Albino Rosy Boa; First Time Snake
Hey guys! Okay so jumping straight in I am about to bring home my first snake in about a few weeks and am trying to get a headstart and prepare everything now so I can adjust it and I have a butt load of questions I can't seem to find answers to and for some reason I don't wanna trust caresheets I wanna see what experienced owners think. Okay backstory out of the way, onward to questions!
I've had a standard 20Gal I bought YEARS ago, its got a mesh top which for the life of me I cannot understand which way is the right way to lock it in. I must be tired, I don't know. I can post pictures of it. Its got locks on the bottom corners and a locking door on the top. I never used a top with my beardie. But I know I HAVE to with a snake. My question is how secure should I try to make this? I've heard some people put textbooks on their tops to prevent escape artists.
Also; the rosy is a hatchling, so I was thinking about just using paper towels for now until they get a bit older per just reading a lot I am seeing thats what people do for easy clean up (haven't found much other reason besides being cheaper also). My concern is more after the hatchling stage; anybody have experience using crushed walnut shells for Rosys? I got my BD when he was 2 and thats what his previous owner used so I continued it (He's almost 4 now), and feed him on it. He digests it pretty well I guess as I've never had an impaction problem and it also holds moisture pretty well for me which is good because I know Rosys can't take humidity but I am not sure if same can go for a snake with the digestion. I know a lot of people use sand but I'd rather use the walnut than the sand or aspen.
Thirdly I was thinking of using heat tape instead of a light bulb because I know the lighting of a lizard is very different from the lighting of a beardie with not needing UVB and all that. Just wanted to see what peoples experience with it was. I live in the desert where it gets 110 degrees in the summer so I am sure the sunlight could keep him warm to help. Lol.
Lastly is feeding. So I checked with the shop they have all the hatchlings eating f/t pinkies right now, I wanted to feed live prey (and I also don't want to move to feed cause that just seems like unecessary stress) so I was wondering if thats a hard switch to make or will they take to it pretty naturally being a boa?
Okay. I'm out of your hair now...Just don't want to make a lot of rookie mistakes if I don't have to. Thanks!
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