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Thread: Snake Question

  1. #1
    Glamazon
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    Default Snake Question

    Okay, so Boyfriend put a rat in the cage with his 2 red tail boas on Sunday. It's now Wednesday. I kept forgetting to tell him that neither one of the snakes had eaten it. Well, I just looked in there and one of the snakes has several (meaning 5 or more) holes in her where she appears to have been eaten. Each area is about the size of a quarter or slightly bigger and aren't just superficial skin scratches. I can see red snake meat and everything. I'm not a snake expert, nor am I fond of snakes, but these ones are special to me. I'm very concerned and scared for her. Boyfriend is at work and I am unable to reach him right now. I think (if this is possible) that the rat got hungry.

    Pamela? SnakeBabe? Someone tell me something. Is there anything I can do immediately to help her. Again, I am not a snake expert so handling her myself is unlikely as I am afraid to reach into the cage. Both she and her snake boyfriend are tame, but I'm still not that close with either one of them.

  2. #2
    Kaylinn
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    Default Re: Snake Question

    This is why a snake shoudl NEVER, ever be fed live food. I do not know how to treat this, but from workign with and being friends with SnakeBabe for so long, I have learned a lot, and on top of that list is never feed live. So I hope you at least take away this lesson for the future. I hope that Pamela or SnakeBabe answer soon with what to do for him. poor guy.

  3. #3
    Glamazon
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    Default Re: Snake Question

    The snakes have always been fed live food and won't eat anything else.

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Snake Question

    Have you at least removed the rat until you can find out what is wrong with the snakes? Do you not have a vet or someone along those lines to ring up in case they are ever 'sick' etc? Just like a cat/dog or any other animal companion, have a vet or someone who specialises in snakes on hand (their phone number) for you to call upon in situations like this...


    Regardless, http://forums.reptilesaustralia.com.au/ is an Aussie Forum however might be of immense help.


    enter: E3167322D9 for your 10% discount

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    Default Re: Snake Question

    Please take the rat out of the cage.
    I had to wean my little guy off of live food.
    This is odd, call your local vet.
    XS

  6. #6
    Kaylinn
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    Default Re: Snake Question

    Quote Originally Posted by Glamazon View Post
    The snakes have always been fed live food and won't eat anything else.

    I'm sorry to be a pain in the ass, but this is something important. They can learn to eat dethawed food instead of live. It may take time, but they will eat it. Snakes die every day due to being fed live food. They get bit, infected, deformed for life, many problems. Snakebabe has showed me snakes she has taken in that were injured as a reult of being fed live food. i is very sad. It's obvious that you care for your animal very much, so I'm sure you want what is best for him, and frozen, dethawed food is best for the snake.

  7. #7
    Veteran Member SnakeBabe's Avatar
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    Default Re: Snake Question

    These are serious but common problems so I think I can help you out.
    Let me suggest a few things.

    First, read this page on my website http://www.snakebabe.com/gencare.shtml
    It may take you ten minutes but you will learn many wonderful things to help care for your pets and then read
    http://www.snakebabe.com/boa.shtml

    Now...

    Quote Originally Posted by Glamazon View Post
    Okay, so Boyfriend put a rat in the cage with his 2 red tail boas on Sunday. ….
    Never cage two snakes together. It is better for their mental health to be kept in their own cages. Snake do not need companionship
    Especially if it’s feeding time.

    Quote Originally Posted by Glamazon View Post
    …. I kept forgetting to tell him that neither one of the snakes had eaten it. ….
    Rats with no food for days will look for food. The snakes, the substrate in the cage even a cardboard box is food for a hungry rat

    Quote Originally Posted by Glamazon View Post
    …. Well, I just looked in there and one of the snakes has several (meaning 5 or more) holes in her where she appears to have been eaten. ….
    I hate to sound preachy but NEVER EVER feed live food to your snakes.
    Please take it to the vet for treatment. There is a chance infection from the bites can kill the snake.

    Quote Originally Posted by Glamazon View Post
    … I am not a snake expert so handling her myself is unlikely as I am afraid to reach into the cage. Both she and her snake boyfriend are tame, but I'm still not that close with either one of them...
    Chances are there is pain so do not handle them alone if they are big but please get them to a vet.
    If you want to give me a call I can help you easier than typing here, PM me if you like and I will call you.

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    Maria
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  8. #8
    Veteran Member SnakeBabe's Avatar
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    Default Re: Snake Question

    Quote Originally Posted by Glamazon View Post
    The snakes have always been fed live food and won't eat anything else.
    I wish I had a dollar for every time I heard that.
    It is not true; whoever told you this is wrong. Since 1991 my hubby and I have had adopted hundreds of snakes from owners that said their snake wont eat pre-killed food yet we have got every singe one to do it. If I can do it with hundreds I believe I can help you do it with two.
    Call me, I want to help
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    Maria
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  9. #9
    Veteran Member SnakeBabe's Avatar
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    Default Re: Snake Question

    Thanks for the kind words Kaylinn
    Hugs and Hissessss,
    Maria
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  10. #10
    God/dess Sirona's Avatar
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    Default Re: Snake Question

    Quote Originally Posted by SnakeBabe View Post
    I wish I had a dollar for every time I heard that.
    It is not true; whoever told you this is wrong. Since 1991 my hubby and I have had adopted hundreds of snakes from owners that said their snake wont eat pre-killed food yet we have got every singe one to do it. If I can do it with hundreds I believe I can help you do it with two.
    Call me, I want to help
    Hugs and Hissessss,
    Maria
    It's true. Any snake can be taught to take prekilled food.
    I had a ball python who was a bit rough getting started (they're notoriously picky eaters) but once he got going it was all good.

    It's well worth the effort to avoid injuries to your animal.



  11. #11
    Chicagoeditor
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    Default Re: Snake Question

    Quote Originally Posted by Sirona View Post
    I had a ball python who was a bit rough getting started (they're notoriously picky eaters) but once he got going it was all good.
    When my younger kid goes off to school in a year, I'm seriously considering getting a ball python. Had one briefly until the little SOB escaped (I didn't know how to secure the cage correctly ).

  12. #12
    Pamela
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    Quote Originally Posted by Chicagoeditor View Post
    When my younger kid goes off to school in a year, I'm seriously considering getting a ball python. Had one briefly until the little SOB escaped (I didn't know how to secure the cage correctly ).
    Lol, heard that story.



    For the OP Bob Clark is who i get my snakes from and refer to for anything snake related. He's a Herpetologist and a damn good one too.

    He has a forum that is huge and answers any questions you need in the future. These people can get cocky, they are breeders, but many have been there.
    Alot of what i would have said, has been said. You can even call on him. He deals with the big constrictors, and yes Boas qualify.

    Good luck, hope all goes well. It happens. Many people will not no matter what ever take their snake off live prey, so i'm not going to argue that here.

  13. #13
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    Default Re: Snake Question

    I feel really bad for both sets of animals involved. The rat is probably terrified, and the snake is hungry.

    Please don't feed the snakes live food. I know it's been said, but...this made me want to cry. I have three rats as pets....

  14. #14
    Pamela
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    Default Re: Snake Question

    Quote Originally Posted by Glamazon View Post
    The snakes have always been fed live food and won't eat anything else.
    Depending how old they are it will be a "conditioning" transition for them, and they may refuse once or for months. An old trick that works is a very long pair of tongs and shake the food source near but not at the snakes face to get that feed response going.

    As for the snake that is bit. It needs Herp. Vet. asap...Rodents carry alot of bacteria in their mouths. The snake runs a risk of going septic. Blood infection. First course i love is injections of Cipro, next is common, Baytril. This will be repeated.
    Herp. Vets do things different so...to help a little bit of Yogurt (plain) in the drinking water will keep good flora while the antibiotics kill bad and good flora. I have done this before with a large Retic. who developed nose rubbing. All went well. Antibiotics can kill a snake as well as the bite.
    Also along with pain the snake will tense up at times and flex muscles, this will build up lactic acid which can also be deadly. To prevent this a dark warm box that is taped closed with a few breath holes. He needs not be rubbing on any garment or substrate at this time. Snakes like people will often rub what hurts. These wounds are signaling the animal that something is on him that don't belong. It's gets deep.... no need to get into all that.

    Just had to throw this in for you. Keep us up-dated.

    PS i feed f/t and live to bigger snakes in bigger cages. Chickens are nothing like a live rat bite.

  15. #15
    Veteran Member SnakeBabe's Avatar
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    Default Re: Snake Question

    Quote Originally Posted by Chicagoeditor View Post
    When my younger kid goes off to school in a year, I'm seriously considering getting a ball python. Had one briefly until the little SOB escaped (I didn't know how to secure the cage correctly ).
    For a safe cage go to
    http://www.boaphileplastics.com/big_cages.html
    And get the biggest one you can. They will install proper heaters and lights, just ask them.

    Also if you have the heart to please don’t buy from a breeder. Look into adopting a snake in need of a home. Millions of reptiles are dying slow painful deaths because people continue to breed. Just like puppy mills this breeding creates a surplus of unwanted snakes that are sold cheaply. A cheep pet is often neglected and dies or gets discarded when the fun wares off. When you’re ready you can be a savior to a needy snake. Think about it!

    Hugs and Hissessss,
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  16. #16
    Pamela
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    Default Re: Snake Question

    While i do agree with you very much Maria. Yes a rescue is nice.

    I have to say the breeders are the ones who know about covering all the health concerns. Meaning of course breeding top notch reptiles for genetics.

    We all want a healthy animal. A rescued snake is risky sure, you don't know what if any disease may be going on. And if you have a large collection as i do i can't risk rescues. I have taken them and given them away to others who will properly care for them.

    Any new snake needs to go onto iso. Especially a rescue! Poor reptiles i do feel for them.

    We can get "normal" Ball pythons all day long for 10 bucks or free.

    I do take them and keep them away from my collection.

    I have not wanted to in the past, but bought a $3,000 Reticulated Python to breed with Sunfire i have. It's for health. I can pretty much insure 99% disease free snakes with my clutch for life.. anything due to environment of course would be determined by a Herp. Vet. and me not at fault.

    I do agree many should adopt.
    Last edited by Pamela; 01-17-2008 at 11:19 AM. Reason: can't type....lol

  17. #17
    Glamazon
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    Default Re: Snake Question

    Thanks to everyone for your replies.

    Update: I called Boyfriend's cell and left a message. Since I couldn't get a hold of Boyfriend, I called his best friend who didn't know what to do, but sent a text to Boyfriend (my cell doesn't work at our house) in hopes of reaching him sooner. After about an hour and a half, I got a call. He and I both called his cousin who lives 5 minutes from us (who I would have called in the first place, had I known he had a new house phone) and he came over and took the rat out of the cage. Tonight Boyfriend and his cousin are going to take care of the wounds after they get off work.

    To all who said to not feed live: These are not my snakes, not my decision. Boyfriend is an experienced and long time snake owner and I trust his judgement. He has owned and cared for many snakes who have been fed both live and frozen/thawed.

  18. #18
    Pamela
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    Default Re: Snake Question

    Quote Originally Posted by Glamazon View Post
    Thanks to everyone for your replies.

    Update: I called Boyfriend's cell and left a message. Since I couldn't get a hold of Boyfriend, I called his best friend who didn't know what to do, but sent a text to Boyfriend (my cell doesn't work at our house) in hopes of reaching him sooner. After about an hour and a half, I got a call. He and I both called his cousin who lives 5 minutes from us (who I would have called in the first place, had I known he had a new house phone) and he came over and took the rat out of the cage. Tonight Boyfriend and his cousin are going to take care of the wounds after they get off work.

    To all who said to not feed live: These are not my snakes, not my decision. Boyfriend is an experienced and long time snake owner and I trust his judgement. He has owned and cared for many snakes who have been fed both live and frozen/thawed.
    Your bf knowing snakes is a good thing. I would trust his judgement based on how bad the bites are. As for feeding live/dead...i feed both. My big Pythons get live. Reason: Chickens i wont kill, and if you don't have fur or feathers on the prey animal, the poop is going to splat out all over the walls of the cages fur, feathers etc. bind the feces. Frozen chickens i have bought... well the feathers fall off during eating much of the time. Pre-killed...sure, but no need. The 4 Pythons i am talking about are in extremely large cages and are watched while they eat, even though it is a chicken that can't do much damage, they always turn away to run and get grabbed, it's a good catch always.

    It's a personal decision and one i have toyed around with for years. I have to feed the way it works for my snakes.

    Hope all is well I'm sure your bf will know if the bites need attention or not.

  19. #19
    Veteran Member SnakeBabe's Avatar
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    Default Re: Snake Question

    Thank you for trying to help and I understand you are limited to what you can do since they are not your property but I feel obligated to tell you that an experienced snake owner does not keep two snakes living in the same cage. An experienced snake owner NEVER feeds ANYTHING live. There is no reason and if they did would never leave it unattended for days.
    The very situation the snakes are in now is proof of what can happen. Also, an experienced snake owner would not leave an animal with open wounds for over day without getting it to a qualified reptile veterinarian for medical treatment.
    I get emails like this all the time and it breaks my heart knowing there are animals suffering due to inexperienced snake owners.

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  20. #20
    Glamazon
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    Listen, MY BOYFRIEND works 2 jobs, 80 hours a week. Sorry if he can't run off to the vet at 1:30 in the morning when he gets home from working his second job. He has to sleep sometime and that 4 hours is very precious to him. If he doesn't rest, he's no good to anyone--not the snakes, not our baby, not me, our cats or our dog. If that makes someone inexperienced, so be it. I came asking for support for ME, last night, when I was home alone and didn't know what to do about the situation. I know very little about snakes and I was very scared. I am the inexperienced one. MY BOYFRIEND works very hard to care for our family and our animals and cares about all of us. That he can't just drop work does not qualify him as inexperienced.

  21. #21
    Pamela
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    Default Re: Snake Question

    Quote Originally Posted by SnakeBabe View Post
    Thank you for trying to help and I understand you are limited to what you can do since they are not your property but I feel obligated to tell you that an experienced snake owner does not keep two snakes living in the same cage. An experienced snake owner NEVER feeds ANYTHING live. There is no reason and if they did would never leave it unattended for days.
    The very situation the snakes are in now is proof of what can happen. Also, an experienced snake owner would not leave an animal with open wounds for over day without getting it to a qualified reptile veterinarian for medical treatment.
    I get emails like this all the time and it breaks my heart knowing there are animals suffering due to inexperienced snake owners.

    Hugs and Hissessss,
    Maria
    I understand what you do. However i take offense to the message as well. I am a very experienced snake owner. I feed many of them live.

    Feding live food does have it's benefits. It keeps the snake a predator, stimulates breeding, and helps use of muscles used during constriction.

    My snakes that are fed dead, are fatter, and lazy, many don't even constrict anymore.

    I wish people would not push beliefs on others. And call them inexperienced.

    Over 30 yrs. i have been keeping snakes, i tried pushing my beliefs...it does not work. We do what we want, they are our animals. She was asking for help about the wounds, not to be lectured about feed dead.

    Hope the female snakie does well hun.

    Keep me informed. PS first posting i was confused.... knowing more about the situation i understand.
    many breeders who sell snakes for thousands of $$$ feed live. It's keeps the snake in a more natural state of mind, because they are not in a natural surrounding being in a cage. First step for a non-feeder: Throw in LIVE! Stimulate the feed response.

  22. #22
    Featured Member DJ Machismo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Snake Question

    Quote Originally Posted by Glamazon View Post
    Listen, MY BOYFRIEND works 2 jobs, 80 hours a week. Sorry if he can't run off to the vet at 1:30 in the morning when he gets home from working his second job. He has to sleep sometime and that 4 hours is very precious to him. If he doesn't rest, he's no good to anyone--not the snakes, not our baby, not me, our cats or our dog. If that makes someone inexperienced, so be it. I came asking for support for ME, last night, when I was home alone and didn't know what to do about the situation. I know very little about snakes and I was very scared. I am the inexperienced one. MY BOYFRIEND works very hard to care for our family and our animals and cares about all of us. That he can't just drop work does not qualify him as inexperienced.
    As bad as it sounds I would say that it makes him ill equipped to have pets that he simply can't make time to care for properly.
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  23. #23
    Pamela
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    Default Re: Snake Question

    It's about her asking for help DJ M. Her bf knows how to treat snakes...many of us do. We either stock up on antibiotics or soak them.... whatever.

    Hell he may have looked at a bite or bites and knew they are not that bad or deep, she does not know as much as he does. Many times a snake does not need a Vet. People panic... i have been there. Home care does work ALOT of the time.

    It sucks when you worry for the animal as she has. But he has taken over now.
    Last edited by Pamela; 01-17-2008 at 01:57 PM. Reason: WTF do i keep getting bumped.............

  24. #24
    Glamazon
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    Default Re: Snake Question

    Even thought this thread was not intended to be a debate about how to keep and care for snakes, I feel I need to add this:

    On Sunday, the snakes were both fed...the male ate, the female (who is usually the pig of the two) didn't. That's the rat that was left in there. The reason that they are in the same cage is because they have bred before. Again, I have limited experience with snakes. I am not here to get lectured about how to keep or feed snakes. MY BOYFRIEND is the snake owner and is very experienced. Just because you have views and/or practices that may differ from his does not make him inexperienced.

  25. #25
    Glamazon
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    Default Re: Snake Question

    Quote Originally Posted by DJ Machismo View Post
    As bad as it sounds I would say that it makes him ill equipped to have pets that he simply can't make time to care for properly.
    This is very true. In fact, he has been downsizing this snake collection over the past year because of this very same thing (plus we needed more room in our already small house for me and The Baby). He used to have 8 snakes, now he's down to four. It takes time to find good homes for pets that you care about, and even more time to find good homes for snake.

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