New Snake Guy - Page 2

bigsnakegirl785 · 06-24-13, 05:30 PM

Hello and welcome! Glad you decided to give her a chance, rather than kicking her out!

I'm sure you'll come to love her, and then you'll be hooked.

Starbuck · 06-25-13, 07:02 PM

very nice, i'm glad to see another person with a california king! They were my first snake too

they are pretty easy, very forgiving, and very beautiful charismatic snakes! best of luck with (her?)

Pirarucu · 07-01-13, 09:39 AM

Welcome aboard!

drumcrush · 07-01-13, 10:32 AM

Welcome! I actually remember seeing your thread about this on the thamnophis site

Abraxxos · 07-03-13, 04:57 PM

Very cool snake and enclosure. Welcome. ^_^

OCMotoDad · 07-03-13, 05:38 PM

Thank you! After I fed her on Sunday, her eyes looked a bit cloudy, and now she's disappeared under the substrate for the last 3 days. From what I can find out.....it seems like thats a sign of shedding. Although I'm a little concerned since she disappeared. I can see her under there, and she has become quite slow and on rare occasion over the last 3 days, will stick her head out. Im trying not to be concerned, but its hard.

Concept9 · 07-04-13, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OCMotoDad

Thank you! After I fed her on Sunday, her eyes looked a bit cloudy, and now she's disappeared under the substrate for the last 3 days. From what I can find out.....it seems like thats a sign of shedding. Although I'm a little concerned since she disappeared. I can see her under there, and she has become quite slow and on rare occasion over the last 3 days, will stick her head out. Im trying not to be concerned, but its hard.

Your enclosure looks awesome now.

If she is in shed you may not see her for a while. All snakes are a little different. My Cali takes about 5 days total, my MBK takes about 10 days.

The snake will secrete a milky fluid that helps remove the old skin. This will dull the old skin and the eyes will go a milky blue. This will last for days. At this time your snake will hide due to the fact it cannot see during this period. Once the eyes clear up your snake will normally shed within the next 48 hours.

all though not REALLY necessary (provided you have proper humidity levels) I mist my tank a couple times a day during this period to add some extra humidity and help with the shed. You can also put some damp moss in her hide at this time as well.

EDIT: If you just fed her, she will hide for a couple days to digest her meal as well.

Chu'Wuti · 07-04-13, 08:39 AM

Make sure that the hides and any rocks or heavy branches touch the bottom of the tank, not just the surface of the aspen. If she burrows under a heavy object, it could fall on her and injure her. If any heavy objects are touching the bottom of the enclosure, she can't burrow under them.

She's a lovely snake. If she hasn't bitten anybody yet, she isn't very likely to bite. You're smart to recognize that most bites are defensive. Approach her slowly, and don't reach for her head. Pick her up by her main body, sliding your hand under her body as Amadeus suggested, and you should be fine.

The second reason that snakes may bite is if your hands smell like prey. So don't try to pick her up when you're feeding her. If you need to pick her up when you're getting ready to feed her, be absolutely certain that you have washed the mouse smell off your hands thoroughly, move slowly, and, again, you should be fine.

Some snakes have a very strong feeding response. I have one Honduran Milk Snake like this, and he starts striking wildly when he smells mouse in the air, even before I open his enclosure. So I never just stick my hand in his tank, even if I have washed the mouse smell off! If your snake is like this, just take extra precautions.

You're doing a great job so far--and I have to say, you should give yourself a pat on the back for being a relaxed and accepting dad! You'll soon be known as "the coolest dad in the neighborhood"!

From the Coolest Mom in the Neighborhood!