first experience with bp

ok, pine is better than sand. I would remove the sand and spread out the pine over the entire cage for now. Aspen or cypress is what you are going to want to replace the pine with as soon as possible.

I really like these hides sold by reptile basics:

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...t/da98c371.jpg

http://www.reptilebasics.com/hide-boxes

You want a hide that fits snugly and only have 1 opening (a BP will guard the single opening. if there are multiple openings then the BP can't guard all of them making the BP feel less secure)

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...t/21819934.jpg

See if you can get this thermometer/hygrometer. They are available at Walmart for $12. They measure 2 temperatures (hot side and cool side) as well as humidity.

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...nt/photo-3.jpg

A heating pad isn't necessary, but if you do decide to get one keep in mind that they must be regulated by a thermoSTAT

Place the heat lamp on top of the screen top that way the BP can't come in contact with the bulb/dome

Ok so buy one of those hides that match the next snake I get the best? I will get that thermometer and just put the light so it lights one side of the cage?

You want your cage to look something like this:

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...t/79b70eb5.jpg

Pine is not bad for snakes. I have used it for colubrids with no issues at all. I use it for my rats with no issues as well.

So I just got mine she is just over 2 weeks old and a female. I have a couple questions as this is my first and I want to be sure I'm doing everything right.
1. For humidity/heat: I currently have an UTH (heat pad) and I must the cage twice daily. I do not yet have a hydrometer and I was wondering(once I get it) if there are tricks to increase humidity or heat if needed? I didn't think I needed a heat lamp as well as a UTH but that's why I'm asking.
2. I am unsure how to measure if the cage is too small?. I think my hide is too big for her as it isn't "snug" is that okay?
3. As for shedding, I got her a branch and she has a water dish she can soak in. Is there anything else I should do to help her shed?
4. Lastly, she seems to stay in the hide all day (which I understand) but also all night unless I take her out. Is that normal? Is it just because she is young?
Thanks :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Megz

So I just got mine she is just over 2 weeks old and a female. I have a couple questions as this is my first and I want to be sure I'm doing everything right.
1. For humidity/heat: I currently have an UTH (heat pad) and I must the cage twice daily. I do not yet have a hydrometer and I was wondering(once I get it) if there are tricks to increase humidity or heat if needed? I didn't think I needed a heat lamp as well as a UTH but that's why I'm asking.
2. I am unsure how to measure if the cage is too small?. I think my hide is too big for her as it isn't "snug" is that okay?
3. As for shedding, I got her a branch and she has a water dish she can soak in. Is there anything else I should do to help her shed?
4. Lastly, she seems to stay in the hide all day (which I understand) but also all night unless I take her out. Is that normal? Is it just because she is young?
Thanks :)

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1. Is your UTH being regulated by a thermostat? what are you using to measure temperatures with? Go to your local walmart and get one of these, they cost $12 and measure 2 temperatures (hot side and cool side) as well as humidity. The probe will go directly over the UTH on the glass bottom of the tank, and the box will sit on the cool side.

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...nt/photo-3.jpg

2. Smaller is better (to a point, most people have issues with their cages being too large. do you know how many gallons the tank is? can you tell us the dimensions of the tank? The general rule is 1 square foot of floor space per foot of snake. You want hides to be snug and secure. if there is a little room then that is ok, but if the snake can't touch all of the sides while in the hide then you might want to put some crumpled up paper into the hide to reduce the open space.

3. Once you get a hygrometer you will be able to tell how much humidity is in the cage. keep it around 60% normally and 75%-80% during shed. that's all that you have to do. Do NOT soak your snake. This removes the oils necessary for shedding and will actually make things worse. Not to mention soaking is extremely stressful to a snake.

4.A hiding BP is a happy BP

I highly recommend not using a heat lamp. They get too hot. I've measured the basking spot with a temp gun well into the 100s. They also dry out the air in the enclosure. You will have to spray constantly. I prefer tubs, heat tape controlled by thermostat, and I use paper as a substrate. Easy to clean, keep temps right and by far easier to keep humidity right. If you really like the aquarium better I highly recommend an under tank heater with thermostat and covering the screen with plexiglass (you can get plexi at home depot or lowes. measure and score it with a utility knife then turn it over and snap it.) If the humidity is too high just drill some holes into it. Just a few at a time until you get it dialed in.

- - - Updated - - -

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Megz

1. For humidity/heat: I currently have an UTH (heat pad) and I must the cage twice daily. I do not yet have a hydrometer and I was wondering(once I get it) if there are tricks to increase humidity or heat if needed?

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Not trying to pick on you but a Hygrometer measures humidity. A Hydrometer measures specific gravity.In my line of work it measures sugar content of wort. I use one several times a day when I check on the fermentation of all the beer. It tells me how much sugar the yeast has eaten and tells me when the beer is ready for filtration and packaging and more importantly, consumption! :D

Thank you both that's really useful to know. I will definitely pick up the things suggested and avoid heat lamps. I'll be sure to get a HYGROMETER ;) as for the hide my friend gote a little skull it says it's decor but can I use it as a hide or will it hurt her cause it is snug. But I was scared that the rough edges might harm her. Also would u reccomend a type of foliage like moss or is tht not needed

haha :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Megz

Thank you both that's really useful to know. I will definitely pick up the things suggested and avoid heat lamps. I'll be sure to get a HYGROMETER ;) as for the hide my friend gote a little skull it says it's decor but can I use it as a hide or will it hurt her cause it is snug. But I was scared that the rough edges might harm her. Also would u reccomend a type of foliage like moss or is tht not needed

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Heat lamps do have a place in this hobby, UTH's do not raise the temperature of the air in a tank so if the room a tank is in gets much below 75 degrees something like a heat lamp is necessary. Anything with sharp edges or have holes that a BP could get stuck in should be avoided, make sure that you have 2 identical hides (1 for the hot side and 1 for the cool side)

Foliage is not necessary, this is how all of my BP's are housed:

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_0455.jpg

So do you have a thermoSTAT? what about thermoMETERS? What are your cage temperatures? these are very important. Without a thermostat regulating your UTH it can easily kill your snake.