Rainbow not eating right - Page 3

sulferhead · 02-05-13, 01:52 PM

Dang this thread got long quick. I check temps with one of those digital thermometers that have the sensor in the Viv and display outside. I don't have anything to check for humidity but when i change substrate aspen shavings i spray it down with a spray bottle because it sucks all of the moisture out of the air. His last sheds were very good all in one big piece. Also i would consider myself a noob. This is the first snake i have ever taken care of. I'll post pics of the Viv and Sunny tonight.

SnakeyJay · 02-05-13, 01:52 PM

Lol I actually agree with your temps Gluttony, I keep mine with an 85f hotspot.. I just tried to point out that a noob may make the mistake of overheating as over 85 stresses them out.

SnakeyJay · 02-05-13, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sulferhead

Dang this thread got long quick. I check temps with one of those digital thermometers that have the sensor in the Viv and display outside. I don't have anything to check for humidity but when i change substrate aspen shavings i spray it down with a spray bottle because it sucks all of the moisture out of the air. His last sheds were very good all in one big piece. Also i would consider myself a noob. This is the first snake i have ever taken care of. I'll post pics of the Viv and Sunny tonight.

My advice is to get rid of that aspen as when you spray it, it tends to grow mould. Cypress mulch is good for humidity, as is spagnum moss or just plain old paper towels do the job fine..

As for temps, you can't beat an infra red temp gun.. If you have spare cash sometime it's something you won't regret buying. Goodluck

Gluttony · 02-05-13, 02:02 PM

Jay-Its cool brother, I am not worried about it, I was the one being sensitive since I caught heat over me feeding in separate tubs yesterday. But that issue is neither here nor there.

Sulfur-I am unsure as to keeping brbs on aspen though. I have never tried or have seen it recomended. Not to say that it cant be done. But it does not hold humidity well. The younger the boa the more humidity it needs. I use orchid bark, mixed with nature bark and coconut husk. along with lots of different mosses in the hides and out.

Mark Taylor · 02-05-13, 02:04 PM

Raise temps a little and offer it food again in a couple of days so don't stress it out.

sulferhead · 02-05-13, 02:19 PM

Ok so should I just buy a bag of cypress mulch from Lowe's?? I think my local pet store sells coconut husk and some other odd substrates. If I change to cypress mulch how often should it be changed? Right now I'm using a shop vac to clean ever 2-3 weeks and spot clean poop and such.

Gluttony · 02-05-13, 02:36 PM

Im afraid of mites from buying at lowes or home depot, but I know of people who buy it at lowes, and they take a preventative measure as to not introduce mites, by spraying it with p.a.m..I would go with the coconut husk, I think and dont quote me on this, its cheaper and less risky.
How often you change it depends on how big the enclosure is and frequency of the snakes bowel movements, I use a shop vac also.

infernalis · 02-05-13, 02:50 PM

May I ask again what everyone has against using good old fashion dirt as a substrate?

Throw down some grass seed, and watch that humidity stay up, bury a hide, and offer a small tunnel hole leading into it.

Rainbow boas are tropical, like I said in my post, the humidity index made it feel more like it was the inside of an oven, and when the humidity is that high, even the jungle is sweltering.

I don't keep rainbows, but I know that tropical animals do so much better inside tropical cages.

Besides that, bio active micro climates inside your chosen vivarium never require cleaning, as the bacteria will digest the feces in 24 hours and never leave a smell.

BryanB · 02-05-13, 03:07 PM

I cant figure out why no body asked if you heat the food after it is thawed. if not just heat it up a bit in a cup of really hot water.

Mark Taylor · 02-05-13, 03:33 PM

Think the most important come first like housing. Get it settled then feed.

SnakeyJay · 02-05-13, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BryanB

I cant figure out why no body asked if you heat the food after it is thawed. if not just heat it up a bit in a cup of really hot water.

You are right, my female will turn away from her food if its not nice n hot...

sulferhead · 02-05-13, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BryanB

I cant figure out why no body asked if you heat the food after it is thawed. if not just heat it up a bit in a cup of really hot water.

I let it thaw in warm water and it is plenty warm when I give it to him. I'm not that stupid if a noob haha.

**Aaron_S** · 02-05-13, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by infernalis

May I ask again what everyone has against using good old fashion dirt as a substrate?

Throw down some grass seed, and watch that humidity stay up, bury a hide, and offer a small tunnel hole leading into it.

Rainbow boas are tropical, like I said in my post, the humidity index made it feel more like it was the inside of an oven, and when the humidity is that high, even the jungle is sweltering.

I don't keep rainbows, but I know that tropical animals do so much better inside tropical cages.

Besides that, bio active micro climates inside your chosen vivarium never require cleaning, as the bacteria will digest the feces in 24 hours and never leave a smell.

Blasphemy! We need to always, ALWAYS re-invent the wheel Wayne. Don't you know that already?

sulferhead · 02-05-13, 09:48 PM

Here's some pics of sunny's viv. It's a twenty long tipped on its side with a sheet of polyethylene on siliconed on the bottom. On the front theres a 3 inch sheet of acrylic siliconed to the tank and the swing down door attaches to it via aquarium hinges. There is about 50 1/4 inch holes drilled in the door for circulation. The medium sized heat pads are on the left side on the top and bottom. I made 2, because at some point i know i'll want another snake.

KORBIN5895 · 02-05-13, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gluttony

Im afraid of mites from buying at lowes or home depot, but I know of people who buy it at lowes, and they take a preventative measure as to not introduce mites, by spraying it with p.a.m..I would go with the coconut husk, I think and dont quote me on this, its cheaper and less risky.
How often you change it depends on how big the enclosure is and frequency of the snakes bowel movements, I use a shop vac also.

May I ask why you are worried about mites from Lowes?

@op

Very nice conversion! You really did a great job.