Pre-Snake Prep - Roo's Getting A Snake!

[roodles]

Alrighty. I've been doing a lot of research, and this Saturday there will be a reptile show in Norfolk, VA that I plan on attending. If at all possible, I'd really like to get myself a baby bp. So I have begun assembling my supplies for a tub setup.

First I'm going to put up a checklist of everything I need (that I know of), with the items I've obtained crossed out. Next will be what I need recommendations for! And lastly, I'll try to post pictures of what I've gotten so far so everyone can know what I'm talking about.

Any help/suggestions/info is greatly appreciated!


Checklist

• Tub - 35Q Sterilite w/lid
• UTH
• Thermostat (have a Hydrofarm in Amazon cart; absolutely needed?)
• 2 Thermometers/Hygrometers w/probes
• Aluminum tape for UTH
• 2 hides
• Temp gun (looking at this one )
• Water bowl
• Scale (looking at this one
• Tongs
• Substrate (if not using newspaper/paper towels)
• Lid clips
• Rubbing rock/log

Recommendations?

• UTH - I'm currently looking up Ultratherm UTHs; my bp will be in a cool basement (though I will be insulating the tub), so would a UTH with a larger area be better? Are other brands better than Ultratherm?
• Thermostat - I've read various opinions. Most say to absolutely have a thermostat, but then others say that with a dimmer and proper checking with a heatgun, a stat isn't necessary. Help!

Pictures




Tub + Cricket Dog




From left to right:

2 foam faucet covers I found for .25/ea at Walmart. I figure they can be trimmed and would be snug for a baby. I could paint/make them look like rocks or whatever

Analog hygrometer that I don't have much faith in, but it was on clearance and I figured I could use it to scope out spots around my house.

x2 Acu Rite thermometers that also measure humidity w/probe. I've currently got one set up in my room that I'll be keeping an eye on to get a handle on temps throughout the week.

x4 red bowls
x4 blue bowls - I figured I could use these as hides while he's little, and with 8 of them I have some mistake forgiveness.




There are some potatoes on the side. Peanut butter. Those aren't for the snake, I promise.

I really, really want to do a good job, and any help would seriously be appreciated. Thanks!

[roodles]

Can't edit again until 10 mins, so here's the pics again:

[keebs]

I use the Hydrofarm thermostat w/my Blue Spotted UTH and it works great for my BP and my corn keeps the temps steady and safe and works like a charm! I have one for each enclosure though. Not sure how many snakes you're needing to heat but if it's just one, the hydrofarm one is perfect.

[DVirginiana]

I use a hydrofarm thermostat. Not the absolute best on the market, but gets the job done. A thermostat is necessary; when UTHs fail, they fail 'on' and get extremely hot. They can get up to 120 even when they're functioning properly. Without a thermostat you could easily end up looking at a burn.

Another thing to look into is some fake plants from a craft store to just kind of leave on the bottom of the tub. My BP seems to appreciate the extra cover and will spend quite a bit of time outside 'hiding' under the leaves. Not necessary, but you'll probably see more of the snake that way.

idk if you have other reptiles, so you may already have a first aid kit, but that's always a good idea. Mine includes Chlorhexidine (at CVS under brand name Hibiclens), Betadine, painkiller-free Neosporin (it's important to get the kind with NO painkiller), and really crappy Q-tips (the less soft they are the easier it is to apply meds with them). Even with spot-on husbandry, you're going to need those things at some point so they're just better to have around.

[hazzaram]

Ultratherm are the best, for sure. Stick with them. I also use those thermostats (have 3) and have never had any problems with them. That said, once I start getting my pvc enclosures I'll be upgrading.

I love paper towel substrate. This cleaning I switched my tubs to aspen to give it a try and I hate it. It's so messy, with little pieces always getting in the water bowels. I'm definitely going to be switching back.

As far as the lid clips... If you're talking the ones for lids at the petstore I'm not sure how well they'll work on a tub. For my tubs, I use luggage straps I picked up at the dollar store (can't beat the price ) and use them to hold the middle tight. Never had an escape.

And lastly... That looks like a Papillon in that pic and my dog looks identical. XD

[roodles]

I use the Hydrofarm thermostat w/my Blue Spotted UTH and it works great for my BP and my corn keeps the temps steady and safe and works like a charm! I have one for each enclosure though. Not sure how many snakes you're needing to heat but if it's just one, the hydrofarm one is perfect.

Thanks! And I only plan on having one for awhile xD

I use a hydrofarm thermostat. Not the absolute best on the market, but gets the job done. A thermostat is necessary; when UTHs fail, they fail 'on' and get extremely hot. They can get up to 120 even when they're functioning properly. Without a thermostat you could easily end up looking at a burn.

Another thing to look into is some fake plants from a craft store to just kind of leave on the bottom of the tub. My BP seems to appreciate the extra cover and will spend quite a bit of time outside 'hiding' under the leaves. Not necessary, but you'll probably see more of the snake that way.

idk if you have other reptiles, so you may already have a first aid kit, but that's always a good idea. Mine includes Chlorhexidine (at CVS under brand name Hibiclens), Betadine, painkiller-free Neosporin (it's important to get the kind with NO painkiller), and really crappy Q-tips (the less soft they are the easier it is to apply meds with them). Even with spot-on husbandry, you're going to need those things at some point so they're just better to have around.

I was leaning towards getting a thermostat anyways, but it's great to get feedback to further back that decision. I had foliage on my paper list, but it didn't make it to the post, haha. I definitely plan on littering the tub with it, especially since there's going to be so much extra room with the smaller hides.

And thank you so much for suggesting a first aid kit! It hadn't even crossed my mind, tbh. I will pick those up sometime this week and put together a box for him.

Ultratherm are the best, for sure. Stick with them. I also use those thermostats (have 3) and have never had any problems with them. That said, once I start getting my pvc enclosures I'll be upgrading.

I love paper towel substrate. This cleaning I switched my tubs to aspen to give it a try and I hate it. It's so messy, with little pieces always getting in the water bowels. I'm definitely going to be switching back.

As far as the lid clips... If you're talking the ones for lids at the petstore I'm not sure how well they'll work on a tub. For my tubs, I use luggage straps I picked up at the dollar store (can't beat the price ) and use them to hold the middle tight. Never had an escape.

And lastly... That looks like a Papillon in that pic and my dog looks identical. XD

I figure since it's just a tub, a low budget thermostat was the way to go, and Hydrofarms are affordable. I'm trying to minimalize costs, and a Herpstat just isn't in my budget right now. I'm actually excited for the paper towels. I had bedding for guinea pigs when I had them, and besides the obvious species difference, it was messy.


I don't know why I typed lid clips. I have every intention of buying luggage straps, but it's good to know I can pick them up at the dollar store!!

And yes, Cricket is a Papillon mix ♥ He's got something else that has him a bit bigger than an average Pap, but his ears are a dead giveaway.


Thank you to everyone who's helped so far! I'm feeling a lot more confident about things c:

[aLittleLessButter]

The show in Norfolk is small and will be even smaller this go around since I know most of the big breeders are going to the big show in South Carolina. You might wanna hold off til the 25th to buy one from the Richmond show.

[roodles]

The show in Norfolk is small and will be even smaller this go around since I know most of the big breeders are going to the big show in South Carolina. You might wanna hold off til the 25th to buy one from the Richmond show.

Thanks! This actually works out great, because I go to school in Richmond, and it's less of a drive. Definitely worth waiting for! (And I won't feel as rushed about getting the tub ready, lol)

[aLittleLessButter]

Definitely! We have some great breeders in the area that will be at that show. American Made Exotics, Hulker's Herps, Burning Garage and Conley Herps are all great people to work that produce great quality snakes. Also Recessive Obsession but I haven't seen him around much lately

[roodles]

Things are coming along nicely! I've ordered a scale and the Hydrofarm t-stat, and my UTH is about to ship. I've been monitoring the humidity/temps in my room, and while the heating might be a little tricky, the natural humidity is perfect! It basically stays between 50-60%, which is awesome.

I'll spend this week cutting holes for hides, buying first aid kit stuff, picking up some foliage, and fiddle with temps once the heating stuff gets here. Getting really excited!