AboutThea Expertise I can answer questions on the proper husbandry and diet of Iguanas, bearded dragons, geckoes, skinks, chameleons, tortoises, box turtles, treefrogs, non-venomous snakes and tarantulas. Also the breeding of some species of feeder insects.
I have no experience with venonmous snakes and only limited experience with aquatic turtles.
Experience I have been keeping and breeding reptiles for over 30 years. In addition to my regular job in the medical field I also worked for several years in a pet store that specialized only in exotics. The job entailed both caring for and answering questions on innumerable species. It required constant, extensive research into a wide range of reptiles. I have been called to appear on televised national media (CBC, CTV and Life Channel) as well as CBC radio to discuss the proper care of reptiles and other exotics in captivity. I currently own one or more species of those listed under my expertise with the exception of chameleons. I owned chameleons for years but keep none currently. I keep over 20 snakes comprising 5 species, both Colubridae and Boidae. I bred corn snakes for several years. I have a particular interest in treefrogs and currently have 5 different species. I've raised redfoot tortoises for 10 years and have two iguanas, one for 12 years.
Publications A small and now defunct local magazine called "Pet Vue"
Education/Credentials Diagnostic medical microbiology with some parasitology experience.
Question Hi i have recently got a columbian rainbow boa,this is my first snake and im just a bit worried bout her my temp gauge says its only 27 degrees i have a heat mat should i get some thing else,is it a good idea to have a hide on each side of the tank becasue the only time she comes out is to change hides.Can i handle her to much and are gloves a good or bad idea to begin with?thankyou Dom
Answer Hi Dom, A Columbian rainbow is certainly an interesting choice for a first snake. They are a bit more challenging and demanding in their husbandry requirements then many other species. Before you invest in more heating make sure that you have an accurate reading of the actual hot spot in your tank. You can use a digital thermometer with and external probe or just a regular reliable thermometer. Place it directly on the substrate over the heat pad, exactly where your snake will actually be and get a stable reading. I've discovered that owners who are worrying about low temps are often reading a thermometer that is stuck on (and primarily taking the temperature of) the glass. Your temp of 27C is fine as an ambient temp. but the basking temp over the pad should be around 32C. You may need to supplement with a small wattage red bulb over the pad to achieve this but sometimes just thinning out the substrate over the pad is sufficient.
Columbians also need high humidity although they are a bit more forgiving about this then Brazilian rainbow boas. The required humidity level ( 50-60 %) can sometimes be difficult to maintain throughout the entire enclosure, especially in the winter. I always provide a humid hide for this species. Use an enclosed plastic container with a small entry hole and keep a generous layer of damp moss inside. Place it closer to the the warm end (and yes a second hide in the cooler end is recommended). Get the brown spagnum moss if you can, it has natural anti-bacterial properties. A large water dish that allows soaking will also help. It can be a bit tricky to get the temp. right without drying out the tank and to keep the humidity up without sacrificing proper ventilation. Giving the tank a daily misting will help.
Handling has to be avoided when she is going through her shedding process (her eyes will turn cloudy) and for a couple days after feeding. This species has a bit of a reputation for being defensive or nippy when they are young but they grow out of it and regular handling will help. I've never felt comfortable using gloves, I feel like I can't tell how much pressure I'm applying to the snake. There is a certain tactile pleasure in handling them that you lose as well. The bite, if it happens, really isn't bad enough to warrant gloves. Most bites happen when keepers make feeding mistakes. Don't reach into her tank after handling her food or even if her food is nearby in the room. Their sense of smell is strong and they will strike at almost any movement when the scent is around.
