nose rubbing:( worried

[XxRachxX]

i keep my corn snake in one of those plastic tubs inside his future viv. the tops and around the top of the tub is like grated......i dont know how to explain but you know what the tubs are like right? right.
my snake is starting to rub his nose. he does it on the sides on the top bottom and allong the sides where the ventilation is.im scared he may cause some serious damage to himself:(
the tub is about 12" long by 8" wide and hes a bit bigger than 20" inches long.... i reckon its too small for him? what do you think? could this cause the nose rubbing?
hes too small for his large viv so i might plant up a tank for him which is big enough, but no so big that he seems completely lost...lots of places to hide etc.
i know that you can cover up the sides but if i cover up the ventilation he will not get enough air.
any comments/suggestions please! im getting worried:(
thanx
Rach

[tHeGiNo]

He may have mites! I suggest a closer look, by yourself or someone experienced (not saying you aren't experienced as I am not sure if you are or not). Look around the eyes where the mites tend to be. Also look for little black/brown dots on the snake, this would be mite fecies.

[marisa]

Have noticed that out of all my snakes, only ONE doesn't like tubs, rubbermaids or any sort of lower in height enclosure. He constantly rubs along the edges, the holes, etc. And has caused damage to himself before.

I just ended up removing him from those types of things and buying an actual tank for him. Because the tanks are like 12-24 inches tall, he can't really maintain enough stability to rub his nose along the top. And he doesn't seem to rub on the glass.

*shrug* I guess you get those individuals who just don't like tubs :)

marisa

[tHeGiNo]

Yes that to is also a possibily, very good point. However it is better to be safe then sorry.

[XxRachxX]

thank you for replying so fast! i was actually thinking if he had mites today......but due to my poor old withering 17 yr old eyes i couldnt see! im going to whip out my magnifiying glass! but i never associated mites with rubbing...ill check:)
i think i will buy a tank.....partially for the room possibly for the reasons you said marisa:) tanks are far more versatile.i can plant it up! much prettier! how big a tank would you suggest a 20 o 25 inch corn snake? do you think it would be ok to go full size for an adult?maybe ?
thank you!

[tHeGiNo]

The size depends on what you want to get for him, and how much your willing to pay. Also in regards to rubbing when they have mites, I am guessing they to it attempting to rub off the mites, like dogs scratching when they have ticks.

[tHeGiNo]

Also what size is the vivarium?

[XxRachxX]

the large one?
24" wide 24" deep 20" high
since a tank isnt as wide i think it would feel more secure for such a small snake?
i can get a tank big enough for £20 which is certainly a bargain:)

[zouleous]

I wouldn't worry about it being too big myself. He obviously isn't confortable in what you have him. That's usually why they do that. I would just put him in the viv now and see how he does.

Z

[Lisa]

The bigger the better. Also the more stuff you can add to spruce it up :)

[eyespy]

Try putting some smooth-textured branches in with him for climbing and twining, he might just be looking for more exercise and stimulation. They sell manzanita branches for birds that work excellent for colubrids! The wood is kind of smooth and slippery so noserubbing is difficult, but there's enough knots and texture to promote climbing and shedding against it.

[XxRachxX]

i think ill try im in the viv for a while! i have woods at the back of my house so im going to look for branches and interesting "artefacts" out there:)
is there any kind of tree to look out for?good/bad/harmful ones?
some IDIOT hacked down a HUGE beautiful tree...dont know what it was.....:( its so sad i almost cried!! (self admitted tree huggin hippy:))
im going to go explore!! might find a rabid squirrel or two!

[eyespy]

Avoid evergreens, the tannins and oils can be toxic. Maple, oak, apple or cherry are all good woods to use for herps. Make sure the bark is smooth since you already have a noserubber. You might need to sand it down.

Also, don't forget to bleach it good to kill any insect eggs or hibernating buggies in there, then rinse like crazy.

[XxRachxX]

THANK YOU!!!!!!!! plenty maple plenty oak..i think! ill have to take a tree book out with me! trust me when i want to disinfect something i disinfect it REAL good!must...be......thorough!!!!dont like buggies!!! eeeuuugh

[garethuk1]

don't worry he's just trying to get out and he might be all right in a viv i got a 16 inch king in a 3f viv

[Kathy]

Mine do that right before tehy shed, to sort of start it off. Have done that every shed so far, and only do it when they are trying to start off the shed

[XxRachxX]

he does it when hes not in shed:) it was definately the size of his tub! i moved him into his large viv now, which is a good thing cuz hes had a sudden growth spurt!! hes getting to be a big boy now! :zi:

[Linds]

Isn't really a cage that is "too big" for the snake, after all when they are in the wild they aren't born in shoeboxes. You just need to add that much more to the enclosure to make them feel safe. However this can prove challenging if you have a hatchling corn in a 5' cage :p Then the snake would be too larger for the keeper ;)
Another type of wood (in addition to all softwoods) that should be avoided is walnut. Walnut trees are very toxic :eek:.

[Edwin]

XxRachxX,

One thing you could do is to cover the top with screen door mesh. They are soft and is gentler on your snake. You can easily buy them at either Home Depot or Walmart. This way, you dont have to worry about reducing airflow.

Hope this helps.

[XxRachxX]

thats quite a good idea! but im in the uk and i dont know where to get the mesh.........::shrugs::
im now starting to think that these tubs are too small for any snake! they really do seem way too small!!
putting my snake in the big viv has made him way more active and the nose rubbing has stopped completely! yay! go me!