Lets see your Terrarium

[infernalis]

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

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!

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

And Now

[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]

Originally Posted by 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

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]

Originally Posted by sickvenom

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!

[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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. Would this be good if I discontinued to spray and only have the humid hide as the humidity?

[sickvenom]

Originally Posted by nikkik85

This is the substrate I have. Its called Jungle earth. 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]

Originally Posted by 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.

awesome. keep me posted.

[nikkik85]

Originally Posted by sickvenom

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