New arrival?

[regi375]

This is going to be the first time I've gotten a snake shipped to me by a breeder. She's a Jungle Carpet Python, and is scheduled to arrive Tuesday. I know I'm supposed to detain her for two weeks, but I don't know if I should take any other precautions. Such as a vet visit, using mite-away as a preventative, or something else. Providing me with any advice, or your own procedures would be most appreciated. :)

[EL Ziggy]

I usually spray my new enclosures with provent a mite just to be safe and I quarantine all new animals for at least 90 days. Who produced your carpet BTW? They're a lot of fun to keep. Congrats on the new addition.

[dannybgoode]

Carpets are cool snakes.

With regards to quarantine its not just a case of keeping the animal away from other reptiles but you have to ensure you properly wash your hands etc when exiting the quarantine area and if carrying out maintenance tasks I'd do my other snakes first the the quarantined animal then change my clothes.

Mites etc can easily be transferred by you regardless of how far apart your quarantined animal is from your collection of you are not careful.

[regi375]

I'm getting her from Derek Roddy. He's been really good answering my questions and such. Do I need to be hand washing, or is hand sanitizer adequate? I usually just use the sanitizer before and after handling any of my snakes.

[GyGbeetle]

I try to wash my hands between quarantine and non-quarantine animals, scrubbing as best as I can. Hand sanitizer doesn't always remove the mites, but the water will. Sometimes, depending on the circumstance, I will do both.

Agree with the aforementioned recommendation of a 90 day quarantine, and treating the enclosure with Provent-a-mite (PAM). Since you're getting the snake tomorrow, treat the tank today so that it'll have a good 24 hours to air out. I wouldn't personally treat the snake, as it'll most likely be a little stressed from the transport.

Derek Roddy has beautiful animals, and he takes really good care of his hatchlings and shipments. I don't think a vet visit is warranted in this case. But...... if you see any neuro issues with your snake, and you've treated the tank with PAM, remove the snake from the tank and sterilize it immediately, and possibly lukewarm soak the animal. Sometimes they can react. It's not common, but it can happen. It's happened to one of my snakes.

I don't know a whole lot about carpets, so I have nothing to offer in the way of husbandry.

[Andy_G]

I see an awful lot of reactions to PAM for it to be regarded as uncommon. It's why I have never used it myself. Make sure to follow directions precisely with it as it is a bit unforgiving in that regard. Congrats on your new acquisition! I'm sure it'll be in prime condition coming from Roddy, but 90 days quarantine is a good practice nonetheless.

[regi375]

OK, thanks for the advice guys :) I'll post pics in a different thread when she gets here.

[EL Ziggy]

D.R. is one of the best in the biz. You're no doubt getting a top notch animal regi. Can't wait to see the new critter. :)

[dannybgoode]

Derek has an international reputation and for good reason - I have no doubt you'll get a superb animal from him.

Pics when you have them of course!

[regi375]

Just posted pics in the Carpet Python section. Thanks again for the advice!