New BP soon, did I clean enough to keep this one alive?

[Jeremy78]

He has perfect temps, perfect humidity, perfect setup, perfectly cleaned tank, an "expert" friend, and the temps were "cranked up" to 88*f .

Everything is perfect! You're all silly for trying to help someone who knows everything is perfect. Everyone here has been trying to achieve this for years, he has accomplished it much sooner! Why bother wasting your time?

Now if you're serious about asking for help, listen closely.

Hot spot - 90*F
Ambient temps (temps everywhere the hot spot is not) - 80*F
Substrate (the stuff on the floor of the tank) - newspaper, paper towel
Water bowl - big, clean, filled with water (important)
Hide - 2 hides identical.
Tank - black out 3 sides if you want to see your snake. He will feel more comfortable and come out more.
Humidity - 60% raise it if he sheds. Simple misting.
CLEAN the old tank. If a snake died in there that was perfectly healthy before it came to you, odds are it's something there. Toss out everything but the glass. Especially that old substrate.
Uth (under tank heater) - get one.
Thermostat - controls the uth. Makes sure the heater stays at a steady temperature.

Now that the set up is all done and has had a few days to get going. (temps are steady, humidity is good) you're ready to get your snake!

When you get it, pop it in the enclosure. Leave it alone for a week. Feed it a prey item about the same width as the snake. If it eats you can start handling a few minutes every day. If it doesn't, come back here and we'll trouble shoot with you.

[Animals As Leaders]

^^^^

Good simple advice, gotta love it...Now why couldn't you post earlier lol?

[ed4281]

Wow drama, drama, drama. Follow the advice Dr. Del, Jeremy and Animals as leaders have given it’s all very sound advice. Most people here are very minimalistic with their setups, mostly because they are breeders and have several snakes. I however understand the desire to have a very pretty cage especially for 1 snake. I will explain what the zoo’s do to keep a clean natural looking environment.

1.All naturalistic bedding is first kiln dried and heated to a degree so that nothing could possibly survive in the substrate. You can achieve this at home by baking the substrate in the oven at 250 degrees for 60 minutes, allow it to thoroughly cool before placing in the tank.

2.Most of the logs, tree trunks, vines etc that you see in the zoo are made out of fiber glass and can be soaked and disinfected during clean downs, even the rocks are artificial.

3.I do agree what everyone has said about log hides, I make my own for my kings and corns out of fiber glass it’s actually pretty easy however you really have to let it air out for quite some time before putting it in the tank. Baked clay also works pretty well, but you can’t soak it.

As to your last snake dying, I am very sorry. If your snake did have a regurge it most likely had parasites and untreated they will kill your snake and sometimes before it even looks bad, that is one of the down sides of live pray, and is the reason I deworm all of my snakes every 6 months. Honestly though you will never know the cause because a necropsy wasn’t done. The best you can do is thoroughly clean the habitat and disinfect everything, throw out all off the porous stuff and start over.

[sicilian1928]

He has perfect temps, perfect humidity, perfect setup, perfectly cleaned tank, an "expert" friend, and the temps were "cranked up" to 88*f .

Everything is perfect! You're all silly for trying to help someone who knows everything is perfect. Everyone here has been trying to achieve this for years, he has accomplished it much sooner! Why bother wasting your time?

Now if you're serious about asking for help, listen closely.

Hot spot - 90*F
Ambient temps (temps everywhere the hot spot is not) - 80*F
Substrate (the stuff on the floor of the tank) - newspaper, paper towel
Water bowl - big, clean, filled with water (important)
Hide - 2 hides identical.
Tank - black out 3 sides if you want to see your snake. He will feel more comfortable and come out more.
Humidity - 60% raise it if he sheds. Simple misting.
CLEAN the old tank. If a snake died in there that was perfectly healthy before it came to you, odds are it's something there. Toss out everything but the glass. Especially that old substrate.
Uth (under tank heater) - get one.
Thermostat - controls the uth. Makes sure the heater stays at a steady temperature.

Now that the set up is all done and has had a few days to get going. (temps are steady, humidity is good) you're ready to get your snake!

When you get it, pop it in the enclosure. Leave it alone for a week. Feed it a prey item about the same width as the snake. If it eats you can start handling a few minutes every day. If it doesn't, come back here and we'll trouble shoot with you.

Eloquently said. I will do this, I greatly appreciate your help.

[sicilian1928]

WOOOOOOOWWWWW!!!!

What is going on here? Sounds like everyone on this thread is trying to make this guys head explode with how complicated your making this sound...

You say he's being complicated, but to me it sounds like a lot of you have snake OCD...Not everyone does it the same....and there are more then one way to take care of a snake. Just because we don't all do it the same doesn't mean one person is right...

I also didn't realize decorating a tank for a snake causes stress lmao! Gimme a break guys I've had both tubs, and tanks and it DOES NOT CAUSE STRESS. As long as you accommodate to their main needs, theres nothing wrong with it. It does mean however you have to clean everything in the tank regularly. As long as you keep up with it theres no problem. That was a funny one really...

I wouldn't worry too much on how the snake died...W.o necropsy you'll never know, and you'll tear your hair out trying to. So drop it, and move on. Sorry for your loss, but it sounds like a fluke...Just make sure you do it right this time and take no risk. And putting 3 hides and a water dish is not risking anything at all. So your fine there.

Using reptile bark is probably not the best to use, but it totally is fine as long as you replace it regularly. I personally use paper towels, and they work great. To me paper towel are the way to go. Easy to spot clean, and cheap to boot. Just make sure to clean regularly...I would recommend not feeding on it though just to be safe.

Cleaning really isn't a big deal, and you don't have to go that crazy. I clean once a week, and I use a 10% bleach solution. Not once have I had any issues with this. I'm sure someone is going to chime in and say "YOU SHOULDN'T DO THAT BECAUSE I DON'T, AND I KNOW EVERYTHING!!" This is a very opinionated site...get used it.

Thanks man, really helpful. Instead of insulting me about my tank you actually gave me good advice. You clearly know what your doing and same with the other guy that you commented on.

[sicilian1928]

lol

Listen...Snake racks are probably the best way to keep snakes. Tubs w/ paper towels are one of the easiest most effective ways of keeping them. When I made the switch it resulted in great feeding response, and less skiddish personalities.

If you think a snake is going to acknowledge all the little accessories in your tank, and be a better animal your mistaking. Snakes are secretive, and prefer smaller enclosures. Having a nice pretty looking enclosure doesn't make a snake feel more at home lol. Their not exactly that bright. These snakes in their natural habitat are mostly found in rodent burrows which are small tight, and humid. Snakes are prey for a lot of animals and are programmed by nature to be super careful and secretive. If you think my snakes are unhappy because they are in tubs and don't have the "room" yours have you couldn't be more wrong. I handle all my animals quite often and they get their exercise, and don't just sit in their tubs all day. They don't have the "dora the explorer" attitude you think they have lol.

But I wish you the best of luck regardless of what care techniques you use. Just make sure to keep an eye on the temps/humidity, and clean regularly and thoroughly. As long as you follow those main instructions you will be fine. To me, it sounds like you have a good idea on what needs to be done to care for BP's. Just don't go too crazy with accessories and keep it somewhat simple.

Lol touche. I guess the cage's look was more important to me than them. the snake's health is the most important thing so i am going to just do exactly what is being told to me by you and the other guy. thanks man

[sicilian1928]

Wow drama, drama, drama. Follow the advice Dr. Del, Jeremy and Animals as leaders have given it’s all very sound advice. Most people here are very minimalistic with their setups, mostly because they are breeders and have several snakes. I however understand the desire to have a very pretty cage especially for 1 snake. I will explain what the zoo’s do to keep a clean natural looking environment.

1.All naturalistic bedding is first kiln dried and heated to a degree so that nothing could possibly survive in the substrate. You can achieve this at home by baking the substrate in the oven at 250 degrees for 60 minutes, allow it to thoroughly cool before placing in the tank.

2.Most of the logs, tree trunks, vines etc that you see in the zoo are made out of fiber glass and can be soaked and disinfected during clean downs, even the rocks are artificial.

3.I do agree what everyone has said about log hides, I make my own for my kings and corns out of fiber glass it’s actually pretty easy however you really have to let it air out for quite some time before putting it in the tank. Baked clay also works pretty well, but you can’t soak it.

As to your last snake dying, I am very sorry. If your snake did have a regurge it most likely had parasites and untreated they will kill your snake and sometimes before it even looks bad, that is one of the down sides of live pray, and is the reason I deworm all of my snakes every 6 months. Honestly though you will never know the cause because a necropsy wasn’t done. The best you can do is thoroughly clean the habitat and disinfect everything, throw out all off the porous stuff and start over.

You jeremy, Dr del, and Animals have been easily the best advice on here. thanks a lot.

[zina10]

Hi,

I'm glad you were able to weed through all this and gain some valuable insight.
I just want to say, wish you best of luck with your new BP, don't loose heart
They are wonderful animals and you obviously care very much.

Make sure you post pictures of your new baby !

[sicilian1928]

Hi,

I'm glad you were able to weed through all this and gain some valuable insight.
I just want to say, wish you best of luck with your new BP, don't loose heart
They are wonderful animals and you obviously care very much.

Make sure you post pictures of your new baby !

Much appreciated, i truly do care! I will post them asap, i am getting "it" on sunday =) so excited! Steelers vs Jets in the AFC championship game and a new BP, how can you have a better day?

[Autra]

Steelers vs Jets in the AFC championship game and a new BP, how can you have a better day?

That's easy to answer.

Ravens vs Pats in the AFC Championship game, and two new BPs.

Hahaha