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Leaving a snake unattended...

RustySpringfield

RustySpringfield

I'm all over it!
Hi folks.

I will be going on holiday for 8 days in May and want to know if my yearling, Scar, will be OK unattended if fed and provided with fresh water just before I leave.

At the moment, Scar is being fed every 10 days and fresh water is provided each day.

I know he/she won't starve to death, but will it cause problems with handling when I return? Will I have to prove I'm not a predator all over again?

Any suggestions or opinions are highly appreciated.
 
Every snake is different i suppose but with mine, she was 4 months old and skitish as hell, I went away for 4 weeks and I had a friend feed her once a week, and change water and didn't touch her other than that (she was uncomfortable snakes)........this meant she was only handled 4 times in 4 weeks! when I came back she was totally different, but in a good way the peace and quiet did her good, if its only for 8 days I'm sure you wont have any problems......and if you do it'll probably only be the first few days while he/she gets used to being handled again. Hope I could help
 
You should have no problem with handling when you return or anything else. Just leave extra water bowel, if one gets dirty.

Have fun. :)
 
Are you saying I should leave 2 water bowls in the viv as opposed to the usual 1?
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Yep, that way if one gets pooped in, they still have clean water to drink (in the hope that they don't decide to poop in both!).
 
Sounds like you've already got this covered, but something I read that I'd like to comment on.
He's only being fed every 10 days? If he's only a yearling you could cut it down to at *least* 7 I'm sure.
 
Corny Noob said:
Sounds like you've already got this covered, but something I read that I'd like to comment on.
He's only being fed every 10 days? If he's only a yearling you could cut it down to at *least* 7 I'm sure.
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Thank you.

I've checked this with the Reptile store who sold me him and I've been assured every 10 days is correct at the moment. The guy who owns the store, Pete, has kept snakes for decades so I'm confident he's giving me the correct info, but I could, of course, be wrong.

Perhaps he's just moved up a mouse size.
 
you should search for the munson plan, that gives the best guideline I've ever read.......and to be honest the days and weights of prey make sense, I always find it best to go with the majority of experienced snake owners that way I can be save, I'm not saying he's wrong but I was told to feed my snake a pinkie every 7 days and for months she wasn't progressing at all, and the bump would be gone in a day and she'd be roaming, now I've stuck to the munson plan I don't have to worry I'm over feeding her, but shes getting nice and plump now :D and grown 4 inches in the last 2 months.
 
RainbowMary said:
you should search for the munson plan, that gives the best guideline I've ever read.......and to be honest the days and weights of prey make sense, I always find it best to go with the majority of experienced snake owners that way I can be save, I'm not saying he's wrong but I was told to feed my snake a pinkie every 7 days and for months she wasn't progressing at all, and the bump would be gone in a day and she'd be roaming, now I've stuck to the munson plan I don't have to worry I'm over feeding her, but shes getting nice and plump now :D and grown 4 inches in the last 2 months.
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Thanks.

Searched for, and found, the Munson Plan.

Great guide!

I will keep a copy as a useful reference. I recommend everyone else does the same. :)
 
I am actually more concerned that your water will evaporate within the 8 days. Food is nothing for your snake missing but even adding 2 water bowls you run the risk of water evaporating.
 
if the ambien temp of the air around the water is say 70-75 an inch deep waterdish will evap in 10 days. Or. Many pet stores sell inverted bottle bowls for hermit crabs with a screen so nothing can crawl into the bottle that will gaurantee the water lasts, the only issue there is if your kid decides to poop in it. They are pretty cheap too. about $6 US.
 
I wouldn't recommend using it normally, just while your on holiday. As water can go stagnent.
 
tricksterpup said:
I am actually more concerned that your water will evaporate within the 8 days. Food is nothing for your snake missing but even adding 2 water bowls you run the risk of water evaporating.
Click to expand...

Just wanted to say excellent point. I've got two water bowls in Flash's viv, one very small one and one large one and after 5 days they were both almost empty.
 
RustySpringfield said:
Thank you.

I've checked this with the Reptile store who sold me him and I've been assured every 10 days is correct at the moment. The guy who owns the store, Pete, has kept snakes for decades so I'm confident he's giving me the correct info, but I could, of course, be wrong.

Perhaps he's just moved up a mouse size.
Click to expand...


My guys are lucky to live with me... they get fed every 5 days and are small yearlings....

My moose, Kieran, gets a small rat every 7 days and he's not fat at all. Personally, everything I read would say 7 days for a snake that age, no matter what the shop says. My shop who has owned snakes feed theirs every 7 days, even the babies, which I don't agree with.
 
tricksterpup said:
I am actually more concerned that your water will evaporate within the 8 days. Food is nothing for your snake missing but even adding 2 water bowls you run the risk of water evaporating.
Click to expand...
Great point! Thank you.

Jcapicy said:
if the ambien temp of the air around the water is say 70-75 an inch deep waterdish will evap in 10 days. Or. Many pet stores sell inverted bottle bowls for hermit crabs with a screen so nothing can crawl into the bottle that will gaurantee the water lasts, the only issue there is if your kid decides to poop in it. They are pretty cheap too. about $6 US.
Click to expand...
Thank you.

You've given me a good solution, so I'll look into that. :)
 
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