Some snake questions! - Page 2

BCollie · 09-27-14, 04:51 PM

So I went and checked the thermostat since it's been a couple hours since I turned on the heating pad. It read the same temperature as it is inside my house. However, the bottom of the tank is warm to the touch...Is this thing not getting hot enough? How can I tell since the thermometer isn't reading the temp at the bottom of the tank? Should I put the thermometer on the bottom of the tank?

toddnbecka · 09-27-14, 05:22 PM

Get a cheap infrared laser thermometer from e-bay, I think I paid about $10 for mine.

BCollie · 09-27-14, 05:34 PM

Good news! I set the thermometer on the bottom of the tank and it was hovering a little bit above the bottom since it was standing on suction cups...and it's reading just over/about 80 degrees! So it's probably closer to 83 or so when you're actually touching it. That should be just fine for mister snakey until my "Hydrofarm MTPRTC Digital Thermostat For Heat Mats" arrives, shouldn't it? Can I go ahead and order my snake, or is the few degrees difference that important? I trust the heat pad to not malfunction and burn the snake since it has very good reviews.

IW17 · 09-27-14, 06:44 PM

I agree with the above statement. Get a temp gun. There cheap and you can pick them up at Lowe's or home Depot. Invaluable tool for herps. As far as the tank not being warm to the touch, your hand is likely warmer than the temp your looking for, so you won't feel heat most likely. Once your thermostat comes in, put the probe between the bottom of the tank and the heat pad. Turn it on and let the temp climb. Use the temp gun to check the temp reading on the floor of the tank over the mat. Once it reads the temperature you're looking for, set the thermostat to whatever temp it's reading. Keep in mind the temp you set the thermostat at and the temp in the tank will likely be different. This is due to the probe being directly on the heat pad.

BCollie · 09-27-14, 06:55 PM

Very good idea, thank you. I'll go pick one up.
Getting ready to place my order for my snake. Eep! I'm so excited.

BCollie · 09-27-14, 08:09 PM

I thought I'd share a few pictures I took today.
I am so beyond excited to get my snake. I'm ordering him today and hoping he will ship out on Monday and arrive Tuesday. How long is the "settling in" period for a King Snake? I've read anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. How long before they can be handled and how long before they should be fed?

Mikoh4792 · 09-27-14, 08:13 PM

Great photography! What equipment did you use for those shots?

There is no exact settling in period for snakes. However I'd say it's good to let them have a few meals and get used to their new "home" before starting to take them out.

BCollie · 09-27-14, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

Great photography! What equipment did you use for those shots?

There is no exact settling in period for snakes. However I'd say it's good to let them have a few meals and get used to their new "home" before starting to take them out.

Thank you! I use a Nikon D600 with Tokina 100mm, along with manual macro extension tubes for macro photography. Or just the camera/lens without tubes, sometimes.
How long should one wait before feeding a new snake? Should it be done ASAP, or should I wait at least 5-7 days before feeding?

Mikoh4792 · 09-27-14, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCollie

Thank you! I use a Nikon D600 with Tokina 100mm, along with manual macro extension tubes for macro photography. Or just the camera/lens without tubes, sometimes.
How long should one wait before feeding a new snake? Should it be done ASAP, or should I wait at least 5-7 days before feeding?

People have differing opinions, but I've had success with feeding most of my snakes on their first night here(carpet pythons). Kingsnakes should be even easier with their voracious appetite.

BCollie · 09-27-14, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

People have differing opinions, but I've had success with feeding most of my snakes on their first night here(carpet pythons). Kingsnakes should be even easier with their voracious appetite.

Awesome. I already have my pinkie mice, bought 6 of them at Petsmart today, so I'm ready! They're kind of scary looking to be honest...ick!
I'll try feeding on his first night so he can settle in with a full belly.

Mikoh4792 · 09-27-14, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCollie

Awesome. I already have my pinkie mice, bought 6 of them at Petsmart today, so I'm ready! They're kind of scary looking to be honest...ick!
I'll try feeding on his first night so he can settle in with a full belly.

lol you'll get used to it. Mice with hair aren't nearly as "ick" haha.

BCollie · 09-27-14, 09:45 PM

Very true.
So I have two main concerns/questions right now, for anyone who wants to answer...
How hard is it to keep baby snakes alive, specifically California King Snakes like the one I'll be ordering? After my Crested Gecko dying for seemingly no reason, I'm scared of spending all this money on a snake and then having it die. I'm ordering from BHB reptiles.

Second, should I bleach the snake's tank and everything in it since it used to be the Crested Gecko's tank, or is it fine with having just been wiped down with a wet paper towel?

Mikoh4792 · 09-27-14, 09:58 PM

Kings are one of the easiest to maintain, but as with any reptile it's important to monitor temps/humidity/water..etc regularly. Do that and you should be fine.

Though tanks are okay for kingsnakes, I'd reccomend looking into getting a real snake enclosure such as animalplastics.com, boaphile.com, constrictors nw...etc. The screen top isn't good at retaining heat or humidity(you can cover it), and front opening enclosures are usually easier to work with since you don't have to remove the heat lamp/undo the locking clamps all the time, potentially stressing your snake out.

I'd probably disinfect the tank just to be careful.

**EL Ziggy** · 09-27-14, 10:20 PM

You never know when any living thing might die but king snakes are pretty hardy. If you buy a healthy animal, and make sure your husbandry is up to par, hopefully your snake will have a good long life. I would clean the enclosure and the tank accessories with bleach and hot water and give it time to air out before moving a new snake in. I attempt to feed new snakes 2-3 days after their arrival and I try to hold off handling them until they've eaten for me twice with no issues.

BCollie · 09-28-14, 04:04 PM

What do you guys think about the humidity for King Snakes? I've ready anywhere from "normal humidity in your house is fine"(which in my house is about 30%) to "they need 40-60% humidity" to "the bowl of water provides all the humidity they need"
Opinions?

Also, does the enclosure look suitable for a young Snake? Pictures on the last page.