Fire wood??

[lars5277]

I have been having some troubles since summer started to arrive getting some of my babies to shed. I think a big part of the problem is thier hides. They are light weight plastic containers. All the snakes that have heavy stuff in thier cages shed very easily. Would there be anything wrong with using fire wood in thier cages? I am sure baking it at 250 degrees for an hour or so would be appropriate, before i put it in the cage.

[JLC]

I would think it would be easier to just buy a nice bit of plastic cage decor that is heavy and rough. Much easier to clean when the inevitable "gift" is left with the shed, and 100% sure to be free of funky bugs.

[tigerlily]

Mine can shed inside their rubbermaid hides, with no rough edges. I know this is a dumb question but have you checked the humidity? The opening to the hide should be enough for them to shed on. Plus if they were shedding ok prior to the start of the summer, then the cage itself shouldn't be the issue. Of course whatever works... works. Good luck with the next shed.

[alexrls]

Christie, what substrate do you use because it could be that ur snakes arent using the rubbermaid at all, i use the indoor/outdoor carpet and Monty just peels it off useing the carpet.

[mr~python]

my snakes end up just curling around and around and the skin just gets rubbed off by whatever they're near (newspaper, inside hide, waterbowl, even over their own body).

if the humidity is correct they shouldnt really need any help. when i placed rocks in their enclosures to 'help' them they never used them anyways.

[tigerlily]

Christie, what substrate do you use because it could be that ur snakes arent using the rubbermaid at all, i use the indoor/outdoor carpet and Monty just peels it off useing the carpet.

I did use aspen, but now am solely on newspaper. I know most of mine shed in their hides. I tried for months to catch them, but they always stayed in their hides. I actually lifted the lid to the hide and saw them shedding. I have witnessned my pastel male shed all of the place. He usually rubs on the side of the tub, his hide or his water dish. He's not picky at all. I almost always have great sheds, with the occassional need for soaking.

[Smulkin]

Mine too - on newspaper and fairly smooth waterbowl - I usually find the shed wrapped around the base of the waterbowl.

[JimiSnakes]

Mine too - on newspaper and fairly smooth waterbowl - I usually find the shed wrapped around the base of the waterbowl.

Same here.

[elevatethis]

They don't need a overly abrasive surface to properly shed...if anything, lots of rough edges might actually break up the skin as it comes off, resulting in more retained shed around the head and neck areas.

I set up mine with newsprint substrate, smooth round water bowls, and smooth plastic hides. I get one-piece sheds every time.

But as far as the original question, wood is porous, which can harbor mold and bacteria, which is not good in a warm, humid, enclosed environment such as your snake's cage.

Plastic is your friend.

[tigerlily]

Well isn't technically plastic a porous material as well? It's not as porous, but that's why 2L soda bottles that have never been opened can loose their carbonation. Does anyone know the difference in more technical terms? (I have no idea why this is stuck in my head!! )

I agree that plastic is much easier to disinfect, but I was wondering what actual difference there is. Sorry for being a PITA.