I'm getting a children's python soon, and i was wondering if people here have experience with them. I wanted to know what you use for a substrate, and what you've done with the tanks. Thanks guys!
2006-11-01 09:23:03 · 5 answers · asked by Jeni 1 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
In regards to a couple of posts above mine, do NOT use sand with ANY snake, even ones that supposedly are digestable. There's some evidence that even Calci-sand can be dangerous for snakes and lizards. The snake WILL swallow sand, even if you don't feed in the tank - you try crawling down the beach on your stomach and see how much sand you get in your face.
2006-11-01 21:49:11 · answer #1 · answered by Jason 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've got a young spotted python (same genus, different species... same basic care) and have found a lot of conflicting info on how to keep them... I use ESU Reptile's Jungle Mix. It looks natural, helps keep humidity up, doesn't mold easily etc... The only problem is you have to keep a sharper eye out for poop. I've heard a lot of different temperature ranges for them, anywhere from 70-80 to 85-95 degrees... I started out in the 78-85 range but he was hugging the heat source so I bumped the hot end up to around 92 and he seems much more active and happy.
Mine is still a hatchling but he's got a couple hide boxes, a large-ish water bowl, and some climbing vines that he uses on occasion. Eventually when I bump him up to something larger I'll make it more naturalistic, with log/corkbark hides, fake or real plants, maybe even a more naturalistic water source. It's really up to the owner. I recommend nothing smaller than a 20 gallon long aquarium for an adult... The larger the better though, since they are fairly active and like to climb.
2006-11-01 18:23:08 · answer #2 · answered by snake_girl85 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
PLEASE, PLEASE,PLEASE
DO NOT use newsprint for your substrate. The ink can be very toxic to your python, especially if used for any length of time. If you insist on using paper for your substrate use something without ink on it. I have used both plain white copier paper and butcher's paper in quarantine tanks with no ill effects.
If you choose to use wood shavings for your substrate, then aspen is your best bet. It is fairly easy to keep clean and has none of the irritating (to snakes) oils that pine or cedar shavings do.
I have several friends who use plastic carpet (astroturf) as a substrate, due to the ease of care and cleanup. The down side is that it is easy for your python to crawl under to hide.
I have several pythons set up with coarse chopped coconut shells for substrate. It holds moisture fairly well without encouraging mold growth, is easy to clean, and as yet (knock wood) has not been ingested by any of my snakes.
I had tried the crushed walnut shell material, but I had several ball pythons that reacted badly to it; their belly scales became reddened & irritated...it took several sheds before the condition cleared...
In the end the asthetics of your set-up are a matter of personal choice. Just be sure to have a water bowl that is large enough for your python to completely submerge himself in, and several places for him to hide. Other than that, let your imagination run wild...literally.
2006-11-03 07:12:17 · answer #3 · answered by south_texas_herper 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can use newsprint, sand, gravel. I use newsprint. You should get a heating pad that you can stick to the bottom of the tank on one side. Place a hidebox which can be bought from the pet store or you can make it out of a shoebox, etc so the snake can go to "get away from it all." And you need a waterbowl. Use a screen to cover the enclosure.
2006-11-01 17:29:12 · answer #4 · answered by will 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I used Repti-sand or Bone Ald-Calci-sand that way when your snake is eating it's ok for some of it to stick to it's food because it's good for it and it helps digest food. A few good sites to check out are DrFosterSmith.com, petsolutions.com, and aqualandpetsplus.com
2006-11-01 21:21:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋