RTBcleo
12-02-15, 12:01 AM
Hey guys! New to the forum. I have a 4 year old, female Red Tail Boa named Cleo about 4.5-5 feet long. Got her a year ago this January from a good friend who had her since she was a baby. Pics of before and now below (the dude is her previous owner)
https://goo.gl/photos/UrxNmdvPS3TcPcoVA
https://goo.gl/photos/s4ciJQfBa2ZZwMqu8
Feeding large F/T rats (killed by Co2, I asked my local reptile store where I get my rats because I read they sometimes kill rats with chemicals that could be harmful for the snake) about every 3 weeks. Just upped from a medium size. She has never regured or had unhealthy bowel movements.
Characteristics:
SUPER TAME! She has never attempted to strike/bite even if startled, and seems comfortable with anyone holding her even if the handler is apprehensive
STARGAZING! This is a phenomenon I learned about from researching and taking her to the vet. For those of you who don't know, this is a bizarre behavior caused by either parasitic, viral or nuerological issues. She will do "snake yoga" as I fondly call it (picture below). She will stay in her yoga position for up to 15 minutes. Vet ruled out parasites, the virus testing will cost around $1,000 to test her blood against each strain. He did a couple physical tests to rule out the viral component. Most viruses in snakes cause muscle atrophy so he tested her tail for strength and flipped her on her back to make sure she can right herself with ease. She passed with flying colors so the vet and I agreed it's probably a nuero disorder. I would rather that than any of the alternatives. She's my "special snake" :wacky: and I love her!
https://goo.gl/photos/NoREQVXWgN7Bqjdo9
https://goo.gl/photos/QAY7JaApPXu78xd4A
FASHIONABLE! She doesn't coil around my neck for warmth like she did with the previous owner, perhaps because I am much smaller? I don't know but she likes to hang out around my waist like a belt or on my face and head coiling around my bun. I wish she would just chill around my neck so I can move about easily but she won't get comfortable there.
https://goo.gl/photos/fXUEVPWvZn3tKTdH8
https://goo.gl/photos/veXKrnkaWut9js2R7
This winter I am struggling with the humidity. I have her in a glass tank with a third of the top being a screen opening in the middle. I have the heat lamp resting on that but more on the side of the water tub. I have a heating pad around her hide and with my heater on right above the cage. I live in San Diego so not much of a winter, but to keep her temps high I need a warmer than normal apartment ( I can't get the temps up over 82 degrees!!) but that compromises the humidity. Had no trouble in the summer but now that I have to use my apartment heat her tank has dropped to about 50% humidity (usually around 70%). I have been misting every few hours and keeping a wet towel over half of the screen top. Don't know what else to do except buy on of those misters you see in Vegas hotel doorways to constantly keep her enclosure humid!
First time snake owner, done a lot of research but best info comes from snake veterans. Excited to read your input.
https://goo.gl/photos/PkkGrCxofD1Nk31U7
https://goo.gl/photos/UrxNmdvPS3TcPcoVA
https://goo.gl/photos/s4ciJQfBa2ZZwMqu8
Feeding large F/T rats (killed by Co2, I asked my local reptile store where I get my rats because I read they sometimes kill rats with chemicals that could be harmful for the snake) about every 3 weeks. Just upped from a medium size. She has never regured or had unhealthy bowel movements.
Characteristics:
SUPER TAME! She has never attempted to strike/bite even if startled, and seems comfortable with anyone holding her even if the handler is apprehensive
STARGAZING! This is a phenomenon I learned about from researching and taking her to the vet. For those of you who don't know, this is a bizarre behavior caused by either parasitic, viral or nuerological issues. She will do "snake yoga" as I fondly call it (picture below). She will stay in her yoga position for up to 15 minutes. Vet ruled out parasites, the virus testing will cost around $1,000 to test her blood against each strain. He did a couple physical tests to rule out the viral component. Most viruses in snakes cause muscle atrophy so he tested her tail for strength and flipped her on her back to make sure she can right herself with ease. She passed with flying colors so the vet and I agreed it's probably a nuero disorder. I would rather that than any of the alternatives. She's my "special snake" :wacky: and I love her!
https://goo.gl/photos/NoREQVXWgN7Bqjdo9
https://goo.gl/photos/QAY7JaApPXu78xd4A
FASHIONABLE! She doesn't coil around my neck for warmth like she did with the previous owner, perhaps because I am much smaller? I don't know but she likes to hang out around my waist like a belt or on my face and head coiling around my bun. I wish she would just chill around my neck so I can move about easily but she won't get comfortable there.
https://goo.gl/photos/fXUEVPWvZn3tKTdH8
https://goo.gl/photos/veXKrnkaWut9js2R7
This winter I am struggling with the humidity. I have her in a glass tank with a third of the top being a screen opening in the middle. I have the heat lamp resting on that but more on the side of the water tub. I have a heating pad around her hide and with my heater on right above the cage. I live in San Diego so not much of a winter, but to keep her temps high I need a warmer than normal apartment ( I can't get the temps up over 82 degrees!!) but that compromises the humidity. Had no trouble in the summer but now that I have to use my apartment heat her tank has dropped to about 50% humidity (usually around 70%). I have been misting every few hours and keeping a wet towel over half of the screen top. Don't know what else to do except buy on of those misters you see in Vegas hotel doorways to constantly keep her enclosure humid!
First time snake owner, done a lot of research but best info comes from snake veterans. Excited to read your input.
https://goo.gl/photos/PkkGrCxofD1Nk31U7