New here, need help!

[Poisonpuss]

Hi all, my name is Kameron. I'm 21 and I've finally gotten tired of wanting to get a snake since I saw them at the San Diego Zoo when I was 4. I have a good friend who has owned a Red Tail Boa for 6+ year and sold it last year. I was going to get a Ball Python, but I've been persuaded that RTB are better for handling and less picky. I read that BP are picky to food and humidity (I live in Seattle). So I'm planning on purchasing my RTB online from Reptiles for Sale (http://www.backwaterreptiles.com)(Backwaterreptiles.com). I've read on some websites that pet-stores aren't good for selling snake because they can mistreat them and/or get bad snakes and the ones near me don't seem to clean. Is that a good website to buy them from? Also, I will be building a custom tank over the next couple weeks, but I plan on getting a smaller tank for it while we build it. Do any of you know a good starter setup for a baby snake. I found this Amazon.com: Exo Terra PT2602 Rainforest Habitat Kit, Small: Pet Supplies (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001B5DIMK/ref=s9_simh_gw_p199_d0_g199_i3?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0D ER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1S6FZ38B5B7CVX7161P9&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846) and it looks good but, I would need a heating lamp for it, but I don't know if I would need a special one for this lid. If anyone has a tip or question please ask! Thanks for reading!

[infernalis]

That enclosure is entirely too small for what you want to do with it.

[Poisonpuss]

No, the link that I posted is just a to hold it till I complete the bigger tank, should only take me a week or two. I think it's an overkill now that I think about it. I guess I'll just buy a small 10 gallon tank to hold it in for a week. Any other tips you could give a new snake owner?

[MrBD1980]

Hey there,

Congrats on wanting to get a snake and to ask questions before you buy it!! Have you considered Just to wait a week til the new tank is done? If you do that you can get the setup running and get the temps and humidity right before introducing a snake to it...

Brian

[KORBIN5895]

Be careful of what you buy there as it looks like they could be wild caught imports.

[Mutimbo]

I would advise you to find a local show and purchase your snake from someone there. You can see, hold, and ask questions about the snake you're getting. Also the price would be better. You also have the opportunity to meet other herp nuts in your area that can provide a fantastic base of knowledge. Good luck, and welcome.

[snake man12]

Are you getting a BCI or BCC. RTB's need higher humidity than ball pythons.

[marvelfreak]

19729


Check out this site. It has reviews on different companies. Some of them have to be taking with a grain of salt. All i have to say is after reading some of the reviews i would avoid them. The fact they go by two different names should say something. They also go by Florida Herps.
FaunaClassifieds (http://www.faunaclassified.com/forums/search.php?searchid=2446319)

[Poisonpuss]

Thank you all very much for your input. I decided not to purchase from the said website and instead I'm purchasing one from a private ad that I found online. They are captive bred and were born in the middle of May. It's going to be a little more expensive but at least I know I'm getting a better quality snake. I will post pictures here when I get him/her on Tuesday.

[Donnie]

Hello and welcome

[SnakeyJay]

Goodluck with the new snake.. So is it bci or bcc?

[Poisonpuss]

I should be a BCC. Here is a pic. http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d115/Kameron_78/Zeus.jpg It's not the best picture, it was taken with my phone.

[Jay]

Doesn't apear to be a red tail boa at all.

[SnakeyJay]

Looks like a bci to me... RTB is just a nickname for a true bcc... People label bci's as retails to get more cash off you. :)

[Wildside]

Common boa or not,it will make a good beginner snake for you. There's good info here for when you have questions. How much did you pay for it?

[Trent]

hi and welcome!

[Poisonpuss]

Common boa or not,it will make a good beginner snake for you. There's good info here for when you have questions. How much did you pay for it?
I paid $75 for him. Also, I have him in a 10 gallon tank, and I have a CHE bulb and 2 thermometers (1 tape and 1 dial). The dial is in the middle and tape on far left, both at the top. The CHE is on the far right and the middle dial reads 88 degrees Fahrenheit and far left tape reads 79ish. He is always on the far right, underneath some hanging foliage. When I pick him up, he seems a little cold to me. I don't know if he's overheating so he hides underneath the foliage or what because he has a hideaway on the left side on the tank and rarely goes over there. Also should I try putting the hideaway where he usually is underneath the foliage on the right that is underneath the CHE?

[Lankyrob]

He should have hides at both ends so that he can choose where he wants to go :)

[TinkerbellsMom]

I would just get a 10 gallon tank and at walmart they sell separate lock lids by the fish stuff. It works easily and efficiently! Just research research research like you are obsessed and you can tell anyone anything about a RTB.

[MrBD1980]

Hey ,congrats!

Did you say the thermometers are at the top? You may wish to bring the down to the level he will spend time at, ie on a basking spot or at ground level. If he is spending all his time on the hot side then it may be a bit cool for him....good luck with everything!

[Poisonpuss]

Just swapped the foliage and the hideaway and he followed the foliage, colder side of the tank. So I guess he really likes plants then.

[Wildside]

May we see pics of your setup?

*For future reference $75 is expensive for a common boa of that size.

[Poisonpuss]

Here are some pics. http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d115/Kameron_78/2012-07-07_19-41-23_441.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d115/Kameron_78/2012-07-07_19-37-17_434.jpg
Here he is behind the foliage.http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d115/Kameron_78/2012-07-07_19-38-54_435.jpg

[Poisonpuss]

Remember, I will be building a bigger tank within the next month. Going to be around a 50 gallon tank. I read that I shouldn't go too big because it could be too hard to keep the correct temps for a snake this size.