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Originally Posted by kingkung

I heard that king snakes musk and I hear it smells very bad and is hard to walk off. Does anyone have any experience with this?


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He is talking about Kingsnake.com classifieds where weirdos like me watch constantly for great deals on specimens. Check the vendor list on Repticon.com...see if anyone there is going to have het pieds, check out reviews on them, then ask if they will hold a pair for you if you pay in advance...I have done this before, really takes the, "what if someone else grab it" feel...let's me chill as I walk around. Also, I recommend not rolling the dice and grab a male pied with 100% het pied female...this way you will have a pied in your collection and any normal babies are 100% hets...also makes it easy for proof because you just send a pic of dad.

:imslow:

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Originally Posted by kingkung

I heard that king snakes musk and I hear it smells very bad and is hard to walk off. Does anyone have any experience with this?

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Yes, I've been musked on by all of my four Cali Kings. Honestly it didn't smell that bad to me (granted they were tiny little things) and they only did it right when I got them and they were still adjusting (so stressed). Now that they're settled in and "know" when it's handle time they don't musk or poop/pee on me anymore. At an expo last year a young boy tried to handle a adult speckled kingsnake at a vendor's table and it musked over him and the counter and it smelt soooo bad and the smell lingered for well over an hour so I'm assuming some snakes smell worse than others when they musk.

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Originally Posted by Daybreaker

Yes, I've been musked on by all of my four Cali Kings. Honestly it didn't smell that bad to me (granted they were tiny little things) and they only did it right when I got them and they were still adjusting (so stressed). Now that they're settled in and "know" when it's handle time they don't musk or poop/pee on me anymore. At an expo last year a young boy tried to handle a adult speckled kingsnake at a vendor's table and it musked over him and the counter and it smelt soooo bad and the smell lingered for well over an hour so I'm assuming some snakes smell worse than others when they musk.

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I guess this means I have to stop wearing my nice sweaters to shows...they are pretty kick A$$ sweaters though...my grandma hand selected them personally.

How many balls can be housed in a 20 gallon long?

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One, you shouldn't house more than one BP in one enclosure at any one time. They are not social animals, they are solitary animals. Most, if not all snakes should be housed separately until breeding which is only for a very short period of time.

There are too many risks in housing more than one. Some do it and do it without incident but not worth taking the chance!

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Originally Posted by kingkung

How many balls can be housed in a 20 gallon long?

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One

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Originally Posted by kingkung

How many balls can be housed in a 20 gallon long?

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Two if you put an opaque divider in the middle. Most adult BPs will usually care less about cage mates as long as they are not males; however, babies and juveniles can be easily stressed by cage mates. If you are going for multiple specimens then just go buy a 6 pack of 32qt tubs, save some bank, and have room for 6 new specimens.

I'm going to stick to one. Since I have a bunch of leopard geckos to care for.

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I'm hoping to find a normal for under $20 at repticon. I am going to pick up a 20 gallon long tank for the python.

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Originally Posted by kingkung

I'm going to stick to one. Since I have a bunch of leopard geckos to care for.

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http://cdn.memegenerator.net/instanc...x/43118902.jpg

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Originally Posted by kingkung

I'm hoping to find a normal for under $20 at repticon. I am going to pick up a 20 gallon long tank for the python.

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I would be a little dodgy about going that low...look for something at least around the $35 range. What is your budget?

Also remember if you're getting a small/young BP that they need to feel secure! I'm not sure the size of a 20 gallon enclosure as I don't measure in that capacity but if this is a baby/youngster you'll need snug hides, water bow and things to clutter the enclosure with also. They don't like big open spaces as this can cause stress which can lead to non eating and other problems. As long as you clutter and make the guy feel secure you'll be fine.

Let me know when you've bought the one after this one ;) Once you're in our world you never stop :D

Very low prices may seem very tempting but pay a little more for quality of animal. Whilst good deals are fantastic the last thing you want is to buy a sub par animal which could have problems and cost you a lot of money in fixing this.

Keep us updated :D I'm not sure I could just get a normal going to a rep show, there are too many pretty things about that I would be too woo-ed by the morphs :)

I'm telling myself that I'm going to get only one. I really don't have the space with all my geckos. But I'm wondering what's the best substrate to use that isn't such of an eye sore? Aspen and sani chips look good and seems easy to clean.

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Originally Posted by kingkung

I'm telling myself that I'm going to get only one. I really don't have the space with all my geckos. But I'm wondering what's the best substrate to use that isn't such of an eye sore? Aspen and sani chips look good and seems easy to clean.

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GET TUBS!!! Tubs give you so much space! You need a tub, a heat mat, a thermostat, water bowl and two hides. Et voila - enclosure! Totally room for more than one in your property :D

I shouldn't encourage, but when you have gotten used to one you may well get the bug! Tanks are beautiful to look at but bulky!

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Originally Posted by kingkung

I'm telling myself that I'm going to get only one. I really don't have the space with all my geckos. But I'm wondering what's the best substrate to use that isn't such of an eye sore? Aspen and sani chips look good and seems easy to clean.

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I use coco husk and it works out perfectly since it keeps humidity pretty well. It also looks nice to the eye. Good luck at repticon. I take it you're going to the one in Los Angeles?

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When I got my girl she went into a 20 long with as many hides as I could fit in there. I use coco husk. Its nice looking smells more like dirt, and easy to clean. You can also use paper towel and newspapers till you know your new bp doesn't have mites. Mine did. You can also ball up paper towels, and newspaper and throw it in as clutter. Its cheap.

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Originally Posted by kingkung

I'm telling myself that I'm going to get only one. I really don't have the space with all my geckos. But I'm wondering what's the best substrate to use that isn't such of an eye sore? Aspen and sani chips look good and seems easy to clean.

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I use a mixture of coconut coir and cypress mulch. I like cypress because it has a natural pH that inhibits fungal growth.

Coco husk is the same as Eco earth?

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Yes. If you get the brick eco earth use warm water and try to let it dry some before using it. I prefer the loose eco earth because you don't have to wet it to use it. I do spritz it some when I put it in. I also stir it up every few days to keep mold and mildew from growing which I'm allergic to. I don't want to have to run to the ER because my snakes sunstrate made me blow up like a balloon, and I couldn't breath. My friends like the reptibark. I don't. Its too course for their delicate bellies. I also put moist (NOT WET) terrerium, spanish or frog moss in the cage. It helps with humidity.

I notice that Eco earth is very dusty and the small little particles of it get everywhere. I currently use Eco earth in my leopard geckos humid hides.

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Originally Posted by kingkung

I notice that Eco earth is very dusty and the small little particles of it get everywhere. I currently use Eco earth in my leopard geckos humid hides.

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Eco earth, like all substrates, is what you make it. I use coconut coir (sold under many names like Eco-earth) in my GTP, retic, and ball cages...the stuff works great when you combine it with right stuff. Hope that helps.

I use paper towels... I'm dead high tech ;)

If you mist it you don't get all the dust. Just like if you were planting something. You wet the soil a bit and you don't get all the dust. I've never had a problem with dust because I mist the loose kind and when you use the brick you have to wet it to get it loosened. Like I said you need to let the brick sit in warm water then make sure its all loose then let it dry out some so it's not wet when you put it in the cage. Thats a ggreat way of getting mold and getting your snake sick.

I recommend the bag, the brick is a pain...
It's only dusty if it's completely dry

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Originally Posted by Phantomtip

If you mist it you don't get all the dust. Just like if you were planting something. You wet the soil a bit and you don't get all the dust. I've never had a problem with dust because I mist the loose kind and when you use the brick you have to wet it to get it loosened. Like I said you need to let the brick sit in warm water then make sure its all loose then let it dry out some so it's not wet when you put it in the cage. Thats a ggreat way of getting mold and getting your snake sick.

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I expand bricks as I need them, and it goes straight in the tub as soon as I can break it apart. I have had zero mold issues so long as I provide a top layer of cypress mulch. I always buy the bricks, why? Do the math bud, you come out getting twice the substrate for almost half the price of the bag.

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Originally Posted by Misha

I use coco husk and it works out perfectly since it keeps humidity pretty well. It also looks nice to the eye. Good luck at repticon. I take it you're going to the one in Los Angeles?

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Yes. But I think its at the orange county fairgrounds

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I'm lazy and with just 1 bp I get the bag. I don't have to wait for it to expand. If I had more than 1 bp then I would get the bricks. I've never had a problem with dusty coco husk. I also mist it with a hand spray bottle though. If its old then yes you will have a problem with dust because it will be dry. I've never had a problem with mold either because I don't let it get too wet. Good luck on what ever you choose.

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Originally Posted by kingkung

Yes. But I think its at the orange county fairgrounds

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You're absolutely right. I was looking forward to going but I won't be able to make it this year. Have fun and definitely post so.e photos up.

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I have a ball python and my son has a rosy boa. I think the rosy boa requires a lot less management in terms of his habitat, because we live in the desert - humidity is not an issue for rosy, nor for us. The rosy boa is very docile, slow moving (more active than my BP though), and is a snake my son can care for completely on his own under my watchful eye. My heart belongs to my BP, Tiki, but the rosy boa is easier to care for, in my opinion.