Suboc info?

[Valentine Pirate]

I was browsing around miscellaneous classifieds and breeders websites and recently discovered these animals. Very beautiful coloring and from what I've gleaned in reading they're very gentle snakes. I found a helpful thread on here with some valuable information (mostly thanks to Skiploder ) but since it's older I didn't feel like necro-ing it back. My main concerns are whether or not a water bowl in the enclosure would cause too much humidity (figure on the cool end it can't hurt but wanted to double check) and if newly hatched captive bred stock should be watched for the digestion issues with rodents if they've already been switched. Eventually I want to breed, but I'm in no rush and won't be feeding any more than I would a pet. We have some reptile vets in the area, but I'd like to avoid emergency trips if at all possible. Also, if anyone has any opinions/feedback on The Complete Suboc that'd be helpful, doing my best to build up the physical library as well as the digital one

So far I'm planning to get a couple of smaller tubs with aspen and set the hotspots at about 85, and as they grow I'll get bigger enclosures (most likely old BP tubs when I move those guys to the rack, haha). If anything sounds off let me know!

[Skiploder]

The Complete Suboc is an excellent book.

Keeping water in the enclosure is fine. It doesn't need to be a large bowl. I know a couple of keepers who offer water every third day or so.

If you can get a copy of Dusty's article for HerpNation regarding Bogertophis Rosaliae, you can read about the digestive issues that have been documented in Baja Ratsnakes - the other Bogertophis.

The keys are ventilation and cleanliness. Good ventilation, good circulation and prompt removal of waste goes a long way with these animals. My experience is that tubs do not provide enough ventilation for these snakes unless the fronts and backs are drilled like heck and fans are on in the room.

[Valentine Pirate]

Haha, thanks for chiming in! I've got some old aquariums with screened lids lying around that I might utilize if that's the case with tubs, though they're a tad large. If I can't get satisfactory setups with them I'll look around at the shows. Speaking of which, there's always a table with back issues of REPTILES and Herp Nation, so I'll take a look around for that article as well. Hopefully I'll have some luck with the magazines

[Skiploder]

Haha, thanks for chiming in! I've got some old aquariums with screened lids lying around that I might utilize if that's the case with tubs, though they're a tad large. If I can't get satisfactory setups with them I'll look around at the shows. Speaking of which, there's always a table with back issues of REPTILES and Herp Nation, so I'll take a look around for that article as well. Hopefully I'll have some luck with the magazines

Check your PM.

[Skiploder]

I'm hoping you got he emails - they are large files so I'm not sure if your account rejected them.

If you decide to use tubs, the key is to use a soldering gun or the like to put a ton of holes on all four sides. The issue with putting those tubs in racks is that many racks are enclosed on four sides and thus effectively block flow.

[Valentine Pirate]

I'm hoping you got he emails - they are large files so I'm not sure if your account rejected them.

If you decide to use tubs, the key is to use a soldering gun or the like to put a ton of holes on all four sides. The issue with putting those tubs in racks is that many racks are enclosed on four sides and thus effectively block flow.

I did! Thank you, didn't get a chance to reply due to passing out early

I've got all the snakes in free standing tubs at the moment, so that might work out with the tubs. After the BPs are moved to the rack I could probably pepper the sides of the old tubs with the soldering iron and use the wire shelving I'm using now. If the aquariums prove too cumbersome or won't get the right environmental requirements I'll try it out

[Skiploder]

I did! Thank you, didn't get a chance to reply due to passing out early

I've got all the snakes in free standing tubs at the moment, so that might work out with the tubs. After the BPs are moved to the rack I could probably pepper the sides of the old tubs with the soldering iron and use the wire shelving I'm using now. If the aquariums prove too cumbersome or won't get the right environmental requirements I'll try it out

Dusty's old site is still up (Suboc.Com), you can see how his tubs ended up looking like swiss cheese:

http://suboc.com/images/three_feeding_tprss.JPG

The AP economy racks also are a good bet with these snakes, as is putting an oscillating fan in the room.