Snake Bags

What is important in a good quality snake bag?

I ordered one from a site that advertised "muslin" snake bags, but instead recieved a heavy canvas snake bag.

I've also seen a lot of people talk about just using pillow cases when a snake bag would have been useful.

Does it really matter?

My feeling is a heavy canvas is probably appropriate for most cases as it is rough enough to provide enough abrasive to help with sheeding, it is absorbant enough to keep moist for a long time, and it is strong enough to resist tearing.

What else am I missing?

Why do you need it to assist shedding and why would you want it to be kept moist? What is your plan for the snake bag? For my purposes, a snake bag is for shipping only.

This is more a question of curiosity than anything else. What triggered it was the fact that I ordered one thing and got another. It made me wonder what really counts.


So far I dont' need any assistance with shedding, but I understand that people have used moist snake bags for that purpose. Shipping and handling was the other purpose.

I use my bags for containing my snakes when I weigh them or clean their tubs.

As I don't like sharing snake bags between snakes, and as I'm planning on getting more snakes, if the material doesn't matter I can make more bags in less time than it takes to go purchase some.

I purchase mine from Superior Enterprises (http://www.superiorenterprise.com/). I don't have the time or skills to make a bag. You want breathable, undyed fabric (cotton) with double stitched seams to prevent it from coming apart. Hope this helps!

Jamie

Snake bags for sheds, explain? Are you thinking of using them for substrate?

I only use snake bags for shipping. I just go to Wal-Mart shortly before babies start popping out, buy a couple yards of fabric for $1.00-$1.50 per yard. Spend 1-2hrs on the old trusty sewing machine and make all the snake bags I need for the year in small to med sizes. It only takes me 1-2hrs to cut and sew them all up and cost is a fraction of the reptile suppliers. A small 8X12 bag cost me about $0.08-$0.10 compared to $0.60-$0.75.

Same thing with insulated boxes, just go to Uline for boxes and Home Depot for insulation. I make my own 12X9X6 insulted boxes for about $1.00 compared to $3.50-$4.50.

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Originally Posted by ssscales

Snake bags for sheds, explain? Are you thinking of using them for substrate?

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Thanks for the info.

No, I wouldn't use the bags for substrate, but I've read in a couple places (sorry, I can't recall where) that if your snake is having difficulties shedding, you can place it inside a damp snake bag and back in it's viv, and it will likely complete the shed inside the bag.