can i get a little advice?

[Psyche]

I'm actually hesitant to ask because so far my internet browsing experience hasn't exactly been the best (in that when i ask questions online i'm answered by people who more or less reprimand me for not knowing the answer).

I got my first snake about a week ago and the thermometer and such I ended up getting aren't good (from what I've read so far). They aren't the digital ones and I was wondering just how inaccurate they are?

Another thing I've been unable to find the answer for is this, how do you know when your snake has acclimated? Mine hides 24/7, I don't think she even comes out at night. Is this normal?

Lastly I feel like my snake should be drinking water or at least soaking (She's a 4 month old BRB I got from David Colling, a very great guy imo). Is she suppose to be soaking or do they only do that when they're going to shed? and if they do it more often than that why isn't she?

I'm really sorry if my questions are dumb, I've just been having a hard time finding the answers for them.

[infernalis]

You came to the right place for respectful answers....

[Gungirl]

I'm actually hesitant to ask because so far my internet browsing experience hasn't exactly been the best (in that when i ask questions online i'm answered by people who more or less reprimand me for not knowing the answer).

That doesn't happen here. We might be blunt and to the point sometimes but don't take offense.

I got my first snake about a week ago and the thermometer and such I ended up getting aren't good (from what I've read so far). They aren't the digital ones and I was wondering just how inaccurate they are?

I have seen the dial ones be any where from 10 -40 degrees off. Look into a digital asap for the benefit of your snake.

Another thing I've been unable to find the answer for is this, how do you know when your snake has acclimated? Mine hides 24/7, I don't think she even comes out at night. Is this normal?

I bet she comes out and moves around at night. She just has a spot she likes to go back to all the time. It can be hard to tell if some snakes ever move unless you watch them 24/7. Once she is eating well you can assume she is acclimated

Lastly I feel like my snake should be drinking water or at least soaking (She's a 4 month old BRB I got from David Colling, a very great guy imo). Is she suppose to be soaking or do they only do that when they're going to shed? and if they do it more often than that why isn't she?

If you have your humidity right she might never soak for any reason. Some snakes like to be in the water others don't. I bet she is drinking when she is out at night in the dark and quiet.

I'm really sorry if my questions are dumb, I've just been having a hard time finding the answers for them.

Hope that helps you out.

[KORBIN5895]

You came to the right place for respectful answers....

The main reason for this is because Wayne understands the powers of the banhammer and uses those powers to keep this place running smoothly.

[jarich]

Dont worry about the questions being dumb, they arent at all. Its good that you are willing to ask what you dont know. I would guess that some of the reactions where due to people feeling that these things should be researched before getting the snake, but youre correcting that now, and thats the important part.

As for the thermometer, yes it would be a very good idea to get one of the infrared type digital thermometers. They are pretty cheap too, I think you can find them online for around $15-20. Not only are the analog strips pretty unreliable, but they only measure that exact spot. The infrared ones will measure wherever you point them. That way you can easily find temps in many different parts of the enclosure, which is essential for giving the snake a proper heat gradient.

I dont own any BRBs myself (Im sure the other owners here will comment soon), but baby snakes in general are pretty shy little things. It will generally take longer than a week to acclimate, so no need to worry about it at this point. I dont think my adult green tree python really got used to his new set up for about 4 months. Have you been handling it? Its a good idea when you first get them to just leave them be in the enclosure, until they are comfortable in their new home.

As for the soaking, it depends on what your enclosure's humidity levels are at. Do you have a hygrometer? This is also a very important tool to have and use often, and again, the digital ones are more accurate.

[EasternGirl]

You won't have any problems here...everyone is friendly and no one judges anyone. Welcome!

[KORBIN5895]

As far as the drinking thing goes I have 3 common boas and an Amazon tree boa. I haven't seen any of them drink for almost 2 months.

[shaunyboy]

hello and welcome

i use exo terra dial guages in all my carpet python tanks,i have found them to be accurate enough to use for checking temps when walking past my tanks

i also use a Raytek ST80 lazer temperature gun to make sure my temperatures are spot on

the guages will do you just fine,until you can get hold of a good digital one,or a lazer temp gun

you've come to the right place for answers,as we don't tollerate nasty people on here

infernalis (wayne) is a fair and decent moderator,who will not put up with that sort of stuff either

re drinking
i keep carpet pythons well into double figures and i think i've only ever seen a snake drink 2 or 3 times,so i wouldn't worry to much about not seeing your brb drinking

cheers shaun

[Psyche]

Thank you all so much for helping me, you have no idea how much i appreciate it :)

[alessia55]

Also, if this is a new snake... Resist handling her until she's eaten at least once or twice for you. If she's eating she's OK. Snakes won't eat if they're too stressed out. Has she eaten yet with you?

[Psyche]

Also, if this is a new snake... Resist handling her until she's eaten at least once or twice for you. If she's eating she's OK. Snakes won't eat if they're too stressed out. Has she eaten yet with you?

I haven't been able to get her to eat yet, but i haven't been handling her or anything.

[snake man12]

Usually if the humidity is to low the will be inclined to drink more.

[marvelfreak]

My BRB is two years old and i only seen him soaking in his water maybe three time ever. Be who you got it from i am sure it a healthy snake. So if it doesn't eat right away don't worry. Like Alessia said just live it only and let it settle in and once it eat a couple times then you can start handling it. And always give it 2 to 3 days with no handling after feeding. That way it gives it time to digest it's food. Any other question feel free to ask we'll do our best to help.

[ZARADOZIA]

I'm actually hesitant to ask because so far my internet browsing experience hasn't exactly been the best (in that when i ask questions online i'm answered by people who more or less reprimand me for not knowing the answer).

That doesn't happen here. We might be blunt and to the point sometimes but don't take offense.

I got my first snake about a week ago and the thermometer and such I ended up getting aren't good (from what I've read so far). They aren't the digital ones and I was wondering just how inaccurate they are?

I have seen the dial ones be any where from 10 -40 degrees off. Look into a digital asap for the benefit of your snake.

Another thing I've been unable to find the answer for is this, how do you know when your snake has acclimated? Mine hides 24/7, I don't think she even comes out at night. Is this normal?

I bet she comes out and moves around at night. She just has a spot she likes to go back to all the time. It can be hard to tell if some snakes ever move unless you watch them 24/7. Once she is eating well you can assume she is acclimated

Lastly I feel like my snake should be drinking water or at least soaking (She's a 4 month old BRB I got from David Colling, a very great guy imo). Is she suppose to be soaking or do they only do that when they're going to shed? and if they do it more often than that why isn't she?

If you have your humidity right she might never soak for any reason. Some snakes like to be in the water others don't. I bet she is drinking when she is out at night in the dark and quiet.

I'm really sorry if my questions are dumb, I've just been having a hard time finding the answers for them.

Pretty much sums it up :p

[SnakeyJay]

Brb's are quite shy snakes anyway... Mine is usually hiding and from what I've heard, a lot of people's are the same.
Just a quick question, how many times have you attempted to feed since you got it? If your trying too often it will stress your little guy out... Good luck :D

[Psyche]

Brb's are quite shy snakes anyway... Mine is usually hiding and from what I've heard, a lot of people's are the same.
Just a quick question, how many times have you attempted to feed since you got it? If your trying too often it will stress your little guy out... Good luck :D

I tried a couple days after i got her because thats when she would have been fed again and then i tried again yesterday (as suggested by my friend)

[SnakeyJay]

Well hopefully with a bit of time he'll be eating like a pig for you. Sometimes when sasha won't strike I'll heat the head up extra hot... And "wham" she hits it like a pro :D

[Psyche]

Well hopefully with a bit of time he'll be eating like a pig for you. Sometimes when sasha won't strike I'll heat the head up extra hot... And "wham" she hits it like a pro :D

yea im wondering if i'm not heating it up enough or something cause i heard that if its not warm enough she won't strike at it. how do you suggest i warm it up?

[Lankyrob]

I press the skull of the prey items against a hot radiator for a few seconds before feeding all my snakes.

[Psyche]

That's a pretty good idea

[BlindOne]

I tried a couple days after i got her because thats when she would have been fed again and then i tried again yesterday (as suggested by my friend)

Are you feeding the snake live or pre-killed items? I had a litter of BRB babies about 5 months ago and they're still taking live pinky rats. I usually put the pinkies in a cup overnight and they're gone in the morning.

I'd also suggest that you keep the snake in an enclosed container on cypress mulch to keep the humidity very high. If you can see condensation on the lid, it's perfect! You'll also only want the warm end of the container to be ~90 degrees, they don't need much heat.

I hope this helps

[Psyche]

Are you feeding the snake live or pre-killed items? I had a litter of BRB babies about 5 months ago and they're still taking live pinky rats. I usually put the pinkies in a cup overnight and they're gone in the morning.

I'd also suggest that you keep the snake in an enclosed container on cypress mulch to keep the humidity very high. If you can see condensation on the lid, it's perfect! You'll also only want the warm end of the container to be ~90 degrees, they don't need much heat.

I hope this helps

I've been trying to feed her F\T because... well i THINK that's what the guy i got her from was feeding her but i'm not completely sure in all honesty.

[CDN_Blood]

It can often take a live feeding or two to peak the snake's interest in feeding, but once you get it to eat a couple of times, it's usually very easy to switch it to f/t food. As folks are mentioning, young Rainbows are quite shy, so it's not likely to eat in front of you, or in the day time.

Young Rainbows will generally only move around at night when the lights are off, but once they start getting some size to them, they'll feel more comfortable trucking around while lights are on and while you're in the room.

Btw, I'm glad you didn't just give-up on trying to find some sound advice. I know how frustrating some other forums can be. A couple in particular are simply volatile places where if you don't belong to a clique the mods are in, you're in for a really rocky ride, but like has been said here numerous times, you've come to the right place. There are a large number of knowledgable folks here who are totally willing to help without the drama you may have experienced elsewhere, so Welcome Aboard! <sets a plate of cookies in the middle of the room for everyone> :)

[KORBIN5895]

Pm Mr one of those places Todd cause it sounds way fun.

[Psyche]

It can often take a live feeding or two to peak the snake's interest in feeding, but once you get it to eat a couple of times, it's usually very easy to switch it to f/t food. As folks are mentioning, young Rainbows are quite shy, so it's not likely to eat in front of you, or in the day time.

mmkay, my concern is that I've heard that live prey items can injure the snake and if she's never out when i can see her how will i make sure she doesn't get hurt?

i know i'm asking a LOT of questions, i'm just trying to be the best snake owner i can be :)

[Gungirl]

How large is the snake in question? I had my GTP go on a hunger strike, He was eating small rats. I always feed him F/t. He was under weight when I got him so I didn't want to let him go to long seeing as I was still trying to help him gain weight. I offered him a live rat pink and he snatched it right up. I then offered him an F/t small rat and he took that too. So even if your snake is eating larger prey go the safe route and offer just a small pink or hopper to get it going again. This will eliminate the fear of the snake being hurt by its food.

[Psyche]

How large is the snake in question? I had my GTP go on a hunger strike, He was eating small rats. I always feed him F/t. He was under weight when I got him so I didn't want to let him go to long seeing as I was still trying to help him gain weight. I offered him a live rat pink and he snatched it right up. I then offered him an F/t small rat and he took that too. So even if your snake is eating larger prey go the safe route and offer just a small pink or hopper to get it going again. This will eliminate the fear of the snake being hurt by its food.

Alright i'll give that a try, mine eats mice hoppers so i'll try with a pink

[CDN_Blood]

Well, don't be too worried about it, just monitor the situation and *never* leave a mouse in with it if the snake isn't interested. If it'll make you feel better (if you have to resort to a live feeding or two to kick-start the snake), keep a large spoon or cooking spoon handy that you could stick between the mouse's teeth and the snake if you see it doing damage.

Many snakes live long, damage-free lives catching live prey in the wild, so don't let it scare you too much - they're a lot tougher and more skilled than most folks give them credit for. They evolved how they did for a reason :)

[BlindOne]

mmkay, my concern is that I've heard that live prey items can injure the snake and if she's never out when i can see her how will i make sure she doesn't get hurt?

I don't think it's a concern when you're dealing with rat or mouse pinkies. I put them in little cups that they can't get out of but the snake can get into.

[MoreliAddict]

mmkay, my concern is that I've heard that live prey items can injure the snake and if she's never out when i can see her how will i make sure she doesn't get hurt?

i know i'm asking a LOT of questions, i'm just trying to be the best snake owner i can be :)

simply putting the mouse in the cage may give your snake what we call a *feeding response (snake looks for, and gets ready to strike at food) from the scent of the mouse alone. this would draw the snake out from hiding. If the snake doesn't approach the mouse whatsoever after a half hour, take out the mouse, dont stress, and try feeding again in a week.

[Psyche]

I got her to eat!! you guys have no idea how excited and accomplished i feel right now! :D i put the mouse in a hot thing of water for a bit until it was nice and very warm and she took it, i was concerned at first though cause she let go and just laid her head on it lol but she ate it in the end.

[SnakeyJay]

That's what my sasha does... I get it nice n warm n she smacks it hard as hell.. Then releases for a while before eating. Congrats on getting her to eat :D

[millertime89]

Congrats on the eating, I've had my BRB since late-August and he still spends most of his time buried in the substrate. It looks like most all of your questions have been answered, is there anything you're still unsure of or didn't get answered?

[Psyche]

Congrats on the eating, I've had my BRB since late-August and he still spends most of his time buried in the substrate. It looks like most all of your questions have been answered, is there anything you're still unsure of or didn't get answered?

I actually think i'm good for now in all honesty, i'm feeling soooo much more confident in my abilities and such

[millertime89]

good deal, welcome to the board, definitely one of the friendliest ones out there.

[CDN_Blood]

Great news! It should be easy from this point forward :)