I was considering switching from Repti-Bark to this Calci-Sand:
http://www.amazon.com/T-Rex-White-Bone-Aid-Calci-Sand/dp/B0002DK6Y0
I quite like Repti-Bark, but I am a little worried about my California Kingsnake swallowing a bit when eating. I don't agree with feeding him in a separate cage. So I'd like a substrate that works well and is harmless if swallowed.
If anyone has any experience with this stuff, please let me know what you think of it.
2007-05-30 12:56:47 · 4 answers · asked by ZCT 7 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
The reason I don't agree with separate feeding cages is because this will cause the snake to associate being taken out of his cage with being fed. He will also associate the secondary storage cage with being fed. Then once he's eaten you are going to need to move him back to his regular cage, and I don't believe in handling snakes soon after feeding. Especially when he is still in 'hunting mode.' If he is left in the feeding cage he is not going to have the nice warm lamp to bask under to help digest his food.
My Kingsnake is an incredible feeder and has no problem eating at any time, even when shedding, he also has no problem eating in full view. He never strikes at a hand when taking him out, only at the feeding tongs.
I have two very distinct methods of approaching the cage. One to feed him and one to take him out. He has never become confused between the two so far.
2007-05-31 05:51:58 · update #1
The only problem with the calcisand is that it doesn't hold in moisture like the bark beddings do, so your cage will get really dry which isn't good for snakes shedding. I have always mixed reptibark with bedabeast or just used bedabeast. Bedabeast is a compressed coconut bark that you soak in water to rehydrate it. It is soft and holds moisture very well, looks a bit like soil. Unless your snake is a bitty baby he probably wont have trouble if he ingests just a little bit of bedding. Snakes in the wild don't eat on papertowels. If he is a baby baby though you should be using papertowel. Hope that helps!
2007-05-30 13:02:17 · answer #1 · answered by Lauren R 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Calcium sand doesnt stay as moist and tends to smell pretty bad when it gets wet...
As far as swallowing the bark, if you feed him in a separate cage you wouldnt have to worry about that...why dont you agree with it??
Feeding in a separate cage has many positives...
They don't associate opening the cage with feedings...
They won't stike at things inside of the cage...
It keeps the bedding cleaner...
They get used to eating in a specific container and are usually more willing to eat there rather than being watched in their cage...
You might want to consider it, it's better for you and the snake...
EDIT: they really dont connect being taken out with feedings...as long as you take them out of the cage more than just to feed...also most snakes will learn the difference between your hand and a mouse...exspecially if you drop the mouse in using a plate or tongs...if they only see your hand they will know it's you, and if you are afraid still, you can gently slide them out onto the foor, so they can see you and know that they are done feeding...
It also helps when you have a set schedule, our snakes get fed every thursday, they know when its getting close to feeding time, so they get anxious around wed night...
As for associating the bin with feeding even when you are going to travel, yes that can happen, which is why you use a different bin for feeding and travel...I personally use one of thoes big plastic storage tubs for feeding and have never been bit...
And handling them long enough to take them from the bin and put them in the cage is NOT going to hurt them...not one bit....
Hope this helps...GOOD LUCK!!!
2007-05-31 09:21:21 · answer #2 · answered by KaylaByrd 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try feeding it in a brown paper bag inside his cage. Just fold over the top loosely. Once its done feeding it will crawl out on its own. I use this method with my snake and its worked for years, no swallowed bedding, no need for a separate feeding cage.
2007-06-04 21:41:38 · answer #3 · answered by Mimik 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just feed her in a seperate cage. Mine struck at a mouse and became impacted (with bedabeast) we had to rinse her mouth out real good it was difficult and stressful for her. We highly recomed bedabeast it can be reused. Just boil it out. completely bio-degradeable
2007-05-31 02:17:54 · answer #4 · answered by jessica_and_jay8883 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋