Lets see your Terrarium

[nikkik85]

I would like to see what your terrarium looks like for your sand boa. Need some ideas :)

[mykee]

What's a teranium?

[nikkik85]

What's a teranium?

AHHHHH How embarressing... Spelling error :sorry:

"Terrarium"

[CanadianEryx]

My terrarium is a 20gal aquarium with a heating pad under one third and a lamp over the other side. I use aspen chips so my ksb can tunnel as much as she wants. The water dish sits at the coolest point of my tank and I have various pieces of drift wood placed on the substrate for "decoration" with one piece being a little bit heavier with good places for Eryx to rub against during her shed. I'll try to get a picture of it in the next day or two, but I am having trouble finding the software to get my camera to connect with my computer. BTW, the 'cool' side sits at ~85 degrees under the lamp while the warm side is ~92 degrees at the bottom due to the heating pad. I only put a humid hide in during Eryx's sheds.

[stephanbakir]

I never really liked the glass terrariums much, i use them for a few things but for the most part i try to stay away from them.

[nikkik85]

Careful, you might get called a 'douche bag'

OMG. When I seen he wrote this I was like ugh, embaressing... But hey its all good. :)

[nikkik85]

My terrarium is a 20gal aquarium with a heating pad under one third and a lamp over the other side. I use aspen chips so my ksb can tunnel as much as she wants. The water dish sits at the coolest point of my tank and I have various pieces of drift wood placed on the substrate for "decoration" with one piece being a little bit heavier with good places for Eryx to rub against during her shed. I'll try to get a picture of it in the next day or two, but I am having trouble finding the software to get my camera to connect with my computer. BTW, the 'cool' side sits at ~85 degrees under the lamp while the warm side is ~92 degrees at the bottom due to the heating pad. I only put a humid hide in during Eryx's sheds.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. This was exactly what I was looking for. I have a heating pad over about 3/4 and a small one on the rest... I dont have the small one on and thought I should put the heat on the side with the pad. Thanks for your help :)

[Shmoges]

http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/af309/Shmoges/IMG_0015-1.jpg
After learnign the hard way these snakes can and will climb and wedge themselves under the lid and get out of a non weighted lid. We have since removed all tall things from the tanks and can't wait for our KSB rack to arrive.

http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/af309/Shmoges/IMG_0003-1.jpg
Rough scales on the other hand don't seem to climb, at least ours doesn't

Another thing we have changed to are ceramic heating elements on top instead of under tank heaters. We got a zoo med rheostat but it really doesn't seem to do much to regulate the heat, thankfully having it rested on the metal grating of the lid it ill heat the surface from 95-100 which is perfect for them for a hot spot. after putting a probe on the bottom by the uth it was reading 120+ and for a burrowing animal we got a little worried. Learning as we go :D

[Shmoges]

My terrarium is a 20gal aquarium with a heating pad under one third and a lamp over the other side. I use aspen chips so my ksb can tunnel as much as she wants. The water dish sits at the coolest point of my tank and I have various pieces of drift wood placed on the substrate for "decoration" with one piece being a little bit heavier with good places for Eryx to rub against during her shed. I'll try to get a picture of it in the next day or two, but I am having trouble finding the software to get my camera to connect with my computer. BTW, the 'cool' side sits at ~85 degrees under the lamp while the warm side is ~92 degrees at the bottom due to the heating pad. I only put a humid hide in during Eryx's sheds.


I'm no pro but I hope the lamp you have on the other side is just for light and not heating? That will make it hard if not impossible for the snake to cool down having heat on either side of the tank. Sorry I should have actually READ everything before i posted lol, guess I need to see pics :D

[sickvenom]

I never really liked the glass terrariums much, i use them for a few things but for the most part i try to stay away from them.

glass is for fish tanks.

[ilovemypets1988]

this was the terrarium that i used to get my small amel zigzag in:
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k514/Daniel_Barton/my%20amel%20corn%20snake/DSCF0111-1.jpg

[infernalis]

glass is for fish tanks.


and small colubrids with no specific humidity requirements. ;)

[Lankyrob]

this was the terrarium that i used to get my small amel zigzag in:
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k514/Daniel_Barton/my%20amel%20corn%20snake/DSCF0111-1.jpg

That would be a faunarium in the UK - we keep young snakes in them before transferring them to a full size vivarium. I take it from the pic that it is plastic? Not glass?

[ilovemypets1988]

That would be a faunarium in the UK - we keep young snakes in them before transferring them to a full size vivarium. I take it from the pic that it is plastic? Not glass?

yh its the exo terra large faunarium, i just got alittle confused between faun and terrarium, my bad

[Lankyrob]

yh its the exo terra large faunarium, i just got alittle confused between faun and terrarium, my bad

Lol no worries - didnt even click in my head that you were in the UK! :no: I know a lot of the things we use have different names across the pond so just assumed that was what they were called over there.

Assumption being the mother of all evil and all that!:Wow:

[infernalis]

I know a lot of the things we use have different names across the pond so just assumed that was what they were called over there.

Assumption being the mother of all evil and all that!:Wow:

Strange isn't it, that there could be a language barrier between English speaking countries.

Blame Merriam Webster for that, in 1806 Noah Webster "standardized" American English subsequently bastardizing the traditional English language and even the spelling of common words.

[nikkik85]

So you guys suggest a vivarium would be better for my KSB?? Hmmmm, What are the differences? I bought my KSB in this aquarium from a guy so anything I can do for my little guy I will! This is what it looked like when I got him http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/189925_10150457566800147_683060146_17890904_811170 6_n.jpg

And Now :) http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/227263_10150581144245147_683060146_18460387_821346 2_n.jpg

[ilovemypets1988]

i think that it looks great nikki, my boa is in a fish tank (aquarium) in fact hes in the jewel rekord 120 tank and he does fine in there, so i wouldnt worry too much

[sickvenom]

So you guys suggest a vivarium would be better for my KSB?? Hmmmm, What are the differences? I bought my KSB in this aquarium from a guy so anything I can do for my little guy I will! This is what it looked like when I got him

And Now :)

it really depends on your budget and how much you want to fuss with it.

a typical reptile cage is made from wood or plastic. glass doesn't insulate very well. so you'll either need to buy a reptile cage (NOT aquarium), or build your own. we have a fantastic section dedicated to homemade reptile enclosures.

if you can't/won't get a new cage, then i would suggest either painting or covering up the rear and sides of your tank. the 'open' sides make it very insecure for your snake and it may stress it out. also, most people use sand for kenyans. small bark and shredded aspen will also work - just as long as it can burrow properly. yours doesn't seem to be able to burrow, so that's an issue. you will also want a heating pad for UNDER the tank. this is more natural and more efficient. you will want to the pad to cover approx. 1/4 - 1/3 of the bottom of your tank. you will need a thermostat/thermometer hook up to your heat source. an overhead light is fine for viewing purposes, but not as a heat source. if your lid is mostly vented, you should cover up most of that. it just lets heat escape and makes it hard to control the heat in your tank.

high temp side can be low 90s, low temp side can be low 80s. no need to cool down at night. high humidity is not needed, unless it's having a hard time shedding. if that's the case, you will need to construct a humid hide.

[sassy_snake_lady]

I dont personally like aquariums for snakes. There is a reason they sell vivariums, because they are more suitable for snakes!

Aquariums are too open, if I did use one I would cover 3 sides of it to allowed the snake to feel more secure. The lids on aquariums are no good for snakes so again you have to replace it. I don't see the point.

[nikkik85]

it really depends on your budget and how much you want to fuss with it.

a typical reptile cage is made from wood or plastic. glass doesn't insulate very well. so you'll either need to buy a reptile cage (NOT aquarium), or build your own. we have a fantastic section dedicated to homemade reptile enclosures.

if you can't/won't get a new cage, then i would suggest either painting or covering up the rear and sides of your tank. the 'open' sides make it very insecure for your snake and it may stress it out. also, most people use sand for kenyans. small bark and shredded aspen will also work - just as long as it can burrow properly. yours doesn't seem to be able to burrow, so that's an issue. you will also want a heating pad for UNDER the tank. this is more natural and more efficient. you will want to the pad to cover approx. 1/4 - 1/3 of the bottom of your tank. you will need a thermostat/thermometer hook up to your heat source. an overhead light is fine for viewing purposes, but not as a heat source. if your lid is mostly vented, you should cover up most of that. it just lets heat escape and makes it hard to control the heat in your tank.

high temp side can be low 90s, low temp side can be low 80s. no need to cool down at night. high humidity is not needed, unless it's having a hard time shedding. if that's the case, you will need to construct a humid hide.

Oh, I would spend whatever to get him comfortable.

I had sand but I didnt like the messy aspect and also I wanted something that I could spray to get some humidity because he is having alot of trouble shedding.

I never thought about covering up the sides to help his stress... thats an awesome idea. I had the topd covered at one point. I will go back to that as well...

He is in a humid hide that I made and there is like 2 inches of substrate and he burrows in that, you just cant see well from the pic and he is in the humid hide.

I also have a thermometer that detects the heat and humidity. I havent stopped spending since I got him because I want to make sure he is as happy as he can be! :)

Im gonna check out some of the homemade enclosures as well. THANKS! :yes:

[sickvenom]

DO NOT create humidity in the entire enclosure, only the hide. Substrate should be 4-5" in depth. Stress can also cause a bad shed. I really would urge you to switch back to sand or shredded aspen. Wal mart has that stuff for cheap.

[nikkik85]

DO NOT create humidity in the entire enclosure, only the hide. Substrate should be 4-5" in depth. Stress can also cause a bad shed. I really would urge you to switch back to sand or shredded aspen. Wal mart has that stuff for cheap.

REALLY??? Okay. I will do that today! I know that KSBs are sensitive to humidity but I figured if I sprayed one side, it wouldnt create too much moisture because the cover is open and I have heat lamp over the side I spray.

[nikkik85]

This is the substrate I have. Its called Jungle earth (http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/jungle_earth.php). Would this be good if I discontinued to spray and only have the humid hide as the humidity?

[sickvenom]

This is the substrate I have. Its called Jungle earth (http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/jungle_earth.php). Would this be good if I discontinued to spray and only have the humid hide as the humidity?

I would get rid of the jungle earth. Correct - do NOT spray the entire enclosure. Doing so will create a dangerously high amount of humidity. This is a desert species that needs dry, hot heat that radiates from the ground up.

[CanadianEryx]

Just to let you know...my lamp is a basking lamp, but it is on a timer and goes off for twelve hours every evening. Under the substrate on the lamp side is actually cooler than the 85 degrees that it reads on top. Eryx seems to be doing just fine--including eating two fuzzies every week. I guess I am going to have to start with the f/t adults!

[nikkik85]

Last night I replaced the Jungle earth until I get some other substrate. This stuff is dry and I put about 4" in there. The humid hide is in there and he was in there all night. The shed thats on him is coming off nicely now. Got a long strip off lastnight! I covered 3 sides of the aquarium and the top. He seems to be less stressed already! Thanks for the information all! Im not sure if I will go back to the sand but maybe Ill try the shredded aspen. Im going to leave him alone for a few days and not handle him unless it is necessary and then maybe try and feed him next week.

[sickvenom]

Last night I replaced the Jungle earth until I get some other substrate. This stuff is dry and I put about 4" in there. The humid hide is in there and he was in there all night. The shed thats on him is coming off nicely now. Got a long strip off lastnight! I covered 3 sides of the aquarium and the top. He seems to be less stressed already! Thanks for the information all! Im not sure if I will go back to the sand but maybe Ill try the shredded aspen. Im going to leave him alone for a few days and not handle him unless it is necessary and then maybe try and feed him next week.

awesome. keep me posted.

[nikkik85]

awesome. keep me posted.


I really appreciate your help! AND everyones of course.

Khan is my first snake and they are so hard to read compared to other animals i had in the past. Thats why I turn to people who have experience. :)

I <3 ssnakess.com

[Damion930]

If you do not like the sand look into eco earth its natural looking ksbs can burrow in it I use it for mine just be sure to dry it out completely first

[sickvenom]

If you do not like the sand look into eco earth its natural looking ksbs can burrow in it I use it for mine just be sure to dry it out completely first

eco earth is too dusty for me.

[Xochiquetzal]

I have my KSB in a plastic tub , and i use shredded aspen , he eats very well and sheds well also , but he did just fine in the glass aquarium he was in before! Snakes are all different and sometimes you have to play around before you find something that works!