Water bowls and Hides?

I'm in the process of buying things for my BP that I'm getting in two weeks time, and want to make sure that everything is set up right before I get him.

He is 85g at the moment (2 weeks old) and ill be getting him when he is 4 weeks old; I wanted to know if I should get:

One large water bowl or two small ones (one on the hot side one on the cool)?

And should I get two opaque hides or can one be a cork hide? Do I need moss for the hides or can I just use compressed coconut fibre?

Thanks.

One water bowl will do the job. If you use two different types of hides, you'll find that your snake will prefer one type over the other, and will spend all it's time there. They will choose security over thermoregulation. Get two identical hides and save yourself the worry.

Thanks, where should I put the water bowl, on the cool side, hot or in the middle?

Hot side if you need more humidity, cool side if you don't.

To second what Slim said I usually keep mine on the cool side for a nice 65% humidity . During shed I slide the bowl closer to the tape and bam 75% humidity.
So you can even make monthly or weekly adjustments based on how the setup acts over time.

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I always read everyone saying get identical hides for your BP I myself have different types of hides home made and store bought ones and my BP uses everyone of them.

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Originally Posted by LanceM

I always read everyone saying get identical hides for your BP I myself have different types of hides home made and store bought ones and my BP uses everyone of them.

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It is recommend bc bps will choose security over regulating there body temp correctly. If your hides provide the same amount of security you won't have that problem. I did have this problem until I switched to RBI hides

To the op, reptile basics hides are popular in the US but I did find a UK seller of similar hides. If you choose to get these I would get the medium like in the link I provided. A snake will quickly outgrow the small, you can stuff the hide with moss to make it more snug until your snake grows into it or you can get small. There is other suppliers in the UK that have these so you may be able to find them cheaper.

http://www.wildworldreptileshop.co.u...e-hide-medium/

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Originally Posted by chrid16371

It is recommend bc bps will choose security over regulating there body temp correctly. If your hides provide the same amount of security you won't have that problem. I did have this problem until I switched to RBI hides

To the op, reptile basics hides are popular in the US but I did find a UK seller of similar hides. If you choose to get these I would get the medium like in the link I provided. A snake will quickly outgrow the small, you can stuff the hide with moss to make it more snug until your snake grows into it or you can get small. There is other suppliers in the UK that have these so you may be able to find them cheaper.

http://www.wildworldreptileshop.co.u...e-hide-medium/

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Yes my hides are all the same size.That is the most important thing when choosing hides I agree.

Do I have to use moss or can I use EcoEarth (as it also keeps humidity and is what I will use for substrate)?

Would this be good?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

It has a seller image in the reviews that show it more accurately and to scale.

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Originally Posted by Archer

Would this be good?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

It has a seller image in the reviews that show it more accurately and to scale.

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I also use eco-earth for substrate but I put moss in my hides during shedding and myself I keep my humidity at 65%-70% during shedding.

Is Spaghnum Moss any good?

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Originally Posted by Archer

Would this be good?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

It has a seller image in the reviews that show it more accurately and to scale.

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no, this hide is much too large, 21cm in diameter, for a 85g snake. You want a hide that's tight. Also, don't consider opaque hides, kinda defeats part of the purpose.

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Originally Posted by LanceM

I always read everyone saying get identical hides for your BP I myself have different types of hides home made and store bought ones and my BP uses everyone of them.

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As always .. your mileage may vary. Nothing is exact.


As for buying stuff in the UK. Use .Swell reptiles. they are by far the best. Their quick, cheap and have alot of stock. Also sell the hides your after.

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Originally Posted by Archer

Is Spaghnum Moss any good?

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Yes that's what I use.

Do you only use moss in your hides during shedding?

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Originally Posted by Archer

Do you only use moss in your hides during shedding?

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yes

Sphagnum moss will work yes. The medium yes will be to big for an 85f snake but you can stuff the one side until the snake has a tight fit. You can buy the smalls so you don't have to stuff the hides but you will have to buy mediums in a couple months so either pick up both sizes or just stuff with moss, it's up to you.

Swell is a good supplier I hear and I was going to post a link but they were out of the mediums.

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Thanks for the help.

Thanks, I think I may do that.

So would the first hide I suggested be suitable if I made it smaller with moss or should I just buy two smalls of this?
https://www.reptiles.swelluk.com/swell-hide-boxes/

Honestly it's up to you. I've never had a problem with any of my bps not liking their hides and I have never started with small hides. . I would buy the medium hide, see if he is fine with it and if hes not then you can put something in it to make it tighter. My opinion but I've never had to put anything in a hide for my bps.

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Originally Posted by Archer

So would the first hide I suggested be suitable if I made it smaller with moss or should I just buy two smalls of this?
https://www.reptiles.swelluk.com/swell-hide-boxes/

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if you get the bigger on and fill it with moss where your snake is snug in it should be fine.

I think I'll get this https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...A3P5ROKL5A1OLE and fill it with moss. Thanks for the help guys!

Forgot you mentioned water bowls.
I don't know your set up but in my wooden vivs I use 2 water bowl. Larger one on the hot side and a smaller one the cold side keeps my humidity spot on. In my tubs just one bowl on the cold side.
I never move my water bowl from hot to cold side and back and forth because I think my snakes know where their water is so I don't like moving it.

Just as an fyi when buying a hide like that make sure you check it over for Sharp edges. Exo terra cave hides are a pain like that, well the larger ones are anyway.

Good Luck

I agree I had to smoothen the edges on my exo-terra cave a little.

I agree with all the information above between my last post and this post. I had to do the same thing with my exo Terra snake hide when I used one. Make sure you purchase 2, one for each size and being that there bigger they help clutter the tank a little, just make sure the diameter will fit inside the tank before you order. Actually measure the inside top and inside at the bottom where the hides would sit to make sure it will fit all the way down to the bottom. You want to measure the inside bc the dimensions they give for aquariums are the outside dimensions so you need to be positive that they will fit. I'm sure they will but better safe then sorry.

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A good idea for a water bowl would be like I have it's made with rocks which makes the edges rough and gives your snake a rough suface to rub against during its shed.IMO

I just purchased two of the hide I was talking about (as well as about 7 other items e.g. 2 thermometers , feeding tongs etc.), the hide is by Namiba Terra (Not Exo Terra) and is made of terracotta so hopefully no sharp edges. Thanks again for the advice!