| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Chloelouisexo |
Posted - 16/07/2012 : 23:54:10
Hello I need help with something as soon as possible
My boyfriend is in the middle of moving and I have agreed to look after his snake and lizard but during the move the snakes heat mat got snapped in the car.
My boyfriends room was rather hot without a heat mat needed but in my house it's unbelievably cold. I've noticed he's stopped eating, but he's not skinny, and also when he get him out he just gets in my jumper and sits there for hours! And I wish I had hours to sit with him.
At the moment were all tight for money, and due to my boyfriend moving he doesn't have the cash for a new heat mat for him. I'm currently trying to substitute some heat with a hot waterbottle wrapped in a towel but he gets under the towel n curls round the hot bottle. I'm worried he's burning him self can anyone suggest and alternative. I've asked loads of pet shops if I can borrow an heat mat and they've all refused .
He's an 2 and a half Amil pink corn snake. And I'd say he's about 4-5ft healthy weight just sooooo cold!!!! |
| 20 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| kdlang |
Posted - 17/07/2012 : 17:15:57
It could be because he is due a shed as that does put some snakes off eating. It could also be because he is a bit bunged up having so much food without the right temperatures to digest it. Has he pooped? He really shouldn't need to be fed more than every 10-14 days at his size. Usually it's only hatchlings that are fed every 5 days or possibly females that have just layed eggs. Maybe you can let your boyfriend know what you have discovered about feeding schedules as I'm sure he doesn't want an overweight snake. Plus it will save him money on mice lol.
I can't think of anything else to suggest on a temporary measure. I think it's great that you are willing to sit for that length of time with him even though you are scared of him. And you did the right thing to remove the lamp. I have seen some horrific photos of snakes burnt by heatlamps that aren't protected. |
| a33272 |
Posted - 17/07/2012 : 17:09:57
Do you know what the temp is in the viv without heating? |
| Chloelouisexo |
Posted - 17/07/2012 : 16:51:43
His new tank it's all built in I think he's payed about 450 quid for it. They'd why we can't buy a heat mat ive only got him for about 4 more days untill everything's sorted for the animals. We didn't brake the mat or anything on purpose n when I tried to put my light in off my turtles cause I've got two on them he climed up it and I was worried incase he burned himself. I mean I've just sat for 5 hours with him curled up on my knee watching hollyoaks under the quilt and now he's lovely n warm. So I've put him back it's really only on a night when he needs heat cause he's out all day everyday as he's unbelivably friendly! But I'm scared when his head comes to close. Ive took the advise of towels n cardboard under nether his tank. He's got a hot water bottle they I've took the temp it's was about 23 D it's wrapped it n there for him if he needs it. Im open to suggestions just not rehome him or buy a new mat as I've explained he's got a brand new tank for when he moves to his new house.
Edited cause of new comment: yeah he did advise me. He buys a mouse n fetches it up mine every 4- 6 days. And he always takes it cause I'd feed him in his old house. But I also thought that he wasn't eating due to the fact he's due to shed. His eyes are like a cloudy Colour. |
| NexivRed |
Posted - 17/07/2012 : 16:49:55
Did your boyfriend not give you any advice on how often to feed the snake? Cos it sounds like he's being fed way too much. |
| Thorne Walker |
Posted - 17/07/2012 : 16:39:56
We all have moments where things go sideways on us... the thing is what you do about it.
I'm not getting a kick out of telling you off, I just believe in being direct.
Is there no way for you to get the new mat from his new tank? They don't have to be stuck on permanently just some tape around the edges to hold it in place for now till he relocates. |
| Chloelouisexo |
Posted - 17/07/2012 : 16:29:12
No your right I did no research. I was only ment to get his ferrets. Next thing I know I have a 5 foot snake at my door. Nah our family's do support us. But my mam n dad pay for other things like my dog showing fees. As I show my dog all I can do is the little things. I've stopped feeding him and I'm trying to find ways of keeping him warm like ****ting with him in the sun during the day. I'm not asking for crisism n that's for the people who have been trying to help not them that are getting a kick out of telling me he's suffering. As I actually im really worried!!! He's going in a brand new tank in a couple of days with heat mats n lights n alsos it's just for a few days he has to stay in his crappy set up. |
| kdlang |
Posted - 17/07/2012 : 16:20:42
I understand that the snake is not yours. This information is not directed just to you but also to your boyfriend who you are looking after the snake for. Ultimately it is up to him to provide the necessary equipment and if he needs help and advise to do so then please direct him over here so we can help. We are not here to criticise and we will not expect you/him to pay out more than is necessary but we are interested in helping you/him to provide the best life that the snake can have.
Some cheap tips for TEMPORARY care:
Cardboard put underneath the tank will help insulate the tank from the cold floor.
Towels wrapped around the base of the tank will also help to keep some of the heat in.
The lack of heat will most likely be what is stopping the snake eating. They need temperatures of at least 26C to digest properly. Without these temperatures if the snake eats it could regurgitate. It wont matter if the snake goes without eating for a few weeks so don't worry if he is not fed until his tank is heated properly again. An adult corn only needs feeding every 10-14 days so i really wouldn't worry about him not eating for 4 days. I had a corn that went 22 weeks without eating as a natural fast and he only lost a small amount of weight.
The hot water bottle is not a very good way of heating although it can be used as a temporary measure. you really really need to be careful of the temperature of it tho as what feels warm to you can be too hot for him. Our body temperature is around 36C. If the hot water bottle feels warm to you then there is a good chance that the bottle is hotter than that which is way hotter than what is good for a corn. Being exposed to high temperatures could possibly cause neurological problems. You need an accurate thermometer to check the temperature of the water bottle before putting it in the snakes tank.
Long term
Honestly, please speak to you boyfriend about getting a thermostat for the new heatmat. Yes it is a cost but the fact that the old heatmat cracked the snakes tank tells me it was too hot. The tank should never have cracked if the heatmat was at the right temperature. The only way of ensuring that any heat source doesn't get too hot is by regulating it with a thermostat. This is just a device that the heatmat/bulb etc gets plugged into. you set it to the desired temperature and place the sensor probe onto the heat source. When the heat source gets to the set temperature, it will cut the power to the heat source until it cools down slightly and then will turn on again. It ensures that the heat source never gets too hot for your animal so it doesn't suffer from burns, neurological damage or other issues.
You say you are an animal lover and you have shown that by coming on here for advise in the first place. Please accept the advice given for what it is and I hope that you and your boyfriend will do the best thing for the snake. |
| Thorne Walker |
Posted - 17/07/2012 : 16:08:07
Did you do any research before you agreed to take him in?
Feeding 4x times in 3x weeks with out a heat source is a recipe for a dead snake, the mice will rot in his gut if he can't get warm.
I don't need to see photo's. Your own description of his condition and behaviour is enough. You say you have him for 4x more days, the best you can do for him is to leave him alone, don't feed him.
..and the 'I'm a student and can't work' line is crap... you have no support from your family? the BF can't help? Are you going hungry living on the street? or just unwilling to stop smoking and living on takeaway..
Edited for tone... |
| Chloelouisexo |
Posted - 17/07/2012 : 15:46:34
Orh whey put it this way it was ether I take him in or some ****head from horden got him. I was only doing a favour for someone I wasn't asking for a bloody lecture! And hang on if you read I said I'm a student. I'm 17 and I can't work due to full time education. My boyfriend is in full time education he had a heat mat but it got broke and due to them moving to a bigger house they havnt had time to get a heat mat because they have other things to do. Now would I rather he went to someone who wants to help or some ****ing ****hole who actually didn't give a **** cause Where I'm from no one rehomes animals due to the fact you know some smack rat will get it. Now no one seems to trying to suggest anything but rehome him. He's not my snake it's not my decision. All I asked was from a way off keeping him warm but all you want to do is give is a lecture on how he's suffering. If anyone wants I'll upload photos and they u can decide what states he's in.
Yes in the time I've had him he's ate about 4 times it's only been the past 4 days when he's refused to eat. |
| NexivRed |
Posted - 17/07/2012 : 15:43:20
In your original post you claimed he had stopped eating, but now you're saying he *has* eaten.
You have to understand that you were describing a snake that was suffering from the lack of a heat mat so much that it had stopped eating. I don't know what you expected to get from a forum with regards to tips on how to heat your snake, especially seeing as you'd already "solved" that problem via a hot water bottle.
And if you're happy to keep doing what you're doing for another 4 days, then why even ask for advice? It's not like we're gonna be able to come up with an idea for a heat source that is free, that you couldn't think of yourself.
The people on this forum are passionate about keeping snakes and you're not. So perhaps you should bear in mind the responses you'll get from a subject specific forum are going to be biased towards that subject, in this case snakes.
We told you what was best for him, or not even best, just the basic requirements. Either take the advice or don't, but don't be snotty about people calling you up on not providing the proper conditions for an animal. |
| Thorne Walker |
Posted - 17/07/2012 : 15:37:43
quote:
Originally posted by Chloelouisexo
[...]Id hate to think he's suffering or sick in my care. That's why I would love as many tips but in a cheep way.[...]I can't move him anywhere because there's no where for his tank as its rather big we were only ment to have him a week but I've had him about 3 now. I'm more bothered about the fact he's not eating?! Is this because he's cold? I've wasted two mice in the past week. If anyone had any tips on how to feed him that? With out splitting the brain:/ I'm so much of an animal lover to do that :/
This kind of junk really miffs me...
He is suffering in your care, and clearly you have taken on more then you can handle. If you are a 'animal lover' as you claim then the responsible thing is to rehome him with someone who can afford to spend the 50$ to get him a proper living space.
Stop letting your Ego drive. Do the responsible thing.
|
| Chloelouisexo |
Posted - 17/07/2012 : 15:28:01
There's no where round here that will board him. We've took him to a pet shop today. And for them to look after him will cost us 60 quid or hell buy him off us for a tenner. He's had all the equipment and today he's been fine cause he put him outside to bask in the sun with the terripans. I've only got him for another 4 days and then he's going. All I needed was a form of allowing some form of heat , whilst I've had him he has ate n shed and has been rather active it's only been the past 3 day were he's been acting strange. All I asked for was a temp way of keeping him warm untill he goes in his new house in the new tank cause the heat mat also cracked the bottom off his tank he perfect weight and all that the store owner said. But it's not my responsablity to pay for new equipment for him I have to buy stuff for my own pets. I thought you may have came up with some different form that will keep him warm just for a few more days. So it looks like he will just stick with his sleeping bag on the couch with a hot waterbottle. |
| NexivRed |
Posted - 17/07/2012 : 13:31:25
I think you need to separate criticism of yourself, from people's interest in the welfare of your snake. A snake with improper temperatures can suffer from pain, and that's what we're trying to prevent.
There is no shortcut; you need to be providing a warm place for the snake that's between 27 and 29 degrees. If you can assure that then you're fine, but if you can't then you should think about putting the snake first and sending it somewhere where it can be looked after properly. Heat is a necessity. If you had to look after someone's cat and couldn't provide any water, you wouldn't hang onto it would you. |
| Lozzy |
Posted - 17/07/2012 : 13:21:13
Maybe try and wrap the towel really tight around the water bottle as it really can be quite dangerous for your snake to be kept above 30 degrees and you could do more damage. If he is lying directly on top of a heat source that is too hot.maybe look at asking a pet shop to board him so he can be kept in a suitable environment till you can afford the proper equipment?
No one is trying to critisise you just concerned for the health and safety of your snake:) |
| serena_08 |
Posted - 17/07/2012 : 12:15:01
I'm afraid to say there aren't really any temporary ideas for heating, as the snake needs a constant 27-29 degree warm side, any hotter and damage can be done. He needs this constant heat to digest food, so don't feed him. He will be fine for a few weeks without food! |
| Chloelouisexo |
Posted - 17/07/2012 : 12:03:33
Well thank you to everyone who contributed but it was of no help. I was looking for a temporary measure for him just whilst he's in my care. I was not looking for critisisim for doing a favour. I guess I'll have to go to a more professional help. And FYI he likes his hot water bottle! :) |
| kdlang |
Posted - 17/07/2012 : 11:36:54
In the mean time I would suggest putting some cardboard underneath the tank for some insulation and please do not feed him until you can have a consistent heat. Feeling the hot water bottle to see if its the right temperature is not a very accurate way as it will feel hotter or colder depending on the temperature of your hands. nusnakemum's idea of looking for local rep groups on facebook is a very good one. You need to get a heatmat, thermostat and digital thermometer. On ebay you could probably get them all for around £30, maybe less. On facebook you may find someone willing to do you a deal.
You really need to get this sorted quickly. If you really cannot afford to get this basic equipment then I am sorry to say that I think you need to consider the welfare of the snake and think about rehoming him. |
| nusnakemum |
Posted - 17/07/2012 : 08:03:02
look on ebay or check your facebook for a pets or reptile group near you, someone might have one for sale cheap or do a loan of, you will have to spend some money on your pet. |
| coxymk2 |
Posted - 17/07/2012 : 07:53:07
If you have no controlled heat do NOT feed him he will not be able to digest properly. Surely in the 3 wks you have had him your b/f and yourself should have been able to afford a heatmat and thermostat. These are vital for the good health of the snake. Sorry if this sounds abrupt but the health and wellbeing of any pet should be the first priority. |
| Chloelouisexo |
Posted - 17/07/2012 : 01:29:44
I keep checking it with a thermoniter but the bottles going cold really quick tbh and I don't wanna put it to hot as he loves to curl round it. I've never had a snake!
And I'm actually petrified of him! And in my boyfriends house he's was on a stand with a heat mat but as I explained that got snapped In the move and in my house he's on the wooden floor which has concrete underneth. Id hate to think he's suffering or sick in my care. That's why I would love as many tips but in a cheep way. And I cant sit with him out because my dog gets jelious. :/ and I can't move him anywhere because there's no where for his tank as its rather big we were only ment to have him a week but I've had him about 3 now. I'm more bothered about the fact he's not eating?! Is this because he's cold? I've wasted two mice in the past week. If anyone had any tips on how to feed him that? With out splitting the brain:/ I'm so much of an animal lover to do that :/ |
