Rescue Mission

C#@$e · 07-11-12, 09:36 AM

I was recently told of a guy that wanted to get rid of his apricot phase pueblan with no re-homing fee. Me being a fan of the Bread, I went to check it out. The snake had no lighting, no water, and bedding that looked like it hadn't been changed in months. On top of all the visible problems the snake was evidently three years old and is about the size of a 1-year. this is my first "rescue" and i was looking for advice to get him back on a good feeding schedule and help getting him a bit more docile.

Wildside · 07-11-12, 09:43 AM

Good husbandry goes a long way in getting them on the right track. If you post a pic I might be able to help you more.

Jlassiter · 07-11-12, 09:49 AM

Glad you are getting it....but lampropeltis need NO lighting whatsoever.
Lighting will dehydrate a lampropeltis.

Just set up a good temperature and humidity gradient with numerous hides (Deep Aspen is best IMHO) and feed it at least once a week....more if you see it on the cool side of the enclosure.

infernalis · 07-11-12, 10:24 AM

Luckily, milks are slow growers, give it proper care and all should be well.

C#@$e · 07-11-12, 10:53 AM

yeah i just feed it 10 minutes ago ill take a pic of it now in the rubber mate

KORBIN5895 · 07-12-12, 06:43 AM

Whoopee... another "rescue" that just turned into an epic fail.

Jay · 07-12-12, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KORBIN5895

Whoopee... another "rescue" that just turned into an epic fail.

I wouldn't say epic, but certainly a fail...

Wildside · 07-12-12, 07:16 AM

How did this rescue turn into a fail?

I mean I see where it probably wasn't actually a "rescue" but I certainly don't think it's crossed the threshold of fail yet.

KORBIN5895 · 07-12-12, 08:22 AM

@ op what was so evident that makes you believe it is three years old?

@wildside
what makes this a fail Is the fact that it is being placed in improper husbandry. False rescues is a personal pet peeve of mine.

Wildside · 07-12-12, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KORBIN5895

@ op what was so evident that makes you believe it is three years old?

@wildside
what makes this a fail Is the fact that it is being placed in improper husbandry. False rescues is a personal pet peeve of mine.

But how do you know the husbandry is improper? As far as I can tell he hasn't said a word about how the snake is being kept, other than "It's in the rubber now mate". For all I know he could've stuck it inside a condom, but I'm gonna auto-assume that's not what he did and guess that rubber = tote. I realize most totes are made of plastic, some of which are manufactured by Rubbermaid. Upon arriving at that conclusion, many people keeps their snakes in totes. I still don't see the problem

KORBIN5895 · 07-12-12, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C#@$e

I was recently told of a guy that wanted to get rid of his apricot phase pueblan with no re-homing fee. Me being a fan of the Bread, I went to check it out. The snake had no lighting, no water, and bedding that looked like it hadn't been changed in months. On top of all the visible problems the snake was evidently three years old and is about the size of a 1-year. this is my first "rescue" and i was looking for advice to get him back on a good feeding schedule and help getting him a bit more docile.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jlassiter

Glad you are getting it....but lampropeltis need NO lighting whatsoever.
Lighting will dehydrate a lampropeltis.

Just set up a good temperature and humidity gradient with numerous hides (Deep Aspen is best IMHO) and feed it at least once a week....more if you see it on the cool side of the enclosure.

2+2=4. The picked this up with improper husbandry in mind. To me that's like rescuing an alligator and putting it in your outhouse.

Wildside · 07-12-12, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KORBIN5895

2+2=4. The picked this up with improper husbandry in mind. To me that's like rescuing an alligator and putting it in your outhouse.

That is still not indicative of improper husbandry. I can't think right off the top of my head of any snakes that do require lighting. Also I'd like for alessia to clarify exactly what she meant... Will all lighting dehydrate this species? I never had any trouble when keeping a light in the enclosure. Of course I provide a sweatbox and access water at all times not to mention a hide and enough substrate to burrow in if desired. I think a lot people don't realize that lighting is an option when it comes to snakes.

KORBIN5895 · 07-12-12, 11:05 AM

Please qualify your last sentence before someone with lots of stupid in their head gets any ideas.

Jlassiter · 07-12-12, 11:27 AM

Since many people are using Rubbermaids, Sterlites, Aquariums I recommend NO lighting....

Unless you are using subfloor drawer caging like the Applegate Enclosures I use....providing many options is optimal....heat, cold, dark, light, damp, dry and COMBINATIONS of each is optimal.....A snake that has choices will show you what it wants and when. Like when to feed instead of feeding on the keeper's schedule.......Typically when a snake has jammed itself into a very tight area it is not hiding from would be predators (or you) it is protecting itself...You see the more of its surface area a lampro can protect the slower it will dehydrate.
This scenario is scene mainly when lighting is used. An optimal thermal gradient is achievable with back heat and a thick substrate....that way the substrate will act as an insulator.....It is best (IMHO) keep your snake room around 72F and have a hot spot of around 90F....Placing a tub of damp moss in the back of the enclosure will provide a warm/damp spot in the back and a cool/damp spot in the front......There is a temperature and thermal gradient.........The thermal gradient can also be achieved from top to bottom of an enclosure rather than just from front to back...

Read that Reptiles mag article I posted up here a few weeks back.......All that I wrote concerning mexican kings applies to every colubrid I have kept and keep........

Wildside · 07-12-12, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KORBIN5895

Please qualify your last sentence before someone with lots of stupid in their head gets any ideas.

My whole post qualifies my last sentence as does J's below you. BTW I like your sig...

I'm sorry Jlassiter for some reason I got you and alessia confused

. I too believe in giving the animal lots of options. I just didn't fully understand what you meant when you said "lighting" will dehydrate the reptile.