Putting the "rub" in Rubbermaid

blindfireak40 · 05-16-13, 10:31 AM

Hey all. Just wanted to see if anyone else has had a problem like this. Vermicelli's been growing, and I figured he'd soon need some new digs. However, that rapidly became priority one after I found this:

I suppose the one "positive" to come of this is I finally got my tongue shot

It doesn't look too aggravated or anything, and I've relocated him to a 20 long with plenty of vertical space utilization. As near as I can tell, the issue arose due to the design of the Rub I had him in. It was one with the clamping lid, and the seal around the edge looks like this (the inside is to the left; I highlighted the edge that I suspect is the culprit):

So I guess this is just a bit of a cautionary tale. Having him in that tub was easy, far easier than in a screen-top terrarium. Perfect sheds, monster appetite, docile but active handling. However, no matter what we have our animals in or how they act, it's important to be alert and pay attention to their appearance. I shudder to think of what could have happened if I had assumed that the tub was "too safe" to damage him in that way--honestly, I'm kinda kicking myself for not noticing that lip earlier...hindsight's 20/20 I guess.

NextMorph · 05-16-13, 11:55 AM

I'm having a hard time determining what is being shown in the pictures. Maybe I'm being blind. Lol.

Anyways, I'm glad to hear you caught the issue and are fixing it. Sometimes snakes manage to rub against things we never even imagined.

blindfireak40 · 05-16-13, 12:23 PM

Right smack between his eyes, he's developed a wear wound similar to nose rub. At first it was just a discoloration, and I assumed it was a color change sort of thing (he had just shed). But then, a couple of weeks later, it was a little "hole", for lack of a better word, and it matches up almost perfectly with that lip shown in the diagram of the edge of the Rub. Silly noodle :P

NextMorph · 05-16-13, 12:25 PM

Ohhh. Lol. I was assuming you meant nose rub so I was looking at his nose thinking.. I don't see anything! :P Lol. I see now.

Hurrok · 05-16-13, 06:38 PM

Yeah a couple of my bps have done that and rubbed a scale or two off, or it just gets really dry on the area. Silly snakes

A shed or two will get rid of the wearing. I found that the ones that are needing a prey size upgrade or were just extra hungry started rubbing along the lid. How often do you feed and what size?

Jules1618 · 05-17-13, 05:26 AM

I have done the tub and the tank... And maybe it's just me but I prefer tanks 100%

mykee · 05-17-13, 05:50 AM

If you use the right tub, that wouldn't have happened. Rubbermaids are gods gift to reptile keepers, and I`ve never had an issue with rubbing of any kind. I pay attention and use proper tubs though.

KORBIN5895 · 05-17-13, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jules1618

I have done the tub and the tank... And maybe it's just me but I prefer tanks 100%

This is how I feel.

As for the rough edge use a razor knife and smooth the edge.

Jules1618 · 05-17-13, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KORBIN5895

This is how I feel.

As for the rough edge use a razor knife and smooth the edge.

Glad im not the only one
lol

blindfireak40 · 05-17-13, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jules1618

I have done the tub and the tank... And maybe it's just me but I prefer tanks 100%

Frankly, the tub was a bit of a carryover from a time where space constraints necessitated it. He's been relocated to a tank, and there he shall stay.

As for the prey items, I suppose he could do with two. They are properly sized, but the last couple of feedings (7-14 day intervals) he's been looking up afterwards as if to say "Where's the rest?"

Mykee, it was an issue of availability. The only ones with the typical Rubbermaid lids (without that lip) were far too small, and I monitored him closely for the duration of his stay in the tub (~2 years); this is an extremely recent issue. I'm not attacking Rubbermaid--"LOOK WHAT THIS TUB DID TO MY SNAKE"...my goal is to point out how things changed and caused harm, when I could possibly have avoided it by being a little more proactive.

I suppose I created this thread as a bit of self-chastisement. That is, I got complacent. "He's been fine so far..." It's important to remember that we have to remain somewhat vigilant, and just because nothing's gone wrong YET, it doesn't mean nothing will ever.

NextMorph · 05-18-13, 02:06 AM

Nicely said, Sean.

SSSSnakes · 05-18-13, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykee

If you use the right tub, that wouldn't have happened. Rubbermaids are gods gift to reptile keepers, and I`ve never had an issue with rubbing of any kind. I pay attention and use proper tubs though.

Nicely said. I have never had any issues with tubs, only with screen lids from tanks. When ever I use tanks, I put a piece of plywood under the screen to keep the snake away from the screen top.