| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Jarvo |
Posted - 25/03/2011 : 17:06:10
Hi,
I have been looking around exotic pet shops for a Boa and the last pet shop that I went to I was asked how many times I handled Zack to which I replied once daily for 15-20 mins(unless in shed or after a feed).I was then told off from "the man in the pet shop" for over handling. Zack is now 9 months old around 27" and took his first small mouse last Sunday.He has never refused food and sheds like clock work. When he is out is seems inquisitive and does not dart around and sometimes seems reluctant to go back into his viv. He used to explore his rub however I moved him in to a 24" viv last month I gave him the weeks settling in period but he is now rarely seen am I handling to much?
Please help. |
| 19 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Jarvo |
Posted - 27/03/2011 : 10:07:53
LOL I live in Gateshead near Newcastle not that far from Leeds. |
| gingerpony |
Posted - 27/03/2011 : 08:34:06
i do indeed 
are you local to me at all? |
| Jarvo |
Posted - 26/03/2011 : 23:44:32
Zack was a birthday present last year and it looks like I will be getting another snake every birthday the bug has me good and proper :)
Do you know of any Sinder hypo breeders in the uk? |
| gingerpony |
Posted - 26/03/2011 : 23:20:22
yeah they're a bit like corns in a way.......you end up wanting one of every type/morph........then you want another one of the opposite sex of each pair up with every type/morph..............before you know it you're sleeping on a mattress on top of several viv stacks!!
(no, no we're not ~that~ bad, honest!! lol) |
| Jarvo |
Posted - 26/03/2011 : 23:11:11
Thanks for the info Gingerpony I will spend some on the link you have given I never knew that thier was so many different Boas. |
| gingerpony |
Posted - 26/03/2011 : 21:33:40
BCIs are great 'beginners' snakes or 'first bigger snakes'
have a look at this localities chart for sizes and availability in the UK
http://www.jnb-boas.co.uk/page6.htm
the Crawl Cay, El Salvs,Nics, Amarali are probably the most readily available of the smaller localities. dwarfs are available (but don't just take the vendor's word, ask to see the parents!) and hypos tend to be smaller too, out sinder hypos are only expected to make about 5 feet and are really easy to keep and great to handle! |
| Strawb |
Posted - 26/03/2011 : 19:51:57
The feeding issue is the one draw back with royals. I tried to change mine onto rats yesterday, but she wasn't having any of it.  She only weighs about 570g, but she can't stay on mice all her life. |
| Jarvo |
Posted - 26/03/2011 : 16:35:33
I have held a few Pythons but it,s the feeding issues that,s putting me off as I am still a novice when it comes to snakes although I do learn something new every month.
Now that Zack is a bit bigger and appears to be relaxed when out, my 10 year old daughter is now handling him under supervision and she is aware of the do,s and don,ts so I am feeling left out.
I have been looking at mid sized Boas for thier markings and they seem to be quite calm natured but I,m starting to understand that they aren,t keen on daily handling although thier are probably acceptions I think it,s a case of roll the dice and take your chance. Although I may be wrong as I am still doing alot of research.
I do love corns so I don,t even know what I will get next.
decisions decisions. |
| Strawb |
Posted - 26/03/2011 : 13:20:35
I take all my snakes out, except Karla my cali, for about 15 minutes or so exercise a day. They have certainly improved in temperament as a result. Karla has pretty much the run of the office.
As for choosing your next snake. Try holding a royal if you want something different from a corn but not as big as a boa. As well as size, they are also slower moving and so much more relaxing to handle. Mind you compared to a corn they're virtually stationary. |
| Lucy1012 |
Posted - 26/03/2011 : 13:12:50
lol I like the logic, Luna is 8 months old, and she is fed on a Sunday morning, missed dearly until Tuesday. She is held most evenings by me and maybe a couple of afternoons when the kids get home from school (so some days twice) She isn't keen on being disturbed and lifted out the viv, but once she is out she is active and curious of her surroundings, and has not shown any snappiness once she is actually out. I plan on getting a hatchling this year so the time will be divided up lol
|
| Jarvo |
Posted - 26/03/2011 : 12:43:02
I agree what I did not tell them is that I intend on buying from a breeder and was just thier for information and maybe get a feel for the size and strength of a Boa.
I bought Zack from a shop but I did not learn about the right way to keep him happy until I joined this forum which I am eternally gratefull for.
The bug has a hold of me now and I will be getting another snake maybe I will just stick with corns Cymru-corns has an extensive breeding programme this year the problem is I like so many morph,s. I,m pleased I have an understanding wife ;) |
| gingerpony |
Posted - 26/03/2011 : 06:21:45
i agree with Kehhlyr, i think they were just working up to trying to sell you another....
i've heard of forum members sitting with their snake round their neck, in the pocket, in their hoody, while they're on here for an hour or so  |
| Mort13 |
Posted - 25/03/2011 : 23:42:37
quote:
Originally posted by herriotfan
quote:
Originally posted by Kehhlyr
If you only have 1 snake, and can only handle for 5 mins every other day, then it would make sense for you to buy a 2nd snake so you'd have one to handle everyday..........
^^^^that's my take on your LRS view on handling.
OMG, so how many snakes should we all have if you take into account how many lots of 5 minutes in the day that we could be handling snakes!!!! 
God knows,but it sounds like a good excuse to me!! You need more than one anyway for the times when they are digesting or going through a shed.
I really don't see a problem with your handling times. Your snake would have let you know if it was stressing him. |
| herriotfan |
Posted - 25/03/2011 : 21:43:25
quote:
Originally posted by Kehhlyr
If you only have 1 snake, and can only handle for 5 mins every other day, then it would make sense for you to buy a 2nd snake so you'd have one to handle everyday..........
^^^^that's my take on your LRS view on handling.
OMG, so how many snakes should we all have if you take into account how many lots of 5 minutes in the day that we could be handling snakes!!!! |
| Kehhlyr |
Posted - 25/03/2011 : 21:38:44
If you only have 1 snake, and can only handle for 5 mins every other day, then it would make sense for you to buy a 2nd snake so you'd have one to handle everyday..........
^^^^that's my take on your LRS view on handling. |
| Jarvo |
Posted - 25/03/2011 : 19:28:16
Thanks for the reasurrance I was like a school boy getting detention in the pet shop.
It,s good to talk to snake owners instead of snake sellers. |
| herriotfan |
Posted - 25/03/2011 : 19:12:57
Sounds ok to me! |
| gingerpony |
Posted - 25/03/2011 : 18:47:41
some species tolerate more handling than others and some individuals tolerate more than others too..............a corn that's feeding well obviously isn't that worried about being handled daily i don't think you're doing anything wrong at all |
| Kehhlyr |
Posted - 25/03/2011 : 18:24:37
Doesn't sound like to much to me.
To be honest I'd say it's the average time that most snakes are handled.
Some of mine get more, some get less. |
