'proper' way to own a snake

[jess1802]

Not sure if I'm in the right spot to ask this but me and my partner are having an argument about whether or not this site is the place to get correct information. I say that there are experienced people who know what they're talking about. She on the other hand says that I'm better off going to a 'proper' herpetologist. Just wondering how many people on here have certificates and are licensed breeders. I believe this site is amazing and great to ask questions etc. My mother in law for instance oils her snakes with vegetable oil. About a 10c piece after every shed. I've been told on here not to do it. Only for treatment of mites. But apparently her vet and breeder said to do it. Things like this are what's causing her to say what she does . Sorry if this is not allowed in this thread. Just want to find out

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[Amynickid]

we are all licensed..... and own reptiles. experience is key

 

[jess1802]

Thank you. That's what I say

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[andynic07]

There are lots of people who breed snakes on this site and probably some of the most experienced keepers in Australia. There is some very smart people on here as well that come up with some pretty cleaver ideas. There is trades people , teachers and engineers to name a few careers that frequent this site. There are many right ways to keep a reptile and it is about finding what works best for you and I believe that this site is great for that because of the varying opinions from all walks of life that are represented on here. If you ask one person how to do something then you will get one answer whereas if you ask 1000 you may get a few different answers but you will also get a broader picture and will probably be able to understand why as well as how.

 

[Varanoidea]

To be successful in reptile keeping you have to assimilate information from every available source for example books, vets, breeders and forums to filter out the garbage from the good advice. While there are certainly DO's and DONT's of reptile keeping there is a grey area inbetween where you can keep snakes successfully using a variety of different methods. That said APS is an excellent site with lots of beneficial information with a minimal amount of rubbish posts, so it would be foolhardy not to use it. Don't listen to her.

Now then, vegetable oil?......Wat? I must have missed that thread. I am saying this because I care about the welfare of the snake, stop that.

EDIT: I just got the funniest imagine in my head of a really flighty snake covered in oil flipping and slipping all over the place as someone tries to grab it and now I can't stop laughing hahaha.

 

[Snowman]

Probably time your mother in law invested in a few books and actually learnt about the animals she is keeping.....

 

[jess1802]

I agree but her breeder and vet told her its fine

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[DarwinBrianT]

I agree but her breeder and vet told her its fine

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It's one thing for the vet to say it's ok but the next question has to be why should she do it, what benefit is it to the snake?
I would like to know the answer but I don't think one will come.

 

[Snowman]

I agree but her breeder and vet told her its fine

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I really really find that hard to believe. Get a contact number for both and ask them yourself. Guarantee its rubbish.

where do wild snakes get vegetable oil from? Snakes don't need any added items they don't come across in the wild.

 

[jess1802]

I have no idea and unfortunately my MIL is the kind of person who is set in her ways so she won't stop

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[DarwinBrianT]

I have no idea and unfortunately my MIL is the kind of person who is set in her ways so she won't stop

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Well if they can't tell you why then why would you listen to them? I wouldn't be taking any advice from anyone that can't tell you why you should do something.

 

[jess1802]

I won't do it. But I was wondering if anyone else has either heard of it or does it themselves

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[Snowman]

Nope. It's completely absurd.

 

[DarwinBrianT]

Good and bad info gets posted on here but if you stick around you will soon see that the bad info gets shot down very quickly.
Please stick around, its a good forum.

 

[Maxwell]

I have done the veggie oil trick when one of my larger snakes made a break for it and found sound packing tape and ended up covered in adhesive.

I also made sure to wash all the oil off.

Let's just say it was not a very trick to do. The snake was very slippery and kept getting away.

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[TrueBlue]

A snakes skin is very porous so much so they can re-hydrate thru it, oil can and will do harm if used all the time. Bad idea indeed.

 

[MesseNoire]

I have done the veggie oil trick when one of my larger snakes made a break for it and found sound packing tape and ended up covered in adhesive.

I also made sure to wash all the oil off.

Let's just say it was not a very trick to do. The snake was very slippery and kept getting away.

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I think using oil for one off occasions is fine. I'm pretty sure OP meant that her mother in law bathes her snakes in oil regularly when shedding.

Anyways, this place has it's ups and downs. More ups than downs though
I think if you were to listen to your mother in law or your partner in this instance you will be making a huge mistake. Just because someone has a nice framed piece of paper doesn't necessarily mean they know what they're talking about.
If you stick around you will see what this forum is really about: a wealth of experience coming from people who have been in the industry far longer than what your mother in law or her vet have been.

 

[PythonLegs]

You'd be amazed at some of the tripe that comes from vets.
and as for breeders, well..of course owning two of something instantly makes you an expert, plenty of people on here who subscribe to that theory.

 

[CrystalMoon]

Mother Outlaws never know it all they just think they do :lol: Wives only do when it is to your best advantage 8) I would just nod and say yes dears, and then keep your eyes on good informative books and great informative sites lol perhaps leaving said things open at pages/threads where they might see and learn something. No-one ever knows it all about animals/reptiles, you learn new things about them every day

 

[GeckoJosh]

A snakes skin is very porous so much so they can re-hydrate thru it, oil can and will do harm if used all the time. Bad idea indeed.

This is the first time I have heard this, do you have anymore information I can read about it?