pueblan milk snake question

[PMS]

i have a 13 inch pueblan milk snake and it hides all day long...i hardly see it due to hiding...i say it because i dont know the gender...i have a 29 gallon tank with eco carpet for substrate...a heat mat on the left side along with a red heating bulb on top and a hide hut between the two...in the middle a water bowl and on left a branch for climbing...just some info...wanted to know if anyone has had any experience keeping pueblans without hides in there enclosure?...i wanna be able to atleast see my snake and not look at a tank that seems like there isnt anything in it but i dont wanna stress the snake at the same time by taking out its hide...thank you in advance

[infernalis]

Hello, I keep two and they are a reclusive snake.

If you take away the hides, it will feel insecure and stress the snake. it wants to hide.

[PMS]

thank you for your reply...is my tank setup ok for a pueblan milk snake?...he thermoregulates often...i always see my snake switch from the hut where the heat is at to the left where theres no heat then back when to cool...i take it thats a good sign correct?

[Starbuck]

i would use a thin layer of aspen; that way your snake can burrow, but you can still see him, rather than the eco-carpet. Aspen shavings can be spot cleaned, and are more sanitary than the carpet. Additioanlly, i would actually consider putting a second hide in, on your cool side, so he has a place to hide over there as well. You could use a tangle of artificial vines instead of a purchased 'hide', so your snake feels like it can get into them and hide, but you can still see him.

He is still a juvenile, so likely feels like he needs to be secretive to avoid being eaten. I imagine that as he grows he will a) get bigger and thus easier to see and b) feel a little more secure. I agree with infernalis though, milk snakes tend to be a bit shy.

[PMS]

thank you starbuck...soon im going to be getting another half log for the cool side...but so far hes been doing great with one hide...he always comes to the cooler side when he feels the need to but i agree with you on getting a hide for the cooler side and thats a will do...i had aspen at first but all he did was burrow lol...with the carpet i can atleast take a peek if i wanted to take a quick look at her...had the carpet for about a month now and i havent seen any changes due to stress because the lack of burrowing...right now im in the phase where im trying to figure out whats attractive to me but whats comfortable for her at the same time...thanks again

[Concept9]

I don't have much to add since Starbuck and Infernalis hit it on the head.

I would add that your hides are a bit too large. Snake like hides just big enough for them to hide in. I have 5 snakes and non of them like the wooden half log hides. mine are like mini caves, though with a inch of aspen (3 inches with my big boy) they burrow and use it for a hide a lot.

About wanting to see your snake . . .

My three Kingsnake are very active but I haven't seen any of them since Saturday, LOL.

But Milk/Kingsnakes are really wonderful animals.

[PMS]

thanks for taking the time to drop a post mbk boy...she seems to be ok with hide...ive had it in there for 3 months now...since day one since i got her...i just took a empty iced tea can and put it on the cool side...shes been using it...i wanted to put hides that would be ok for the long run when she turns into an adult...as we speak shes climbing the thermometer cord inside the tank lol...i saw a video on how to pop snakes to sex them...it is now a female lol...i poped her like 10 times to make sure lol...glad its a female because the name i chose from day one was nani...fits a female more...its hawaiian for beautiful...again thank you mbk...i would post a pic of what im using as a hide for the cool side but ima a little confused on how to do it...do you know how?

[Concept9]

Sure mate, go here.

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/general-discussion/83140-how-use-pictures-posts.html

[Mikoh4792]

You can make extra hiding spots by putting more logs and decoration in the tank. Your milksnake will use tight spaces and cracks in between logs and such. This way there is more of a temperature gradiant to choose from rather than just a hide on the basking spot and a hide in the cool side.

[PMS]

http://CAMOO146

[Pirarucu]

I agree, change the substrate and if anything, add more hides. I would say though that you might try a soil substrate instead of aspen, as it's a bit more natural. You might also throw in some leaf litter, which will help your snake feel more secure as it moves about the enclosure. The more hides you have, the less stressed your snake will be.

[PMS]

thank you everyone for the input...i purchased some drift wood today along with aspen shavings and fake plants...i would post a picture but when i click on the yellow box it says enter url of image...im not using a comp...im on my phone...i guess ill make another thread posting the setup...i guess look me up and check out my tank setup...thank you again guys