Another question from the high school teacher

Question
QUESTION: Ok so I have a small ball python in my school classroom and a student used duct tape in her cage. Some how she got t caught around her and melted it to herself. there is a 1 in patch that I cannot remove and a wound above it where scales were removed. I have cleaned the area and trimed the excess tape. I tried soaking her in warm water and then removing it no luck. This section is on her belly. I am tempted to leave it on there and wait til she sheads. What a mess...but not the weirdest thing that has happened with animals in a high school classroom.

Please suggest!
Also I am concerned about her being in shock from the attention.

Also any suggestions on removing the eye cap from a red tailed boa(4 1/2 ft) that did not shed off?

Thank you for your time I owe you a drink!

ANSWER: Hi Allyson,

I would allow the snake to soak for about an hour this should loosen up the adhessive glue. If this does not work then yes you should leave it alone till the next shed.

As for the eye cap. Using a warm damp towel slowly rub the eye till moisturize it. Gently rub the eye with the towel this should help with removing the eye cap. If this does not help then leaave it alone it should come off with the next shed as well.

Hope this helps,
Eric Rovegno

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QUESTION: Thanks Eric...
What would you suggest for the small wound it created...just exposed muscle, not much bleeding. Betadine? Neosporin? Any concern over possible shock?
Appreciate your time,
Allyson

ANSWER: Hi Allyson,

You can use iodine to clean the wound and then put some bacitracin on it to help with healing.

As far as the shock. Its ok, I am sure he is loving all the attention. I would however suggest for you to allow him to heal completely.

Eric Rovegno

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cage sideways   QUESTION: Hello, you helped me with my accident prone ball python....I am a high school teacher that has acquired a menagerie of reptiles and other animals. I am dedicated to caring for them correctly but sometimes that involves some trial and error. I have gotten a 6' albino red tailed boa and another 6' red tailed boa. Currently they each have 1/2 (seperated) of a 2' x 4' x 4' custom tank made out of pvc. Everything was donated and I have little money to add on. The snakes both came separate and so did the cage. The cage was originally built for a tree boa. It is heated by circulating hot water tanks but does not get very warm...about 80 degrees ambient. I am trying to cut the cage to add a basking area...I realize it is not warm enough. I have attached a pic. First do you think this is suitable habitat? Second is that enough space for each snake? Third I am using no substrate because that was suggested...should I lay down some newspaper? Fourth should snakes always defecate in between feedings? Fifth I feed 2 small to med sized rats every 2 weeks is this a good maintenance diet? Lastly I have noticed the normal colored boa seems to be a bit pink on the belly scales...there seem to be no parasites but a uniform light pinkness...I cannot remember if that has always been there or not...? Also I welcome any other husbandry suggestions. Thank you for your time...I have few reptile resources nearby.
Allyson

Yes thermostat with fans...but never gets hot enough
Age? Breeding? Both donated but pretty sure captive bred
Humidity ..I'll check but it is heated using water so I think okay
No heat rock




On another note I have a student with a ball python and he fed his snake and one side of the jaw did not pop back in can anything be done to assist the snake?

Answer
Hello Allyson,

The tank is good. I would however suggest you do not cut any holes and instead use some heat tape. This will help ensure that they will not force their way out and escape. The humidity thing the water would have to be within the tank to help any.

It look like you can remove the inner walls of the cage. This would be ideal for such large snakes.

I would also suggest some substrate. Aspen is great and easy to maintain. This will help keep the cages humidity level up and make for a better bedding.

I suggest feeding once a week. If this is out of you means then I would suggest no more then every three weeks. Being as they will grow some more the best thing for you to do is purchase three rat breeding tanks. This will help with the cost of buying them from the pet store.

I hope this helps,
Eric