iHerp Answers: precautions when handling bp and rtb at the same time?

iHerp Answers!

Problem?

Search Create an Account, It's Free!

Home > iHerp Answers > precautions when handling bp and rtb at the same time?

precautions when handling bp and rtb at the same time?

Posted By:

dixie

In Relation To:

dixie

I have a 6 to 7 foot RTB, and my wife just bought a juvenile BP. We would like to take them both out in public, but we are unsure about diseases that could be transferred, and if my big girl might try to have her little boy for lunch. I have seen people handling both at the same time before, but i wasn't sure if this was wise. Any help would be greatly appreciated.


Points:	100
Topics:	General Health
Tags:	BP, Compatibility, Handling, RTB
Species:	Boas > Large Boas > Boa constrictor imperator
Administrative:	Show/Hide

Author Comment

7/28/2010 12:08:36 PM

dixie

and i am aware of the risk of inclusion disease and presently have the new addition quarantined my question are more for after i have the new addition tested

Assisted Answer

7/28/2010 12:53:52 PM

Sonja K. Reptiles

I'd recommend a minimum 3 month quarantine. After that, as long as they are both healthy, there should be no issue/worries having them out at the same time - just don't house them together : ) Washing your hands / using hand sanitizer between handling your animals is always a good idea.

Member Comment

7/28/2010 2:45:06 PM

jayhimself

I often times handle two of my snakes simultaneously. I just so happen to have a BP and RTB. I've had them both out at the same time with no issues. I can't see it being a problem as long as you don't have overly aggressive animals.

Accepted Answer

7/28/2010 2:52:53 PM

gfx

If your snakes are safe enough to handle in public without taking pot shots at you or anyone else, they're not likely to try to attack each other. As long as you don't have a habit of putting your snakes on the ground, the risk external disease or parasites is just about non-existant. The only thing I tend to worry about is mites. Stay out of high risk areas like pet stores or reptile shows and you shouldn't have a problem. Once you've completed quarantine, you can transport them in the same container as long as they're both secured in their own snake bag.

Member Comment

7/28/2010 5:37:04 PM

Marine

I do educational shows with my reptiles, and yes only after they have each gone through extended periods of quarantine typically 3-6 months. But I also have a large collection of a wide variety of reptiles. I agree 100% about using hand sanitizer in between handling your boa & python. And as long as they are calm, non-easily stressed, you shouldn't have a problem with them being around each other. Just as cautionary to tell you keep a close eye on how they are acting. Sometimes they can get tired of being handled, keep a watch to see how they begin to react, if they seem to become stressed or moving around a lot and trying to get away, I would put them up.

Author Comment

7/28/2010 8:39:59 PM

dixie

i used hand sanitizer every time i get one out and when i put it back my wife is a cna so we have plenty aroumd the house lol

Member Comment

7/28/2010 10:47:03 PM

treetrunkchris

as long as you handle them properly you should be fine. I wouldn't worry about them trying to eat eachother, but I would worry bout your boa crushing the ball if it were to lay on it. If your boa isn't too much bigger than the ball it shouldn't matter, but I have an 8ft boa nd I wouldn't want her around a ball cause if she decided to "snuggle" the ball would get injured

Author Comment

7/28/2010 10:52:35 PM

dixie

well like i said the boa is between 6 and 7 ft and the ball is a baby so yeah snuggling is prolly a bad idea

Assisted Answer

7/29/2010 5:35:29 PM

shellboa

I have handled both at the same time with no issues for years now. After the quarantine period there should not be any health concerns as far as transferring anything from one to the other. Neither species are inclined to snack on snake (lol) I often enjoy explaining the differences to people about Boa and Python biology. Rectilinear motion verses serpentine, ovoviparous versus viviparous, and environmental factors. Of course you don't always get a captive audience roaming around in the park or your neighborhood. I usually take a bottle of water for them and a nice cozy bag for when I think they have had enough socializing. I also carry one of those trial size packs of wipes for the occasional ooops along with pocket hand sanitizer.

Member Comment

7/29/2010 11:05:15 PM

Prodigy

i wouldnt hold them to close to one other because of the size differece; but if ur wife takes the bp and u take the rtb or vise versa i wouldnt really worry about it. as long as u havnt seen any signs of issues (bugs scale rot, ect,) between the two of them; besides that i wouldnt really worry to much, i usally take a extra container for the simple fact that if one has a issue of any sort u can seperate them asap, and dont have to try to keep them apart, but let them both enjoy the outdoors.... comming for a person that owns two surinames and two ball pythons

Member Comment

1/25/2011 11:35:44 AM

abi21491

This question has had no activity for 14 days and will be closed by an administrator unless the original poster takes action.

Recommended Action: Points awarded

An administrator will select responses and assign points at their discretion.

Original poster, please close this question out and assign points. If you have any further information in the resolution of your problem, please post it here so that others may learn from it.

You are not logged in. If you would like to participate (it's free!), you must log in, or Become a Member!