big enough or too big?

lordkovacs · 03-02-03, 01:38 PM

As I mentioned in the last post, I bought a female IJ, around 7 months old, and eats f/t small adult mice. I have yet to pick her up (dropping by tomorrow morning). The only thing is, I'm at school another 4 days next week, then I'm done. However, I have to pick her up and take her with me. I have a tupperware that I use as my corn's travelling tank. It's about 1' L, X 8" D, X 6"H. Is this ok for the four days? it already has a heat pad and everything done to it. Also, when I do get back on Thursday, I want to have my permanent tank set up. Is a 20 G tall suitable for a juvenille ? Is it too big? I have other tanks, but the 20G tall is my smallest that has a proper lid right now. Thanks...
cheers,
MIKE

Burmies · 03-02-03, 01:45 PM

I use one rule when I look to house a snake, Always have the tank or cage at least half the snake's length and wide enough so the snake can turn around. Also you should have a water dish big enough, put at the opposite end of the cage or tank, so he or she can soak in when they please.
I hope this will help you a little. If you have any other questions then feel free to ask.

Burmies

Burmies · 03-02-03, 01:48 PM

One more thing, if the snake can move around in the tupperware container without spilling over the water then I can not see a reason why you could not put it in there for a few days. You might want to take it out and hold it for a little while each night if you can.

Burmies

Zoe · 03-02-03, 04:06 PM

That rubbermaid seems really small, even as a temporary home. Why don't you go to home depot and buy a nice big one for 9$? A 20g is fine for a young IJ.
Zoe

Burmies · 03-02-03, 04:19 PM

Zoe,
The Snake is only about 2 feet long, so a tupperware container that is 1 foot long in big enough for 4 days.

Burmies

JIMI · 03-02-03, 10:29 PM

IJ's wont soak unless they're sick. it's a general rule in the carpet world.

AnthonyC · 03-03-03, 04:00 PM

Yes, that would be fine for four days. I wouldn't waste my money buying something else for only a couple of days use.

My carpets all do very well, and I just keep the ones under a year old in 12 quart rubbermaids, which are 16" wide x 11" deep x 6" tall.

After that, I move them to the 28 quart, which is about 16x22x6, so the 20G Tall should be fine, although I would probably opt for a 20G Long, which is still 12" tall (plenty enough room to climb).

Just my .02

lordkovacs · 03-04-03, 12:21 PM

I just found a 25 gallon in the basement that we weren't using, so the snake is in that until I get home on Thursday/Friday morning. Do you think if I put a ziplock bag with hot water in it, and placed that in the rubbermaid, will that be enough heat for the ride home? thanks for the replies all.
cheers,
MIKE

AnthonyC · 03-04-03, 04:06 PM

If the snake doesn't have a meal in it, you probably don't need to worry about heat. You have to remember, IJs experience temps into the high 50's to low 60's in the wild. Four days at room temps should not cause any problems whatsoever.

However, if you insist on providing heat, the hot water might be messy, and you'd have to refill it all the time. You might want to consider picking up a few heat packs and just using one per day while you're on the road.

A 25 gallon tank seems to be overkill for temporarily housing such a little snake, but I guess that would work. For convenience sake, I'd either use the tupperware you have, or go get a cheap 12 quart plastic sweaterbox for $5.