Some snake questions! - Page 8

eminart · 10-01-14, 01:18 PM

I'm late to the party, but congrats! You seem excited.

Some of the first snakes I ever kept were Black Kingsnakes that I caught as a kid. So kings have a special place in my heart. That cali is a beauty. And, the Tokina 100mm is a great lens.

Oh, and for anyone looking into sani chips, I bought a 2.2 cu ft bag from pet360 recently that was less than $20 shipped. Shipping wasn't exactly speedy though. And, I'm not sure if the sale is still going on.

**EL Ziggy** · 10-01-14, 01:32 PM

I think buying in bulk is the way to go. For example, if you bought (50) mice fuzzys from Big Cheese it would cost you $50. To buy those same (50) fuzzys at Petsmart you'd have to purchase (8) boxes of (6) @ $13 per box which is $104. That's a considerable saving IMO.

eminart · 10-01-14, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

I think buying in bulk is the way to go. For example, if you bought (50) mice fuzzys from Big Cheese it would cost you $50. To buy those same (50) fuzzys at Petsmart you'd have to purchase (8) boxes of (6) @ $13 per box which is $104. That's a considerable saving IMO.

If petco is your only option, then yes, probably. But, I can buy 50 fuzzies locally for something like $30-40.

**EL Ziggy** · 10-01-14, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eminart

If petco is your only option, then yes, probably. But, I can buy 50 fuzzies locally for something like $30-40.

No doubt. Buying from a local supplier or expo is the best route if you have that option. I haven't found a trusted supplier in my area so I have to order online.

BCollie · 10-01-14, 01:42 PM

Thanks!! I live in a very small town of 10,000 people so I don't think there's 1. any reptile shows/events, or 2. local mice breeders. It seems buying online is my only option. But I can get 50 fuzzies for $50 including shipping from Big Cheese?

**EL Ziggy** · 10-01-14, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCollie

Thanks!! I live in a very small town of 10,000 people so I don't think there's 1. any reptile shows/events, or 2. local mice breeders. It seems buying online is my only option. But I can get 50 fuzzies for $50 including shipping from Big Cheese?

The fuzzys are $20 and the shipping is $29.

BCollie · 10-01-14, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

The fuzzys are $20 and the shipping is $29.

Seems like a good deal to me! How many fuzzies will my snake most likely eat before he upgrades to the next size?

**EL Ziggy** · 10-01-14, 01:59 PM

They all grow at different rates. On average my younger snakes would move up prey sizes about every 2 months.

BCollie · 10-01-14, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

They all grow at different rates. On average my younger snakes would move up prey sizes about every 2 months.

Okay, so he would most likely only eat 10 or so of the 50 fuzziest?

drumcrush · 10-01-14, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

They all grow at different rates. On average my younger snakes would move up prey sizes about every 2 months.

I agree. And as they get older, they start to slow down.

BCollie · 10-01-14, 02:08 PM

It seems a bit wasteful to buy 50 fuzzies if he's only going to eat a small portion of them, however I guess I could just sell the extras...I found a breeder in Sacramento, but how do I know if it's a good breeder or not? My mom goes to Sac every week so she could pick them up for me.
Frozen or Live Feeder Mice

**EL Ziggy** · 10-01-14, 02:59 PM

You wouldn't waste the remaining fuzzies. You'd still feed him the rest of those but you might have to feed him 2-3 at a time as he gets larger. For example my bull snake is ready for small rats now but since I have (30) rat weanlings to finish off she still gets 2-3 rat weaners until those are gone. Then I'll move her up to smalls. I generally feed my snakes 10-15% of their body weight per feeding. If you found a local source you can probably buy in smaller quantities and avoid having so many undersized feeders left over when you do increase your prey size.

Obsidian_Dragon · 10-01-14, 03:27 PM

I currently buy from the local PetSmart, since I've been wrangling over the same questions you have. One of the problems with the Arctic Mice is you can get boxes of feeders that are "pinkies" or "fuzzies" but whoa, an entire box is small fuzzies or hey, all of these are HUGE, etc.

I have a box of "fuzzies" that are barely over pinkie size I'm working with right now. Pffffft.

I think that by the time I work through these mice (I had a coupon so...many boxes were had) I'll suck it up and order online. I haven't had any problem feeding my king multiple smaller prey items yet when I had to, so with luck you won't have that issues, either.

BCollie · 10-01-14, 05:20 PM

Ahh I didn't think of that! Good idea. I think after this box of Artic Mice pinkies are done, I think I'll buy one more(or maybe not, I'll have to have your guys' help judging if he's ready to move up to fuzzies by then) and then move up to fuzzies. He should DEFINITELY be ready after 2 boxes, if not after this one. Then I will order online or from a breeder.
I am wondering, how do I tell if a "local" breeder is good or not? I put local in quotes because the breeder I'm looking at is 3 hours away, but it's where my mom stays for work 3 days out of the week. I could have her pick some up for me.
Here's the breeder I'm looking at:
Frozen or Live Feeder Mice
Aquarium Depot is a nice fish store if I remember right, it seemed their fish were well taken care of...BUT when I was frequently going there it was when I was new to fishkeeping, so I could be mistaken. I assume Reptile Depot is run by the same people since it's inside Aquarium Depot. How do I know if they have quality feeder mice? I won't risk my snake's health or well-being just to save a few bucks. He needs good mice.

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