Thai Bamboo Ratsnake Care Sheet
Congratulations on your new pet! Care for him/her properly and he will give you many years of enjoyment. Please keep the deli container your snake comes in to use for feeding.
Housing:
A 10 gallon tank is sufficient for about the first 1-2 years depending on growth rate. By the time your ratsnake reaches about 2 feet in length it will ready for a 20-40 gallon. Make sure the lid is very secure, these snakes are escape artists. Your best bet is to get a tank that has a sliding, locking lid.
For substrate, I like to use Zoo Med EcoEarth Coconut Fiber. This must stay moist enough to maintain a humidity around 80%. It is also best to have it thick and loose enough for your pet to burrow. A water bowl large enough for your pet to soak in, that is always full of fresh water is necessary. Tanks need to be spot cleaned as they are soiled, and occasional full change outs will be needed. How often really depends on the snake and size of the tank. Your nose should tell you when it’s time. Multiple hides are needed as this is a private species.
Temps:
Coxi do best with a tank that is about 77 degrees on one side and 70 degrees on the other. A good range is necessary for your snake to choose it’s ideal temperature. I recommend setting up the tank one to two weeks prior to receiving the snake so you have time to work out any issues. A reptile heating pad stuck to the outside of one end of the tank should give you a good warm spot. If you find it gets too hot, you can get a thermostat to lower the temperature. I DO NOT recommend any type of heat lamp. My animals are not used to them and they can dry out the tank too much. Coxi prefer a darker environment.
Feeding:
Please do not feed your new snake for the first 3 days it is home. This time is necessary for it to get used to new surroundings. Don’t mistake your snake’s exploring for signs of hunger. Feeding earlier can cause regurgitation, which is a serious problem. Once a snake regurgitates, it is not safe to feed them for another 10-14 days! It’s much safer to wait the 3 days. Unless otherwise stated, your snake is eating frozen thawed mice of appropriate size. Appropriate size is any mouse that is 1 to 1 ½ the girth of the snake. Make sure the mouse is thawed to the point of being slightly warm to the touch. I recommend feeding in a separate container. A plastic food storage container with air holes drilled in it will work great. Once you feed your snake, it is best to not handle them for 3 days. Digesting such a big meal is a lot of work for them and they will need to rest. Handling too soon after feeding can also cause them to regurgitate. You also don’t have to feed exactly three days after they arrive. Wait the three days and then pick a day of the week that works best for you. It won’t hurt them at all to wait.
If your new pet, doesn’t eat it’s first meal, don’t panic. It could still be acclimating or it may be going into shed. If this happens, please try the below steps.
~Give him/her a two day break from handling.
~Right before bed, place the meal in the tank. Place it as far from the snake as possible so they don’t find it until you are gone. Put a towel over the tank and no peeking until morning.
If this doesn’t work, please contact me and I can help troubleshoot.