Snake Bags

[srozell]

What is important in a good quality snake bag?

I ordered one from a site that advertised "muslin" snake bags, but instead recieved a heavy canvas snake bag.

I've also seen a lot of people talk about just using pillow cases when a snake bag would have been useful.

Does it really matter?

My feeling is a heavy canvas is probably appropriate for most cases as it is rough enough to provide enough abrasive to help with sheeding, it is absorbant enough to keep moist for a long time, and it is strong enough to resist tearing.

What else am I missing?

[jglass38]

Why do you need it to assist shedding and why would you want it to be kept moist? What is your plan for the snake bag? For my purposes, a snake bag is for shipping only.

[srozell]

This is more a question of curiosity than anything else. What triggered it was the fact that I ordered one thing and got another. It made me wonder what really counts.


So far I dont' need any assistance with shedding, but I understand that people have used moist snake bags for that purpose. Shipping and handling was the other purpose.

I use my bags for containing my snakes when I weigh them or clean their tubs.

As I don't like sharing snake bags between snakes, and as I'm planning on getting more snakes, if the material doesn't matter I can make more bags in less time than it takes to go purchase some.

[jglass38]

I purchase mine from Superior Enterprises (http://www.superiorenterprise.com/). I don't have the time or skills to make a bag. You want breathable, undyed fabric (cotton) with double stitched seams to prevent it from coming apart. Hope this helps!

Jamie

[ssscales]

Snake bags for sheds, explain? Are you thinking of using them for substrate?

I only use snake bags for shipping. I just go to Wal-Mart shortly before babies start popping out, buy a couple yards of fabric for $1.00-$1.50 per yard. Spend 1-2hrs on the old trusty sewing machine and make all the snake bags I need for the year in small to med sizes. It only takes me 1-2hrs to cut and sew them all up and cost is a fraction of the reptile suppliers. A small 8X12 bag cost me about $0.08-$0.10 compared to $0.60-$0.75.

Same thing with insulated boxes, just go to Uline for boxes and Home Depot for insulation. I make my own 12X9X6 insulted boxes for about $1.00 compared to $3.50-$4.50.

[srozell]

Snake bags for sheds, explain? Are you thinking of using them for substrate?

Thanks for the info.

No, I wouldn't use the bags for substrate, but I've read in a couple places (sorry, I can't recall where) that if your snake is having difficulties shedding, you can place it inside a damp snake bag and back in it's viv, and it will likely complete the shed inside the bag.