Some newbie questions: heat, wood, and a bit 'o skin

[Divalent]

Hey, great site! I've learned alot from reading all the posts here. Much appreciated.

I have a small BP about 20 inches long, less than an inch diameter at the widest. He loves to climb and truck around his domain

I have a couple of newbie questions, probably fall into the "nervous new parent" category.


1. A shedding reminant: he shed nicely 4 days ago. There is about 1cm (1/2 inch) of dried skin on the tip of his tail. Leave alone? peal it off? (have a beer?)

2. I've read the cautions about cedar and pine shavings. Are there any other wood species that are potential problems? I'd like to get him some interesting sticks (and will boil and bleach and bake 'em), but I'd hate to kill him by giving him something that I found in the woods. (I am certain its not cedar or pine, but anything else I should be aware of?)

3. I've heard snakes are "stupid" in that they will die on a hot rock rather than move. Should I be concerned about a snake getting up near the heat lamps and getting burned on the face or nose because they don't sense the hotness and keep away? My guy will climb on a branch and extend his head right up to the metal screen just beneath the heat lamp, which is placed on the screen. see diagram:
_
| |
| |
/ & \ <-heat lamp bulb
/ \
/ \
-------------------- <-- screen top
~~~~~o> <-- snake

Should I keep his jungle-gym away from that end of the container, or is it no big deal? (Of course, I'm sure this does not apply to *my* snake, who is actually quite bright and would never do something so foolish. But just in case *your* snake comes to visit, I want to be sure its safe for him/her .
BTW, when he's up on something, he can extend about 10 inches of his body completely horizontal. so I'd have to really keep the perch away to keep him from getting is face in the lamp. (and he can pretty much get up there from the base without assistance by leaning against the side or back wall)

Thanks for the advice,

Divalent

[Divalent]

Okay, so my diagram got collaped by the software. I'll try one more time (then given up if it don't work; ignore the dots used as spacers):
........__
........| |
........| |
......./.&.\ <-heat lamp bulb
...../........\
.../............\
-------------------- ..<-- screen top
~~~~~o> ................<-- snake

[xdeus]

Welcome to the site! Hopefully I can answer most of your questions...

1. Stuck pieces of shed are usually not a problem as they will normally come off during the next shed cycle, however... if the shed is stuck on their eyes or around their tail you should remove it. Eyecaps can lead to permanent eye damage and tail sheds can lead to reduced circulation and eventually necrosis of the tail. Fortunately its pretty easy to remove stuck shed pieces by soaking your snake for 10-20 minutes in a lukewarm bath and gently rubbing the skin to remove it.

2. Most of the "problem" woods are aromatic varieties like pine and cedar. Hardwoods should be fine and an easy method to disinfect it is to place it in the oven for 20 minutes at 200F. This way you don't have to worry about harsh chemicals like bleach soaking into the wood and coming into contact with your snake. Also, try to get a smooth barked wood like manzanita as it will be much easier to rinse off and keep clean if it becomes soiled.

3. Yes, you should be concerned about the exposed light in your cage. Many burns occur because snakes have access to exposed bulbs or heat emitters. A simple cage can usually be constructed or purchased that will prevent your snake from coming in direct contact with the bulb.

Good luck, and feel free to ask any other questions that come to mind!

[xdeus]

Okay, so my diagram got collaped by the software. I'll try one more time (then given up if it don't work; ignore the dots used as spacers):
........__
........| |
........| |
......./.&.\ <-heat lamp bulb
...../........\
.../............\
-------------------- ..<-- screen top
~~~~~o> ................<-- snake

Sorry, I should have read your question a little slower.

That should be fine. The screen doesn't usually get warm enough to burn your snake like an exposed bulb would. I thought the bulb was exposed IN the cage.

[Argentra]

Mostly what xdeus said: soak and rub the skin off the tail, any wood that isn't soft and porous is ok, and as long as the screen is between them it should be alright as most tank screens are made to withstand and not really absorb the heat from lamps.

Also, FYI: snakes aren't 'stupid' about heat sources and burns... they just can't really feel the temperatures on their skin. They don't move because they are trying to thermoregulate and can't tell that the surface they're lying on is burning them.

[Divalent]

Based on what you two have said, I probably should take some precautions about the heat.

The screen I have at the top is black mesh, and it does get uncomfortably hot to my touch right underneath the heat lamp. I will try to raise it up so that it doesn't get a full blast (or conduction from the metal lamp "shade"), but it might make sense to also limit his ability to easily get his nose over there. (This 10 gal tank is all of a sudden seeming to be too small for him even now).

BTW, how do you soak a snake? Do they willingly tolerate you just holding their bodies (in this case, his tail tip) in water for that long? (I've bathed dogs and cats, and for those beasts its a fight.)

Thanks,

Divalent

[Moriar]

i soak my pythons in an appropriate sized Sterilite tub with some holes in it to let air in. i put down a small hand towel in the bottom and put enough water in so the snake is in the water but does NOT have to swim. i leave them in for 20 to 45 mins depending on how bad the shed is. then i remove them and put them into a small towel to dry them and let them move around a bit which usually helps get the shed off. but since its on the tail tip once out and dry lightly rub at it till it slides off.

[BigCeC43]

My BP had the same problem with his first shed as my pet. It shouldn't be too tuff to get off. I didn't even soak him... just wet his tail with warm water and gently rolled it off. It did take several attempts, but after about 5 min or so it came off. Just be sure his tail stays wet while your doing it. He'll fight it at first, but appreciate it later

How's this for climbing




Disclaimer;
The tape at the top of my tank was necessary to prevent him for climbing along the small lip at the top of the tank. It is barely even sticky enough to stick to the tank, just enough to hold crumbled newspaper in the lip. The bulb is not in contact with the screen, however one edge of the lamp is. The lamp itself does not get anywhere near as hot as the actual bulb.

Anyway, I didn't put the top back on properly tonight and he figured out real quick that he was able to climb up there again. Everyone says they're stupid, but their memories must be doing alright. I kept hearing a splash and could figure out how he was falling into his water dish... until I spyed on him and saw that. Diving board, Weeeeeeeeeeee

[jdmls88]

personally id follow the saying "keep it simple stupid" not saying your stupid lol, but the more stuff you put in the more you have to clean and disinfect. Also id say instead of some bedding i would just use paper towels it is much cheaper and is sooooo easy to clean up when they do their thing.

[MiloMorai]

What the heck!?!?!?!?! Your snake has it's own iPod?


Seriously though, I'm guessing that is one of the digital thermometers.