Good or Bad Thing?

[rabernet]

Ever since I got my Acu Rite Thermometer and have gotten Kashmire's temps regulated (low 90's on warm side and low 80's on cool), Kashmire spends much less time in his hide than before and hangs out in the open. I think the hide on the cool side is too big, and I may return it (to WalMart) and go back and get another small half log for the cool side. I don't think he really feels the security in that hide as he does in his other one (that he's not used since getting temps regulated).

Humidity can drop into the high 30's overnight and then I'll mist a little to get back into the 40's. The coconut bark substrate doesn't seem to retain the humidity very well. Gets very dry.

Anyway, just more questions from an over-anxious newbie wanting to get things right!

Robin

[tigerlily]

This is my opinion but I don't really like those half logs. Mine wouldn't really use them so I went to square rubbermaid like containers that were about 1.5" tall. (the length and width varied for each snake since one is like more than twice the size of the other) I used a soldering iron to melt a hole on one side and they work great! Love 'em!! One for each side and I'm all set. I got them for like $.99 each. Easy to clean and move around.

If the coconut bark won't hold humidity for you, you may want to try a humidifier for the room or maybe even switching substrates. I think there are several people here who use that and it seems to work for them.

Just remember you won't see half of their activity. You only get brief glimpses into their behaviour, unless you set out a video camera. You'll do fine, so try not to worry too much!

[Coyotemoon]

I used an old, plastic doggie bone container cut down to about 3" high with a hole in the side. It's about 8" in diameter and I used non-toxic white glue to glue moss (from Petco) on it. It's on the cool side and Shikara loves it. You want to get something that's just big enough for Kashmire when he's coiled. From everything I've read and have seen on TV, snakes like tight places and feel secure when they can tough all four sides when they're coiled. Look for bargins at dollar stores and thrift shops because Kashmire will grow out of them quickly.
You could also try the soil type substrate. It comes in brick form for around $5 at Petco. Don't you have a 20gal tank? You may only need half of the brick then.

[Strider]

As far as hides go i got this half coconut from petco my snake loves it he can curl up in it and every now and then he will have his body inside with his head stickingout just looking around. They are like 2 bucks a piece and have a little hole in them to put an air hoes though which i do for a humid hide with a home made hummidifier and havent had a problem with a shed.

[daniel1983]

This is my opinion but I don't really like those half logs.

Ditto...I use old butter tubs...ha ha...have an ever growing collection of butter tubs.... but I am going to have to find something else to use eventually...my female is going to be a monster...she hit 44'' and 900 grams this week..that large butter tub is getting kinda small

[tigerlily]

I did try Cool Whip containers, but they were too light and Dandylion wouldn't ever use them. Lily's just too big. But they do work great to thaw the rodents in.

[rabernet]

He seemed to really like his half log hide though, he spent all his time in there until I got the digital thermometer and was better able to monitor and get temps constant.


I just had to velcro that thermometer to the tank though. He kept knocking it over as he used it for leverage for climbing up the sides of the tank.

I also think he's getting ready to shed. No blue eyes, but a blue transluecense (sp?) to his head, but not his eyes. Looks like a teeny tiny bit of shed at the tip of his nose and his belly is a very soft shade of pink and the skin is tight. There seems to be a teeny tiny bit of shed right at his vent too (I'm talking microscopic).

Good thing is, even without feeding for me so far (tried a mouse again tonight while he was active, and he just kept cruising past it, he knew it was there, but he just wasn't interested, was more interested in exploring, and wasn't avoiding it or acting shy around it), he is still maintaining at 74 grams.

Robin

[frankykeno]

Just a quick question Robin, if you are using frozen/thawed or pre-killed are you doing a nice mouse zombie dance for Kashmire. I know that sounds silly but if you put the mouse in a face to face position with the snake, make sure the mouse is in a natural paws on the ground position and then do the dead mousey zombie wiggle dance, sometimes you can provoke a nice strike and get them going. It may take a few tries but it seems to be pretty irresistible for our snake and lots I've read about here. Just make sure with the Accu-Rite that the probe/cable is well out of the way of the strike/coil action.


~~Jo~~

[Strider]

All though the dance thing doesnt work for all snakes. Mine gets scared if i do that if i just drop it in there and wait he will do it himself.

[frankykeno]

Yes very true and I stand corrected, nothing works for every snake every time (hope I didn't give that impression). Our snake Baby will absolutely not have anything to do with prey if it shows any sign of continuing life (we feed p/k). Her last mouse was still twitching ever so slightly and she hit it and quite literally threw it across the enclosure. My husband made sure it was fully expired and offered it again. This time she nailed it like she always does. Kinda wierd.


~~Jo~~