanks for the info on the beardies. I havn't seen the set up so i don't know what it is like.
SB in september i may be moving back to liverpool and going to college there. I was going to have vivs both in my nans and mums since i would have to bring the snakes with me of a holiday when i stay with my mum.
Do you think that they would be ok being moved from one viv to another for a week or 2 weeks and then being moved back for up to 6 weeks and then again back to another viv for a couple of weeks.
I thought that aslong the aspen in my mums vivs was only changed when it needed to be rather than every 4 weeks as the snakes wouldnt be in there all the time, that they would be ok. |
| SexyBear77 |
Posted - 13/02/2010 : 19:32:44
Thats what concerns me about having reps in a school, all the moving about and stress for the animals.
I know how stressed my ones have been when they have undergone moves, even shifting the vivs make em a bit scatty for a while lol.
I just don't think reptiles are an appropriate pet for a school, unless care by experienced mature people can be provided and their welfare can be assured. |
| Sammysnake |
Posted - 13/02/2010 : 19:24:46
As well as the heatlamp giving a basking point of around 105c, the Beardie MUST have a UV light (5% or higher) and this should be changed every six to nine months. Without this it will be unable to metabolise calcium and will end up with metabolic bone disease. It should also be receiving calcium supplements on its food five times per week and a multivit such as Nutrobal once or twice a week.
It sounds like unbelievably poor care. Why would someone get all these animals if no one knows how to care for them properly? Also, I don't see how they can keep being transported to different homes. Surely the Beardie itself must be in a 3ft viv.
Good luck with getting something sorted - I hope you are able to do it amicably. |
| DannyBrown91 |
Posted - 13/02/2010 : 18:47:52
quote:
Originally posted by Kehhlyr
The nice end of Runcorn then. But I bet you can still smell the ICI plant from time to time though.
I wouldn't say it was nice by any means.
quote:
Keep us updated on what you're gonna do in regards the school, as Matty and others said, maybe offer to let them know that their setups are not very good and you'll happily go in to help them sort it, but let them know that they may end up having to buy some new equipment. Stats etc.
Will do. |
| Kehhlyr |
Posted - 13/02/2010 : 18:41:20
quote:
Originally posted by DannyBrown91
My mum lives in Castlefields.
The nice end of Runcorn then. But I bet you can still smell the ICI plant from time to time though.
Keep us updated on what you're gonna do in regards the school, as Matty and others said, maybe offer to let them know that their setups are not very good and you'll happily go in to help them sort it, but let them know that they may end up having to buy some new equipment. Stats etc. |
| DannyBrown91 |
Posted - 13/02/2010 : 18:12:34
quote:
Originally posted by gmac
Sorry was only curious if the reps were taken from the school at weekends also, as this could cause problems with settling the reps at there temporary home esp the royal which could add to the resons its not eating.
Royals can go off their food for various reasons not just heat, the location of the Viv may effect the snake as they dont like big spaces. Our setups for our rayals are all the same yet one of them only started feeding herself 3 weeks ago after 2 months assissting.
good luck at the school Danny
No its just on the half terms that the reps are taken out of the school. The corn dosn't really need a settling in period as it is taken in its viv so has the same smells within the viv and is used to being handled and knows my brothers scent as he handles it regularly in school.
I don't know much about royals, just know that they can be extremely fussy eaters for a variety of reasons and that the temps being off can be one of them.
I will print a basic caresheet off and give them the web address for the roaylsite. |
| DannyBrown91 |
Posted - 13/02/2010 : 18:08:28
quote:
Originally posted by Kehhlyr
I vaguely know the area, part of my misspent teens was around that area, although more frequently at Runcorn Hills. My old dear has lives in Liverpool now, along the Queens Drive, whenever I go up to visit, I end up coming down through the expressway at weston point and coming off at the junction for the bridge, just to have a quick drive through my old haunts.
Runcorn never used to be that bad a place actually, I'd like to think it's still not. We lived in the Old Town, off of Ellesmere street, we used to make a small fortune (it was when we were 15/16 anyway) from the Indian Restaurant that backed onto the carpark. :D
If you don't mind being even more nosy, what part of Runcorn is she in? It's my old haunt, so can't help it.
My mum lives in Castlefields. |
| Kehhlyr |
Posted - 13/02/2010 : 17:07:17
quote:
Originally posted by DannyBrown91
Kehhlyr - It isn't a main comp school, my brother at first went to Halton High, but he has ADHD, OCD, Terrets and various other mental issues and currently goes to a small specialist college, called i belive the bridge college. It is just outside of the Old Town near Weston Point.
I didn't go to school up here as i stayed in Liverpool when my mum moved to runcorn, just visiting of weekends and holidays but have a few friends who went to the grange.
I vaguely know the area, part of my misspent teens was around that area, although more frequently at Runcorn Hills. My old dear has lives in Liverpool now, along the Queens Drive, whenever I go up to visit, I end up coming down through the expressway at weston point and coming off at the junction for the bridge, just to have a quick drive through my old haunts.
Runcorn never used to be that bad a place actually, I'd like to think it's still not. We lived in the Old Town, off of Ellesmere street, we used to make a small fortune (it was when we were 15/16 anyway) from the Indian Restaurant that backed onto the carpark. :D
If you don't mind being even more nosy, what part of Runcorn is she in? It's my old haunt, so can't help it.
|
| gmac |
Posted - 13/02/2010 : 16:30:07
quote:
Originally posted by DannyBrown91
Gmac, the school let my brother bring the corn home because the animals can't stay in the school unattended and they know that we have corns in the house and know what we are doing. I think a teacher takes the royal and the head teacher takes the beardies.
Sorry was only curious if the reps were taken from the school at weekends also, as this could cause problems with settling the reps at there temporary home esp the royal which could add to the resons its not eating.
Royals can go off their food for various reasons not just heat, the location of the Viv may effect the snake as they dont like big spaces. Our setups for our rayals are all the same yet one of them only started feeding herself 3 weeks ago after 2 months assissting.
good luck at the school Danny |
| DannyBrown91 |
Posted - 13/02/2010 : 15:53:57
Gmac, the school let my brother bring the corn home because the animals can't stay in the school unattended and they know that we have corns in the house and know what we are doing. I think a teacher takes the royal and the head teacher takes the beardies.
I will go in and have a word with them, then i will be able to see the state of the royal and beardies for myself. Give them some advice. check on set ups etc.
Im guessing that the royal isn't eating because of the temperatures since the corns temps were pretty high.
Shame really hes a lovely little amel.
Don't know much about beardies but i'll have a little look at what temps and things should be at and look for any obvious health issues. Will probably look at getting beardies myself in a few years so the research will be worthwhile. Mum dosn't like them, she draws the line at snakes so wouldnt be able to get any till i moved out anyway.
Thanks guys. Im sure they would be great if the school just put a little more time into looking after them.
Kehhlyr - It isn't a main comp school, my brother at first went to Halton High, but he has ADHD, OCD, Terrets and various other mental issues and currently goes to a small specialist college, called i belive the bridge college. It is just outside of the Old Town near Weston Point.
I didn't go to school up here as i stayed in Liverpool when my mum moved to runcorn, just visiting of weekends and holidays but have a few friends who went to the grange. |
| Kehhlyr |
Posted - 13/02/2010 : 13:16:12
quote:
Originally posted by gmac
[br
....Can i ask why your brother brought the snake home.....
A lot of schools that have animals in let the pupils take them home during holidays to look after them and stuff like that.
I missed out on the scorpions in the last summer hols from my nieces school, but it's not likely they would have got many back. 
/quick edit
Out of curiousity, what school is it?
Because from recollection you were near Runcorn weren't you?
I spent '95-'96 up there, went to both the main comps up there. The Heath, and the Grange.
|
|
|
