Hello from Calgary I'm new to the snake world

[Mack_alots]

I'm new to the world of snakes. I have a adult macklots python my first snake he is a rescue from someone who became scared of him and neglected him. He is about 8 ft long. I don't know a whole lot about snakes but I do know it's got a way better life now. The snake has not been held in 2 years and lived in a cold basement for 2 years with out a heat lamp Just a heat pad on the side of tank. Also they only fed it once every 4-5 months in the tank. I had to help this snake witch is my first. I've had him now for about 3 weeks and I try to Handel him once a day. I feed in a separate bin about every 2 weeks is my plan. Is there anything I should know? I put a coconut rine substrate he has a big water tub and a hide. Like I say I am new and any info would help. Thanks

[infernalis]

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

http://www.thamfriends.com/mat.jpg

[CDN_Blood]

Well thank goodness you got him out of *there*...eesh!

Macklot's can be a little feisty, but since you don't mention any attitude, I'm assuming that's not an issue at the moment. Most adults are rather calm with regular handling, so hopefully all goes well there.

Follow some basic husbandry rules you'll find in this forum and the good folks here will help you with it in any way they can, I'm sure. Of course, a picture is worth a 1,000 words so if you can manage to get one posted, anything that might jump-out at us as to a possible health issue would get identified quicker.

Best of luck with it and keep us posted - we just love success stories :P

[lady_bug87]

its nice to hear someone rescuing animals from unfavourable circumstances. I would add a second hide in the opposite part of the tank so he can have a choice of where to sit some snakes like to thermal regulate and hide at the same time!

[infernalis]

Along with getting the husbandry down, I would also highly recommend less handling.

Frequent handling is stressful and this animal has already led a stressful life.

Try to give it the Hawaiian vacation of a lifetime by getting the living conditions perfected and allowing the snake to recover in nice relaxing serenity. Over handling is actually far worse than under handling.

Due to the negligent feeing schedule, I would recommend feeding slightly under sized rats on a more frequent basis for a while.

does it eat F/T or live?

[marvelfreak]

Hello and 14906. 14905 on the rescue.

Like Wayne said over handling can be very stressful. I would say a couple times a week till it settles in. A picture of your cage set would really help us help you.

[shaunyboy]

hello and welcome

waynes (infernalis) has pretty much covered everything

cheers shaun

[Gungirl]

Hello and welcome!

[spots]

hello and welcome, im new to this site, but am also from Calgary :D

[millertime89]

Welcome! Thanks for rescuing him! post pictures when you can.

[alessia55]

Welcome! I'm glad the snake is in better hands now. He's probably getting some well-deserved TLC. Wayne has good advice about the handling. Other than that, I look forward to seeing photos when you get the chance to take some! :)

[Mack_alots]

I'll post some pics soon as I can he is a beautiful snake the colors in natural light is amazing. Thanks for the welcome to the site and for any tips.

[Will0W783]

Hello and welcome. It sounds like you saved that poor snake's life- he couldn't be doing well in such deplorable conditions. I'd say keep him warm, keep humidity up- Macks like it moist as they naturally live near swamps and bodies of water. I used to have one that would try to kill and eat anything that got in front of his face, including tongs, water bowl, hands, arms, etc...
I kept him on cypress mulch and misted once a day to keep humidity up. You want the temperatures to be about 86-88F on the hot side (not sure what that is in Celsius...lol), and 78-80F on the cool side. If he wheezes or whistles or blows bubbles, it could be signs of respiratory infection from the cold environment he was in before. Keep us posted- he sounds like a gorgeous boy.

[Mack_alots]

http://m.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=10150859496710184&id=834425183&set=a.10150387098495184.612995.834425183&__user=834425183

http://m.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=10150859497460184&id=834425183&set=a.10150387098495184.612995.834425183&__user=834425183

http://m.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=10150859498115184&id=834425183&set=a.10150387098495184.612995.834425183&__user=834425183

http://m.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=10150859508820184&id=834425183&set=a.10150387098495184.612995.834425183&__user=834425183

[spots]

i cant see your images :(

[Mack_alots]

How do ya post pics from a phone?

[millertime89]

are they from your phone that you loaded to FB or are you on your phone trying to post pictures?
The first one you just right click on the picture, open properties, copy the image link and put it in [ img] here [/ img] just without all the spaces.
the second one is a pain and I just don't deal with it, I wait till I'm on a computer.

[exwizard]

Speaking as one with 2 pairs that I tamed down myself (even my '10 babies are dog tame) Macklots are awesome and mine dont ever want to go back in their tub after Ive pulled them out. IMO handling them when they're small worked for me but in your case he may need more time to recover first.

The following is an example of what I mean...
Guinevere, my female '10 (http://www.ssnakess.com/gallery/showfull.php?photo=558)

Kudos for this rescue and may you have many years of enjoyment with him.