How to set-up enclosure for baby IJC

stkkts · 07-15-03, 11:44 AM

How do you set up an enclosure for a 1 year or younger IJC python? I know people say small, something that wouldbe intimidate the animal. I have a 10 gallon tank, is that good? also how would you set up light and heat? day light, night light heat pad? how would you do it? Also, what type of substrate? I was thinking newspaper, or magazine paper. Is that good?thanks in advance.

Terraweb · 07-15-03, 01:58 PM

see this link : http://www.moreliaspilota.com/

Zoe · 07-18-03, 11:47 PM

I have a 10 gallon tank, is that good?
Yep! But as he gets bigger you can move him to a 15 gal, then a 20, and finally his permanent enclosure!

day light, night light heat pad?
Yup... use a heat pad for heat, and have a light on 12 hours per day (or whatever its like outside) for light.

Also, what type of substrate?
Can't go wrong with newspaper or papertowel. When he gets older you can switch to something nicer like cypress mulch!

Good luck!
Zoe

Linds · 07-21-03, 10:48 PM

Rubbermaid (not opaque)... undertank heater controlled with a dimmer... papertowel... some climbing branches... water dish... your all set

You don't need to supplement lighting, it will get enough from the room its in, as long as their is a window/light in it.

lordkovacs · 07-23-03, 04:56 PM

I like giving the natural light from outside...so I open the blinds during the day time. not sure if that really does anything good, but can't hurt!
i think branches that have leaves off-shooting from them are best personally...
cheers,
MIke

ReptiZone · 07-24-03, 02:05 PM

why can't you use opak Rubermaids my animals are in dark blue rebermaids and they are fine.

Zoe · 07-24-03, 02:14 PM

Because then it will be dark inside all the time.

Zoe

ReptiZone · 07-24-03, 02:37 PM

just cut a whole and give them a light.

My animals eat fin good temperment and I dont even give them a light I just leave the snake room light on. Not verry hard. the only thing that is in a glass cage is my baby burm and that is just for the next 2-3 monts.

ppl say give them light well I did in the beguinig and where were they all day under ground or in a hide box.

They only come out when it is dark. when my light is on in the room they are under the paper and at night they are above the paper.

Zoe · 07-24-03, 10:05 PM

Do they have a hide? They should have more to hide under than just paper.

There is a very good reason that they hide during the day - they are nocturnal and sleep at night! Just because you sleep when it is dark, does it mean you will stay up all the time when it is light out?

Snakes need a night/day for proper cycling and to mimic external conditions. Yes, they will chill out in their hides during the day - they would do the same in the wild. It is not because they are afraid of light, it is because they are asleep and where it is cool and humid.

You can cut a hole and cover it with mesh, thats works as well a semi/transparent rubbermaid.

Zoe

Linds · 07-26-03, 01:11 AM

As Zoe mentioned, snakes need a proper photoperiod, which cannot be acheived in an opaque container. In the wild they don't live in a little dark box with places to hide in within, they live in the light with several dark places to hide in as needed. IMHO its best to simulate their natural lighting as best as possible in captivity. Dark places within a lighter place.

Quote:

Originally posted by Zoe

You can cut a hole and cover it with mesh, thats works as well a semi/transparent rubbermaid.

But whenever mesh is thrown in to the equation you can run in to possible issues such as noserub. Crumpled Papertowels and newspaper work fine as hides, it simulates leaf litter than animals encounter on the ground.

Zoe · 07-26-03, 01:24 AM

Linds - yeah I agree, but I've never had a problem with my IJs rubbing their noses against anything. But its easier and way nicer to just get a clear rubbermaid anyway

And yes about the crumpled paper towel... I just meant that if the substrate was a flat out piece of newspaper and the snake was forced to hide under that or something.

Zoe