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taz666
Egg
United Kingdom
94 Posts |
 Posted - 29/08/2010 : 15:58:10
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Hey guys, this could be a long one!  haha
Got a bit of a predicament with a boa my brother in law is keeping at the moment. He only got it a week ago, but I don't think his previous owner was looking after him right..
The snake's only 6 months old, so he's relatively small. I handled him and he's the most placid snake I've ever seen! Lovely little thing he is :D but my brother in law don't know anything about keeping snakes, as he bought the snake on impulse then rang me! I don't know much about boa care though to be honest, so I'm only going on what I know about corns...
But there's been a few issues with his health. I tried to feed him yesterday as brother in law wouldn't do it! He didn't eat. So I checked over the viv etc and realised the flaming heatmat wasn't even on!! Brother in law said he thought it was, but there was no fuse in the plug! That means the snake has gone a week with no heatsource, now that's worrying... And the previous owner said she didn't use the mat all the time, just occasionally when it was cold! And she hadn't realised that there was no fuse, so god knows how long he's gone without heat.. Also, he's started shedding, but it's only come out in little bits, bits of the old skin are still attatched, it's hard to explain, I'll try and get pics if you need them :) I wonder if this is because of the no heat thing?? And could this be because of lack of humidity? And also his skin looks like it's all wrinkly. I read somewhere that they should have this, I don't know whether that's minor or major :s but like I said, I don't know enough about them, I've been doing some research, but wondered if you guys could help. He's got heat now, and there's higher humidity for him. But he don't have a stat on at the moment, and I've no money to buy my brother in law one, and he don't know what he's looking for... there's also no thermometer! And I know that too hot can be just as bad as too cold! What temps to boas keep at? Plus, the heat mat doesn't cover alot of the viv, it's tiny, so he'll need a bigger one...
I'm just really worried cos I don't want his health to suffer, and I don't know if what I'm doing is right. HELP! Please  Thanks for reading all that haha x
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gmac
The Scottish Admin
United Kingdom
5319 Posts |
Posted - 29/08/2010 : 16:26:46
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few questions first,
what size is the boa, and what size of housing is it in, what else is in the viv with the boa water dish wise.
Heating, boas require a hot end temp of about 30-33 degrees, with the mat covering at least a third of the housing.
Humidity, 55% ish humidity is fine they don't really need any more than that, when boa is going to shed the humidity should be raised, also need a water dish/bowl that the snake can soak itself in.
to clear the shed i suggest a bath for the boa, use water the same temp as the hot end, or in this case what the hot end temp should be.
But the info above is kinda useless if there is no stat, no thermometer. How can you tell what the temps are and if nothing is regulating the mat there is more damage that can be done here.
I understand your brother in laws heart is in the right place, but impulse buying an animal that requires the care of a Boa and not having everything for it is possibly not the brightest idea.
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Scarlett
Hatchling
United Kingdom
363 Posts |
Posted - 29/08/2010 : 16:27:25
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First off, well done for helping your brother in law so much! If it was me I'd be giving him a good talking to and probably just offer to take the animal off his hands! Or kick him in the shins, THEN take the animal away lol.
It's completely ignorant that the previous owner didn't know that there wasn't a fuse in the poxy plug of the mat. How silly is that?
Have you looked for a care sheet for an idea of temperatures and humidity, just so you've got the basics?
I don't know much about Boa's but I'd assume that if he's shedding multiple layers of skin off then he'll need the dampness to help, I'm not sure what level of humidity they enjoy though.
Usually wrinkly skin is just excess skin, my Royal had it because I was trying to build his weight up and so had the skin to accommodate the weight he should have had on him.
I'm sure the more experienced Boa owners will be along soon =]
And again, well done Taz! |
 
0.0.1 Amel Corn -Ember.
1.0.0 Bloodred Corn - Loki.
0.0.1 MBK - Apollo.
1.1.0 Cats - Moggy and Pretty Girl.
0.0.1 Royal Python - Odin R.I.P 20/6/10.
Wishlist = Pied Sided Bloodred, Anery Stripe, Coral Stripe, Bloodred, Green Blotched Snow,
Strawberry Snow Stripe.
Location = Chatham, Kent. |
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taz666
Egg
United Kingdom
94 Posts |
Posted - 29/08/2010 : 17:48:13
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| Just found out that the boa's died :O really sad, and I hope it wasn't something I have done :( really wish I could have helped him more, I did all I could in the week but I guess it was just one of those things... bad timing... thanks anyway guys x |
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Scarlett
Hatchling
United Kingdom
363 Posts |
Posted - 29/08/2010 : 18:02:52
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| You tried though, that's what matters Taz. Tell your brother in law to be a bit more prepared next time he goes for something like a snake, they aren't really good for impulse buys if you've never had one before lol. |
0.0.1 Amel Corn -Ember.
1.0.0 Bloodred Corn - Loki.
0.0.1 MBK - Apollo.
1.1.0 Cats - Moggy and Pretty Girl.
0.0.1 Royal Python - Odin R.I.P 20/6/10.
Wishlist = Pied Sided Bloodred, Anery Stripe, Coral Stripe, Bloodred, Green Blotched Snow,
Strawberry Snow Stripe.
Location = Chatham, Kent. |
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taz666
Egg
United Kingdom
94 Posts |
Posted - 30/08/2010 : 01:00:53
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| FOR GODS SAKE!!!! Apparently the bloody boa ain't dead :D my brother in law put it in a bag and in the bin! It must have been playing dead cos it ain't in the bin now! He's got the snake, and as far as I know, it's fine. Grrrr! But, if the snake survives living with him for a little while longer I can take it off his hands, get him kitted out properly and hopefully he'll be okay.. Hopefully.. Gonna go over tomorrow and I'll get him to buy a thermostat and thermometer, should make things a little safer :s this is really getting on my nerves! Thanks again guys! |
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mikerichards
don't say the 'M' word!
United Kingdom
2901 Posts |
Posted - 30/08/2010 : 10:31:39
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Can i make a suggestion, i suggest you go a beat the cr*p out of him for being so bloody stupid. Care for boas is easy, nothing a bit of reading wont cure.
A heatmat is not enough, get a bulb in there soon, very soon. A dimmer stat is then needed to maintain about 32 33 degrees, you will need a 60 watt bulb. Dont forget a bulb guard.
The reason it was probably 'playing dead' is most likely because it was very close to being so, boas require much higher average temperatures than most snakes, they are tropical, not temperate like corns. Temps as low as 25 26 will kill a boa quite quickly.
Also, be prepared for vets visits, a lot of tropical snakes that have been kept cold get serious RI's when they are brought back up to temp, and they also can kill quickly if not treated.
Incidentally, if it does die, and i wouldnt be surprised if it does, then freeze it, then bin it, snakes decompose very very quickly and not only will stink in only a few hours, but will also attract foxes etc, and a fox running around with a boa will attract the RSPCA.
Wrinkly skin doesnt always mean its gonna shed, its also the main pointer to the fact the snake is dehydrated.
The not feeding issue is gonna be down to the temps, you NEED to get those temps up. Failing that, you need to take the snake off your brother as he clearly has no idea what hes doing, and he will cause the death of that snake if he doesnt get a grip quickly. |
Location : Worthing, West Sussex
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Blackecho
The Corn Snake Admin
United Kingdom
4379 Posts |
Posted - 30/08/2010 : 10:38:49
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As above, its all about the temp.
If its a viv, you ideally need a bulb, guard and dimming stat, in a RUB/Faun, a heatmat and stat.
I would recommend not going straight to 30+C though if its been without heat for a long time, start at maybe 26C and go up a degree every day or 2. |
www.theroyalpython.co.uk/forum
Location: Rotherham
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taz666
Egg
United Kingdom
94 Posts |
Posted - 30/08/2010 : 11:39:05
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| prob is, I can't control the temps without a stat and thermometer! So ****ed off, if I had the money, I would make him drive me to a petshop and buy it all for him... but he's an idiot, and can't drive today, and I have no money :( I'm really gonna have to take this boa off his hands, it's bugging me now, I can't leave it with him, especially while it's in that condition! But he won't give it to me without me paying him 100 quid, and it will take a while for me to save it! :O I feel like there's nothing I can do for the better, and that it's my fault for not telling him not to buy it! But then again, it probably had lower chances while it was with the old owner, as god knows what went on in her head... :s thanks again guys, I will take on board what you say, but I don't know how I'm going to afford all these things... and there's no good rep shops for miles, and there definitely ain't no reptile vet for miles! Things aren't looking good :( |
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mikerichards
don't say the 'M' word!
United Kingdom
2901 Posts |
Posted - 30/08/2010 : 12:06:47
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Where are you?
Tell your brother that if he isnt gonna sort out the proper care for it right away then you will contact the RSPCA, i can give you the number for the reptile guy. The snake will be removed from his care and looked after properly. |
Location : Worthing, West Sussex
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taz666
Egg
United Kingdom
94 Posts |
Posted - 30/08/2010 : 12:25:20
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Where am I? West Yorkshire
I'm gonna see him today, although I won't get any sense out of him... as in less that usual! And I'm gonna tell him what's happening.. I'm gonna try and get him to give me the snake when I go back home today, so I can't take it to a vet and so I've got people to turn to if I'm stuck, which he hasn't. Hopefully he'll see that that's the best idea... but I highly doubt that he'll want to go along with that, as he wants to "play with it for a couple of weeks until I can get the money". Joy. |
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BurnedAtTheStake
Yearling
United Kingdom
915 Posts |
Posted - 30/08/2010 : 14:39:44
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Hi, Taz, which part of West Yorks are you in, if that's not too personal a question?
I'm in Wakefield. I don't drive either and the easiest vet to get to by bus is Donaldson's in Mirfield - they have a rep vet called Sid, (!) I think - or they did a couple of months back. There are also places in Leeds and Bradford - I can soon find out. Haven't used any of these (hope I never have to) - was just researching.
Good luck with the boa. I really hope you're able to sort something out soon.. |
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Scarlett
Hatchling
United Kingdom
363 Posts |
Posted - 30/08/2010 : 19:50:09
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If I was closer I'd so help you out Taz.
No offence but your brother is an idiot. |
0.0.1 Amel Corn -Ember.
1.0.0 Bloodred Corn - Loki.
0.0.1 MBK - Apollo.
1.1.0 Cats - Moggy and Pretty Girl.
0.0.1 Royal Python - Odin R.I.P 20/6/10.
Wishlist = Pied Sided Bloodred, Anery Stripe, Coral Stripe, Bloodred, Green Blotched Snow,
Strawberry Snow Stripe.
Location = Chatham, Kent. |
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taz666
Egg
United Kingdom
94 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2010 : 15:13:25
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thanks guys... I'm now back in north yorkshire, so I'm even further away :s but I went to the rep shop today and was told that putting a boa that age on a mat could kill it?? I don't know, as I've been given a wide range of answers from everyone I've asked... but apparently I gotta get a bulb, a stat, and take it off the heatmat immediately... and my brother in law's decided he don't wanna pay for all this, so he's giving me the snake! Yay, so I get to fork out for the little git XD but I'm desperate to save this little guy, I don't want him to die, so I'm gonna do everything I can to save him... Any suggestions on how I can kit him out properly cheaply? I know the snake shouldn't have to suffer cos of lack of money but running to a budget here :s
Thanks again guys :) x |
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FiestaSTLou
Yearling
United Kingdom
556 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2010 : 15:40:31
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| Im glad to see ur silly brother in laws seen sence and given u the snake, you have done every thing u can so far to help it, i really hope everything goes well for it and it can be saved, if i had anything spare i would give it to u but i only have things that a corn would fit in (hardly usefull) it might be worth putting a thread up in the wanted section to see if anyone has any old equiptment lieing around they could sell u cheap mate. |
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BurnedAtTheStake
Yearling
United Kingdom
915 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2010 : 15:40:34
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Hi, Taz, glad you've got custody of the snake.
I know very little about redtails myself, but there are plenty of people on here with boas, and also the dark side ...
About the equipment - could be a good idea to look on classified for secondhand, links where people have posted up good sources for cheap equipment?
All the best! |
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mikerichards
don't say the 'M' word!
United Kingdom
2901 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2010 : 20:42:12
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Yay! Nice one. The reason about the mat is called thermal blocking, basically where the mat cannot regulate its own temp, despite the stat.
Unless the snake is very big it shouldn't be a problem yet.
Depends how big the mat is too.
Setup wise, a 60w bulb on a dimmer stat with a guard, that's pretty much all you need., |
Location : Worthing, West Sussex
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Blackecho
The Corn Snake Admin
United Kingdom
4379 Posts |
Posted - 02/09/2010 : 07:14:19
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| As above, thermal blocking only occurs when snakes get bigger. I have no scientific reason for this number, but I wouldn't have a snake on one that was say 1000g, all my Royals have a bulb by then. |
www.theroyalpython.co.uk/forum
Location: Rotherham
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BurnedAtTheStake
Yearling
United Kingdom
915 Posts |
Posted - 02/09/2010 : 13:35:14
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Hi, Taz, just another thought. There is a guy on RFUK who is really into redtails - Ian Kerr. I shouldn't think he would mind if you sent him a message asking for help; he might know of someone in your area who would advise you. Alternatively you could subscribe, if you haven't already done this, and post your own thread asking for help from anyone close by - I'm sure they'd be happy to help.
All the best! |
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n/a
deleted
13 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2010 : 01:24:12
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| First of all calm down youve done well so far taking the snake for yourself.Its mid summer so not exactly freezing cold if you cant afford all the gear see if you can buy a 60 or 100 watt ceramic heater you wont need a stat for that size in a big viv,see if you can buy a small sheet of cage wire cost about £4 to make a heater guard and it will need a heavy dog water bowl.That will see you ok until you save the money to kit it out properly,and a low watt bulb is always useful to have as a stand by,Just keep an eye out in case it gets a cold but I had a Milk snake out in a garden down the road all last winter snakes are hardier than you think and good luck to you I hope it goes well also a green card hanging basket liner makes a good hide |
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mikerichards
don't say the 'M' word!
United Kingdom
2901 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2010 : 06:18:09
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Running a ceramic without a stat is not the best idea, not only that but ceramics need a specific holder, a normal bulb holder is not gonna withstand the heat for long.
If your gonna go down that road, use a normal bulb on a dimmer switch, a bulb will blow at a much lower temp than a ceramic.
Comparing a boa to a milksnake is pointless, boss are tropical and milksnakes are sub tropical, a boa would survive maybe a day or two here, its way too cold even on a good day! |
Location : Worthing, West Sussex
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Red Tail Boa issue...
