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Jenn1234 View Profile |
Just a question
i have never under stood the heating pad that you can put under the tank you stick it under your tank but the glass will get to hot so your supposed to put a piece of reptile carpet on top so you dont burn your snake but the snake can go under the carpet and get burned |
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| 04/04/08 03:57am |
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Snakey68 View Profile |
Message To: Jenn1234 In reference to Message Id: 1688750 Just a question
Quote: have a question i just bought a Borneo short tail python i want to stimulate as natural settings as i can so for heating i use a red heat lamp i was wondering what i could use for night time so it stays dark in her cage i was thinking a ceramic element would that work?
i have never under stood the heating pad that you can put under the tank you stick it under your tank but the glass will get to hot so your supposed to put a piece of reptile carpet on top so you dont burn your snake but the snake can go under the carpet and get burned Short tails like Ball Pythons do not need suplimental lighting but if you are going to give them lighting make sure its a 12 on 12 off cycle otherwise you will stress them out. The red heat lamp in conjunction with an under tank heater would be best imo. If you are worried about burning the snake place perspex over it, cover it in newspaper as it wont get under that like it can the carpet. You can leave a red light on but not a white light so hook it up to a thermostat to control the temps inside along with the under tank heater which is best for the snake to aid digestion. I don’t like glass tanks to be honest I don’t think them the best choice to keep pythons in as you can get problems with humidity. Plastic type tanks or cages are far better, easier to clean and maintain, hold humidity levels well and don’t heat up like glass does. Also they come in numerous sizes so its pretty to easy to replace as the snake grows. Don’t give too much space to a short tail or blood python as a youngster either, I am assuming you bought a young snake of course. Glass tanks generally have too much height in them that is simply wasting space and making keeping the conditions that much harder. Large water container as they love to soak and it helps the humidity, 2 hides if you can fit them one at each end (COOL and HOT) |
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| 04/04/08 07:03am |
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Crisco View Profile |
Message To: Jenn1234 In reference to Message Id: 1688750 Just a question
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| 04/04/08 12:22pm |
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Python_Pete View Profile |
Message To: Crisco In reference to Message Id: 1689047 Just a question
If you have an UTH on one side of the enclosure, and a "cool" side of the enclosure, won’t the snake simply move to whatever spot has the most comfortable temperature? As far as the thermostat goes, where do you put the sensor? On the bottom of the enclosure, just above the UTH? Just curious, as I currently have an UTH on only one side of my enclosure, and both the UTH and my ceramic heating element both off a thermostat that reads the temperature just above the 3" deep cypress bedding. |
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| 04/04/08 10:41pm |
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Crisco View Profile |
Message To: Python_Pete In reference to Message Id: 1689818 Just a question
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| 04/05/08 12:50pm |
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Jenn1234 View Profile |
Message To: Snakey68 In reference to Message Id: 1688793 Just a question
i am still having a bit of trouble keeping in humidity but im going to get an automatic mister to solve that problem so from every thing i have told you what else shoud i get or do to help take care of my snake? |
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| 04/05/08 04:24pm |
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Snakey68 View Profile |
Message To: Jenn1234 In reference to Message Id: 1690414 Just a question
Quote: OK well heres what i got i have a 6foot long by 2 feet wide by 2 feet high glass tank i put a divider in the middle so each side has 3 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet my ball python is in one side of the tank and my short tail is on the other for my short tail i have a big tub for water i have 1 hiding spot for her for substrate i have reptile bark and sphagnum moss on the top of that to help keep in humidity i have one 150 watt red heat lamp for her basking spot the top of the tank is wire mesh so i put garbage bags on it to again help keep humidity in there is a spot were air can get in as for my short tail the guy said she is about 2 years old and her is just about 3 feet long and when she gets big enough ill take out the divider and she will have the hole tank and ill move my ball python to a different cage
i am still having a bit of trouble keeping in humidity but im going to get an automatic mister to solve that problem so from every thing i have told you what else shoud i get or do to help take care of my snake? I would get rid of the glass tank and mesh top for a start. Glass tanks are great for fish not for snakes imo. Glass is a terrible insulator and will basically align with the temp of the room so its not easy to maintain a good temp on them depending on their surroundings they will jump around temperature wise.....they are transparent so the snake is exposed on all sides........Plastic however is a very good insulator and good conductor of heat easy to clean and maintain in all aspects. They don’t generally have loads of height so don’t require as much heat. With glass tanks the base can quickly become soggy and you can end up with a snake having belly rot and end up with various types of bacteria. you say you have one hide spot for your snake ? Is this on the hot end or cool end ? Only one hide means basically that you are telling your snake if you want to feel secure and safe then you have to go to the end with the hide , again is this hot or cold ? I always provide 2 hides so the snake does not have to choose between thermo regulating and feeling safe or secure. Your snake will thermo regulate and will not stay on a hot end through choice as has been implied, if they heat up they will move in general to a cooler spot they wont sit and burn away unless the environment is very stressful and they don’t feel safe in moving , hence you should let them feel safe whatever end of the tank they are at. And in glass tanks they are highly visible and can stress more that if they cant hide, Bloods and Short tails as well as balls don’t do brilliant being on display thats not what they are about, they are all very secretive and shy in general unlike Corns and Kings etc. Glass tanks especially big ones are not ideal at all for pythons if you want my advice either purchase or get a cage made for your short tail and consider the glass tank very temporary. I am not just shooting your set up down btw I am talking through experience and problems I have had in over 20 years of keeping various snake species, I only keep bloods and balls now however due to family size increasing lol. |
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| 04/06/08 09:22am |
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Jenn1234 View Profile |
Message To: Snakey68 In reference to Message Id: 1691424 Just a question
so i don’t really don’t want to get rid of it so can you help me work with the cage? what i can do for security is i can put scenery back ground on 2 side to make it more enclosed them as the divider they cant see each other i have the hiding spot on the heated side also what i just have done is put a damp towel on the wire mesh to keep in humidity thanks jenn |
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| 04/06/08 01:23pm |
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Jenn1234 View Profile |
Message To: Snakey68 In reference to Message Id: 1691424 Just a question
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| 04/06/08 01:46pm |
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Snakey68 View Profile |
Message To: Jenn1234 In reference to Message Id: 1691666 Just a question
Quote: I’m not liking you right now (just joking) i just got this cage i had it custom built and it cost me over $500.00
so i don’t really don’t want to get rid of it so can you help me work with the cage? what i can do for security is i can put scenery back ground on 2 side to make it more enclosed them as the divider they cant see each other i have the hiding spot on the heated side also what i just have done is put a damp towel on the wire mesh to keep in humidity thanks jenn thing is your short tail is gonna grow out of that half of the tank pretty quick then you have to regulate the temps and humidity for a larger enclosure which will cause more problems. Jeeeez never heard of a custom glass tank before as they are so basic yet you have no proper lid to speak of except for mesh and using a wet towel as well. What exactly did you get them to customize ? At $500 I think you were short changed tbh as I said glass tanks are for fish I would sell it if I were you as you have to think long term with short tails and bloods as they grow fast and are not a forgiving species were mistakes are concerned. I would urge you to think about getting rid of it for the many reasons I have pointed out the hassle that can come from it is not worth risking the potential problems of an unhealthy and stressed animal. Also one hide at the hot end is not enough, you are forcing it to sit in heat if it wants to feel hidden and secure. Another problem you will have with glass tanks is not getting proper air flow so its going to be stale in there as well. You need vents to allow air flow all you have is a mesh roof with a towel on it. Its just no good for a blood or short tail imo and it saddens me a bit when people don’t get the information before they get a snake like this and then hope to rectify things with altering and adding to a structure thats not meant for reptiles. You obviously want to care for the animal properly as you are here asking questions so to that end I advise you to try not to think of the money you spent on the tank but rather what will benefit the snake and you long term. You are asking for trouble with that set up sell it if you can and get a proper set up. Your snakes and you will ultimately be happier for it trust me. ps: I can understand you not liking me right now and I am not just shooting you down just thinking over all what will be best. Your obviously new to short tails and pythons and as such things will be far easier for you if you don’t have to worry about impending problems due to husbandry issues. If you really wont change your set up then get rid of the wet towel and tape over 80% of the mesh leaving 10% either side for ventilation. Get a large water dish as this will help with humidity and aid your snake for shedding as they will bathe in the water as well as defecate in it, spray the tank in the evening. Make sure you monitor temps and humidity 60% humidity is generally fine. especially if they regularly have water to bathe in mine will sit in water for days at a time sometimes especially pre shed but I get nive big clean sheds every time. lastly I hope you take the 1st option and leave yourself less to worry about than using a fish tank for reptiles. good luck. snakey |
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| 04/06/08 02:18pm |
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Jenn1234 View Profile |
Message To: Snakey68 In reference to Message Id: 1691731 Just a question
thanks for your help jenn
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| 04/07/08 03:40am |
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Snakey68 View Profile |
Message To: Jenn1234 In reference to Message Id: 1692668 Just a question
I would like to see a closer picture but thats a Blood in my book you have there lol Looking after it is still the same however. |
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| 04/07/08 06:24am |
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Jenn1234 View Profile |
Message To: Snakey68 In reference to Message Id: 1692706 Just a question
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| 04/07/08 01:51pm |
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Crisco View Profile |
Message To: Jenn1234 In reference to Message Id: 1693020 Just a question
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| 04/07/08 03:15pm |
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Snakey68 View Profile |
Message To: Jenn1234 In reference to Message Id: 1692668 Just a question
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| 04/07/08 07:24pm |
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Jenn1234 View Profile |
Message To: Snakey68 In reference to Message Id: 1693499 Just a question
mine is not very friendly |
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| 04/08/08 03:15am |
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Snakey68 View Profile |
Message To: Jenn1234 In reference to Message Id: 1694169 Just a question
Be confident and not jumpy when handling if it looks like it is going to strike when getting it out then place a newspaper or cloth over its head before you lift it out. |
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| 04/08/08 07:57am |
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Jenn1234 View Profile |
Message To: Snakey68 In reference to Message Id: 1694263 Just a question
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| 04/08/08 03:58pm |
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Python_Pete View Profile |
Message To: Jenn1234 In reference to Message Id: 1694760 Just a question
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| 04/08/08 09:44pm |
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Snakey68 View Profile |
Message To: Jenn1234 In reference to Message Id: 1694760 Just a question
I don’t have any pics of my custom tank, I made that from an old hepa filter unit from my previous work place as it was large enough and being primarily plastic it suited. I only had to really add doors and vents and supplemental lighting to go with the heat pads. Now you know your snake was not handled alot at least you know what the problem is. Dont let the hissing and weird looks they give you put you off getting your blood out, the sooner you start the better and it will calm down eventually especially as they get bigger although they huff and puff regardless of how tame they become in general. |
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| 04/12/08 11:17am |
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Jenn1234 View Profile |
Message To: Snakey68 In reference to Message Id: 1700148 Just a question
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| 04/15/08 10:18pm |
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Snakey68 View Profile |
Message To: Jenn1234 In reference to Message Id: 1704918 Just a question
There is a fine line between over handling and handling enough to get them to calm down you want to handle enough to get them used to it but at the same time you dont want to increase the stress on the snake. Experience pays here and if you dont have it its going to be trial and error for the most part. Is she eating ok ? |
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| 04/16/08 05:55am |
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Snakedrake525 View Profile |
Message To: Snakey68 In reference to Message Id: 1705159 Just a question
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| 04/16/08 03:19pm |
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Jenn1234 View Profile |
Message To: Snakey68 In reference to Message Id: 1705159 Just a question
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| 04/18/08 08:29pm |
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Jenn1234 View Profile |
Message To: Snakedrake525 In reference to Message Id: 1705563 Just a question
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| 04/18/08 08:43pm |
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Crisco View Profile |
Message To: Jenn1234 In reference to Message Id: 1708423 Just a question
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| 04/19/08 11:56am |
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Rebelyell83 View Profile |
Message To: Crisco In reference to Message Id: 1708972 Just a question
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| 04/20/08 07:29am |
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