about substrate, temperature, burrow and urine/poop absorb

[alice40604345]

Hi guys! I was treating my new baby Suriname boa with mites and thanks for all the helpful information I got from here, now three weeks passed and I don't see one mite on him, so I plan to change his substrate to Reptichip soon. He's living on paper towel now. However, I find some problems.
I just learned here that pythons will burrow so I should measure the inside bottom of the tub to be 90-94F not the surface of the substrate. Should this be same with the boa? Since the surface of the substrate will be only 80F if I do this, not sure do boas also burrow and find the comfortable zone? Since I didn't see heat sensors around their nose like ball pythons.
Besides, I find that if he poop or urinate, the paper towel is so wet in a large area so I don't like that. If I use reptichip, I find that many people say the substrate should be no thicker than 1/2 inches. So it would be only one layer and if he burrow and poop or urinate I guess I have to clean the tub instead of spot clean And maybe some poop will stick to the tub and the tub will stink...I wonder is there any good methods to solve this?
In the past I measure the surface of the substrate (89F) and I put thick Forest Floor under my ball pythons and they don't burrow. Now I know it's not secure if they burrow and they will get burned so I will not do that. But does this work for boas? And how thick of or what substrate would be a good solution for both the keep the surface temperature more similar to the bottom of tub and absorb their poop/urine even they burrow? Thank you so much guys!!

[MissterDog]

I think before you worry about substrate you need to make sure your mite problem is fully taken care of. 3 weeks is too soon to switch to substrate again. Mites are nasty creatures and you want to make sure they and their eggs are fully eradicated before doing so. Best to be persistent and keep treating until it's been at least 2-3 months without any problems. It would really suck if you thought you were safe and end up with another infestation

Heres a more in depth read about their life cycle:http://vpi.com/publications/the_life...of_snake_mites

[alice40604345]

Oh thank you so much!!!! I'll keep him on the paper towel and treating him for another 2 months!
Oh and also may I have some suggestions about the substrates? Thank you so much!!

I think before you worry about substrate you need to make sure your mite problem is fully taken care of. 3 weeks is too soon to switch to substrate again. Mites are nasty creatures and you want to make sure they and their eggs are fully eradicated before doing so. Best to be persistent and keep treating until it's been at least 2-3 months without any problems. It would really suck if you thought you were safe and end up with another infestation

Heres a more in depth read about their life cycle:http://vpi.com/publications/the_life...of_snake_mites

[Alter-Echo]

Reptichip is my current favorite, it holds moisture and keeps humidity up, absorbs urine fairly well, and doesn't mold if it gets wet.

Also, yes, you don't want any surface in your cage to exceed 92f or so, measure this at the glass.

[alice40604345]

Thank you so much! May I know that if I only put a thin layer in the tub, will it absorb urine very well? May I know how thick you put the repti chip in your enclosure? Thank you so much!

Reptichip is my current favorite, it holds moisture and keeps humidity up, absorbs urine fairly well, and doesn't mold if it gets wet.

Also, yes, you don't want any surface in your cage to exceed 92f or so, measure this at the glass.

[Alter-Echo]

I use about 2in of the stuff in most of my cages just for the extra humidity I require and to add some extra absorbing power, but you could probably get away with using a 1in layer since you are using a tub and it will likely be more humid in there. It does absorb urine fairly well, but with a thinner layer you will need to chance it out more often.

[Sauzo]

The one time i had to deal with mites, i treated my dumerils who was the only one who got the mites for 3 months.

As for substrate, you are using a UTH so you want to keep the substrate 1/2 inch or less. You take the temp from the hottest spot as they might not burrow but they can. And my boas tend to push substrate aside and make a nest to sit in.

Also i would lower that temp. Surinames and boas in general dont need 94F hot spot. I keep all my boas with 77-79F room temp with a 88F hot spot from flexwatt.

[alice40604345]

Thank you so much! Yeah I just changed from tank to tub and the humidity is super easy to keep, but I was worried will it absorb urine well if it's too thin lol! Hope he will not remove all substrate and poop directly on the tub.

I use about 2in of the stuff in most of my cages just for the extra humidity I require and to add some extra absorbing power, but you could probably get away with using a 1in layer since you are using a tub and it will likely be more humid in there. It does absorb urine fairly well, but with a thinner layer you will need to chance it out more often.

[alice40604345]

Thank you so much! Oh I'll keep treating him. May I know that will you treat him when he's in shedding?
Oh and may I know if he removes the substrate aside and makes a nest, when he poop, will he poop directly on the cage ground?

The one time i had to deal with mites, i treated my dumerils who was the only one who got the mites for 3 months.

As for substrate, you are using a UTH so you want to keep the substrate 1/2 inch or less. You take the temp from the hottest spot as they might not burrow but they can. And my boas tend to push substrate aside and make a nest to sit in.

Also i would lower that temp. Surinames and boas in general dont need 94F hot spot. I keep all my boas with 77-79F room temp with a 88F hot spot from flexwatt.

[Sauzo]

Thank you so much! Oh I'll keep treating him. May I know that will you treat him when he's in shedding?
Oh and may I know if he removes the substrate aside and makes a nest, when he poop, will he poop directly on the cage ground?

Yes and most likely yes. My boas will poop on the cage floor but most of the time, they poop in a corner which doesnt get uncovered. When they make their little nests, usually the sides of the cage get piled higher than the rest of it and since the boas usually poop on the sides or corners, it works out ok.