Questions about tub humidity/temperatures and feeding

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Originally Posted by HerpsForDerps

Is it bad to feed her in the cage if I am using the aspen substrate? I have read that they can ingest the aspen and choke on it. Also is it true that snakes can associate you putting your hand in the tub with meal time if you feed them in their tub?

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Feeding in their cage is the best. Yes you have to be careful and make sure that they don't ingest too much aspen (some if fine... Mouthfuls isn't)

BP's don't get more aggressive when you feed them in their cage. All of the big name breeders and many people on this site feed in the snakes cages, including me.

unless you look/smell/and are about the same size as a rodent a BP isn't going to mistake you for one.

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

unless you look/smell/and are about the same size as a rodent a BP isn't going to mistake you for one.

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So THAT'S my problem!! I was wondering why my snakes were always looking at me with those hungry eyes *cue the music* :D

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Originally Posted by KatStoverReptiles

So THAT'S my problem!! I was wondering why my snakes were always looking at me with those hungry eyes *cue the music* :D

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Lol

I've got a question for you guys then. Didn't want to bother starting a new thread.

Since I joined this website, I've always been told that Cypress Mulch is the best substrate ever.

Living in a dry city I've been struggling with humidity.

I finally bought 3 bags on Amazon last month and this stuff is really moist.
I didn't want to change out all her substrate cause most of it was still good and clean. So while I was feeding her I changed up the substrate for in her hide with this stuff.

Do you think it would cause problems? Being a fairly damp substrate.

My first impressions are extremely impressed. I put it in last night, and she had her first complete shed while I was at class today. (Which was weird because I thought she had already shed. She went pre-shed a week ago, and yesterday didn't look all dull and everything like they normally do when they're about to shed.)

Edit:

You have to be wary of cage feeding though. Your BP isn't going to mistake you for a rodent, if it can see you. But if it is used to snagging a curious rodent at the entrance of it's hide every time it eats, it might mistake your finger for a rodent if you go to lift it. Other than that, you're only going to get bit if they're stressed and want you to get outta their house.

Personally I do not like cypress at all. It is dirty/damp, and a hassle to deal with. The best substrate by far is corrugated wrap in my opinion. It is easy to keep clean, and is humidity neutral.

If the ambiant humidity in your room is really low, cypress or Eco-earth would be best to help with humidity. Whatever you do, do not mix aspen and cypress. The cypress will cause the aspen to mold at an increadie rate.

The cypress will dry out over time. You don't want it to be wet all the time or else your BP will get scale rot.

I would just point out that while high humidity alone is not much of an issue high humidity and low air flow is. There are lots of evidence and sources to back this up lots of respected herp vets (rossie and kinglenburg to name the big two) This is believed by many to be a principal contributing factor in respiratory infections it is the perfect breeding grounds for bacteria. Make sure you have enough ventilation!

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ons-The-Basics

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Originally Posted by DarrinLowe

You have to be wary of cage feeding though. Your BP isn't going to mistake you for a rodent, if it can see you. But if it is used to snagging a curious rodent at the entrance of it's hide every time it eats, it might mistake your finger for a rodent if you go to lift it. Other than that, you're only going to get bit if they're stressed and want you to get outta their house.

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Bovine Feces!

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Originally Posted by Slim

Bovine Feces!

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x2,

not going to happen. yes, you might get bit every now and then, but there is no direct connection to feeding in the snakes cage and getting bit more often.