What do you do with a snake when you go on vacation?

Question

My aunt is thinking about giving a snake and cage (with all the stuff she bought with it) that was her sons and they dont want it any longer. I am very excited about possibly getting the snake, but I am also going on vacation later next month. And Im not sure what to do with a snake when you go on vacation. And I cant take it with me on vacation. We are going to be gone for 10 days. It is a small ball python. Can you just leave food in the cage for it? And yes I know I need to do research about snakes and everything like that Im not interested in getting told that I just want to know if you can leave extra food in the tank when you go on vacation. Thank you.

Answer 1

Make sure it has water, a heat rock, a sheltered box (do not place over heat rock), and feed it before you leave.  Snakes don't eat as frequently as humans and or most other animals eat.  Snakes normally eat on a 3 week schedule in zoos as well.  Make sure before you leave that the enclosure is secure to prevent anything from getting in or out to protect the snake.

Answer 2

make shore that there are heeps water and u have feed himn a rat or mouse before she leaves !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 3

couldn't you ask your aunt to watch it at her house while you are away, or just have her keep it until you come back from your trip?

Answer 4

dooooooo!!!! not!!!!!!!! give it a heat rock as it will burn you snake, but yes its fine to leave it alone for 10 days it sounds like you need to do lots of reasearch, try this

<>http://www.anapsid.org/ball.html>

Answer 5

do NOT give the snake a heat rock...that could burn your snake...badly.  and never never leave live food in with your snake...a mouse could kill a snake.  yes you do need to do some research.  

to set up the vivarium for your snake use a basking spot lamp (it's by zoo med). put that on one side which keeps the vivarium around 85 - 90 F during the day and dont put any kind of heating on the cool side of the tank...room temp is fine for that. also at night just turn off the day lamp and the temp should drop around 70 - 75 at night. put hides on both sides and leave their water on the cool side. use a substrate that can hold humidity like cypress mulch (forest floor) then just mist it several times a day (3) with a squirt bottle to keep the humidity up.  the humidity should be around 60% when you mist it.

after your snakes new enclosure is set up then leave the snake alone for at least a week before handling it or feeding it...this will keep your snake from stressing out.

when you feed your snake take it out of its enclosure and put it in a "feeding tub"...any appropiately sized palstic box will do (a plastic box like from wal mart or target).  If the snake is an adult you will need a decent sized plastic box...get one that is short...not too tall (the size that could fit under your bed).  drill holes along the sides at the top for airflow put the snake in and then the food in.  after the snake has eaten give it about 15 minutes to get its food down before putting it back in its cage.  dont handle the snake for about 24 hours after it eats.  its just better all around to feed a snake this way.

it would be much better if your aunt could just come over and mist your snake daily for you while you are gone...the snake will be fine for 10 days without eating.