Tools to help make being a herp owner easier
Some of us have herps as pets, and some of us breed them. Small collections to large collections.
What are some of the tools you use that make daily husbandry easier?
Are there any items you wish were available that you haven't been able to find yet?
It doesn't happen all that often, but I wish there was a simple tool/method to help get stuck shed off. Especially on smaller/younger snakes.
Re: Tools to help make being a herp owner easier
I've kept snakes for nearly fifteen years, and only in the last year did I purchase a professional snake hook. I wish I hadn't been stubborn and had gotten one with my very first snake. It's such a multi-use tool.
Re: Tools to help make being a herp owner easier
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ladywhipple02
I've kept snakes for nearly fifteen years, and only in the last year did I purchase a professional snake hook. I wish I hadn't been stubborn and had gotten one with my very first snake. It's such a multi-use tool.
What do you use it for,.... other than hooking a snake? LOL
Re: Tools to help make being a herp owner easier
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ladywhipple02
I've kept snakes for nearly fifteen years, and only in the last year did I purchase a professional snake hook. I wish I hadn't been stubborn and had gotten one with my very first snake. It's such a multi-use tool.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jnb150
What do you use it for,.... other than hooking a snake? LOL
I don't really need mine for picking them up, but they're very handy for redirecting them.
Re: Tools to help make being a herp owner easier
Quote:
Originally Posted by
wnateg
I don't really need mine for picking them up, but they're very handy for redirecting them.
Yeah, I only have ball pythons and they're all pretty tame so I haven't needed a hook. But I know how some of the more ornery breeds need a nose tap to stop the feeding response.
Re: Tools to help make being a herp owner easier
The 'Time2Feed' app has been really helpful. I used to keep all my records in a notebook which was very time consuming. Now with the app, I get Alerts when it's time to feed as well as the ability to track growth and days between sheds and cleaning. I'm sure there are other great apps out there but this has been a small but good investment.
Re: Tools to help make being a herp owner easier
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jnb150
What do you use it for,.... other than hooking a snake? LOL
Avoiding accidents.
I can pull their tubs open, which avoids them shooting out and grabbing me or anything else. I can redirect their attention if they're keyed up. I can pick them up, move them around without getting tagged. I have both my snakes hook-trained so they know when they are being fed and when they are being handled.
My BP has recently become a very aggressive eater - he knows when he's being fed and he WILL come flying out of his tub to get his rat. I can use the hook to make sure he actually gets the rat.
I'm not afraid of getting bitten. Been there, done that. I've had worse scratches and bites from my cats and dogs. However, I have seen snakes with abscessed teeth - snakes that got abscessed teeth because their owners had a very natural reaction and jerked back when their snake snapped at them. It was an accident, and a costly one.
There's a multitude of reasons, really, but they all come back to avoiding accidents.
Re: Tools to help make being a herp owner easier
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jnb150
Some of us have herps as pets, and some of us breed them. Small collections to large collections.
What are some of the tools you use that make daily husbandry easier?
Are there any items you wish were available that you haven't been able to find yet?
It doesn't happen all that often, but I wish there was a simple tool/method to help get stuck shed off. Especially on smaller/younger snakes.
Just wrap them in a warm , damp, rough textured towel and let them slither around - applying very , very gentle pressure .. any loose bits of skin come off easily ..
My best ‘tools’ are a digital temp gun and a mesh laundry bag ... to put snakes in to weigh them on hanging scales ..https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...113222f379.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...10a740975c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...02c26419d5.jpg
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