True, but sometimes you just have to figure it out on your own after consulting with whoever you deem competent on the subject. Here's a little story that some of you know.
When we started working with
BCC, we kept them in large cages with belly heat and an overhead basking spot. I fed them similar to how I fed
BCI. Our first group of three (all unrelated) perished from regurgitation syndrome. Why? Who knows? Looking back on it, we did so many things wrong. Were our temps too high, were the young animals stressed from a lack of privacy in the larger cages, did we feed too often or handle too soon after meals, were they intolerant of mouse fur? I just do not know. But, what I do know is that since we switched to smaller, more private cages with better control over temps and humidity, started feeding less often and smaller meals, handling less often, etc. etc., we have not lost a
BCC. And over the past 4 years, our collection has grown considerably and we have a nice healthy breeding colony ready to go for the first time this year.
How did we get on track with these animals? Not by following the advice of our local reptile vet and author of the book "What's wrong with my Snake?" He's a great vet, but he has limited experience with
BCC. In my opinion, his advice contributed to the death of our animals. Ultimately, it was the advice of experienced
BCC keepers that helped us the most. Now, we follow our own approach with these animals based on our own observations.
By the way, our local zoo bought two emeralds from the same litter as ours. I'm pretty sure that our emeralds are healthy and the zoo's are either dead by now, or on their way out of this world. I suppose a zoo is only as good as its keepers.
Before you stereo type keepers like us as "nut jobs," uneducated, or just plain ole cheap when it comes to caging, know that many of us are just doing what we believe is best for our animals.
