Laying substrate

Feebo · 03-17-10, 08:25 AM

What do you guys give your charges to egg lay on? I`m a bit hesitant to use moss, thinking it might cause mould, I thought I`d ask what you guys use and see what sort of variety of answers I get.....

infernalis · 03-17-10, 09:24 AM

I let them lay in the enclosure, then move the clutch to an incubator set up.

My garters and Dekayi are live bearing, so I move the males out (They are both "semi social" species) during the final stages of pregnancy to allow mom peace for birthing.

It is very common and acceptable for garter snake keepers and breeders to house pairs and trios in single enclosures.

Feebo · 03-17-10, 09:37 AM

Me too lol But I`m asking what substrate people actually put in the egg box! lol I put a small plastic tub in the enclosure, but with some sort of damp friendly substrate or other on the bottom of it. I wouldn`t want them not having one of those or they might lay all over the place.... I`m just wondering what other people use as a damp substrate in the egg box...

new_ICULIZARD · 03-17-10, 11:08 AM

For most of my animals I use a mixture of soil, terra fibre, and sand in the lay box. I've also used peat instead of terra fibre, but it seems to dry out a little faster.

If you are wondering what to use as incubation medium, I've used perlite, vermiculite, and superhatch from Repashy. The one that will work the best for you really all depends on the type of eggs.

Travis

shaunyboy · 03-17-10, 11:40 AM

with the jungles,moss in the laying box,then once laid into the incubator on vermiculite.only done it with jungles to date.hope this helps mate.
cheers shaun

infernalis · 03-17-10, 12:42 PM

I use the brick coconut fiber "Eco Earth" it holds moisture well.

Feebo · 03-17-10, 01:56 PM

Hmmm..... I`ve got some of that too, I had discounted it as too dusty but I don`t suppose it is when it`s damp is it... I might have to give that a go! Cheers

My thermometer/hygrometer with external sensors turned up today so providing she doesn`t go laying tonight, that`s just in time......

infernalis · 03-17-10, 02:42 PM

it's only dusty when really dry.

If you use it in an open aquarium with a screen lid and basking lamp, it dries out fast.

I mix it sometimes with reptile bark, it makes a mixed type soil that holds humidity.

Feebo · 03-17-10, 05:29 PM

I`ve got it here now, I`m not sure about this, it`s very very dusty! It only has to dry out before I can get to it and i`ve got a gravid snake with RI. Hmmm...... I might wet some and see what it looks like....

Feebo · 03-17-10, 05:41 PM

Nope, not a chance I`m using that. When it`s not dusty it`s sticky, she`ll end up with loads of it stuck all over her face and eyes. I`ve got a few clean cloths here, I`m thinking about folding one to fit the tub and spraying it, at least there won`t be any little bits then. If I can just find the right cloth... What do you think?

infernalis · 03-17-10, 06:15 PM

I have a snake that lives with tee shirts in her enclosure, the upside is you can wash them and get the messies out.
Nothing sticks, she seems content with it, and I have a lot of control over humidity by how damp or dry the cotton fabric is.
I think you misunderstood, I use the coconut hair (1/2 dried) as substrate to incubate eggs.

This girl burrows in it and loves it. A lot of my snakes crawl through that coconut stuff and love it. If you just added water and it's all sopping wet, yeah it's going to be sticky.(here is what it should look like...)

She's as mean as she looks, will tag your hand every time.

Feebo · 03-18-10, 05:03 AM

Oh she`s nice! Yeah I thought you meant substrate for the snake to lay in. It`s for a Western hog so she`s going to burrow through it. That`s definatly the same stuff as I`ve got though. I`m just not happy with the vermiculite I`ve got in there at the moment, it`s getting everywhere! She`s coming out with bits on her head and I don`t like the look of that at all... My only worry with using a tee shirt or similar cloth is that she may lay inside the folds and the eggs would be contacting the wet cloth a bit much, that`s about the best idea at the moment though, I`m going to have to get it sorted soon......

shaunyboy · 03-18-10, 07:45 AM

what about those packs of cloths you get for wiping down your kitchen surfaces.they're usually blue in colour or blue with little white diamond shaped patterns on them.when you wet them then squeeze the water out them,they feel like a cross between paper and cloth.they hold the moisture really well.feebo sorry i cant give you a better description or brand name,until now i never thought it would be so hard to describe a certain type of cloth accurately.
cheers shaun
p.s.i think they maybe called jay cloths.will ask my wife when i see her ,then let you know for sure.

Feebo · 03-18-10, 10:04 AM

I know the type you mean Shauny ;D At the moment, that`s the best bet I think. I`m going to the herp shop tommorrow so I`ll see what he`s got and speak to him too I think.... Picking up two new three foot Herptek tanks ! Nice....

infernalis · 03-18-10, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feebo

Picking up two new three foot Herptek tanks ! Nice....

Congrats! Show us pictures when you get them home.