So....I couldn't believe this chick just abandoned these snakes. The attorney she worked for had them at his office for about a year and then at his home for the last year and a half. She kept saying she was coming back to get them, but never did. He's terrified of snakes and been doing the minimum for them and from what I can gather from research, that was not enough. He asked if I could take them off his hands, so I picked them up two days ago. Even though I have never owned a snake, I couldn't stand the thought of them being neglected and I am willing to give them a happy home.
I was appalled when I picked them up. They had not been fed in two months. Evidently, she had them on a once a month feeding schedule. They look skinny to me. After reading the guides on this site, it is evident they should have been eating at least every two weeks. They were in a corner of a well air-conditioned room on the floor, with no heat or humidity regulation. I now have the tank with one side heated to 85 degrees and the other 75 degrees and the humidity at 60%.
After I got them home, I discovered that there are different species in the same cage. It appears I have a Ball Python and two Boa Constrictors. I have another tank being delivered tomorrow to separate the Python, who I named "Fluffy". There is a small Boa and a medium Boa. The small one is super friendly and curious and crawls right up your hand to be held, I named it "Precious". The medium one, I have not really messed with because it has cloudy eyes (which I read means it will shed soon), I did not want to upset it if it's eyesight is impaired, making it defensive, I named it "Cupcake" by the way.
I feel Cupcake has been neglected the most, because I think it's too skinny (once I get approval from the site to post pics, I will).
Even though none of them have been handled or worked with in over two years. I had no problem taking them out of the tank and into separate feeding boxes, while I cleaned the tank, which was much needed. My teenage nieces work at a small pet store, and I'm grateful they donated hiding boxes, a branch and a water bowl. They also brought over three mice. I was told the larger snake eats a medium size rat and they two smaller ones eat two mice each, but I was afraid of overdoing it, since they were just moved. I couldn't bear the thought of not feeding them, since it had been so long. Thankfully, they each instantly killed and ate the mice and so far no regurgitation.
Now for my questions, lol.
I was not sure if I should feed them again in a few days, a week, or once I see the food passed through them?
Also, should I give them more mice or gradually work up to more? I want to put them on a regular feeding schedule and make sure I am feeding them the appropriate amount of food, so any thoughts on how often and how much would be great.
I am going to try to train them to eat pre-killed/frozen food. I do not want them to be injured by food. Any suggestions to help make that transition easier is greatly welcomed.
The Boas hang out together, I find them sometimes laying on top of each other. But should I separate them too?
Not idea if they are male or female. Does it make a difference?
I also have no idea how old they are. Is there any way to tell?
Also, once I'm allowed to post pics, I'd like some opinions on what type of Boas I have, and what shape you guys think they are in?
Like I said I am new to snakes and luckily I'm not afraid of them. I have always had a great respect for them and have always thought snakes to be beautiful. My friends and family think I'm crazy for taking them in, lol. But I cannot stand that thought of any animal being abused and neglected. So... any advice on how to give these babies a healthy and happy home would be greatly appreciated.
I was appalled when I picked them up. They had not been fed in two months. Evidently, she had them on a once a month feeding schedule. They look skinny to me. After reading the guides on this site, it is evident they should have been eating at least every two weeks. They were in a corner of a well air-conditioned room on the floor, with no heat or humidity regulation. I now have the tank with one side heated to 85 degrees and the other 75 degrees and the humidity at 60%.
After I got them home, I discovered that there are different species in the same cage. It appears I have a Ball Python and two Boa Constrictors. I have another tank being delivered tomorrow to separate the Python, who I named "Fluffy". There is a small Boa and a medium Boa. The small one is super friendly and curious and crawls right up your hand to be held, I named it "Precious". The medium one, I have not really messed with because it has cloudy eyes (which I read means it will shed soon), I did not want to upset it if it's eyesight is impaired, making it defensive, I named it "Cupcake" by the way.
I feel Cupcake has been neglected the most, because I think it's too skinny (once I get approval from the site to post pics, I will).
Even though none of them have been handled or worked with in over two years. I had no problem taking them out of the tank and into separate feeding boxes, while I cleaned the tank, which was much needed. My teenage nieces work at a small pet store, and I'm grateful they donated hiding boxes, a branch and a water bowl. They also brought over three mice. I was told the larger snake eats a medium size rat and they two smaller ones eat two mice each, but I was afraid of overdoing it, since they were just moved. I couldn't bear the thought of not feeding them, since it had been so long. Thankfully, they each instantly killed and ate the mice and so far no regurgitation.
Now for my questions, lol.
I was not sure if I should feed them again in a few days, a week, or once I see the food passed through them?
Also, should I give them more mice or gradually work up to more? I want to put them on a regular feeding schedule and make sure I am feeding them the appropriate amount of food, so any thoughts on how often and how much would be great.
I am going to try to train them to eat pre-killed/frozen food. I do not want them to be injured by food. Any suggestions to help make that transition easier is greatly welcomed.
The Boas hang out together, I find them sometimes laying on top of each other. But should I separate them too?
Not idea if they are male or female. Does it make a difference?
I also have no idea how old they are. Is there any way to tell?
Also, once I'm allowed to post pics, I'd like some opinions on what type of Boas I have, and what shape you guys think they are in?
Like I said I am new to snakes and luckily I'm not afraid of them. I have always had a great respect for them and have always thought snakes to be beautiful. My friends and family think I'm crazy for taking them in, lol. But I cannot stand that thought of any animal being abused and neglected. So... any advice on how to give these babies a healthy and happy home would be greatly appreciated.
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