Care of Murray Darling python?

[bush_turkey]

Hi all another noob here! Have introduced myself in the intro area and looking for some advice on a new addition to the family. Have spent quite a few hours looking on this site but looking for some help on a few questions. Here is some info on Steve the Murray Darling Python

He is approx 70cms long and about 7 months old and apparently been probed and is a male. Was bred at Gully Reptile Centre, Modbury, Adelaide. Any feedback on these guys from any Adelaide members would be great! He is living in a glass tank 90cm long x 50cm high x 40cm wide with vented timber lid and a single fluoro and single red heat lamp on a thermostat(more on this in a minute:x ). At the moment we have a desert sand base some rocks for a hide and some large sticks for climbing and water bowl.

Ok time for questions...

When Michelle bought Steve home xmas eve with the vivarium, the light and heatlamp mesh covers needed assembly which was done in the evening. Upon switching everything on we discovered the heatlamp and thermostat did not work:x and seeing as it was xmas night with no body to be able to contact i decided to put in an aquaruim heater I had in the heat lamp mesh cage to try and regulate the temp to about 28 degress as she was told by the shop. We were not able to contact the shop till yesterday as they shut down for xmas. The lamp and thermostat is in the shop being fixed today so should have it back and running tonight! I will post pics of the setup later tonight when I get home so you can see for yourselves

Q.1: I was wondering if putting the aquarium heater in for 2 weeks was the right thing to do for a start and now IF its all running properly tonight what is the best temp to keep a MD at? He was quite happy coiling up near the aquaruim heater when it was in there?

Q.2: He has not been interested in any defrosted rats since he has been with us. He shed his skin about 5 days ago and a few weeks before that at the shop. Michelle was told he was a good feeder before she bought him home but he's not interested in food at all now. How long should it be without eating before we get concerned? We have tried the frozen baby rats that the shop sold her thawed to room temp. Is this the best food? Should we take him out to feed or just drop food on a rock in the tank for him to find? I have tried both so far but nothing yet...

Q.3: Your views on handlling this type snake would be great as have seen quite a lot different responses to handling frequency on looking through other threads on this site. I have been bringing him out for about 30 - 40 mins a day at night time. He is usually happy to come out of the tank and sometimes does not want to go back in. Also as we have 3 kids they all want a hold, which we have been letting them do for a few mins, after washing hands as do I before handling him. Is this a good thing or not? The bloke in the shop said the more you handle them the more placid and friendly they get? Steve seems pretty fiesty and active and quite inqusitive when I bring him out and normally only strikes if you make sudden movemnts as you would naturally think.

I realise every snake is different but just looking for some good basic guidelines to follow while I learn about my new pet. Im sure I will have lots more questions soon. Thanks in advance!

Cheers, Glenn

 

[cris]

1. Most aquarium heaters are designt to work in water, i wouldnt be using it even if it has been ok so far. I would prefer a hot spot of 30 or more the other end should be at room temperature(unless its freezing cold in your house)
2. dont worry about him not eating, leave him alone for a few days or a week(yes i know that will be hard) and then try again. repeat this proccess and dont worry unless he still isnt feeding in afew months. There are a few tricks to help get them feeding if you search the forums you willl find heaps of tips.
3. Dont handle it at all until it feeds.

 

[cris]

just checked the forecast for you guys he should be fine without heating until you can get something proper sorted out.

 

[Matty01]

get him off that stupid sand before he ingests some of it gets all blocked up and carks it!! newspaper only as the floor substrate, doesnt look the best but better for cleaning/hygeine purposes, also only use pavers or bricks they are flat and he cant get under them, dont use rocks they might not be flat enough and if he squeezes under there he might get squashed.
cheers Matty

 

[bush_turkey]

Thanks for the replies so far! Has anyone else got any advice they can offer?

Cheers, Glenn

 

[Mr_Matt]

Hi Glenn

The sand will be fine aslong as you take the snake out to feed. I have a display enclosure with red desert sand, but will never feed the snake in it, as it is not worth him ingesting some. My other enclosures either have newspaper or breeders choice (cat litter).

I wouldn't worry about your snake not eating yet, just try and cut down the amount of handling for a while, as he is only a new addition to the family and needs to settle in. Some snakes tend to go off their food coming into a shed and you did say he only shed 5 days ago.

Cheers
Matt

 

[bush_turkey]

Thanks for that Matt!