Enrichment for my 2 snakes

So... I have been trying to figure out how to do enrichment in tubs for a Blood Python, and a BCI. For the blood I was thinking to put in some rocks, and a few different layers of substrate. The blood always burrows so I figure the different textures in the substrate would be the best. Then for the Boa I was going to put some rocks, and a few branches. I am just figuring out how to suspend the branches in the tub. Also for both I was thinking of putting in some fabric that I put under my shirt to get my smell. Anyone else have different ideas?

The burrowing and climbing are great ideas.
Do not put your scent in there. Snakes are ambush predators and they DO NOT want their home to smell like a human.
They prefer to have their home clean and predator scent free.


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Originally Posted by Godzilla78

The burrowing and climbing are great ideas.
Do not put your scent in there. Snakes are ambush predators and they DO NOT want their home to smell like a human.
They prefer to have their home clean and predator scent free.


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OK thanks for the reply. So what kind of scents should I put in the tubs?

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Originally Posted by sur3fir3

OK thanks for the reply. So what kind of scents should I put in the tubs?

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I've heard they're partial to Chanel No. 5. :rofl: Just kidding!!! Do NOT add "scents" to your snake's enclosure.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I've heard they're partial to Chanel No. 5. :rofl: Just kidding!!! Do NOT add "scents" to your snake's enclosure.

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OK, I was just going by what articles on enrichment said. they said to put natural smells in the tub .. like rubbing a strawberry on the side of the tub. Does everyone agree that this is a bad idea?

Rubbing a strawberry...? :confusd: Not a normal scent for them, and the sugar (fructose) will be a nice medium for growing mold & bacteria...so I'd say nay! :colbert:

To me, 'enrichment' means furnishings that replicate their natural world: driftwood/logs/branches/rocks to form "caves", traction & some climbing (always making
sure of safety...nothing heavy & unstable that can tip onto & hurt the snake, & nothing with holes they can get stuck in). It also means natural earthy-smelling
substrate that holds some humidity.

That's for the cage the live in...now when you handle your snake apart from their cage, I've never seen a snake that could resist a pile of clean laundry to hide
in & sort thru. :D They're not much help though...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Rubbing a strawberry...? :confusd: Not a normal scent for them, and the sugar (fructose) will be a nice medium for growing mold & bacteria...so I'd say nay! :colbert:

To me, 'enrichment' means furnishings that replicate their natural world: driftwood/logs/branches/rocks to form "caves", traction & some climbing (always making
sure of safety...nothing heavy & unstable that can tip onto & hurt the snake, & nothing with holes they can get stuck in). It also means natural earthy-smelling
substrate that holds some humidity.

That's for the cage the live in...now when you handle your snake apart from their cage, I've never seen a snake that could resist a pile of clean laundry to hide
in & sort thru. :D They're not much help though...

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I personally was wondering about the whole smell thing myself. Thanks for the info guys I will post some pics once I get everything setup in the tubs.

Here is a quote from the document I read that suggested strawberries:

Scents I have been successful with include:
-different plants and fruits (flowers, leaves, strawberries, grapes, etc)
-a PINCH of rat bedding
-other snake’s sheds and bedding
-things with my smell on them
Pretty much any object is going to have a smell. It’s hard to go wrong unless you place something toxic in there.
\
Link: http://www.natureboxpetemporium.com/...aptive-snakes/

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sur3fir3

I personally was wondering about the whole smell thing myself. Thanks for the info guys I will post some pics once I get everything setup in the tubs.

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There ARE animals that would benefit from that sort of scent "enrichment" but what you use has to be relevant for the type of animals.
I know my snakes get visibly "inspired" by some fresh-soaked sphagnum moss to play in...that's the sort of thing that's "right up their alley".
Many snakes enjoy tunnels too...like cardboard rolls (of appropriate size) or even PVC drain pipes & elbows.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sur3fir3

OK, I was just going by what articles on enrichment said. they said to put natural smells in the tub .. like rubbing a strawberry on the side of the tub. Does everyone agree that this is a bad idea?

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Must be a Facebook group [emoji23]

The best enrichment is getting them out and letting them explore, supervised of course. This helps build muscle mass and keeps your animal tame :) As for enrichment within the enclosure personally I like doing naturalistic enclosures when possible. Boas will climb if you provide climbing material such as logs/branches. The blood isn’t going to climb at all. Although I could see creating tunnels using cork slabs and switch them up occasionally. I’ve seen people do this with skinks as a way to double floor space. If your blood is full grown you’d need a large enclosure and pretty big cork pieces to build your tunnels/maze.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by sur3fir3

Here is a quote from the document I read that suggested strawberries:

Scents I have been successful with include:
-different plants and fruits (flowers, leaves, strawberries, grapes, etc)
-a PINCH of rat bedding
-other snake’s sheds and bedding
-things with my smell on them
Pretty much any object is going to have a smell. It’s hard to go wrong unless you place something toxic in there.
\
Link: http://www.natureboxpetemporium.com/...aptive-snakes/

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Let's just say I'm not impressed with their advice. I once helped an injured desert iguana recover, before finally releasing him. While in my care, I wanted to know
what native plants would appeal to his appetite (I wanted him to eat more), so I actually carried him gently outside & let him "tell me" which flowers & plants he liked,
& then I picked more for him to eat. But snakes don't eat plants & I've never seen a snake show any interest in fruits etc.

A pinch of rat bedding can actually encourage a hungry snake to try to CONSUME whatever the scent is on...so that's not too smart, is it?

As far as sharing snake shed's for other snakes to sniff: don't do this if snakes are in quarantine or if you aren't POSITIVE they are both healthy. Now if they are the
same species and opposite gender, & you want to know if they might be inclined to mate, that's one way to do it. Or you can just hold the female first...her scent will
transfer to you (your clothes) & when you handle the male snake, you may see him show a keen interest in the "scent" you're wearing.

Honestly, I think the occasional handling of your pet snake, including strolls outside in favorable weather & temperatures, is a much better way to enrich their days. :snake:

BTW, I just checked the available snakes on that site & found this: http://www.natureboxpetemporium.com/...-rosy-unsexed/
I've never before heard of a "melonistic" snake, but perhaps that is one that would be attracted to fruit...? :rofl: Presumably cantaloupe or watermelon?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MarkL1561

The best enrichment is getting them out and letting them explore, supervised of course. This helps build muscle mass and keeps your animal tame :) As for enrichment within the enclosure personally I like doing naturalistic enclosures when possible. Boas will climb if you provide climbing material such as logs/branches. The blood isn’t going to climb at all. Although I could see creating tunnels using cork slabs and switch them up occasionally. I’ve seen people do this with skinks as a way to double floor space. If your blood is full grown you’d need a large enclosure and pretty big cork pieces to build your tunnels/maze.


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I take them both out for at least 15 minutes once a day.

As far as caging, I am using tubs. For right now I have a ve-6. So my vertical space is limited. I was thinking about using small PVC pipe to make a perch in side the tub for the boa. Then for the blood I was going to put 2 layers of substrate. One layer of leaves, and 1 layer of cypress. Then I was going to put 2 rocks in the tub with the blood and 1 with the boa. The rocks sre more to assist with shedding than for any real enrichment. Then my next substrate change I was going to go for orchid bark and coco fiber. I will buy the substrate next week and put it in an empty tub so I can figure out how to keep it at 60 percent humidity. I am worried about the orchid bark because last time I switched to orchid bark my blood decided to stop eating. But I don't know if that was just a coincidence or not.

Ok well if anyone has any other ideas I'm all ears. I always appreciate all of your replies and suggestions. Thanks all.



**Note** the boa is in quarantine atm in a 2'x2'x2'



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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Let's just say I'm not impressed with their advice. I once helped an injured desert iguana recover, before finally releasing him. While in my care, I wanted to know
what native plants would appeal to his appetite (I wanted him to eat more), so I actually carried him gently outside & let him "tell me" which flowers & plants he liked,
& then I picked more for him to eat. But snakes don't eat plants & I've never seen a snake show any interest in fruits etc.

A pinch of rat bedding can actually encourage a hungry snake to try to CONSUME whatever the scent is on...so that's not too smart, is it?

As far as sharing snake shed's for other snakes to sniff: don't do this if snakes are in quarantine or if you aren't POSITIVE they are both healthy. Now if they are the
same species and opposite gender, & you want to know if they might be inclined to mate, that's one way to do it. Or you can just hold the female first...her scent will
transfer to you (your clothes) & when you handle the male snake, you may see him show a keen interest in the "scent" you're wearing.

Honestly, I think the occasional handling of your pet snake, including strolls outside in favorable weather & temperatures, is a much better way to enrich their days. :snake:

BTW, I just checked the available snakes on that site & found this: http://www.natureboxpetemporium.com/...-rosy-unsexed/
I've never before heard of a "melonistic" snake, but perhaps that is one that would be attracted to fruit...? :rofl: Presumably cantaloupe or watermelon?

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Ok thank you for the advice. I just figured since I am using tubs, that I should go the extra mile and provide them with as much enrichment as I can within my means.

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Melonistic. Rofl. Are they seedless?

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