A new smaller tank for 1 week?

[NickP]

I live on my own where my snake is with me in a nice 20gallon tank. However, at home I dont have such a big tank for him, and taking the tank back and forth is not a good idea for me. So I was wondering if it's ok to switch a BPs tanks. We have a smaller 5g (taller) tank. It's not big at all, maybe about 1/4 the size of the 20g long one (width wise) but if every time i go back, would it be okay to keep my BP in it from 2-4 days upto 12(winter break).
I can take the thermostats, thermometers, hides and heating stuff back with me.

Here is what the smaller one kinda looks like: (It's octagonal)

Slightly smaller

[hoo-t]

How big is the snake? How will you be transporting it?

I would suggest getting a plastic tub. You can transport the snake in the tub, and leave him in it while home.

Steve

[NickP]

Great idea! I can't believe I didn't think of that before!

Btw my BP is approx 20 inches long.


Would this not cause stress for him tho? If I switch him from his original home to a new one for upto 12 days at a time? Also how would I go about heating tubs? UTHs wouldn't work would they?

[rabernet]

Change always causes some level of stress. Why not just leave your snake at home for the 12 days you're gone? He'll be fine with fresh water.

And yes, you can use a UTH with a thermostat on plastic - all of mine are in tubs with UTH's.

[NickP]

Change always causes some level of stress. Why not just leave your snake at home for the 12 days you're gone? He'll be fine with fresh water.

And yes, you can use a UTH with a thermostat on plastic - all of mine are in tubs with UTH's.

I'd like to bring him back and show him to my family. They've been bugging me for weeks now

Won't the UTH melt the plastic at such close proximity?

[hoo-t]

If the UTH gets hot enough to melt plastic, its the least of your worries! It would burn the snake! BUT... thats why a thermostat or rheostat is recommended. It will allow you to keep the temps in the desired range. Nearly all of my snakes are in plastic tubs, and all of them are heated by a UTH (mostly flexwatt).

Steve

[NickP]

Now the only problem is that the UTHs i have are stuck to the bottom of my tank I think I'll just go ahead and purchase some new ones since I'm planning on getting another BP and a boa in the future, so it will be good to have few UTHs.

The reason I wanna bring Buddy back is because he's about to start shedding and I'v I'm not there for 10-12 days, I wont be able to keep the humidity up.

[rabernet]

I still think a little stuck shed is going to be far less stressful for your snake than taking it home and having to let it acclimate for a full week in a new enclosure it's only going to be in for 12 days, and then acclimate again when you get back for another week.

Make a well informed choice, and do what you think is best.

[NickP]

Argg! I really wanna take him back haha. I think I might as well just take his entire tank. The 10 day break is once a year hehe. What about for just 3-4 days or only 2? Would that be stressful for him? By the way the ride back is only 1hour and thirty minutes, so that shouldn't be such a big deal.

[rabernet]

Just make sure you have a way to keep him warm while you travel.