A question about going away

[snakegal]

Hi all,

I've got 2 seven month old DP's who are getting fed around every 3 wks. Currently I pull them out of their enclosures and hold/wiggle the rat before they strike. I'm most likely going to be going away and it will be anywhere from 2 months to 2 years plus. I'm wondering whether they can be fed by someone (not confident with herps) throwing a rat into the enclosures? I'm worried about the substrate sticking to food (I use a mix of shredded paper and those sawdust pellets) and also worried about the rat going off.

I tested it the other night and the female took 5 mins to find the rat, but the dumb *** male took over 40mins to find it. I had to help him in the end. Is that because it wasn't warm enough and he had trouble sensing? If so why did the female find it quicker?

What does everyone else do when going away for a long time if you don't have a herp person to help out?

[inthegrass]

hi,
if you are going away for that long you will probably need to leave them with someone who knows how to look after them properly.jmo.
someone on this site may live near you and be able to help. just ask.
cheers

[Pythoninfinite]

You find a herp person to help out.

[snakegal]

Yeah I guess thats best. I'm just paranoid about disease/parasites but the ppl I'm thinking of are pretty good in that regard. I also feel kinda bad cos asking them to look after (of course all costs will be covered).

Do ppl reckon herpers feel flattered someone has asked them to look after theirs or is it a big ask (chore)? Interested in your opinions on how you would take someone asking....

guess it also depends on the size of their collection too

Cheers for the feedback :wink:

Guna miss my babies...*sob*

[alienpunk]

there are very few herpers on this site that would knock back the chance to help out a fellow herper....

[snakegal]

Has anyone ever left their herps in the care of a non herper and had bad results?

[snakegal]

bump

[Pythoninfinite]

Why don't you ask your vet? I'm sorry Snakegal, you did say you've done your homework as regards keeping snakes... I don't mean to be rude but it's very obvious you have a lot more to do.

Jamie.

[Glimmerman]

I guess I am luck in the fact that I have a close circle of friends interested in Herps. I have to many to leave in the care of their home.... I give them the keys to my house. I also ask them to feed the dog and pay them to cover petrol costs etc as well as supply all food etc.

Why don't you choose someone and teach them what to do?

If you are going away for up to 2 years, and not knowing where to leave them or giving them to a non experienced keeper is not good. Sell them and start again when you come back. I did that. I was transfered overseas for 3 years. SOld everything, then started again on my return.

Who do you blame if something happens to your DP's. You or the person you left them in the care of ???

Food for thought.

Harsh concept, unfortunately, SAD BUT TRUE.

[Magpie]

If you are going away for up to 2 years, and not knowing where to leave them or giving them to a non experienced keeper is not good. Sell them and start again when you come back. I did that. I was transfered overseas for 3 years. SOld everything, then started again on my return.

Have to agree with that, you cannot expect someone to look after your pets every day for two years then willingly give them back at the end of it. Anyone who would not form a bond with them in that time is not someone I would want looking after my animals.

[snakegal]

Jamie, I'm not sorry to say get a life. The vet topic has been and gone and I don't need you taking the piss about the vet I saw (who I might add I tried as he came recommended).

Yes I am still learning a lot (and who isn't), I never professed to have done all my homework in regards to all areas of herp keeping! Besides that I'm asking for peoples experiences - in case you hadn't noticed that is different to factual information which can be researched.

Originally Posted by Pythoninfinite

Why don't you ask your vet? I'm sorry Snakegal, you did say you've done your homework as regards keeping snakes... I don't mean to be rude but it's very obvious you have a lot more to do.

Jamie.

[snakegal]

Thanks guys i do know there is risk with letting a non experienced keeper look after them, I was more interested in stories for the "entertainment value".

I see what you're saying about selling them, but I know I could never do that. As a backup I'm already training a non-herper into caring for them but still deciding what to do.

Cheers for the feedback! :wink:

[Pythoninfinite]

I would have thought it obvious that leaving any animal with inexperienced people is a risk, you shouldn't even have to ask the question. There are hundreds, thousands of stories of animals coming to grief in the hands of inexperienced keepers. Stating the bleeding obvious to say that reptiles need certain skills to manage for optimum health. Some questions don't even need to be asked.

As far as the vet is concerned, of course you tried someone who came recommended, that's what we all do, myself included. But when you come away with praise, after he suggested crickets, liver and vitamin balls as supplements for your diamond pythons, then I seriously question your judgement and the research you have done so far. I may have come over unnecessarily harsh, but his advice would be laughable if it wasn't so misguided, and could potentially send you as a novice a long way down the wrong track.

Many people have trodden the path you're now travelling on Snakegal, pick a good mentor (when you come back) and stick with his/her advice until you understand a bit more yourself - if you get opinions from all over the place all you'll do is end up totally confused, especially if can't recognise good advice from bad. And you risk the health of your animals.

Jamie.

[Xenogenesis]

Calm it down girls/boys, lets not make this personal, snakegal is just asking opinions and past experiances, not to be put down.

[koubee]

PMed you Mel.