New Jungle Salmon Boa Owner (a few questions)

[creeture.boa]

Hi guys!

I just got myself a Jungle Salmon in the mail whom I met out of state at a pet shop. She was so sweet I had to buy her and have her shipped to me. Unfortunately when I got her she had pooped a large amount, and although she isn't obviously "poopy" I'm sure she could use a bath. What are the instructions for this? Should I do a bath? Or should I just hold her and wipe her down with anti-bacterial soap?

Haven't decided on a name for her yet, I'll let you guys know when I do and show some pictures after she's cleaned up.

Thanks,

Creeture.Boa

[sweatshirt]

Just leave her be for now :P she'd probably freak if you gave her a bath right away. Snakes never really need baths/soaks unless they need shed help [which won't happen with proper husbandry] or you want to make sure they're not bringing anything in after being outside. As long as she isn't caked in poop, I wouldn't worry about it.

Anyways, congrats on the boa and welcome :D

[Starbuck]

depending on how you have her set up, she will probably clean herself off over the next few days just by moving through her enclosure and water dish. For this reason you should change her water pretty frequently for the first week or so.... BUT! dont handle her (as sweatshirt mentioned) unless absolutely necessary. Its best to let new snakes acclimate for at least a week before handling (you could offer her food right away, but thats up to you/when she was last fed).

if she is pretty poopy and gross, you could wipe her gently with a damp paper towel; let her slither through it in your hand. I would NOT use soap or any antibacterial product. I would only do this once, then leave her alone as mentioned above.
good luck and congrats on your new snake!

[creeture.boa]

I ended up giving her a bath and a soaped her lightly with some anti bacterial soap as well. She enjoyed the bath and has been hanging out under her heat lamp as of lately. I bought her some frozen mice and was gonna feed her since it's been a while since she ate. What's the best method?

[Starbuck]

Soap is designed for mammalian skin and hair, with oil producing glands sobit doesn't get dried out - it is NOT designed for reptiles. I especially would not use any harsh alcohol based antibacterials.

As for feeding, most of us use hot water to thaw the prey (hot tapbis fine, not boiling) and then just place it in the enclosure and let the snake be. Since you have a boa, heat sensing is an important part of the feeding process so make sure the head is hot. Alternatively you can just leave the mouse on your counter to thaw ro room twmp, and then dip the head in hot water or use a hair dryer to produce the hot spot.
Iverall, just llace the prey into the snakes original enclosure and walk away. Check back in 12-24 hours and remove the prey if it is uneaten. You can rry again in 5-10 days if it doesn't eat.

[creeture.boa]

Thanks! helps a lot. I didn't know that.. I read in some other forum that it was okay to use, will she be okay as long as I don't do it again?

Also, one last concern, sorry about all the questions by the way, but My bulb is only 50 watt in a 20 gallon and she stays around 75 but I know she needs 80. What watt is typically good for this size enclosure?

[Donnie]

Hello and welcome

Just get a higher wattage bulb and if you haven't already get a thermostat to control the heat it puts out.

[marvelfreak]

25660........

[Mark Taylor]

I will add to donnie's that you will need a temp gun so you know what the actual temps are. 80 is low unless that's the air temp? temps should be 90+ on the hot side and around the 80's on the cold side.

I hope you enjoy your boa they are fantastic welcome.

[bigsnakegirl785]

Hello and welcome. :)

Starbuck, it's my understanding that boas do not require a hot spot on their prey. I never provide one for Cloud, and he has no problems.

[Starbuck]

I wouldnt say they REQUIRE a hot spot, but it can certainly help for a reluctant feeder. My rosy boa doesnt really need a hot spot, but if they prey is below about 85-90 degrees she is very reluctant and uninterested in feeding.

i dont keep large boas so this is by no means first hand experience, just what i have read on other threads here and in books/literature.

[creeture.boa]

My lamp only goes upto 75, is that enough? Or should I get a new one and go up to 100-150?

[KORBIN5895]

Boas don't have heat pits so a hot spot does nothing for a feed response.

[SnakeyJay]

However a warm wet rat smells a lot more which could be why it gets a good feed response.

[Pirarucu]

Welcome aboard!

[creeture.boa]

Thanks for the responses guys, she is now sitting in a 88 degree floor cage with a 92 degree hot spot. The other side is high 70's to low 80's with a branch and a water bowl. I fed her in a separate cage and she took the thawed mouse. She's now sitting comfortably in her arboreal spot. I'm assuming within the next couple days I'll be able to handle her?

[Mark Taylor]

Glad you sorted your temps out, What is the humidity like now? Also just have a quick read about feeding. http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/food-thought-forum/98858-feeding-poll.html

Any pics?:)

[creeture.boa]

I will have pics up soon! Sorry about forgetting.

So yesterday she was so tame that I could literally hold her in any position without her being bothered. She never ran away or get irritated. But this morning she was in a striking position. And she actually struck at me!
This makes no sense because this snake is a total sweetheart, the owner of the store even wanted to take her home before he sold her to me.

What I realized is that I had the fan on all night, and that every other night she had no been perched on her branch, she had been either on her log (which is under the big heat lamp) or inside it. Preventing wind from the fan from blowing on her. I've seen her run from the air hitting her before. I turned it off and she got out of her striking position. She seems wary now and a bit irritated. Hopefully when I get back home to handle her she won't be so bothered. I love this snake and the reason I do is because of her personality.

The humidity is at 40, and I have a large bowl of water inside the terrarium.

[ErikBush97]

The humidity is at 40, and I have a large bowl of water inside the terrarium.

You're going to want to get that to 50-70%.

[Mark Taylor]

Are you having a fan on inside the terrarium?

As stated you need to up the humidity and not having a fan on inside will help any pics of the set up and the jungle?:)