Help with caging

[Jknocker]

Ok, so i am still trying to figure out what kind of snake i should get. It was originally between a milk snake, normal BP, or a Motley corn. Now its between BP and Motley Corn. What do you guys think? Any other species of BP you guys would recommend? (not looking to spend more than 100 on it)

Ok, so if i do decide to get the BP here are my questions.

I want to house it in a rubbermaid container. I was thinking 41 qt. Is this to big to start off with?

Also i am planning to use a uth to heat it. What size uth should i use?

Im going to cut the lid of the rubbermaid in half and use a hinge so i only need to open half to get the snake in and out.

I plan on feeding it in a different container, how long after feeding should i wait before i put the snake back in its cage.

Are there any ways to decrease the chance of a problem feeder?

How long after i get it before i feed it?
How long before i can handle it?
How long should i handle it for?

[Vypyrz]

Ok, so i am still trying to figure out what kind of snake i should get. It was originally between a milk snake, normal BP, or a Motley corn. Now its between BP and Motley Corn. What do you guys think? Any other species of BP you guys would recommend? (not looking to spend more than 100 on it)

Ok, so if i do decide to get the BP here are my questions.

I want to house it in a rubbermaid container. I was thinking 41 qt. Is this to big to start off with?It depends on the size of the snake you get. If you get an adult, then a 32qt or 41qt will work. If you get a juvenile, then you should look at something around a 15-20qt size.

Also i am planning to use a uth to heat it. What size uth should i use?A good size for a UTH should cover at least 1/3 but not more than 1/2 of the floor space. Don't forget that you will need a way to control the UTH, preferably a thermostat but a rheostat or dimmer can work, they just require a little closer monitoring and adjustment. Also you will need a way to mointor the temps and humidity. You can use thermometers, preferably digital. The little stick-on dials are notoriously inaccurate. A temp gun can also be used.

Im going to cut the lid of the rubbermaid in half and use a hinge so i only need to open half to get the snake in and out. Putting a hinged lid on a small tub is really not needed, unless you just absolutely want to do it.

I plan on feeding it in a different container, how long after feeding should i wait before i put the snake back in its cage. It's not necessary to feed in a separate container, however, if you choose to, then wait until the prey is completely swallowed and the snake starts to move around before gently moving it back to it's enclosure.

Are there any ways to decrease the chance of a problem feeder? Snug hides, correct temps and humidity. Sometimes moving them to a feeding bin can stress them enough to not eat. It varies by snake.

How long after i get it before i feed it? Leave it alone for the first week. It will need time to adjust to it's new environment. Try not to disturb it much, except for changing water and spot cleaning if necessary.
How long before i can handle it? Try not to handle it for about 2 days after feeding. It will need time to digest.
How long should i handle it for? Start out with short 10-15 minute sessions each day, until it gets comfortable with you.

[Jknocker]

Thanks for the reply what is the best way to controll humidity?

I was thinking on drilling 2 rows of holes 1 inch apart around the tub (the second row will be about 1/2-1 inch below the first.) Im not sure of a diamater for the holes yet.

Would that be a good idea?

Also would putting 1 or 2 rows with the spacing above be good on the lid aswell?

Would this provide good air flow?

[Jknocker]

What is the best way to controll the temp drop between night and day? Do i have to manually adjust the thermostat? Or is there something i can get to do this for me?

I also forgot to ask this in the main post but will the locking handles that come on some rubbermaids be a good enough lock

[Vypyrz]

Thanks for the reply what is the best way to controll humidity?

I was thinking on drilling 2 rows of holes 1 inch apart around the tub (the second row will be about 1/2-1 inch below the first.) Im not sure of a diamater for the holes yet.

Would that be a good idea?

Also would putting 1 or 2 rows with the spacing above be good on the lid aswell?

Would this provide good air flow?

I use a soldering iron to melt my holes. You can get them at Wal-Mart or Lowes for about $7. It's quick and easy and will punch about a 1/8" hole. You can also drill them if you want.
The things that will affect the humidity are:
1) Number of holes.
2) Size of holes.
3) Ventilation.
4) Size of water bowl.
5) Substrate.
6) Depending on where you live, ambient humidity can also play a factor.
You can punch as many holes as you want or need. I like mine neat so I use the same pattern on all of my tubs. I put 2 rows on the front and 2 rows on the back. None on the ends and none on top. I space the holes on each row 2 inches apart. For the top row I mark each of the odd numbers on my ruler(1,3,5, etc) then for the second row I mark all of the even numbers(2,4,6,etc) This just offsets the holes and is my preference. After your initial holes, if you find that the humidity is too low, you may need to cover some holes or if it is too high, you may need to add a few. You can also use a fan to help regulate humidity by adjusting the airflow through the tub. Personally I use a small oscillating fan. During the winter, I run it on Low or not at all, depending on the humidity. During the summer, I have to run it on a higher speed to keep the humidity down.

What is the best way to controll the temp drop between night and day? Do i have to manually adjust the thermostat? Or is there something i can get to do this for me?

I also forgot to ask this in the main post but will the locking handles that come on some rubbermaids be a good enough lock

A proper sized UTH will help keep the temps stable. If you live somewhere with a significant temp drop, you may want to use a UTH that covers about 1/2 of the floorspace.

If you get a digital thermostat, you just set it to the temp you want the UTH to run at and it will turn the UTH on/off as needed. There are several types and styles of thermostats, depending on your needs. For 1 tub, a good basic thermostat is the Hydrofarm. It will cost you about $25-$30:

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR...1529683&sr=1-7

The locking handles are good, but I would recommend picking up some binder clips at Staples or Wal-mart. These will close any gap between the lid and tub. I also use straps on my tubs, which may be overkill, but I'm paranoid like that. Most people don't use them, but some will use them instead of binder clips. It's pretty much your preference. I'll make another reply with pics of how I set my tubs up.