Snake Newbie

[DarkestCloud]

Hello everybody! I'm a first-time reptile owner who's been waiting nine years to get a snake. Finally, I have my very own baby grey rat snake, who hasn't come out of hiding yet.

S/he is about a foot long, and is in a 36x18x18 Exo Terra vivarium, being very shy under a piece of corkwood bark. I just put him/her in yesterday, so I suppose it's understandable.

I'd appreciate any advice you guys might have for me!

[infernalis]

sSnakeSs.com - Rules (http://www.ssnakess.com/index.php?page=rules)

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[Lankyrob]

Welcome to the jungle

[Donnie]

Hello and welcome

[sharthun]

Hey and Welcome! Post pics !

[sweatshirt]

Welcome! :D

[Pirarucu]

Welcome aboard!

[exwizard]

Welcome. Yeah I'd love to see pics as well. :)

[InsanityApe]

Post pictures :D

For first time snake owners it could be a bit of a hassle especially when you don't make the proper research and if you don't have the time due to school or work. But once you've had your snake for a while (Couple of years) it'll come second nature to you. We can't really give you advise on things you probably already know about, have a warm and cool side on the tank, have couple of hiding places with plants, feed your snake in a separate container, handle your snake maybe 2-3 times a week so he/she can get used to you without getting all stressed out, don't buy a heat rock unless you want to roast your snake, etc.....

[Mikoh4792]

Grey rats are awesome! They feel very strong for a rat snake. Much more robust than a corn. And they also get huge.

If you give it some climbing space it will definitely use it. They are great climbers.

[dbassa]

Welcome to sSNAKESs!

[bigsnakegirl785]

Hello and welcome! :)

InsanityApe, you don't have to feed snakes in a separate enclosure. I've fed my ball python in his enclosure the whole 7 years I've had him. Although I started out feeding my boa in a separate enclosure, I have not noticed any change in feeding response or general behavior since I switched to feeding him in his enclosure, and I switched several months ago. For one, several people have told me it is very stressful on the snake to move them during feedings, and two, he will get too big for me to feed him separately (although I don't think OP will have to worry about that as much). It even makes feeding time a lot easier. lol

[LMurnain]

Hi Newbie, I'm a newbie too, got my Woma 2 wks ago.. It's scary but exciting eh!! My girl has only just came out of her hide on her own.. I've had to bring her out for cuddles.. Once she's out she's great to handle, though I'm still a little nervous! Best of luck

[marvelfreak]

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Nice to have you join us.

[InsanityApe]

Hello and welcome! :)

InsanityApe, you don't have to feed snakes in a separate enclosure. I've fed my ball python in his enclosure the whole 7 years I've had him. Although I started out feeding my boa in a separate enclosure, I have not noticed any change in feeding response or general behavior since I switched to feeding him in his enclosure, and I switched several months ago. For one, several people have told me it is very stressful on the snake to move them during feedings, and two, he will get too big for me to feed him separately (although I don't think OP will have to worry about that as much). It even makes feeding time a lot easier. lol

I guess to each his own on that one, feeding your snake in it's home or in another container is ok, as long as they are eating. I've heard never handle your snake before and after you feed it because if you handle it before feeding, it might get stressed and not want to eat, and if you handle after, it might want to regurgitate the food. Apparently my ball doesn't know that cause I let her wrap around my neck while the mouse is unthawing. And then after she eats I pick her up and place her on my shoulders so I can take her back to her home, all she does is wrap herself around my neck again and stays like that, at times she even looks around or tries to tangle herself around my glasses and use it as stepladder to rest her head on top of MY head.