New Snake Owner, Questions!

vypr · 04-22-14, 02:24 PM

Hello everyone, I got me a plebeian milk snake couple of days ago and it was my first snake. Well, it was my first pet ever.
The snake is about 5 months old I think, they didn't say.
Also, I have a 29gal terrarium.

I just had some random questions

The local pet store recommended "Jungle Mix" substrate, so I got it... but it seems everyone has aspen bedding. Should I switch out the bedding.
How do I determine the gender?
Should the Water Dish be on the cold or hot side of the tank?
How often should he be eating? Most online sources say weekly.
When should he upgrade from pinkies to larger mice?
Should the hiding rock be on the hot or cold side?
I've had him for about 4 days, and he is always under the bedding. Is this normal?

MDT · 04-22-14, 02:50 PM

Vypr....first off....you may have misunderstood the name of the snake. Is it by chance a Pueblan Milk Snake?

As to your specific questions...
1) substrate not that big of deal..aspen good/jungle mix good...I keep my snakes on newspaper.
2) Gender determination....you don't. Let someone who knows what they're doing do it. DO NOT let the pet store do it. Find a local herp group and get to know people there. And, unless you plan on breeding, gender shouldn't be a big deal.
3) Yes (I put my water dish somewhere "in the middle"..I've seen it done both ways with no issues)
4) Every 7 (ish) days w appropriately sized meals (assuming your husbandry is correct and eating = pooping on a regular basis).
5) Can't give you exact, when pinks no longer cause a slight mid-section bulge, it may be time to upgrade to weanlings/hoppers.
6) Yes (it needs both)
7). Yes...Milk snakes are typically a little skittish. And, when you are the size of a pencil, everything wants to eat you. Hiding is normal.

sharthun · 04-22-14, 02:57 PM

Hey and Welcome! Post pics of your enclosure and snake. What are you using for heat? Do you have a thermostat controlling the heat source?

jpsteele80 · 04-22-14, 02:59 PM

Congrats On your first snake, I think everything has pretty much been answered

vypr · 04-22-14, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDT

Vypr....first off....you may have misunderstood the name of the snake. Is it by chance a Pueblan Milk Snake?

As to your specific questions...
1) substrate not that big of deal..aspen good/jungle mix good...I keep my snakes on newspaper.
2) Gender determination....you don't. Let someone who knows what they're doing do it. DO NOT let the pet store do it. Find a local herp group and get to know people there. And, unless you plan on breeding, gender shouldn't be a big deal.
3) Yes (I put my water dish somewhere "in the middle"..I've seen it done both ways with no issues)
4) Every 7 (ish) days w appropriately sized meals (assuming your husbandry is correct and eating = pooping on a regular basis).
5) Can't give you exact, when pinks no longer cause a slight mid-section bulge, it may be time to upgrade to weanlings/hoppers.
6) Yes (it needs both)
7). Yes...Milk snakes are typically a little skittish. And, when you are the size of a pencil, everything wants to eat you. Hiding is normal.

I had a feeling that spelling was wrong, thanks!
Hopefully he grows out of being skittish xD

For my current setup
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--...419_182459.jpg

I am working on buying better decor and I only have a hydrometer ATM working on getting a thermostat next time I go to the pet store.

I am using a 100W daylight on the left, and a 60W night light on the right (obviously at night).

**Tsubaki** · 04-22-14, 05:07 PM

he/she really needs more hides/covers

vypr · 04-22-14, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tsubaki

he/she really needs more hides/covers

I know, its just the darn pet store over charges for them.
Im probably going to order a bunch of decor online after I get paid

sharthun · 04-22-14, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vypr

I know, its just the darn pet store over charges for them.
Im probably going to order a bunch of decor online after I get paid

I would order decor and thermostat online, in the meantime you can use small shallow plastic bowls or cardboard boxes like macaroni boxes for hides. That way you can just throw them away if they get soiled or out grow them.

Hydrofarm Digital Temp Controller : Lawn & Plant Care
.

Kera · 04-22-14, 08:51 PM

Or you can use an old shoe that you don't care about. I know my little girl loves that.

drumcrush · 04-23-14, 08:13 AM

Paper towel/ toilet paper rolls also work great too!

sharthun · 04-23-14, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drumcrush

Paper towel/ toilet paper rolls also work great too!

Yup, thanks DC, forgot about those! They outgrow everything so fast. No need of buying larger size hides every few months. lol

Pirarucu · 04-23-14, 09:54 AM

1)As MDT said, substrate is not a huge issue. I personally would stick with the jungle mix, I am not a big fan of aspen. It's too dry and dusty, and tends to mold if it gets wet.
2)The best way to determine gender is probing, but as said, it needs to be done by someone who has experience, you can seriously harm the snake if it is done wrong.
3)Doesn't matter. I tend to have mine in the middle or on the warm side.
4)Once a week is a good schedule, how big is he and how big are the prey items you are giving him?
5)There are few snakes that need pinks from the start, I would expect him to be plenty capable of taking fuzzies or maybe small hoppers. Again, just depends on size.
6)Yes, that is normal.

I would definitely introduce more cover to the cage, it doesn't have to be premade hides either. Leaf litter or sheets of moss can be used as hides too. Anything he can hide under and remain unseen. Cork bark flats set into the soil a little bit make excellent hides.
Definitely get a temperature gun and a humidity gauge in order to keep an eye on the conditions in the cage.

sharthun · 04-23-14, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kera

Or you can use an old shoe that you don't care about. I know my little girl loves that.

You need to start your own custom line of shoe hides! Great Idea!

vypr · 04-23-14, 01:11 PM

I found some small boxes around the house and put them inside the tank, HE LOVES THEM! LOL!

Here are the images, first one is of the whole tank, second is which hiding spot he choose.
imgur (.) com/jZmicKV,5vC6cR3

(since I am new I couldn't post a URL? So just add that dot and http)

Also it seems he is ALWAYS on the cool side, I really want to get a thermostat, hopefully it's not too hot on the warm side.

EDIT: When do I get full permissions on the forums, these limits are annoying.

sharthun · 04-23-14, 01:46 PM

Sign up for a photobucket account if you don't already have one. Upload pics there and then copy and paste links to your shots. You should be able to post links,pics after 5 posts.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vypr

I found some small boxes around the house and put them inside the tank, HE LOVES THEM! LOL!

Here are the images, first one is of the whole tank, second is which hiding spot he choose.
imgur (.) com/jZmicKV,5vC6cR3

(since I am new I couldn't post a URL? So just add that dot and http)

Also it seems he is ALWAYS on the cool side, I really want to get a thermostat, hopefully it's not too hot on the warm side.

EDIT: When do I get full permissions on the forums, these limits are annoying.