Easy Maintenance.

If anybody is looking for something as easy to house as some of the native colubrids but would rather own a python or something with some size, Morelia Bredli are a really nice option.

This snake is by far the easiest animal to take care of here. I use coco husk substrate and I have let it completely dry out. There is no need for any misting, and I downsized the water bowl in this cage. The retic had a giant bowl and it was great for humidity.

Humidity is not necessary beyond having a water bowl in the cage. Nothing stays damp, and even the cage hardware is getting a break. I used to have to use a little WD-40 on some of the hardware and scrub it a bit because of corrosion due to misting and humidity.

Nick Mutton advised that Bredli shed without issue in a dry environment and I found it to be true with Kevin's shed here.

When coco husk dries out, it really takes on a similar look to the Australian, Alice Springs area.
https://i.imgur.com/mrdqQ9d.jpg

There really isn't much to do on the cleanup end of things either. Urates dry remarkably fast and scoop out easily, as does the stool. The dry husk absorbs the moisture and I have just had to scoop and flush.

https://i.imgur.com/eU02M2W.jpg

There are a few other species that I suspect have similar husbandry from this area in the Northern Territory but probably none that are as entertaining as a Bredli. Maybe an Olive would be though.

I doubt I'll have to change the substrate in this cage nearly as often as I had to with the retic.

Snakes are pretty easy pets anyhow, but this guy doesn't seem to make having 4 any more involved than having 3. I couldn't say that about the retic. There was daily cleaning, and always moisture in the cage. During a retic shed, I'd have to pump in a lot of mist several times a during the process.

I agree. My carpet python is awesome, doesn't make messes often, and seems to have a fairly wide temp and humidity range where he is comfortable. He's also fun to work with, nice sized without being huge, fairly chill, and active in the evenings when I'm home to watch him.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

I agree. My carpet python is awesome, doesn't make messes often, and seems to have a fairly wide temp and humidity range where he is comfortable. He's also fun to work with, nice sized without being huge, fairly chill, and active in the evenings when I'm home to watch him.

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Good point here!

There are carpets other than the Bredli that prefer a dry environment.

I got a little too wrapped up in my new guy and forgot about the Inlands and the Darwins.

I'd say the most important thing with the Bredli is to have a larger cage with a good set of temperature variants

I totally agree with you Gio. Carpets are very hardy critters in general but even more so with Bredli. I use a similar cocohusk bedding and never have to mist their enclosures. Sometimes I'll mist just to change up their environment a bit. Into every life some rain must fall. Kevin looks great smashing that rat from his perch!

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Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

I totally agree with you Gio. Carpets are very hardy critters in general but even more so with Bredli. I use a similar cocohusk bedding and never have to mist their enclosures. Sometimes I'll mist just to change up their environment a bit. Into every life some rain must fall. Kevin looks great smashing that rat from his perch!

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Zig,

Is the Olive husbandry basically the same? I've never researched their care and caging husbandry since I don't have one.

I'd imagine it is close but may require a touch more humidity?

I tried to get Kev out the last few days but he's like Wallace. He's perched most of the time and I can't get him down.

Also Zig, I have not seen you Bredli in a while it may be time for a photo session and new thread.

So far, I agree wholeheartedly. Both of my morellia have been super easy so far. Husbandry, feeding, cleanup and regular "maintenance" are easy (granted they're both still youngins).

Dang it Gio! I was like 99.9% sure that I am going to get a boa, but now seeing Kevin and his easy maintenance I am only like 90% sure about the boa now! :taz: It's really cool how animals that live thousands of miles apart can thrive in a different continent.

I also agree with you about Ziggy getting some shots of his Bredli... or any/all of his snakes for that matter.

Looks awesome Gio.....I am curious, what is your lighting setup? I really like the way it looks in the cages

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Originally Posted by Reptile$ 4 Life

Dang it Gio! I was like 99.9% sure that I am going to get a boa, but now seeing Kevin and his easy maintenance I am only like 90% sure about the boa now! :taz: It's really cool how animals that live thousands of miles apart can thrive in a different continent.

I also agree with you about Ziggy getting some shots of his Bredli... or any/all of his snakes for that matter.

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Obviously you need both a Carpet and a Boa. That's what I decided, and I've not regretted it for a second! I'm not sure I should hold myself up as a positive example, lol, but given the number of snake species and subspecies that interest me, I've done a pretty good job of restraining myself.

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Originally Posted by Caitlin

Obviously you need both a Carpet and a Boa. That's what I decided, and I've not regretted it for a second! I'm not sure I should hold myself up as a positive example, lol, but given the number of snake species and subspecies that interest me, I've done a pretty good job of restraining myself.

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I definitely plan on owning both one day. In my current situation I can only get one but if I could get both I wouldn't hesitate.