Some dumb jerk got tagged doing sometihng dumb

[TailsW/Scales]

Originally Posted by PDXErik

ALWAYS stress about ingesting substrate.

Time to hijack the thread a tiny bit so I apologize straight off for that.

You shouldn't be stressing over your snake injesting any substrate. More often then not a substrate like cypress mulch is not needed unless the snake requires a high humidy then it'll take more then subrate to make that happen and for it too hold. Substrate is only a small part on holding proper humidity for species that need it. On large snakes (in my opinion) subsrates like that are WAY more hassle then they're worth. Not to mention it's expensive and requires almost a weekly change when feeding large snakes. It also makes it more difficult to get rid of parasites if you're afflicted by them.

[ffollett]

I agree. We use aspen on the smaller snakes in the racks but the larger ones get news paper or something similiar. Our cages have sliding doors and trying to clean out the aspen from the tracks sucks.

[PDXErik]

Originally Posted by TailsW/Scales

Time to hijack the thread a tiny bit so I apologize straight off for that.

You shouldn't be stressing over your snake injesting any substrate. More often then not a substrate like cypress mulch is not needed unless the snake requires a high humidy then it'll take more then subrate to make that happen and for it too hold. Substrate is only a small part on holding proper humidity for species that need it. On large snakes (in my opinion) subsrates like that are WAY more hassle then they're worth. Not to mention it's expensive and requires almost a weekly change when feeding large snakes. It also makes it more difficult to get rid of parasites if you're afflicted by them.

I use Repti bark (don't hmph at me :P) because humidity, even 50-60% is difficult to maintain.

I was thinking the other day that wild snakes must eat all kinds of leaves and dirt, but then I thought the life expectancy of a wild snake is much shorter than a captive snake.

It is expensive. I change it like I would change kitty litter normally and replace the whole lot once a month, but even at that schedule, substrate costs me about $60(us) per month.

The white lip likes to burrow, my little RTB likes to bury itself and "stalk", exploding out of the substrate when prey is introduced.

Granted, paper towel would be easier and cheaper to replace. With my recent difficulty with my female (horrible diarrhea that has since been fixed, an infection), the substrate makes for much appreciated easier clean up of horrible poop.

(Someone had already 2nd'd the hook idea, I was 3rding it)

[Columbiano Rojo]

Originally Posted by PDXErik

So, I was moving my 6' female RTB back into her enclosure after she fed in the feed box.

She was looking like she was still in the ambush predator mode. I saw that, recognized it, thought to myself, "I should leave her alone for another hour or so and let her calm down"

Well, patience be damned, I reached in behind her, took her upper middle section and was going for the rest when she grabbed my index finger.

Real good, too. Well, not so good as she had to twist and adjust her grip. And then proceeded to wrap herself around my wrist.

In the middle of unwrapping her off of me, she realized that, indeed, I was not a rat and let go.

That was exciting. That's the second time dumbass got bit doing something dumbass knew he shouldn't.

Well, four hours later, my finger still hurts, but will recover. Let my experience teach all you noobs. However, I guess I didn't learn from other's experience, so, if you must get bit, get bit, just remember, when you do, don't jerk away and wrench at it, go slow and don't panic.

Edit: BTW, for experience's sake, the inside of a snake's mouth feels real weird. And pointy.

hey how thick is he at 6 feet. im just curious. im considering getting a red tail boa in the future and just wanna get an idea on the size.

[PDXErik]

Originally Posted by Columbiano Rojo

hey how thick is he at 6 feet. im just curious. im considering getting a red tail boa in the future and just wanna get an idea on the size.

(She) is just bigger than a beer can. I mean a soda can. Maybe about 3.5-4 inches in diameter.

Cuddly as a puppy dog, except around feeding time.

[Boots Hawks]

I just got finished writing a reply and for some reason this only takes about half of them that I write. Anyways I do feel the substrate helps with humidity in my cages. I live in California and it is very dry here. I also have two large water dishes in each cage. I try to keep the humidity at 60 to 70 percent so I don't have to worry about my kids while I am gone all day. It really seems to help with the shed.

As far as the substrate plugging them off, I do worry, I would hate to lose a 1000 dollar animal for that reason, not just for the money but because they are part of the family. Also the cypress makes it look good and it is easier for me to clean a handful of cypress and wash a small spot then to change 6 cages of news paper. I don't think I want to clean that hard clue off the bare floor of the cage either. My wife is very tolerant and would tell me the snakes or her if they ever started looking bad, and I would miss the hell out of my wife. So bottom line, I will use the cypress for as long as I can get it. It is only 19 bucks for 40 quarts that isn't too bad.

Boots Hawks

[Boots Hawks]

Parasites was mentioned, I hate the thought of getting those things, I spray my cages once every month or month and a half with Prevent A Mite. Also I carry a bottle of waterless hand cleaner with me to every pet shop or reptile show and use it each time I handle an animal. I just bought another snake this last weekend and before he was placed anywhere in my home the first thing I did was cover him from head to tail with the reptile relief. I know it seems like a lot of work but it is worth it to me to keep my animals healthy and happy.

Boots H.

[TailsW/Scales]

Originally Posted by Boots Hawks

Anyways I do feel the substrate helps with humidity in my cages. I live in California and it is very dry here. I also have two large water dishes in each cage. I try to keep the humidity at 60 to 70 percent so I don't have to worry about my kids while I am gone all day. It really seems to help with the shed.

Boots Hawks

What type of cage are you using? I am in CA also and don't have to keep two water bowls in each cage to maintain humidity. I also do not use cypress mulch and I have zero problems with sheds and maintaining humidity. Sounds to me as though the problem is in the cage itself not your substrate.