Red Tail Green Rat Snake - Many Questions

[Roman]

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

Roman your enclosures really ups the standards for snake keepers. If I ever have the room I will definitely give my snakes something as roomy as that. Big enclosures like that are also great for observing natural behavior. The idea that big enclosures = stress is an excuse to justify cramming snakes into small tubs and cages.

Thanks!

Large enclosures offer a lot of advantages

- As you already said, the snakes will show you much more of their natural behavior.

- Especially a deeper enclosure will reduce the stress for nervous snakes, because they are able to keep their distance even if you do some maintenance.

- It is easier to maintain the right temperature and humidity.

- You can create a warm “hot spot” under a basking lamp without risking to overheat your enclosure, quite the opposite, you get a nice temperature gradient.

But most of all, it is just fun to watch an active snake moving around for hours if you provide the space for it to do so.

Roman

[Mikoh4792]

Originally Posted by Roman

Thanks!

Large enclosures offer a lot of advantages

- As you already said, the snakes will show you much more of their natural behavior.

- Especially a deeper enclosure will reduce the stress for nervous snakes, because they are able to keep their distance even if you do some maintenance.

- It is easier to maintain the right temperature and humidity.

- You can create a warm “hot spot” under a basking lamp without risking to overheat your enclosure, quite the opposite, you get a nice temperature gradient.

But most of all, it is just fun to watch an active snake moving around for hours if you provide the space for it to do so.

Roman

Totally agree, with more space you can do some much more in terms of creating a temperature gradient. You can have a very hot area for "real" basking, then a hot side just to stay warm...etc. Gives the snakes more options to thermoregulate.

Also very interesting to see how your animal interacts with it's environment when there are multiple branches and hides..etc

[Marwan]

I first of all, would like to thank you for all the information and support.
I second of all would like to apologize for the delay in the reply.

Here we go with another series of questions. I really want to help this little guy.


Substrate - Water Spraying
I mentioned before i have a mixture of plantation soil as well as moss as substrate. I managed to catch the snake drinking but i noticed he was swallowing some soil with the water.I assume snakes in the wild are accustomed to that but i still don't feel too easy about it. Not to mention everytime i look at him i tend to find some soil on parts of his nose and face. I feel like i should switch to some coco husk/bark with moss. Any input on that?

Arboreal
The snake likes to lay on the floor. I have alot of trees and plants and i just got it a nice hidehouse on top. Given the nature of this snake, does this mean the setup was incorrect or it's just a personal preference. (Silly question i know, but better safe than sorry).
PS: Tank is 90cms long


Feces - Deworming
I took a sample of feces to the vet. The sample was small and covered with soil, but i hope that shoud suffice. Now assuming they do find something, would treating the actual terrarium be necassary or would treating the snake suffice?


Mouth rot - Respiratory infection - Tongue sideways
Symptoms 1 2 and 3 were from the first day that i got recieved this snake.

1. When i first got the snake, i noticed it was rubbing its face on the glass alot(sign of respiratory infection).

2. Also, whenever it would stick it's tongue out, the mouth from the sides would slightly open(just barely). I didn't know if that was a species thing or some form of mouth damage. Can anyone confirm this about the species?

3. When i would handle it to inspect it(first few weeks), I'd hear this weezing sound. I couldn't confirm whether this was a sound due to the puffing that the species does, or it was uncomfortable breathing from the snake.

I must say i failed to connect the dots

------
Finally, two days ago

4. I noticed some mucus on one side of the mouth, i opened it's mouth and found it full of mucus/saliva. When the snake is resting, it looks like it's constantly chewing on something - trying to swallow.

I've taken all the necassary precautions, i've dealt with similar situations before, but any added advice would be very helpful. On what to do next

The vets here are unfortunately not the best. They can do the treatment well, but the diagnosis is a bit shabby.