New member, need some general info from OWNERS

[Derteufel]

Loft, You've ansered many of my concerns and I do not care if its a one shop or not, I just wanted the correct answers and I can tell you know what you are doing. I trust you.
Chica, thank you also. On concern of glass is that is dissapates heat, rather it cools fast so a UTH turn up makes for a hot bottom but the rest of the space inst so hot cant be good. I guess if my temps were constant in my room it wouldnt be so much of a problem but these are some of the things im thinking about.

Recommendation on a tub and where to pick a baby up? I need a trustworthy source who knew what they were doing when they bred the snake.


Also... HUGE detail I forgot to mention. I am a full time musician. We are in the process of recording our 5th release and alot of times Im working in my place. No one outside these walls can here in this building. I know loud crazy music would stress a snake but...

Its a 1000sq ft place Ive got huuuge closets and a huuuge bathroom. If I put a shelf in the bathroom and the tub on a shelf would the snake be comfortable in there? I shower with the door open so it doesnt get steamy but if it did would the snake like that?

All my questions are to find if its reasonable to bring a BP here. I wont force it to work especially if it hurts the snake. But if its workable Ill manage it but these are my constraints.

Thanks again you guys, especially LL. you fooookng rock.

Vielen dank alles.

[Bruce Whitehead]

I had thought about that... the noise factor and was going to bring it up in my next post... my space is cooking hot right now and the snakes are using the fan so I am up late.

Again, most people have the luxury of a separate room for their snakes... but I have that problem too. I keep my snakes in the quietest part of my space... but when we have parties. I try and move them even further in. I cover the tanks, and try and really minimize the traffic and the noise for them.

I would say that when you have nights you know are going to be noisy... move the snake on those nights.

I would not keep a snake in a bathroom... but a closest on a shelf would be fine. They are sensitive to vibrations and can experience stress if they are in a high traffic area. Consider to that they are nocturnal, so if they are in a high traffic area that can disrupt their day/night rythms.

I would go so far as to place a buffer under the tub... a few towels, blankets, that sort of thing.

No problems on the advice. I had to work through all these issues when I got my snakes too. Having a one room space means you do have to consider these things. The more you understand the set ups you need and how the environment will impact the snakes, the better you will be equipped to deal with it.

Everyone I know with snakes has separate rooms for them. So I am glad to help.

And one thing you need to be VERY cautious of, is ensuring your snake's enclosure is secure. BPs are brilliant and determined escape artists.

Losing a snake in a closed room... not so bad... losing a snake in a loft... is very very very stressful!

Snake proof your space should it happen. Plug up holes, figure out in advance the places they might hide if loose. I pulled out all my appliances to look for holes in the walls and plugged them. I also placed a stopper under the door to my laundry room... so that they could not get under the door and we always make sure that door is closed. As well I made sure they could not get under the front door.

Any more questions do not hesitate to ask...

Bruce

[bigballs]

wow. people are really hating on glass aquariums here... i have very successfully used aquariums for years. as my collection grew i did switch over everything to tubs and racks but it is not impossible to successfully keep snakes in aquariums. i still have all my aquariums and use them mostly for new animals going through quarantine. i will say that tubs are easier to clean because they are lighter and wont break if dropped. i also like the fact that they are not clear and i feel that that adds some sense of security to my animals. dont get me wrong, i love using plastic tubs but if you want to use an aquarium it is very possible.

if i were in your situation i would probably keep a baby bp in a smaller tub(or aquarium) but one big enough to house it for maybe a year(depending on growth rate). during that year i would look into reptile enclosures on the net and find an nice one around 36"x18"x12", more or less, and move the little guy over when hes big enough.

i wouldnt worry about the music situation too much as long as the bp is in a spot you feel is pretty secure. i just wouldnt recommend putting the enclosure next to a drum kit. i keep my bps in a room the the basement and my drum kit is in the next room but on the opposite end of the house. i practice all the time and jam with buddies the neighbours may complain at times but my snakes are ok with it. they told me so...

i have to make up for that sarcastic comment so i hope this helps you out in some way! good luck!

[starmom]

...starmom, what are you talking about?

I thought you were talking about throwing the snake out the window when (if) it got too big...?!?!?!?! Oh my gosh- I totally read that wrong!! Gods, you have every right to be confused by me!!!!

[starmom]

Okay- I'm up to speed here
There is another option to plastic and fish tanks and they are called reptile cages. Check this out: http://www.reptilebasics.com/2x3-Cag...h-p-16286.html This is a reptile cage from a very well respected business. For the cold temps in your apt, I would recommend heating with a radiant heat panel (RHP). Radiant heat panels not only provide the snakes with the belly warmth that they need, but RHP's also help to raise the ambient temps which it sounds like you need in your situation. You would need a thermostat to control the RHP. Because this is a reptile cage, only the front door is see-through, adding to the comfort and security of the snake. RHP's do not zap humidity as with lights over a tank.
Really check out these cages specifically designed for reptiles. I have tubs in a rack and I also have 6 of these cages. I am slowly moving all of my snakes into the cages. These cages are easier to clean because the snakes have space to get out of their own feces. This cage also provides exercise since they cruise around at night. Frankly, I'm feeling really bad about keeping snakes in tubs these days....

[Argentra]

BigBalls: We are not actually Hating on glass tanks, as I personally prefer them. The OP lives in a loft apt. on the 6th floor, so hauling glass tanks around really isn't a viable option for him.

Loft Lizard: Those posts of yours are Terrif!! I also live in an apartment, and recently moved down from the 3rd floor with my snakes (not fun) so I can sort of relate to the OPs situation. But you are Da Man for this thread!

Derteufel: I also think a shelf in a closet would work well, as long as you remembered to have air circulating in there Sounds like you're really starting to get down to it.
Also, I should have realized from your name that you would be German. Cool. I'm 1/2 German, but have sadly forgotten most of the language.
Good tubs to use for a baby would be a 12 quart Sterilite or Rubbermaid, easily found at places like WalMart and Lowes. I'll let the others chime in with breeder recommendations.

[Derteufel]

Ja genau! Im American, American born. But you got it. Cool ya the closet is large and mostly empy and it would only be during the times im playing loud. Thank you all.

[Sonya610]

I am new here so asking a question not offering advice. I bought my first BP last week, wanted one for years but then succumbed to an impulse buy at a major pet supply chain. Anyways I went with the 10 gal tank and set it up in the family room, which is where we (dogs, cats, and myself) spend most of our time.

Is it wrong to set him up there? He is very young, but after I had him for 2 days I offered him frozen fuzzy mouse and he gobbled it down, then ate another one right after it. He spends his time in the hides but since he is eating like a little pig I thought he must not be THAT stressed by the movement (and occasional loud barking) that goes on in the room.

I figured if they can get used to be handled by humans, they should be able to get used to a moderate traffic area in the house. I thought babies were often more skiddish than captive bred adults.

[bigballs]

BigBalls: We are not actually Hating on glass tanks, as I personally prefer them. The OP lives in a loft apt. on the 6th floor, so hauling glass tanks around really isn't a viable option for him.

why is the OP going to be hauling them up and down the stairs all day? if i lived on the 100th floor would i have to leave my 10 or 40 gal tanks and only be able to bring up really light things? haha. im just joking here dont take it too seriously...

im not so passionate about aquariums that i must defend them to the death. i guess im trying to say that there are always options. so do whatever works for the snake and you.

[Argentra]

I am new here so asking a question not offering advice. I bought my first BP last week, wanted one for years but then succumbed to an impulse buy at a major pet supply chain. Anyways I went with the 10 gal tank and set it up in the family room, which is where we (dogs, cats, and myself) spend most of our time.

Is it wrong to set him up there? He is very young, but after I had him for 2 days I offered him frozen fuzzy mouse and he gobbled it down, then ate another one right after it. He spends his time in the hides but since he is eating like a little pig I thought he must not be THAT stressed by the movement (and occasional loud barking) that goes on in the room.

I figured if they can get used to be handled by humans, they should be able to get used to a moderate traffic area in the house. I thought babies were often more skiddish than captive bred adults.

I'll go ahead and PM you my answer, so as not to hijack this thread.