Bought some fake plants from hobby lobby, what to doi?

[RideRed12]

Alright I bought a couple fake plants from hobby lobby last night, got them home and the stems are way too long for my tub. They are metal wire covered in plastic, so how do I cut them? Also should I sanitize them before putting them into his tub? And last but not least, he hasnt eaten in 2 weeks, he refused the last 2 mice I went to give him. Should I wait till hes eating well to put the plants in?

[rabernet]

Double and triple check that for plastic O rings within the foilage. We've had too many snakes on the forum try to wriggle through those, only to be stuck 1/2 way down their body and had their panicked owners find them that way.

[anatess]

You can use pliers, wire cutters, even plain scissors.

Sanitize is not necessary. Just clean it in mild soap and water if dusty/dirty.

It could be that the reason he's not eating is because he doesn't feel secure in his enclosure. Adding the fake plants would improve this situation and might even help him eat.

Just my 2cents.

[RideRed12]

Well I hadnt changed anything with his last feed except the weather got colder other than that everything stayed the same. Hes eaten for me four times before, I just bought him tow coconut hides that he seems to love so I'll try to feed him again tonight.

Oh and I changed his substraight from shredded newspaper to repti-bark, so I should probobly take him out of his tub to feed him right? Well when can I put him back into his tub without him regurgitating?

[Maverick67]

I would stick to feeding him in his own tub. I do it with mine. its less hassle and i had no "signs of aggregation" as some people say happen from feeding in there usual enclosure.

[RideRed12]

Ahh I never thought that feeding in there own enclosure would be any different, Im just worried about him swallowing a peice of repti-bark?

[Maverick67]

It does happen sometimes as long as its only a small piece its no issue. Just keep an eye on them while they are eating.

[wax32]

Is the plastic coated wire not a problem? I'd be worried about the snake injuring itself... ??

[Elise.m]

I recently bought some fake plants from Wal-Mart that had the same thing. Metal covered by plastic. I think my BF used wire cutters and got what I needed off. After that I realized there was quite sharp exposed metal, so I dipped it in candle wax repeatedly until it was all covered up and smooth.

Hope this helps!

[Valentine Pirate]

After that I realized there was quite sharp exposed metal, so I dipped it in candle wax repeatedly until it was all covered up and smooth.

Hope this helps!

Nice idea! I'll have to implement it once I get a few foliage things together. I figured I'd just have to sand it or tape it