| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Jarvo |
Posted - 20/03/2013 : 08:59:05
I have had Zack for 2 1/2 years and up until last month he had a heat mat in a 3' x 2' viv and his temp on the mat was between 28c - 29c but I never measured the temp on the cold side as I went on the rule that if he was eating,deficating and shedding with out any issues he was ok.I had no issues with eating,shedding but he would sometimes not poo for 3-4 weeks however he was very seldom seen and I had to play catch the snake to get him out for some handling (no handling issues).
If I have any spare time I will read papers and books about snakes anyway I came across something from a well respected breeder and keeper of the snake community and his view was that no corn snake should be inactive and if it is their is something wrong. I looked in to this further and it could be a possibility that my temp,s could be wrong, I bought another digital thermometer to moniter the cold end temps. I keep both my snakes downstairs so the ambient temp was my room temp and the temp on the cold side did fall as low as 13c during the night.
I reacted straight away and bought all of the gear for a ceramic heat bulb.
After fitting the ceramic(guarded) Zack is out and about up at the glass not only at night but before I go to work and when I come home from work he is stilll active, I now just open the door and he will come out onto my arm by himself. I took a mouse last Sunday and he was active a day later which I thought was a bit strange with a full stomach.
His temps are now holding at 28.5c hot end and 23.8 cold end, his viv is heavily decorated with 3 hides and plenty of plants/branches.
I will be totally honest and was dissapointed with myself for maybe having the temps wrong for a couple of years but did not think of it as I had no issues with him apart from him not deficating after every mouse which I have read can happen.
His humidity is around 45% and he is currently taking a jumbo mouse (from Pets at home they are small for Jumbo,s) every 3 weeks and is around 4.5 foot long.
So do you think that it is a good thing that he is so active?
I do have one theory that because his temps were low I could heve been brumating him without knowing it and now his temps are up he is looking for a mate.
Your thoughts would be appreciated. |
| 20 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Kellog |
Posted - 11/04/2013 : 13:10:58
I'm really pleased to hear that you may have an explanation for Zack's behaviour....and even more pleased that he ate  !! Trust him to do what you don't expect and eat when he's blue  ! Now if he'd only have a word with my 2   .......
Xxx
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| Jarvo |
Posted - 10/04/2013 : 15:26:16
quote:
Originally posted by Kellog
quote:
Originally posted by Jarvo
........Just an update on Zack he has been back to normal for the last 4 days and I know that he is out and about at night as his aspen is getting moved around, maybe he has come to the conclusion that he is not going to be seeing a female.
I'm really pleased to hear that Zack is returning to 'normal', whatever normal is for a corn . Wish he'd have a word with both Kellog and Silvi and convince them that enough is enough and they need to start thinking about eating instead of the opposite sex !!
Xxx
It could be a false alarm Kellog, I got him out to feed him last saturday and he was blue so this could explain why he has returned back to hiding away. As he was out rather than waste a mouse I offered it to him to see if he would take it and he did which is a first for me as he usually goes into shed after a feed. |
| Kellog |
Posted - 05/04/2013 : 09:33:02
quote:
Originally posted by Jarvo
........Just an update on Zack he has been back to normal for the last 4 days and I know that he is out and about at night as his aspen is getting moved around, maybe he has come to the conclusion that he is not going to be seeing a female.
I'm really pleased to hear that Zack is returning to 'normal', whatever normal is for a corn . Wish he'd have a word with both Kellog and Silvi and convince them that enough is enough and they need to start thinking about eating instead of the opposite sex !!
Xxx
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| Jarvo |
Posted - 04/04/2013 : 21:38:47
quote:
Originally posted by Kellog
quote:
Originally posted by Jarvo
It was when I was at the good rep shop and they had just got an albino Boa hatchling and they showed it to me and that was it I knew that was to be my next snake........
I asked them if they ever let out the big burm that they have and before I knew it I was passing my phone to my daughter to take some pic,s and I had a hold(at floor level)of a 14 foot albino burm, which is something that I will never forget.
........the day came when she looked on youtube at some very large Boa,s and I could feel my next snake slipping away then it happened "no dear them big ones are females, males don,t get bigger than 6 foot and the albino gene can make them smaller still" ........ I did not feel to good about the little fib but on the plus side I was back on track for a Boa I then bought Bailey........
I do like to wind up my mother in-law(we do get along great and she treats me as one of her own) and always get a sly wink of approval from my father in-law and a dissaproving glare from the wife.
I can understand you falling for the boa....and I love the way you did so much research before getting Bailey. It must have been awesome getting your hands on that 14' burm  ! I'm not surprised you're never going to forget that experience.
I'm glad that you felt a bit bad about your little white lie....but not bad enough to come clean ! You're just lucky that your wife didn't find any pics of big male albino boas!! Or maybe she did and she's just letting you think you've got one over on her !
Sounds like you've got a great relationship with your in-laws, which is always a bonus  . And it's always good to keep the father-in-law on side, even if it means winding the mother-in-law up  !
Xxx
You could be right Kellog, my wife is just waiting till he hit,s 6 foot and then makes me pay for a while
I am very lucky to have an understanding partner and the in-laws are great(plus the baby sitting side).
Just an update on Zack he has been back to normal for the last 4 days and I know that he is out and about at night as his aspen is getting moved around, maybe he has come to the conclusion that he is not going to be seeing a female. |
| Kellog |
Posted - 28/03/2013 : 03:22:57
quote:
Originally posted by Jarvo
It was when I was at the good rep shop and they had just got an albino Boa hatchling and they showed it to me and that was it I knew that was to be my next snake........
I asked them if they ever let out the big burm that they have and before I knew it I was passing my phone to my daughter to take some pic,s and I had a hold(at floor level)of a 14 foot albino burm, which is something that I will never forget.
........the day came when she looked on youtube at some very large Boa,s and I could feel my next snake slipping away then it happened "no dear them big ones are females, males don,t get bigger than 6 foot and the albino gene can make them smaller still"........ I did not feel to good about the little fib but on the plus side I was back on track for a Boa I then bought Bailey........
I do like to wind up my mother in-law(we do get along great and she treats me as one of her own) and always get a sly wink of approval from my father in-law and a dissaproving glare from the wife.
I can understand you falling for the boa....and I love the way you did so much research before getting Bailey. It must have been awesome getting your hands on that 14' burm ! I'm not surprised you're never going to forget that experience.
I'm glad that you felt a bit bad about your little white lie....but not bad enough to come clean ! You're just lucky that your wife didn't find any pics of big male albino boas!! Or maybe she did and she's just letting you think you've got one over on her !
Sounds like you've got a great relationship with your in-laws, which is always a bonus . And it's always good to keep the father-in-law on side, even if it means winding the mother-in-law up !
Xxx
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| Jarvo |
Posted - 26/03/2013 : 13:34:43
It was when I was at the good rep shop and they had just got an albino Boa hatchling and they showed it to me and that was it I knew that was to be my next snake. I asked if they had an adult that I could hold to get a feel for the size, they had a 4 foot sub adult BCI and it was so strong for it,s size.
I asked them if they ever let out the big burm that they have and before I knew it I was passing my phone to my daughter to take some pic,s and I had a hold(at floor level)of a 14 foot albino burm, which is something that I will never forget.
That was me researching and reading for the next 3 months and trying to convince my wife that we should get another snake. Until the day came when she looked on youtube at some very large Boa,s and I could feel my next snake slipping away then it happened "no dear them big ones are females, males don,t get bigger than 6 foot and the albino gene can make them smaller still" she did a search on you tube for albino Boa,s and I couldn,t beleive my luck they were all small. I did not feel to good about the little fib but on the plus side I was back on track for a Boa I then bought Bailey from a breeder who lived 350 miles away who had previously taken a deposit on him and then the buyer had pulled out, I was just in the right place at the right time.
I must point out that I wear the trousers in this house and I have my wifes permision to say so
I do like to wind up my mother in-law(we do get along great and she treats me as one of her own) and always get a sly wink of approval from my father in-law and a dissaproving glare from the wife. |
| Kellog |
Posted - 26/03/2013 : 11:45:02
quote:
Originally posted by Jarvo
The rep shop that I got zack from is no longer trading........The rep shop that I use now are very good........ I have heard them ask questions to potential buyers regarding a snake that they are looking to buy which is nice to see.
I,m pleased that you like Bailey however like most snakes he does look better in the flesh. Before I bought him my wife was a bit concerned about having a large snake in the house so I assured her that he would not get any bigger than 6 foot as she isn,t that keen on big bodied snakes. I kind of knew that he may get bigger than 6 foot(although his dad is only 5 1/2 foot)but as he has grown my wife just accepts his size and handles him fine. When the mother in law comes around she always asks would the snake eat the dog, which is a 32 kilo black labrador lol, I sometimes respond "I hope not because it might be the kids next" which goes down like a lead balloon.
I'm so glad that the old reptile shop has gone out of business. I wish more shops like it would do the same, but unfortunately that would mean the vast majority shutting down  . Your new reptile shop sounds really good. It's great that they question people who are thinking about buying snakes....and hopefully won't sell them one unless they are happy with the answers  .
I totally understand about Bailey's pics not doing him justice. Whenever I look at pics of snakes I am always aware that you can never truly capture a snake's beauty in a pic....especially when they're my snakes and I'm taking the pics !
I am shocked that you would knowingly lie to your wife to get what you want Paul !!! I am glad that she has got used to Bailey and therefore won't be too bothered when he gets bigger than the length you told her he'd never reach .
I do love the way you wind up your mother-in-law ....although I'm sure your wife doesn't !
Xxx
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| Jarvo |
Posted - 25/03/2013 : 17:43:58
quote:
Originally posted by Kellog
I'm not at all surprised by your experience at the reptile shop when you bought Zack, I'm just so glad that you had done the research before hand and didn't just take what the guy said as gospel . What's worrying is the fact that this wasn't just any old pet shop, it was a reptile shop that should have known better . And it's worrying the amount of snakes that will have been sold to people who haven't done their research and don't know any better .
So glad you joined The Rainbow Boa. Did have a look, Bailey is stunning . Hard to believe he's grown so much in just 20 months !
Xxx
The rep shop that I got zack from is no longer trading which is no surprise, all the guy was interested in was the sale. The rep shop that I use now are very good with a lot of knowledge and the snakes on display are in heavily decorated vivs and are always clean. I have heard them ask questions to potential buyers regarding a snake that they are looking to buy which is nice to see.
I,m pleased that you like Bailey however like most snakes he does look better in the flesh. Before I bought him my wife was a bit concerned about having a large snake in the house so I assured her that he would not get any bigger than 6 foot as she isn,t that keen on big bodied snakes. I kind of knew that he may get bigger than 6 foot(although his dad is only 5 1/2 foot)but as he has grown my wife just accepts his size and handles him fine. When the mother in law comes around she always asks would the snake eat the dog, which is a 32 kilo black labrador lol, I sometimes respond "I hope not because it might be the kids next" which goes down like a lead balloon.
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| Kellog |
Posted - 25/03/2013 : 09:31:43
I'm not at all surprised by your experience at the reptile shop when you bought Zack, I'm just so glad that you had done the research before hand and didn't just take what the guy said as gospel . What's worrying is the fact that this wasn't just any old pet shop, it was a reptile shop that should have known better . And it's worrying the amount of snakes that will have been sold to people who haven't done their research and don't know any better .
So glad you joined The Rainbow Boa. Did have a look, Bailey is stunning . Hard to believe he's grown so much in just 20 months !
Xxx
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| Jarvo |
Posted - 24/03/2013 : 12:58:03
I bought Zack from a local rep shop and if I had not researched for about 6 months before the purchase I would have also been sold a starter Faun set up with out a stat(the guy at the shop told me that I did not need one, I politly disagreed with him).
For him to sell me the snake I asked if I could see Zack take a pinky at the shop when he was due a feed and also for me to take the set up a couple of days before taking Zack home to make sure his new home was up and running before putting him in.
I have posted a few pics on the other forum.
http://www.therainbowboa.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2019 |
| Kellog |
Posted - 24/03/2013 : 08:44:39
quote:
Originally posted by Jarvo
It is now a family joke about the vet trip, when Baileys adult colour started to come through the kids would ask "another trip to the vets dad" bless 'em.
.......It is all to easy nowadays to buy a snake, a work mate wanted a royal for his son so I invited around mine.......I advised him to research until his head burst before buying any snake. I did not want to put him off just give him an insight in to keeping snakes, his son now has a Gerbil.
Thanks for the link Kellog I will join the other forum and introduce myself and Bailey.
Kids will never let their parents forget anything like that, I talk from experience !!
So true what you say about it being so easy to buy a snake....and the majority of the time people aren't given the right advice when they do buy them. The amount of times snakes are sold with set-ups that don't include thermostats !! Makes me so cross!!
Well done with what you did with your work mate and his kid. It doesn't matter that you don't have much experience, you have enough to have shown them the basics of snake keeping....and how much is really involved. It sounds as though its right that they got a gerbil instead.
I'm glad you're going to join our sister site , I'm sure you and Bailey will be very welcome.
Xxx
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| Jarvo |
Posted - 23/03/2013 : 13:29:10
It is now a family joke about the vet trip, when Baileys adult colour started to come through the kids would ask "another trip to the vets dad" bless 'em.
It is a shame that some snakes do not get the care they deserve but I would like to think that these cases are far and few between. It is all to easy nowadays to buy a snake, a work mate wanted a royal for his son so I invited around mine to let him handle Zack and Bailey and talk around set-up,s and feeding(although I,m no expert) I advised him to research until his head burst before buying any snake. I did not want to put him off just give him an insight in to keeping snakes, his son now has a Gerbil.
Thanks for the link Kellog I will join the other forum and introduce myself and Bailey. |
| Kellog |
Posted - 23/03/2013 : 10:18:08
quote:
Originally posted by Jarvo
........I think that I will wait until June and se how he is and if he is still the same I will rethink about his set up.
Cheers for the nice comments, I just beleive that which ever animal is in our care we have a duty to provide them with the best enviroment that we possibly can.
I will try to stop worrying but I cannot make any promises, I did take my Boa to the vet,s last year because he had an unusual mark around his vent after a shed. I was so embarresed after traveling 25 miles to see a reptile vet for him to tell me that his skin pigment is changing colour with him being an albino, on the plus side he did give him a good check over and only charged me £10.
Cheers,
Paul.
I think it is a case of watch and wait Paul....and I know you'll be watching very carefully !!
I totally agree with you about it being our responsibility to provide our snakes with the best environments possible. We can't give them exactly what they would have in the wild, but we can get as close as we can. I just wish more owners felt like you do .
I'm sorry, I did laugh reading about your boa's trip to the vet !! But it is always better to be safe than sorry . I know you're going to worry....I still do, despite having had corns for years. It is a case of if you are worried about something then ASK!! The only silly question is the one you don't ask . Have you joined our boa group, The Rainbow Boa ?? I know it's down as Rainbow boas, but they let all sorts in ....and Bailey would definitely be welcome .
Xxx
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| Jarvo |
Posted - 22/03/2013 : 08:05:24
quote:
Originally posted by Kellog
It sounds as though your probes are in the right positions Paul, even when Zack moves them . I must admit that I don't monitor humidity, a lot of us don't. As you know, corns don't require any increased humidity and what is normal for this country is fine for them.
With regard to the difference in how your boa feels in comparison to Zack, could it be that it is a bigger bodied snake and retains heat better? I don't know , but just wonder.....
Kellog has 'misbehaved' until the end of May and sometimes into June. It differs with all snakes, as with most things to do with them, and from year to year.
I think your snakes are blessed to have an owner who is so perceptive and takes the care you do , so don't worry about being worried about them....and keep asking questions if you are worried!
Xxx
Thanks Kellog,
That is a good point about the Boa,s heat as he is a alot heavier than Zack.
I think that I will wait until June and se how he is and if he is still the same I will rethink about his set up.
Cheers for the nice comments, I just beleive that which ever animal is in our care we have a duty to provide them with the best enviroment that we possibly can.
I will try to stop worrying but I cannot make any promises, I did take my Boa to the vet,s last year because he had an unusual mark around his vent after a shed. I was so embarresed after traveling 25 miles to see a reptile vet for him to tell me that his skin pigment is changing colour with him being an albino, on the plus side he did give him a good check over and only charged me £10.
Cheers,
Paul. |
| Kellog |
Posted - 21/03/2013 : 20:08:18
It sounds as though your probes are in the right positions Paul, even when Zack moves them . I must admit that I don't monitor humidity, a lot of us don't. As you know, corns don't require any increased humidity and what is normal for this country is fine for them.
With regard to the difference in how your boa feels in comparison to Zack, could it be that it is a bigger bodied snake and retains heat better? I don't know , but just wonder.....
Kellog has 'misbehaved' until the end of May and sometimes into June. It differs with all snakes, as with most things to do with them, and from year to year.
I think your snakes are blessed to have an owner who is so perceptive and takes the care you do , so don't worry about being worried about them....and keep asking questions if you are worried!
Xxx
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| LukeW |
Posted - 21/03/2013 : 19:38:40
Hes got lovely markings :) all your snakes look pretty (even the hoggy in his own special way :p) |
| smart bunny |
Posted - 21/03/2013 : 19:33:25
Colombian rainbow boa :) |
| LukeW |
Posted - 21/03/2013 : 13:35:44
This has nothing to do with this topic but Smart bunny what snake is prism :o |
| smart bunny |
Posted - 21/03/2013 : 07:35:49
I don't worry about cold temps either - and for the first time ever this last week Corno has been seen out every evening, and even sometimes during the day and last night after being fed, she STILL went wandering about for 20 mins or so rather than straight to her warm hide as usual :O - I think my little girl is growing up lol! (19 months) |
| Jarvo |
Posted - 20/03/2013 : 21:56:28
Thanks Kellog,
What confused me abit with him being cold to the touch is that I have cold hands and when I handle my Boa he feels warm to the touch although his viv is 3 degrees warmer than Zacks.
The placement of his probes for the hot end I have a hide in the corner just under the ceramic and the probe is next to this almost directly under the ceramic, the probe for the cold is around the middle and about 6" from the left side of the viv, I do have a wooden hut in the corner and the probe is next to this. Zack has rearanged his viv sevaral times and pushed the probe in to the cold end corner of his viv which has resulted in a drop by a degree
I did have to move his water dish to the middle of the viv as his humidity level had dropped.
I have not noticed a significant drop in his water level when I do a daily water change.
What time of year would you say that the breeding season is just about finished?
Please don,t appologise Kellog you have been more than helpful like everybody on this forum
I do tend to worry abit when I see a change in behaviour as I want to keep them happy and healthy
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