Getting my first snake, a BHP. advice please..

[Mitch_s]

UPDATED! Getting my first snake, a BHP. advice please..

hey guys, im about to get my first snake, once i've gotten the license.
im buying a blackheaded python for my first and a 5x2 enclosure.
im after some general advice on anything that will keep him healthy and in good condition and on anything that will help me or BHP.
I really want to get everything down pat as far as looking after the snake goes because after all it is a living thing and i want to keep it as comfortable, happy and healthy as i can.
also, i havnt yet got my license but i am genuinely looking to get a BHP. What do you do to get the license (sit a test or just pay money)?

a few questions i have are:

1. has anyone out there ever built their own enclosure for their BHP? if so please share any pictures you can and please give me some ideas and advice.

2. how should i go about taking my BHP outside? im worried he will do a runner on me when he see's my dog (a very dopey lab). i will be locking the dog inside but i still am not %100 sure on what to do.

NEW QUESTION!- 3. is it safe to build my own snake enclosure but use it as a tv stand aswell? im worried that the static and the noise might be to much for the snake?




im sorry i didnt use the search feature but my internet is way to slow and for some reason it just wont open.

thanks a heap guys - Mitch..

 

[mysnakesau]

Hi Mitch. Lovely choice for first python there. Very pretty and fun snake to keep.

I can't help with building enclosures but one thing I can tell you though, is BHPs are ground dwellers, not tree climbers so your enclosure needs to have more surface space than height. You can build it taller if you want to, but he might like shelves or levels rather than tree branches. 5x2 enclosure you have? I would suggest listening to the person you buy it from as far as housing. I wouldn't put a baby snake in a tank that big. They get frightened too easy, and scared snakes tend to become defensive and go off their tucker. So make sure you ask the breeder these questions so he can help you give it the best start.

In Victoria it would be too cold to keep him outside. Even if you put heat in his cage, temperatures in the cool end, overnight and winter would effect his health and wellbeing. BHPs are Northern Territory/WA pythons where it tends to stay a lot warmer than in Victoria. Keep your animal's enclosures similar to their wild relatives and you should have a happy snake. If he was to escape he would not survive very long. He'd get cold which makes him very inactive and become victim to other dogs, cats or wild animals, if not your own.

When you a ready to buy one, make sure you get an established feeder. BHPs are born reptile eaters but breeders always convert them to rodents. So make sure the breeder picks you out one that is well established feeding on rodents.

 

[lizardloco]

Hi Mitch. Lovely choice for first python there. Very pretty and fun snake to keep.

I can't help with building enclosures but one thing I can tell you though, is BHPs are ground dwellers, not tree climbers so your enclosure needs to have more surface space than height. You can build it taller if you want to, but he might like shelves or levels rather than tree branches. 5x2 enclosure you have? I would suggest listening to the person you buy it from as far as housing. I wouldn't put a baby snake in a tank that big. They get frightened too easy, and scared snakes tend to become defensive and go off their tucker. So make sure you ask the breeder these questions so he can help you give it the best start.

In Victoria it would be too cold to keep him outside. Even if you put heat in his cage, temperatures in the cool end, overnight and winter would effect his health and wellbeing. BHPs are Northern Territory/WA pythons where it tends to stay a lot warmer than in Victoria. Keep your animal's enclosures similar to their wild relatives and you should have a happy snake. If he was to escape he would not survive very long. He'd get cold which makes him very inactive and become victim to other dogs, cats or wild animals, if not your own.

When you a ready to buy one, make sure you get an established feeder. BHPs are born reptile eaters but breeders always convert them to rodents. So make sure the breeder picks you out one that is well established feeding on rodents.

Well said, except I think they were talking about taking the BHP out for a 'play', outside.

 

[Mitch_s]

im buying one thats already feeding, im not sure exactly how old the snake is im getting but the bloke is going to find out exactly, but in size its about a metre or more in length.
i dont mean to keep him outside i'll be housing him inside, right next to my bed haha.
would 5x2 be big enough for him. im buying the 5x2 for around the 700 mark and the snake for 1300 so if i get bigger for around the same price i will.
how do i go about getting my license in victoria? do i sit a test or just pay?
also is it okay to get rid of my tv stand and sit a tv on top of the tank or would it mess with the snake? im just worried all the noise and static would mess with it?

 

[pythrulz]

Hey Mitch BHPs nice snake getting a pair soon if there parents mate and breed anyway if your taking him/her outside to play as we say just keep your lab in a seperate area obvisouly I have a lab too they tend to get a bit over excited sometimes just stay next to your snake at all times then theres nothing to worry about dont know about encloser size but obvisouly get one appropiate to size

 

[mysnakesau]

Well said, except I think they were talking about taking the BHP out for a 'play', outside.

Oh so he did...lol...my bad....in that case, a bit of sunshine would be great for him and he'll love it

 

[prettypython]

I know nothing on victorias licence. Its very important to never feed bhp large rats, they are prone to fatty liver which is fatal. Google it, or have a look at "herp help" on this site and a recent thread on "runny green poo" have a look at your local libary, you'll probally find some great books on python care, and when you find one you like, buy it, you'll be suprised how oftern a good book gets used.

 

[Logan92]

http://www.land.vic.gov.au/CA256F310024B628/0/B26F8AF7E3D97226CA257193007930EF/$File/Application+for+a+Private+Wildlife+Licence.pdf

That's the website for the Vic wildlife license, just print that off, fill it out, send it away and then play the waiting Game haha

 

[Darlyn]

Wow that seems to be a rather expensive BHP?

Mine likes to explore alot and move underneath things, he also climbs a lot so
I have wood pieces for him to zoom along.
He also likes to dunk into water but then it's alot warmer up here than Vic.
I take mine outside and he explores around but I am always right next to him so he doesn't get away.
Also for safety so a bird can't grab him.

Good luck nice choice for first snake, enjoy.

 

[DHoffmann]

Hey Mitch,

Just went through the licensing myself. As easy as can be.

http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/__data/as...252/ApplicationforaPrivateWildlifeLicence.pdf

Print out the relevant pages there, fill in your info and send it off with payment method, via scan/fax/mail. Wait between 3 days - 3 weeks, and your license/book arrives in the mail.
As per the info in the .pdf the license expires on September 30th, so will need to make sure to renew it then.

 

[Mitch_s]

thanks guys. yeah i thought it was rather expensive aswell. i went in to ask why it was expensive today but the reptile bloke wasnt in.

 

[Darlyn]

I'd be checking the for sale section on here to get price comparisons, just so that you are more
informed on what the rates are.

 

[lisa5]

Not sure about using the enclosure as a TV stand, but I would be worried about vibrations. Just read an ABC article saying that snakes pick up sound waves through their jaws Snakes hear through their jaws � News in Science (ABC Science). How old is the snake you are going to get?

 

[Mitch_s]

im not 100 percent but inbetween 1 and 2 years i dare say, would it be safe to even have a snake in the same rooms as a tv especially with people playing movies, music and xboxes etc.?

 

[shell477]

Tsk Tsk.

Advertising Rules
Rule 1 - No unauthorised auctioning or selling of snakes within non "Show and Swap" forums is permitted.


I'm not trying to be mean, its just really unfair to those that do pay subscriptions for this right.

 

[Mitch_s]

Tsk Tsk.

Advertising Rules
Rule 1 - No unauthorised auctioning or selling of snakes within non "Show and Swap" forums is permitted.


I'm not trying to be mean, its just really unfair to those that do pay subscriptions for this right.

i dont even have a snake yet, how could i possibly be avertising one?

i dont even have a snake yet, how could i possibly be avertising one?

my bad, just remembered your not talking to me

 

[shell477]

its cool