Dumerils Boa Care Question

I just recently got a new yearling Dumeril. I know these species prefers to burrow into their substrate so that is why I got him aspen bedding. But I have to admit, I hate using Aspen. My other snakes are on paper. I find aspen harder to spot the messes.

If it is necessary for him to be happy - I will continue with the aspen but I wanted to see what you all thought about it.

Your thoughts on the importance of being able to burrow.

I've seen vids on youtube where people use crushed up newspaper. Seems to work for them.

oh, but not just plain flat brown paper. It appears they really do need to burrow so I guess I will leave well enough alone and deal with the aspen. I don't want to deprive him of what he needs.

They just need to get under something. My Dums have "blankies" (old towels) rather than 8 inches of aspen bedding.

If you don't like aspen you can use cypress mulch.

I just prefer the Uline kraft paper. I bought aspen so I guess I will use it. He has three hides also.

There are people that have their Dums on paper and give them hides, just like a BP setup.

I personally have mine on coco chips with no hides. I think it's easier for him to burrow than aspen. He had a hide at one time but it seemed to be more of an obstacle, so I removed it. I don't have too many snakes, so I prefer to give them what they seem to like over my added labor and cost.


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Do they prefer open spaces vs a cage with lots of hides and decor?? Mine is in a t8 cage with hides and fake greenery. I just got him on the 12th so he is still getting acclimated to his new home.

Dumerils are ground boas that burrow or get under things and wait for prey to wander by. They definitely prefer a cluttered environment.

Since i am using th aspen bedding - will it be obvious to me when he has messed. I keep worrying he has messed and i dont know it or see it.

My other snakes you smell it immediately when you open the cage but they are on paper.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by L.West

Since i am using th aspen bedding - will it be obvious to me when he has messed. I keep worrying he has messed and i dont know it or see it.

My other snakes you smell it immediately when you open the cage but they are on paper.

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It's less obvious than on paper, but it's still obvious. You'll smell it, and look around for it. Dumeril's love drinking water for some reason and pee a lot! At least, mine does LOL.

I am really hating using the aspen bedding. I don't know if its my OCD nature of what but it just bugs the heck out of me. I may have to switch him to the kraft paper and give him several hides along with fake greenery.

Aspen just seems so dirty to me. Very messy and I fear that he has messed and I am not seeing it. I literally stick my head in the cage every day to see if I can smell something - this is crazy. With paper everything is neat and clean - no messes get missed.

I gave it a try - I honestly did but it is really bugging me and taking away from my Dumeril experience.

I think its time to change him to the paper.

Dumeril's boas pee a lot more than other snakes. This is the reason I like to use aspen as it soaks up the pee. However, my adults do no seem to care to burrow, they prefer hides. The smaller ones use hides as well but will burrow if they feel like it.

When you say they pee alot. Do you mean volume or frequency. My dumeril had urine and urates this morning so i cleaned the whole cage. Well, this evening he had more urine an urates so i cleaned his cage again.

Since i had him out i thought i would hold him for a bit. All of a sudden he got really squirmy and then pooped on me. Lol

I dont have a good track record so far.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ashteroid

Dumeril's boas pee a lot more than other snakes. This is the reason I like to use aspen as it soaks up the pee. However, my adults do no seem to care to burrow, they prefer hides. The smaller ones use hides as well but will burrow if they feel like it.

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That is absolutely not true according to my experience with My Dumeril. He pee very normal, average i would say.

I'm beginning to get a complex with my new Dumeril. Every time I hold him - try to spend some time with him he pees/poops on me. What the heck. Is he doing this on purpose or is it coincidence??

I now have a towel on my lap just in case he does it again. Could this be a baby thing - he is still pretty small.

I can't believe I have that bad of timing LOL

All the snakes I've kept over the years - I have never had this happen and now with this new Dumeril I've been pee'd on several times.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by L.West

I'm beginning to get a complex with my new Dumeril. Every time I hold him - try to spend some time with him he pees/poops on me. What the heck. Is he doing this on purpose or is it coincidence??

I now have a towel on my lap just in case he does it again. Could this be a baby thing - he is still pretty small.

I can't believe I have that bad of timing LOL

All the snakes I've kept over the years - I have never had this happen and now with this new Dumeril I've been pee'd on several times.

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Voiding onto a predator is a fairly common defense for a baby snake. If he's squirrely while you're doing it then I'd guess that's what's going on.

Since you're using a towel anyway try putting him on half of it and covering him with the other half to make a "hide" while on your lap. He might feel more comfortable that way while he gets used to you.

So it is your opinion that he is making himself go?? I really thought so. I couldn't have that bad of timing lOL.

I sure hope he outgrows this stage. Can't imagine the load once he is full grown OMG.

He doesn't seem overly stressed when I hold him. He is about a year old and I've only had him for a month though.

He eats good. I only hold him occassionally for like 10 minutes.