Not familiar with redtails

[JasonJodie]

I'm just a typical snake lover I don't know a lot about them I'm not trained but I sure love them. I recently recieved a redtail from my brother in law. He got the snake from a couple from Texas, I'm not for sure how many owners it's had. The couple from Texas recently moved back to Texas when they left they left the poor little guy in it's cage with no heat at all. I'm not for sure how long it was there with no heat. I've had in the past two ball pythons and one burmese python. This redtail is the first I've had., and I'm not familiar with them at all. It seams very freindly he does get into the striking position a lot even when it's been held for awhile. I don't think it means any harm and it's not struck at anything yet. It seems like he likes to be held except it doesn't start off with a firm grip. Is that a major problem? It does get tighter the longer I hold it. I am kinda wondering if I'm rushing our relationship. I hold it about every other day, since I got it. A week and a half ago. I thought at first it might have breathing problems, until I got it home. Since I've had it, it's calmed down the hissing tremendously thats all it was. I am also wondering if it's scales should scratch while it climbs on you. Ball pythons scales never felt scratchy to me. They were always smoothed down. I checked it for ticks and mights I saw nothing. I checked out his skin and see no signs of any skin conditions. I might just be paranoid, again I've never delt with redtails before. I tried feeding him today and it seemed like it wasn't hungry at all. Could this be from stress? Are redtails a whole lot different from pythons? I hope to give this 8ft little guy a good home. I would appreciate all the advice I could get. Thank you.

[stormyva]

Re: Not familiar with redtails

You have come to the right place to learn about RTB's.  The best thin I can tell you is to surf around this site and check out the reference sheets that the people here on this site have put together, read the forums, and also check out http://www.reptilehaven.net.  You can get more information doing that reading than I could give you here in this post.  
You new RTB should be fine and start eating once you get all your temps and humidity where they need to be and it gets itself acclimated to it's new home.  Feed one frozen/thawed prey item that is no larger than the girth of the snake at it's widest point.  Feeding once every two weeks should be fine for your RTB.

NOTE : reptilehaven.net site is being worked on atm. Should be up within 24 hours time.

[ClayEnglish]

Re: Not familiar with redtails

Welcome, and I will say that if you have not already downloaded and memorized the "Ultimate Care Guide" then do so as soon as possible.

Husbandry conditions are the most critical thing you can do to ensure the best possible transition for you and your new boa.

When all the enviromental conditions are taken care of, such as the correct heating gradient, substrate, humidity, fresh water, then the boa will have the proper environment to settle down.

Some larger boas, that may be a little thin will seem to have a rough texture to the skin/scales. Or poor shedding from the previous conditions may be affecting this.

Get everything right, get the boa healthy, wait for a good and proper shed, and see if it improves.

Keep us posted