smelly!

Pookie · 08-01-03, 08:18 AM

My cali king is probably the smelliest snake i own. I clean her cage often but she always seems to want to mess it up immediatly! (The big jerk) She also enjoys pooping on me every time i pick her up...she's juts a poopy gal! So is there anything i could do to make the tank smell a bit better? Like use a certain substrate? Any suggestions would be appreciated!

KingJaff · 08-01-03, 10:08 AM

Firstly call her Poppy (jk)
wot u should do is watch very closely how oftern she craps, then just never let her do it in the tank, I have my kingsnake with me right now and he just pooped on some newspaper (like he always does) its like clockwork, in fact since i last cleaned him out (about 2 weeks and 4 craps ago) he has only done it once in the tank (which clumps together most substrates) at the mo i'm useing a desert substitute (kind of small pieces of drycorn) looks cool.
I would definatly not use a scented substrate as this would almost certainly be harmful for them (if not fately)
All you can do is keep her on paper towels or news paper untill she gets condishioned into pooing out side the cage, and handle her every day (whilst keeping a paper towel handy) untill she starts to trust you..
My kingsnake used to always musk me but he soon stoped as long as i dont :grab: grab his head take him from a secure position, my snake likes to come out most days (apart from straight after food) so i just open the door and let him come, You can also leave the door open while hes out to change the air in the tank..

Invictus · 08-01-03, 11:17 AM

If she's a mad crapper, the best substrate is probably no substrate. Go for newspaper. When she poops/musks, change the newspaper and give the bin a wipe down. No more smell.

Pookie · 08-01-03, 11:28 AM

Newspaper...good idea! but it doesn't look so nice

i'm trying paper towl for now just to see how it goes, but i'll try the newspaper next! Is there anything more appealing to the eye?

i'm a big dork when it comes to making things look nice!

KingJaff · 08-01-03, 11:42 AM

well if you keep trying to predicted when she craps (4 days for me depending on temp)u should get quite good and then you shouldnt have to use papper towels for very long as they will do most of the crapping when you take them out

but then again, most substrates clump together when soild and are easly scooped out.
Also the type of cage you uae could make a difference, glass is very easly cleaned, a cage would not hold the smell in, my viv is made from wood but i keep it in my bedroom anyway with out to much problem.
Remember, LOTS of handling should dtop her musking you

Pookie · 08-01-03, 11:49 AM

i've had her for about 6 years now and i handler her about once every other day! I think she just hates me! My other snakes aren't like that. I think it's just something i'll have to deal with

ugh! So you're all telling me to take her out of the cage when i think she needs to poop? What a pain in the ***!

hehe!

Invictus · 08-01-03, 12:06 PM

Well, it's either that or get used to doing a full substrate change twice a week. That can get expensive. No, nnewspaper and paper towel are not at all visually appealing. But they are functional. Unless you want to get granite floors for your enclosure, you're pretty much stuck with the decision though - look bad, smell good or look good, smell bad.

KingJaff · 08-01-03, 12:54 PM

since when did reptile poo look nice? lol

enso · 08-02-03, 01:36 AM

When it's free of parasites...

KingJaff · 08-02-03, 08:21 AM

i wouldnt have thought that makes all that much difderence?
parasites or no parasites, it doest look like roses

Pookie · 08-02-03, 02:11 PM

i meant a nice looking substrate...not poop!