Please help! Newbies with TWO jungle hatchies, thermostat help

[Tikanderoga]

Also, in regards to the aspen bedding, the people at the pet store said that you can take the excrement out, along with the bedding that was soiled, but the rest of the bedding is fine. He said that he has used his for 15 months.

The big question of the bedding always ends up in big discussions - I am using Marine Carpet from bunnings. It's quite cheap, and you can just hose it down when you clean it. I have 2 sheets that I can easily swap. Also spot cleaning is possible.

 

[kawasakirider]

The big question of the bedding always ends up in big discussions - I am using Marine Carpet from bunnings. It's quite cheap, and you can just hose it down when you clean it. I have 2 sheets that I can easily swap. Also spot cleaning is possible.

I went to bunnings to get some fake turf, but they wanted like $67 a meter. I thought marine carpet wouldn't be as comfortable for the snake. I was also told that fake turf and other sorts of carpets can harbour bacteria... (this is from the guy who sold me the aspen) lol. Any truth in this?

Thanks so much for everyone's help, I am sorry for asking so many questions, I just don't want anything I do to end up being detrimental to the snakes.

Although it's not being used, unfortunately it's not for sale. Planning on getting some sandswimmers or geckos in there sometime.

I'll attach a pic of a starmaid jungle set up I did, they really are great for hatchies.

Hey Chantelle, thanks for that. How do you keep the snakes warm in a set up like that?

Cheers

 

[Tobias008]

I use marine carpet for my jungles and it's fine, remember a snake can make lying on a log seem comfortable also the roughness helps to catch the skin come shedding. make like 3 or 4 of them and rotate through and I steam clean it too to get rid of bateria. Also I think you have alot less time before that enclosure is too small 6 - 8 months at the most. My male grew 10cms/month for its first year. Been in ipswich too it won't be long before the nights are cold so you could just leave the lamp on all the time and just put a cheap thermometer there to keep an eye on it?

 

[Khagan]

Buying 2 animals when you don't have the appropriate housing to get both is really irresponsible. I can understand the point of not having money, but if you're truly in that position then why not just buy 1 snake.. It makes way more sense and is in the best interest of the animals. Think of quarantine, if one has something transmittable they both have it now. If you happen to find say an unhealthy looking urate/feces, how will you tell which one did it? It seems like you done this as an impulse buy.

You've gone from bad to worse enclosure wise. Glass terrariums aren't all that suitable, all glass doesn't hold heat well and having all glass sides would be more stressful for snakes. The petshop really got you good :C, i bet the money you paid them you coulda knocked up 2 melamine enclosures even for adult size.

As for substrate, good old newspaper. Yeah, it looks bland. But it's delivered to you for free, when cleaning the whole lot is removed so you're not leaving behind any hidden nasty crap, and it's easy to spot when it has been dirtied. Plus theres MUCH less chance of complications from it i.e being digested, irritation.

 

[kawasakirider]

Yeah, oh well, thanks for the reply Tobias. Beginners mistake, when the snakes are too big we will just have to get another enclosure. Can you guys reccommend a *relatively reasonably priced* enclosure that I can use all the gear I have now (Heat lamp, UV light, heat pad, hide, etc etc) and will suit the snakes for a few years? Links would be great.

OK here is one last question...

The enclosure is 45x45x45cm ok.

The UV light is in the back half of the enclosure (the UV case is designed for this enclosure)
The heat lamp is in the FRONT on the left hand side when you look at it.

Bearing this in mind, where should I put everything?

I have a water hole that takes up the majority of one corner. Currently it is sitting in the back right hand corner, trying to keep it cool.
I have a hide that is around the same size as the water hole, it's currently sitting infront of the water hole (front right hand corner)
I have a jungle vine that is sidding close to the roof on the front right, in line with the heat lamp, but on the other side of the enclosure
AND a little shrub tree in the back left hand corner.

There's a fair bit of floor space left, these items aren't quite taking up 1/4 of floor space each.

So where should I put them? Should the hide be a place to cool, or warm?

Where should the head pad go? I haven't used it yet.

Thanks again for everyones help.

Buying 2 animals when you don't have the appropriate housing to get both is really irresponsible. I can understand the point of not having money, but if you're truly in that position then why not just buy 1 snake.. It makes way more sense and is in the best interest of the animals. Think of quarantine, if one has something transmittable they both have it now. If you happen to find say an unhealthy looking urate/feces, how will you tell which one did it? It seems like you done this as an impulse buy.

You've gone from bad to worse enclosure wise. Glass terrariums aren't all that suitable, all glass doesn't hold heat well and having all glass sides would be more stressful for snakes. The petshop really got you good :C, i bet the money you paid them you coulda knocked up 2 melamine enclosures even for adult size.

As for substrate, good old newspaper. Yeah, it looks bland. But it's delivered to you for free, when cleaning the whole lot is removed so you're not leaving behind any hidden nasty crap, and it's easy to spot when it has been dirtied. Plus theres MUCH less chance of complications from it i.e being digested, irritation.

Well I appreciate your harsh honesty... lol....

I wasn't intentionally being irresponsible. The breeder told us that two snakes are fine and they actually prefer being housed together. As far as transmittables, they would have already had it. She had 4 in one tiny enclosure, they were all in one little sack huddled up, actually.

 

[Tobias008]

Pics?

 

[kawasakirider]

Pics?

coming up

 

[Khagan]

I wasn't intentionally being irresponsible. The breeder told us that two snakes are fine and they actually prefer being housed together. As far as
transmittables, they would have already had it. She had 4 in one tiny enclosure, they were all in one little sack huddled up, actually.

Hmm ok, seems like your breeder got you off to a bad start, giving you incorrect information and sounds like they housed their animals horribly.. Snakes 'can' be fine together, some people having them together for years with no problems, but then others have the same scenario seem fine then next day only have one snake or worse lose both. I wouldn't say they like to be together, they are solitary animals and only come together for mating purposes.

 

[Tobias008]

The water bowl I would put under the heat lamp as this will help keep the humidity abit higher for them (and force you to change the water more often) , I would also put in 2 hides, 1 on the cool side and 1 over the heat mat on the warm side. Gives them choice to hide in a desired temp.

 

[kawasakirider]

This is my GF's male:

Here's my female:

Both of them

Tonight in the terrarium
Mine

My GF's

Hmm ok, seems like your breeder got you off to a bad start, giving you incorrect information and sounds like they housed their animals horribly.. Snakes 'can' be fine together, some people having them together for years with no problems, but then others have the same scenario seem fine then next day only have one snake or worse lose both. I wouldn't say they like to be together, they are solitary animals and only come together for mating purposes.

Maybe she just wanted to get some more cash I like the fact that we have one each, but I'm worried about the canabalism. Is there anything I can do to minimise this risk? Thanks for your help.

The water bowl I would put under the heat lamp as this will help keep the humidity abit higher for them (and force you to change the water more often) , I would also put in 2 hides, 1 on the cool side and 1 over the heat mat on the warm side. Gives them choice to hide in a desired temp.

Thank you, I'll do this.

Is it OK to keep the heat lamp on all night? Or could it get too hot? If I don't get a reply before I go to sleep I'll just switch it off.

 

[Khagan]

Maybe she just wanted to get some more cash I like the fact that we have one each, but I'm worried about the canabalism. Is there anything I can do to minimise this risk? Thanks for your help.

As mentioned you can pick up a cheap plastic storage container for like $10. Put some ventilation holes in it, some branches and cardboard boxes for hides, coffee jar lid or something similar for water dish. Very cheap but very effective set up, just make sure the lid clips up very securely. This method is generally heated by a heat mat under 1/3 of the enclosure.

 

[kawasakirider]

I have something that should do the trick, we bought two ventilated containers from crazy clarks today to feed them in. Not extremely large though.

Thanks for everyones advice.

From the pics can you tell if the snakes are in good shape? Good/bad points in regards to their looks etc? Thanks again everyone, I'm very excited to get into snakes and I want to do the right thing.

 

[shellfisch]

I like the fact that we have one each, but I'm worried about the canabalism. Is there anything I can do to minimise this risk?

Yes.
Keep them in separate tubs. Seriously, the tub idea is excellent for hatchy's. Easy clean, no chance of losing them in an inadequate enclosure -

http://www.aussiepythons.com/forum/diy-zone-5392/guide-build-click-clack-dial-93266/

And, as hatchy's (up to 12 months or so) they really need 24 hour heat....

Separate them, get them on some heat, absolute minimal handling (except to clean) for at least a couple of weeks and you should find your female will start eating for you.

 

[Serpentess]

Hey Chantelle, thanks for that. How do you keep the snakes warm in a set up like that?

Cheers

Heat mat or heat cord on a thermostat underneath 1/4-1/3 of the tub.

With Jungles it's a good idea to have the water closer to the heat source to bring up their humidity. This is will mean you have less chance of shedding issues with them.

I also used marine carpet in my 45x45x45 for my spotted. Just have 2-3 pieces cut to size so that when they defecate, you just take out that piece, wipe down the glass, then put in a new piece. When you take out one piece give it a good clean and leave it to dry in the sun for a couple days. Very hygienic if you take them out when they need to be taken out.

 

[lace90]

dude, i seriously don't think you are getting the message.
use those containers you bought from crazy clarks to HOUSE them in seperately, NOT JUST FEED THEM IN. The problem with cannibalism could occur AT ANY TIME, not just when feeding. There is no way to reduce cannibalism other than keeping them separate at all times. As mentioned, hatchies respond to movement, and will strike things of similar size for food, even if it has been recently fed. I understand where you are coming from, that you want one each - but if you want to remain having one each you will have to separate them AT ALL TIMES. Maybe under supervision, ie. if you are holding yours and your girlfriend is holding hers, that you can have them around each other - but what if one tries to eat the other when you aren't there? They most likely both will die.
And as mentioned - to house them separately is affordable, and a step that you should take if you value the lives of your snakes.

 

[kawasakirider]

dude, i seriously don't think you are getting the message.
use those containers you bought from crazy clarks to HOUSE them in seperately, NOT JUST FEED THEM IN. The problem with cannibalism could occur AT ANY TIME, not just when feeding. There is no way to reduce cannibalism other than keeping them separate at all times. As mentioned, hatchies respond to movement, and will strike things of similar size for food, even if it has been recently fed. I understand where you are coming from, that you want one each - but if you want to remain having one each you will have to separate them AT ALL TIMES. Maybe under supervision, ie. if you are holding yours and your girlfriend is holding hers, that you can have them around each other - but what if one tries to eat the other when you aren't there? They most likely both will die.
And as mentioned - to house them separately is affordable, and a step that you should take if you value the lives of your snakes.

Dude, I seriously think you misread my post. I originally bought the two seperate enclosures for feeding, but when I was given the advice, I realised they would be perfect for housing them seperately.

I do value the lives of my snakes, I know I'm not experienced but I don't want to do anything to endanger them.

 

[saximus]

Mate just disregard the rude comments, we all live and learn. Like people have suggested, just modify the tubs to make proper click-clacks and you'll be sweet. Then you have a few months to save and get appropriately sized enclosures for them. What sort of heat lamp do you have? If you can rig it up safely to use it with the click-clacks you can save yourself from having to get a heat mat. If not I have an old one that you can borrow for a couple of months. I live and work in Ippy during the week

 

[kawasakirider]

Heat mat or heat cord on a thermostat underneath 1/4-1/3 of the tub.

With Jungles it's a good idea to have the water closer to the heat source to bring up their humidity. This is will mean you have less chance of shedding issues with them.

I also used marine carpet in my 45x45x45 for my spotted. Just have 2-3 pieces cut to size so that when they defecate, you just take out that piece, wipe down the glass, then put in a new piece. When you take out one piece give it a good clean and leave it to dry in the sun for a couple days. Very hygienic if you take them out when they need to be taken out.

I'll do all this when I get home, thank you I'm taking the faulty thermostat back.

Mate just disregard the rude comments, we all live and learn. Like people have suggested, just modify the tubs to make proper click-clacks and you'll be sweet. Then you have a few months to save and get appropriately sized enclosures for them. What sort of heat lamp do you have? If you can rig it up safely to use it with the click-clacks you can save yourself from having to get a heat mat. If not I have an old one that you can borrow for a couple of months. I live and work in Ippy during the week

Cheers mate, I am not worried by the comments too. I understand people are worried about the welfare of the snakes, I just want it known that I wouldn't intentionally put the snakes in a dangerous situation, some people seem to be missing that and they think I don't care, lol. I've been an animal owner all my life, just never was allowed a snake, but I've moved out for uni now so I can (had to leave my dogs at home ) . It's a big learning curve but it's already been really rewarding in the couple of short days I've had them.

I live and work in Ippy during the week

Oh true? I go to uni at Gatton.

Who looks after your snakes when you're gone? BTW, I already have a heat pad. It's a reptile one heat pad.

 

[lace90]

Ah sorry I didn't mean to be so rude! Just reread what I wrote :-( I just thought that this post had been going around in circles and misread what you last said. So sorry!

 

[saximus]

Oh true? I go to uni at Gatton.

Who looks after your snakes when you're gone? BTW, I already have a heat pad. It's a reptile one heat pad.

I go back down every weekend and do all the cleaning/feeding/water changing then. They don't need much more attention while I'm away but my mum and stepdad live with me so they keep an eye on them