Some snake questions! - Page 7

BCollie · 09-30-14, 09:08 PM

I'm wondering...What temperature should I set my heat mat to for the big tank? It's going to have Aspen Snake Bedding so he can burrow, BUT...I don't know what I should set the heat for BECAUSE he's going to burrow. The hot spot should be 85-90 degrees, right? So should I set it for 85-90 underneath the shavings, or let it heat through the shavings and have it at 85-90 on top of the shavings?
So confused!

BCollie · 09-30-14, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

It's possible he's getting ready for a shed if he's got a blueish hue. Watch him over the next few days and see if his eyes get cloudy and his scales get dull. To me its sometimes it's harder to tell when white or lighter snakes are prepping to shed. Some snakes won't eat during this time.

Interesting, I did not know that. I knew the eyes get cloudy when they're about to shed, but that's all.
This may sound like a stupid question, but snakes don't eat their sheds, right? I know quite a few animals do but if I remember right, snakes are NOT one of them?

**EL Ziggy** · 09-30-14, 09:45 PM

I've never heard of a snake eating it's shed but that doesn't mean it never happens. I place my thermostat probe under the substrate inside the warm hide that sits on top of the uth. I usually have to set my thermostat to 90-96 to get my temps to interior temps to 86-90. You have to monitor the temps closely because the snakes will sometimes move the probe.

BCollie · 09-30-14, 10:47 PM

I would be very concerned about the snake knocking the probe out of place, because that could cause the temp to plunge or skyrocket, which would be very bad since the temperature in my house is always fluctuating. He needs a consistent warm side...If I am remembering right, someone on here suggested that I put the probe on the sticky side of the heat pad(between the bottom of the tank and the heat pad) and that will give a consistent temp. The snake can't knock it out of place...and you can make sure it's at the high end of the safe range but never above. That would ensure that the top of the aspen shavings are as warm as they can be without the snake being burned if he burrows on the warm side. What do you think?

toddnbecka · 10-01-14, 12:18 AM

Check Wal-Mart's pet department for aspen shavings. I looked at an lfs, they wanted $5 for a small lossely packed bag, W-M had a tightly packed bag 4-5x that size for less than $4.
Kings like to burrow, so check the temp on the glass rather than on top of the bedding.

BCollie · 10-01-14, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toddnbecka

Check Wal-Mart's pet department for aspen shavings. I looked at an lfs, they wanted $5 for a small lossely packed bag, W-M had a tightly packed bag 4-5x that size for less than $4.
Kings like to burrow, so check the temp on the glass rather than on top of the bedding.

Would the method I mentioned in my last post work well for measuring the the glass temp?

And I found this on Walmart's website
Kaytee Products Wild Bird Aspen Bedding and Litter: Small Animals : Walmart.com
Is this pretty much the same thing as Aspen Snake Bedding that I see at Petsmart(click here)? I want to make sure I'm getting the right stuff.

drumcrush · 10-01-14, 04:48 AM

I bought some aspen from wal mart once, it was really dusty. I get a huge planet petco bag(2 cu. ft expands to 4 cu. ft). It only cost me 12$ you also might want to look into sani chips, I'm sure Steve will recommend it

BCollie · 10-01-14, 11:27 AM

So the "Planet Petco Aspen Wood Bedding for Small Animals" is safe for snakes, and isn't too dusty? It's found in the rodent/small animal section, not the reptile section.
And I see the Planet Petco stuff has a thicker cut compared to the shredded-looking Aspen Snake Bedding stuff. Will the thicker cut bother the snake?

sharthun · 10-01-14, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCollie

So the "Planet Petco Aspen Wood Bedding for Small Animals" is safe for snakes, and isn't too dusty? It's found in the rodent/small animal section, not the reptile section.
And I see the Planet Petco stuff has a thicker cut compared to the shredded-looking Aspen Snake Bedding stuff. Will the thicker cut bother the snake?

Yeah the Petco aspen is OK. Like DC said I use sani chips from pet360. Almost dust free.

BCollie · 10-01-14, 12:15 PM

Okay, awesome. I'll have to look into those but for now I'll use the Planet Petco Aspen for rodents/small animals. The only reason I was worried is because it isn't listed as being safe for snakes. But I trust you guys.

drumcrush · 10-01-14, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCollie

Okay, awesome. I'll have to look into those but for now I'll use the Planet Petco Aspen for rodents/small animals. The only reason I was worried is because it isn't listed as being safe for snakes. But I trust you guys.

I've used it for some time now, my dad uses it too. No problems. I would prefer it over the walmart brand any day

sharthun · 10-01-14, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drumcrush

I've used it for some time now, my dad uses it too. No problems. I would prefer it over the walmart brand any day

Yeah the Walmart stuff is super dusty. Someone gave me a bag and and i can't give it away. Lol

CosmicOwl · 10-01-14, 12:26 PM

I use that planet petco aspen and it seems pretty good. It's not super dusty and I like the size of the shavings. I've never used the sani chips(because their alternatives that I don't have to pay shipping) but a lot of people recommend it.

BCollie · 10-01-14, 12:48 PM

Thanks everyone! After my English class today I'm going to stop by Petco and pick up some aspen shavings.
I'm curious, once my little King Tucker is an adult, what will it cost me each month to feed him? Is ordering online in bulk cheaper than buying from say, Petsmart?

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.