Sad Day

[JoshSloane]

Yep, and by slingin' reptiles I meant trying to extort as much money as possible out of peoples previously owned reptiles by selling them at ridiculous prices to the unwitting consumer.

[PitOnTheProwl]

Yep, and by slingin' reptiles I meant trying to extort as much money as possible out of peoples previously owned reptiles by selling them at ridiculous prices to the unwitting consumer.

Big box stores buy from breeders and importers.

[JoshSloane]

Was referring to the local reptile shops in my area. Scales N Tails etc. Awful.

[JoshSloane]

Any updates on the infamous Rue?

[Rue]

Any updates on the infamous Rue?

Hi there! Not much of an update, rue loves his new cage hehe. I really need to upload pictures (I mean it this time, maybe in the next couple of days hahah). I was so frustrated with the whole situation of the shop owner. I was on the verge of getting rid of everything, except rue... Which doesn't make sure sense. It was all the equipment that was an issue, rue has been perfect. So, after work I went and bought the new cage which I had talked about previously in the thread. His log, hide, and water pond all fit. He has cedar shaving on the hide side with the emitter above, and on the water side is the heating pad. On the water side also has cocoa dirt. He keeps himself all strung out across it, on the log, thru the hide, I feel he truly enjoys it. All of his temps & humidity is correct. Everything has been so far so good. I shared that I bought the emitter which is 100watt and it's still kickin. I tried to make the clay hide, it lasted about 2 days than got all soft LOL i followed the instructions exactly how it said so now i just have his old wood half log hide tunneled so he fits. Rue hasn't ate since the day I bought his new tank, when i bought him the owner said "he has a very healthy appetite he eats every 7-10 days) since conversing with you great folks I have decided the best thing for rue is to space out his feeds. This thursday Im going to buy him a dinner treat (rat) and ill just keep it on the every other week which works perfect cause its payday so I wont be able to forget it at all haha. He's not over weight or underweight he is a meatloaf thats for sure. Though, the only update I have is, he has been loving the sunshine! He sits at his cage around 5pm so he can stretch his skin. He loves to bask in the sun on the window sill. I have posted recent pictures on my profile of his roaming adventures and enjoying time outside of his cage. He has a appt with an exotic vet (super far away from our home) April 27th, its just a routine check up, I just want him looked at to make sure he's all in good health. Plus, it's about half the price of my pit bulls yearly exam so I can argue there haha! Thank you for asking about rue!!

[Sauzo]

Get rid of the cedar shaving now!! The cedar oils can cause RI in snakes just like pine oil plus its toxic to them.

[anicatgirl]

No cedar! Also, every 2 weeks may be not often enough, you will need to monitor his weight. I looked but didn't see an age mentioned.

[Sauzo]

Lol had to run but saw the cedar bedding and had to post that before I ran off. Anyways, if you have any idea of his age, then you can use a guideline for his feeding. I usually do babies to 1.5 years old get fed every week. Then up to 3 years old get fed every 2 weeks. Then past 3 years old every 3-4 weeks. Just watch and if he starts to lose that streamline muscular tone, then cut back on the feeding. Rosey loves to eat and I have a weak will for my pets so I feed her a little more than she should have and now she is chunky...but happy. So I have to make her exercise a lot to work off that fat

[Rue]

Ohmygod �������� I'm sorry idk why I put cedar! He's on ASPEN shaving!!


also, he is 4 1/2 years old (that's what the store owner told me) he's a little over 4 foot long. Maybe I'll have a better range on his age after his vet appt.

[Rue]

This morning I decided to change rues cage (left his aspen shavings) he has had the same dirt for about 3 weeks. It was starting to smell some type of funky, I took pictures of my process. Advice is welcome as always! Thank you forum family!

First I had to dispose of the dirty linen

• I put his aspen shavings in a new garbage bag, threw them to the side for later use
  
• I put his dirty dirt in a garbage bag with the old moss and in the garbage it went
  
• Washed his water bowl with a touch of dawn dish soap, throughly rinsed, set aside
  
• I cleaned out Rue's cage with a dawn soap rinse, in the bathtub, made sure that all the soap was gone. I truly love this new cage because it was a pain in my *you know what* to clean his old 55 gallon fish tank, this is easy enough where I can put in it the tub!
• I also wash and rinse his fake plants

1. Heating pad underneath his tank
http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...zerender-7.jpg

2. Foil above his cage P.S. thank you for this tip!!
http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...render-8.jpgnd



3. Add his fake plants and foam background into cage



http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...2/img_3531.jpg


4. Add his log, and his stick


http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...2/img_3533.jpg
http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...2/img_3534.jpg


5. Add his cedar shaving with moss mixed in


http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...2/img_3535.jpg

DEPTH
http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...536_430292.jpg


Both companions wait and watch patiently, its a long process

Tach (my pit bull) chose the human bed
http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...2/img_3537.jpg

Rue chose the dog bed haha! Under the blanket, but watching. He always pokes his head out and watches everything hehe.
http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...2/img_3538.jpg

6. Now it's time to add his cocoa dirt (plus water bowl)

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...2/img_3540.jpg

7. How could I forget his moss?! He loves it so!

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...2/img_3541.jpg

8. Nifty little 100 watt emitter; Yet another great tip from the forum family


http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...542_779930.jpg

9. I put towels on top of the ugly foil, I also have a cute little rock to hold the cord for the dome

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...2/img_3543.jpg

10. Drape the towel over the side for added security that he loves so much

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...2/img_3544.jpg

After everything I couldn't help but feel like I was forgetting something!

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...2/img_3547.jpg

Oh yeah, RUE

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...2/img_3548.jpg

Here are some miscellaneous of him after he entered his clean cage, Hope you enjoy them!
http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...2/img_3549.jpg
http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...2/img_3550.jpg
http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...2/img_3551.jpg
http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...2/img_3555.jpg

11. Last & Final step! Privacy for him to enjoy his clean cage
http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...2/img_3556.jpg
When I return home from work, he's usually trying to be sneaky peaking from under the towel! Hehe, I open his cage to let him get some fresh air and stretch! Supervised of course!

• This time around I chose to go without a hide, lately he's been burrowing underneath his aspen shaving around his hide or simply pushing it out of the way LOL. His humidity has been consistent and at the correct percentage. Also, the temp gun says his temps are spot on and consistent as well. So far everything has been going well without any surprises. If you guys have any advice on his cage etc id love to hear them!
  
  
• He still hasn't been fed, he will be on thursday.
  
• Also I apologize if the pictures aren't up to par, this is my first time attempting to add images to a thread

Also his vet appt is coming up! Next friday! I will keep you posted on that too!