Traveling... what about my baby?

[RedSidedSPR]

I'm traveling to VA in 2 days... it's only a few days gone and I know my adult snake will be fine... but what about my baby snake? It will exceed his feeding schedule. Should I take him?

I'm also asking because I may be going somewhere for a whole week soon...

[Sonya610]

I'm traveling to VA in 2 days... it's only a few days gone and I know my adult snake will be fine... but what about my baby snake? It will exceed his feeding schedule. Should I take him?

I'm also asking because I may be going somewhere for a whole week soon...

You had best find a RESPONSIBLE person to feed him and do it darn quick. Tell the responsible person exactly what to do, chop up the food and keep it frozen in meal size portions ahead of time, and write down EXACT feeding instructions too.

If you have a friend that can do this that would be great, show him how you feed before you leave. Take all the guesswork OUT of it. You would be wise to tell them NOT to handle the snake or remove him from his enclosure as well.

The stress of taking him would be worrisome unless it is just a very short trip and you can bring his setup with you.

[mb90078]

Assuming temperature conditions are OK, I think 2-3 days without feeding wouldn't be a problem.

[kibakiba]

Personally, I'm sure he could handle going a week without food. When I'm really busy, depressed, or having some other problem and cant feed my snakes, the babies go without food that week. They do fine, they just have the tenancy to go crazy then they smell food when I can feed them.

[ConcinusMan]

Two days is nothing. Just make sure everyone has plenty of water.


Personally, I'm sure he could handle going a week without food.

Easily. Just feed them very well (rodents if possible) in the days before hand then don't feed during the last 24 hours before you leave(while keeping their heat on). I do that so they can digest what I have fed them, then I can turn off their heat before I leave. With no supplemental heat, they stay at 67-70 degrees in my case. The need for food is greatly reduced at that temperature (metabolism slows down) and so babies can then get through a week without food just fine. A previously well fed adult can go 3 weeks like this without a problem.

Thing is, they must have fresh clean water at all times. I would have someone take care of their water if I was going to be gone more than two days. I think it's best not to plan on being gone for days while babies are less than two months old since that is a critical time for them.

[guidofatherof5]

I think it's best not to plan on being gone for days while babies are less than two months old since that is a critical time for them.

Critical indeed. Good advice.

[d_virginiana]

Never had to leave a snake quite that young before, but when Houdini was still really little we would feed him well before a long trip and then leave separate water dishes, and put a few guppies in one.. When we got back, a few but not all of the guppies would always be missing.
Don't know the exact age of yours, or if this would be a good idea for one so young, but if you're only gone a day or two, he'll probably be okay.

[Sonya610]

I think it's best not to plan on being gone for days while babies are less than two months old since that is a critical time for them.

This baby is only 3 weeks old, and he just started eating 7 days ago.

[RedSidedSPR]

Ok, I'm leaving tomorrow, and we're coming back Thursday...

I DO NOT know anyone I trust to take care of him. No one... the only ones I know is my family and they're coming too... and I only trust them a little bit:rolleyes:

I'm just not very trusting when it comes to my snakes. NO ONE touches the snake:mad::D

Also, I CAN take his enclosure...

He's been PIGGING OUT on guppies lately (unscented now!), if I hand him 3-4 he'd probably eat them, I don't think food is a problem...


I think I'll just take him if I when I go for a week.

[Sonya610]

Ok, I'm leaving tomorrow, and we're coming back Thursday...


If you are only gone for 2 full days he will likely be fine. Maybe buy a timer for the lights/heat? Or turn heat off as Richard suggested?

The week long excursion with 4-6 hours drive time is another matter. Consult the experts on drive time stress vs other stuff. I would be worried about stressing him out with the drive, not sure how long guppies can live in a water bowl (or if gorging is a concern) but maybe something to consider?

[RedSidedSPR]

I don't know... I think it's a 3 hour drive. If I put him in a dark container, AND take his enclosure, that should be OK right? I know it's kinda stressful for them, but I'd probably have to do it when I go for a week...



Consult the experts on drive time stress vs other stuff.

Alright experts, start talking, I'm leaving tomorrow and need instant advice:D

[Sonya610]

I don't know... I think it's a 3 hour drive. If I put him in a dark container, AND take his enclosure, that should be OK right? I know it's kinda stressful for them, but I'd probably have to do it when I go for a week...

Alright experts, start talking, I'm leaving tomorrow and need instant advice:D

I was referring to the week long trip, the 2/3 day trip is different.

If you leave tomorrow and return on thursday I would not take him. Two full days without food (tues/wed) is not an issue, travel stress would be far worse.

[ConcinusMan]

I would just leave him at around room temp, plenty of water and leave him home. He'll be fine to two days. Like Sonya said, bringing him along would be too much stress.

[RdubSnider]

When the time comes to leave for a week if you could get him to eat some scented pinky parts prior and lower the heat and leave plenty of water I'd say odds are he'll be just fine. Personally I feel taken him along would put him at greater risk of a bad outcome

[d_virginiana]

not sure how long guppies can live in a water bowl (or if gorging is a concern) but maybe something to consider?

Guppies can live for quite awhile if you put a pellet or two of fish food in there for them and the water bowl isn't terribly shallow (just make sure the snake has a separate water bowl with no fish so in case some die he'll have clean water). Houdini was always a picky eater, so we didn't have to worry about overeating with him, but you might not want to try that if your snake is prone to gorging itself.

[RedSidedSPR]

well, he is a pig...:rolleyes:

I left him. I;'m not too worried about it.

But I am somewhat concerned about the week long trip.. I can;t feed pinkies.. yet... i could bring him... but if that's bad.. IDK...

[kibakiba]

Trust me on this... They're built for it. A week wont kill him as long as you keep the lamp off (he'll be fine!), give him maybe a little bit more food before you go. I don't know how much you feed him, but you aren't going to want to overfeed the little guy. I know you don't agree with my sometimes-1week-no-food thing, but if I feel my depression coming on, I give them, say, an extra pinkie for my yearlings and adults, 2 for Mama, and some extra pinkie parts for my other babies, and turn off my heat. It takes them longer to digest that way.

[RedSidedSPR]

Right pigged out on guppies... no really but, more than usuall.

How much is overfeeding him? How many guppies is ok? I'll start him on worms soon but for now it's just guppies... he's only been eating for a few weeks.

[kibakiba]

It depends per person. I don't know how big he is, how big the guppies are compared to him, etc. For me, personally, I'd make a slightly noticable bulge that isn't bigger than his head, if that makes sense. I don't know about other species, mine are only a few inches, but making a small bulge under the size of their head lasts them quite a while. It takes them about 3 days to digest it fully at 79 degrees.

[RedSidedSPR]

that;s what I do thanks

[kibakiba]

Other people might have different opinions or ways of doing things like this. But, my little guys are almost as big as the ones born in August. :D

[RedSidedSPR]

Gotcha.