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VickyH
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
8 Posts |
 Posted - 22/02/2010 : 14:27:37
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Hi, my daughter has wanted a snake for ages now so I had a chat with a friend of mine who has grown up with them and she advised getting a royal. Firstly I want to make sure that a royal would be suited to us and that we would be suited to a royal!
Secondly I'd like to know exactly what we would need to keep a royal happy and healthy, I've had a look at other posts and various care sheets online but am a bit confused as to what is best regarding heat source. A heat mat is the common suggestion but I have read that a light bulb or ceramic heater is also required. If it is required does it go in the same area as the heat mat? Is it better to get male or female or does it make no difference?
I'm sure we'll have more questions so I'll apologise in advance for them all! |
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VickyH
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
8 Posts |
Posted - 22/02/2010 : 14:35:39
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ok, just found the 'how to set up a viv' sticky. It has given me a clearer idea of where to place things, but not sure if I should be using a heat mat or not now  |
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HannahB
Yearling
United Kingdom
300 Posts |
Posted - 22/02/2010 : 16:02:32
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heatmats are the best source of heating whilst they are smaller, but when they are bigger - depending on size its usually around 18months they are better off with a heat lamp  |
Sigs by lucifer
2.1 Cornsnakes: Montana (Carolina), Edison (Lavender Stripe), Liberty (Hypo Lavender).
2.0 Royal Pythons: Q & Little One
1.0 Chihauhaun King Snake: Simba |
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chris100575
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
743 Posts |
Posted - 23/02/2010 : 11:39:35
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It really depends on what your royal will be living in. Most people use RUBs for the young ones and with one of those a heatmat is the only option. As Hannah said, heatmats are not suitable for larger royals, so as soon as he goes into a viv I'd go for infra-red or ceramic.
Some reptile shops will try and tell you you don't need a thermostat, don't believe them. |
0.1.0 Royal Python - Princess
0.1.0 BCI - Feather |
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Paulusworm
Fully Grown Royal
Azerbaijan
1550 Posts |
Posted - 23/02/2010 : 12:20:48
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| Where abouts are you based Vicky? One of us may be nearby and willing to let you pop round for a look at our Royal set-up . |
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VickyH
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
8 Posts |
Posted - 23/02/2010 : 17:27:54
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| I'm near Rochester in Kent, I found a lady advertising on preloved who breeds royals and keeps other snakes and lizards. She has said I can take my daughter over to see her royals to handle and feed on to make sure we are ok with it all. She makes sure her hatchlings are feeding before she lets them go too which is a bit reassuring |
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Paulusworm
Fully Grown Royal
Azerbaijan
1550 Posts |
Posted - 23/02/2010 : 18:41:56
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quote:
Originally posted by VickyH
I'm near Rochester in Kent, I found a lady advertising on preloved who breeds royals and keeps other snakes and lizards. She has said I can take my daughter over to see her royals to handle and feed on to make sure we are ok with it all. She makes sure her hatchlings are feeding before she lets them go too which is a bit reassuring
Always a good thing when you find a responsible breeder. I was gonna invite you both round for a cuppa to meet Sherman and my zoo but Rochester to Pompey and back is a bit of a trek   . |
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Gingerpony
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
2663 Posts |
Posted - 23/02/2010 : 22:03:28
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it's worth bearing in mind with royals that some don't take well to a lot of handling, not in an aggressive way but they can get stressed which often puts them off eating, which then stresses the owner!
cornsnakes are generally placid and tolerate much more handling than royals and come in a wide variety of colours/patterns (morphs). they're also a pretty hardy species and very easy to keep.
i'm not saying this to be anti-royals but it's all worth having a thing about and maybe doing some research on out sister site www.thecornsnake.co.uk |
Dumerils boas, BCO hybrids, Sinder Hypo boas, cornsnakes, ratsnakes, Day Geckos
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chris100575
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
743 Posts |
Posted - 24/02/2010 : 08:35:25
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| Royals are prettier though. |
0.1.0 Royal Python - Princess
0.1.0 BCI - Feather |
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Gingerpony
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
2663 Posts |
Posted - 24/02/2010 : 10:31:24
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| not sure how you work that one out chris! |
Dumerils boas, BCO hybrids, Sinder Hypo boas, cornsnakes, ratsnakes, Day Geckos
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chris100575
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
743 Posts |
Posted - 24/02/2010 : 10:51:37
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By squinting into the cave with a torch, how else do you see a royal?
At least neither of us has suggested a boa yet. |
0.1.0 Royal Python - Princess
0.1.0 BCI - Feather |
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pfleming
Yearling
247 Posts |
Posted - 24/02/2010 : 11:04:00
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| haha, yeah. Royal/corn is definetly the way forward for begginers. |
0.0.1 Royal Python!
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Gingerpony
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
2663 Posts |
Posted - 24/02/2010 : 11:17:57
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quote:
Originally posted by chris100575
At least neither of us has suggested a boa yet.
we muuuust resiiiiiissssst!! |
Dumerils boas, BCO hybrids, Sinder Hypo boas, cornsnakes, ratsnakes, Day Geckos
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VickyH
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
8 Posts |
Posted - 25/02/2010 : 11:55:11
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Thanks for all your advice so far, I have been warned off using a second hand wooden viv due to mites and a disease that I can't remember the name of! Any advice on this please??
Also does anyone have their snake insured? I was at the vets with my dog last week and picked up a leaflet on exotic pets insurance - didn't know it existed! |
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Blackecho
Royal Python Admin
United Kingdom
11327 Posts |
Posted - 25/02/2010 : 12:49:56
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| A good disinfect with some Frontline Spray or would kill any mites/eggs off. |
 
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advice needed please?
