Some snake questions! - Page 9

BCollie · 10-01-14, 06:50 PM

Here we go...My journey in preparing King Tucker's bachelor pad. Keep in mind this 35 gallon tank/stand is over 20 years old!

BEFORE, when it was beat up and ugly:

After being sanded:

AFTER being painted, BEFORE having anything put in it:

I tried to see if I could get the Aspen shavings to fit in the stand of my 35 gallon. I failed. All I did was make a mess! I have to find a better place for them. Probably the garage.

Hardscape...an aquarium term used for planning out where all the stuff(generally non-living things) is going to go. Not sure if that term is used in reptile keeping or not.

The view from my bed:

And...wait for it...how it looks now!

It will have more fake plants added after King Tucker moves out of the 15 gallon(he has a few fake plants in there that I will move to this tank), and 2 medium sized reptile hides will be added when they arrive tomorrow. He will move into his bachelor pad tomorrow after everything else I need arrives: the tank's screen cover, the UT heating pad, a 6ft fake vine that will be wrapped around the branches...and the Hydrofarm Digital Thermostat for Heat Mats should be here today.
I think I have done absolutely everything I can to make sure he not only survives, but has a good life. Of course, if anything is off or missing please tell me! After the death of my crested gecko, I am so paranoid that King Tucker will not survive for whatever reason. I am probably just being paranoid...but still. I want my snake to have everything he needs, and I want him to be happy. I am beyond smitten over him. He is so perfect!

EDIT: I know, there is a strip on the bottom of the tank rim that needs to be touched up. Yes, it is bugging me just as much as it is probably bugging you

BCollie · 10-01-14, 07:26 PM

My brother just came and knocked on my door with two packages from Amazon in his hand. I was surprised there were two, considering I only ordered some of the stuff yesterday. But, I guess Prime shipping really is amazing!! I'm on the free trial and I love it.
Getting stuff in the mail is like Christmas every time

My Hydrofarm Digital Thermostat for Heat Mats is here, along with my two reptile hides and my fake 6ft Pothos vine. Wasn't expecting them until tomorrow, but I'm not complaining! I'm very happy with the hides and vine, they look great and don't look overly fake. The hides are nice and flat-ish, which I'm sure he'll love as it'll provide nice cover for him. He prefers hiding under leaves as opposed to in the fake half coconut shells in his 15 gallon so I think he'll really like the two hides. You can see one on the right side, the soon-to-be warm side. The other is hidden behind plants on the front left side.

drumcrush · 10-01-14, 08:32 PM

Wow, looks nice! Sweet set up

**EL Ziggy** · 10-01-14, 10:09 PM

Lookin good! Definitely fit for a king snake

. He should be very content there. Great job putting it all together.

**Tsubaki** · 10-02-14, 03:02 AM

Looking good

BCollie · 10-02-14, 11:19 AM

Thank you everyone!

Question...I got my Hydrofarm Digital Thermostat for Heat Mats today...putting the probe between the glass and the heat pad is safe yo do, right? This was it is reading the temperature of the heat pad and there is no risk of the snake bumping it out of place.

drumcrush · 10-02-14, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCollie

Thank you everyone!

Question...I got my Hydrofarm Digital Thermostat for Heat Mats today...putting the probe between the glass and the heat pad is safe yo do, right? This was it is reading the temperature of the heat pad and there is no risk of the snake bumping it out of place.

Yep, perfectly fine

BCollie · 10-02-14, 01:24 PM

Great! I will post pictures of King Tucker in his enclosure once I get him in there

BCollie · 10-06-14, 02:52 PM

Okay, I tried to feed King Tucker again last night and left him in the feeding enclosure for at least an hour. When I came back the pinky mouse was still there. He's not eating! What do I do?

**EL Ziggy** · 10-06-14, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCollie

Okay, I tried to feed King Tucker again last night and left him in the feeding enclosure for at least an hour. When I came back the pinky mouse was still there. He's not eating! What do I do?

Adri- What are your temps like now? Some snakes can be shy eaters in the beginning. I'd try placing the snake in a covered deli cup, or small container, with the pinky and leaving them overnight. Also are your pinkys completely thawed and very warm when you offer them to your snake? Keep offering food every 5-7 days until he eats and eventually he will eat. Best wishes and keep us posted.

Mikoh4792 · 10-06-14, 04:05 PM

Really nice job! If you want to really deck out the enclosure(especially the upper half), you can make use of magnetic ledges so your king can utilize some climbing space.

Here are some that would go well with that tank if you are interested:

Amazon.com : Magnaturals Large Extra Strength Rock Ledge Earth - Magnetic Decor : Pet Habitat Decor Terraces : Pet Supplies

http://www.amazon.com/Magnaturals-La...74EDZMKYH03J5G

BCollie · 10-11-14, 09:21 PM

SUCCESS!! I just tried feeding him again, went to check on him about half an hour after putting him and the pinky mouse in a kriter keeper...checked on him in time to see him halfway through devouring a pinky mouse

He was VERY mad at me for checking on him while he ate, he started "rattling" his little tail hehe

BCollie · 10-11-14, 10:36 PM

Just weighed him(after his meal) and he weighed 14 grams. I then weighed the 4 pinky mice(in their lightweight plastic wrappings) and they weighed in at 10 grams divided by 4 mice is 2.5 grams each. So let's say he weighs in at 11.5 grams before being fed.
Is a pinky mouse too much food? Not enough?
I have read people feed their snakes 10%-15% of their body weight, but is this only for adult snakes?
If I feed 15% of his weight he'd be getting 1.7 grams a day. I'm not sure how much young snakes need to be fed. Any advice?

**EL Ziggy** · 10-11-14, 10:39 PM

Great news Adri. I'm really glad he ate for you.

**EL Ziggy** · 10-11-14, 10:44 PM

Adri- it's best to weigh them after they've "expelled "their last meal. I usually weigh my snakes the day before I feed them. You don't want to handle him for 48 hours after he's eaten. I wouldn't worry about feeding a little more than 15% to a young snake. He can easily handle a pinky every 5-7 days. He'll be taking them 2 at a time in a few weeks. And the 10-15% of body weight should be fed to your snake each feeding, not per day.