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]

Originally Posted by percey39

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