A few tips for new keepers...

[Feebo]

Hey guys and girls :) I was just writting in another thread and I had an idea. Hows about we all contribute to a list of short tips for new keepers. Just a sentence or two each tip type thing, short, concise and to the point. I`ll start with a few and probably add some more as I think of them. I`m sure some of us will write them out five minutes after learning the lesson too! lol :)

Right then....

Give a snake a few millimeters gap and it`ll be gone.
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They don`t like you, they don`t want a cuddle and they don`t like to come out and play.
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If it makes odd whistling or clicking noises it has an infection, seek advice.

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[gonhuntun]

Don't feed on a table and then walk out of the room. sorry "the bee" you had it coming.
Dont get in over your head. that cute little retic will soon be big enough to kill you.
Dont get in over your head. that cute little boa requires lots of time, patience, equipment, food, and common sense.
Don't get in over your head. That first snake is a bit of a chore. 10 snakes are a full time job.

[Feebo]

Yeah that makes me remamber....

That rock is NEVER big enough or heavy enough to keep that lid secure. Get a better tank before you regret it.

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If you aren`t sure, research, research, research.

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Talking of asking for it....

Admitting you were wrong is one thing, having the good sense and HUMILITY to listen to those who have more experience than you in the first bloody place is quite another. There`s no pecking order, we aren`t here to big ourselves up for knowing more. We love snakes, we are concerned about snakes and damn it so should you be if you`ve gone and bought one.

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Understand the gravity of your responsibility to that snake, it`s whole world depends on YOU and the decisions YOU make. Get it wrong, don`t think carefully enough or get lazy and that snake will suffer and possibly die.

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Make it a priority to understand snake behaivour, not just what they need from you to survive. Learn to READ your snakes, the ability to put yourself in it`s position in an informed and intelligent way will make the difference between someone who HAS snakes, and a snake KEEPER The later being a totally different and a much much better thing for both you and your snakes.

[Freebody]

try your best to avoid feeding live food, only if all else fails.
handle your snakes with slow mithodical movments and they will stay nice and calm and happy when you got them out for play time.
make sure you keep give your snake a hide or 2 and mayber a branch they can chill on in the cage.
keep your temps and humitity at the proper levels as it really helps your snake stay happy and healthy. if you can go as far as a hot spot to a cold spot and night and day time temps thats Great.
make sure you water bowl is bug enouph for your snake to submerge itself in, it will do this from time to time, regardless of your temps and humidity being good or not good.

[Lankyrob]

Get advice and experience/information from as many people/places as possible and make balanced decisions. Everybody's advice and experiences are relevant so be open minded.

"Minds are like parachutes - they work better when they are open."

[Feebo]

Hides, hides and more hides.
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Snakes can go without food but not water, fresh clean water in the bowl at all times.

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Food items should be slightly LARGER than the thickest part of the snake.

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Snakes are capable of incredible feats, never ever forget this. You are attempting to keep captive an animal that can do more than you`d imagine it can...

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[percey39]

Choose a new snake that is suitable for your experience level - ie retics/burms/scrubs/anaconda's, gtp's, venomous and most tropical snakes are not good beginners snakes nor do many of these species suit a second,third or fourth snake.

Make smart choices and dont go overboard with a collection - remember a snake can live up 20-30 years

Dont keep multiple snakes together, especially not differnt species!!!!

Always know the needs of a new species BEFORE you buy them

Always listen to peoples advice, you may not like it but always take it on board

[infernalis]

Always listen to peoples advice, you may not like it but always take it on board


Weigh out all advice given and use the common denominator.

Some people do things differently than others, and each has found a "formula" that works for them, so rather than starting a flame war over what end of the cage a hide belongs on, just read over the advice and seek the common ground and go from there.

If you are new or semi new at using forums, don't let certain posts get you down.

Some keepers are very passionate about what they do, and if they feel you are doing something wrong, they may not chose the best words to express themselves.

This does not mean they don't want to help you...............

[percey39]

Wayne i didnt mean take all advice as gospel, just to take it on board in the end its YOUR choice and no one elses.

[infernalis]

You and I know that, but what about the newbie reading this thread for the first time.

As time passes, we all lean what is good board advice and what is not.

[Feebo]

What`s this flame thing Wayne? I`ve heard that expression before somewhere. I think I know what it means but specifically, what does it mean? Why "Flame"?

And yes, balancing up all the comments you`ve had enables you do make an INFORMED decision as oposed to an illinformed decision. Oh I thought of a good `un earlier but it`s gone lol

[marvelfreak]

Snake are escape artist something heavy to keep a cage lid on just doesn't work. When a snake really want out it will find away. So LOCKS,LOCKS AND LOCKS are the only way to secure their cage lids.

[infernalis]

When people call each other names over differences in opinion.

[Feebo]

I thought as much, but why "Flame" in particular? :)

[infernalis]

Not sure why, it's one of those "e-terms" people use like LOL

[Will0W783]

Always remember, your snake is a snake. No matter how attached you are to it, it is still a primitive, WILD animal.

If a snake can get its head through a hole, it will be gone....in an instant.

If a snake cannot get its head through a hole, it does not mean it won't try...and try...and try. Security, security, and more security.

Do not overhandle your snakes. No matter how calm they may seem, they still generally prefer to be on solid ground.

Some snakes will never be tame. It just is what it is. At some point you have to give up and accept the snake for what it is...an individual. Possibly a murderous, many-toothed, hissing individual, but you have to respect that.

And finally, my favorite: Snakes are like potato chips. You can never have just one.

[shaunyboy]

There are no stupid questions

if somethings worrying you just ask.

[Savage69]

I'm not an expert by any means, but as a (very old - mature - 40-year old), multi-degreed college student and a lover of all things intellectual, I'd say do your homework! Study, study, and study some more...and then when you think you're ready....continue to research the topic! Just think common denominators here! No offense guys, but I take 90% of what I hear on most forums with a grain of salt compared to real life research, expert opinion (i.e veterinarians, professional herpatologists, and zoo keepers, etc.), and finally extensive personal eperience!

If at first you don't succeed...try! try, again!



Savage

[marvelfreak]

Always wash you hand before and after handling each snake.

[Feebo]

Now that`s one to never forget! Once you`ve found out the problem your snakes have is contagious, you`ll soon wish you`d have washed your hands. Follow these sort of rules and one day, it`ll count for far more than you ever realised. A bit like wearing a crash helmet....

[marvelfreak]

My buddy shawn was holding his Savu Python then got his Kingsnake out and his king chomped down on his hand. That the third time he bit him. Everytime it bit him he just got done handling one of his other snakes and forgot to wash his hands.

[Savage69]

Anybody care for a salmonella sandwich? I hear that not washing hands could lead to this issue! I never even wash out the water dishes or anything else in my kitchen sink or bathtub! Why risk it?


Savage

[Feebo]

I knew a guy that got salmonella twice, the second time it was very very serious. His clenliness was more than a little questionable and he just didn`t see anything wrong with what he was doing. The second time scared him and he sold all of his snakes. Clean the vivs, clean the room and clean your hands! Do your research, you need a good reptile disinfectant (I use F10 and Tamodene E) and a hand disinfectant which you should be using each time you handle a snake. EACH TIME.

[infernalis]

Good point guys...

May sound strange, but I have seen it happen - No Kissing reptiles, it's bad for your health.

(Had to yell at my daughter more than once for kissing our BP)

[Feebo]

Eargh. No need lol