Help me please! :D - Page 2

Trollbie · 03-20-12, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GarterPython

The only thing I would worry about having a bigger tank would be keeping the humidity. Other than that I think you should be good with the 20 gallon.

I won't know for sure until I get a more legit hygro, but so far my problem is keeping the humidity down for Penelope. I had to buy a stronger heat lamp yesterday so I finally got it down to 60%, but before it was between 70 and 80% in there. And that's the same tank he'll go in. I'm getting Penelope a 20g long since it's more appropriate for her. But I've had her for a week and a half now, and my concern has been it being too high for her since milksnakes prefer moderate humidity.

I mean, I'll know for sure when I get a different hygro. I just got a cheap Petco one to get a rough estimate for now. But yeah... I just got it under 70% finally yesterday...

theapexgerman · 03-20-12, 09:09 PM

Drill more holse in the tub more holes make more airflow and useing an tank long as you keep the temp and humidity there won't be problem

DeesBalls · 03-20-12, 09:17 PM

as long as you check, and check... and check again.... then fix what needs to be fixed you will be fine!

Trollbie · 03-20-12, 09:30 PM

Alright, I'm going to take pictures of the hygro as soon as I get home lol. Am I seriously the only one who's issue is humidity being too high? Haha

But yeah I can't speak for him, but I'd like it better if I could just put him in the 20g right away. I'm pretty stoked on decorating it and making it look awesome and fun for him. Hopefully he'll appreciate my efforts lol.

But I do plan on handling him regularly. He wasn't at all nippy when I held him at the store. Neither were his 2 siblings. But I don't wanna stick him in a giant tank if it's going to make him hate me... or become nippy.

After he settles in, I plan on handling him pretty much every day for a bit because he's not going to be just a display snake. Please tell me if that's bad, or what a better idea would be, but I want him to be as tame as possible from the beginning, and I would probably die if I wasn't able to hold him.

So if BRBs aren't really "handling" snakes, tell me now before I bring him home! I hope this won't be an issue, because my I don't think I could handle hearing that in my current mental state... damn finals... But I was surprised he didn't show any sign of aggression or stress when I held him. I've been hearing that they are nippy as babies.

Trollbie · 03-20-12, 09:31 PM

Also, please excuse my typos and leaving words out. I had to finals today, no sleep, and more finals tomorrow and thursday, so i don't even know who I am right now...

theapexgerman · 03-20-12, 09:39 PM

Id say BRB are meant to be handle long as the snake eating and stuff than hold them as much as you want my dum out of his tub for hours and hours he likes my couch more than his tub I think lol

Trollbie · 03-20-12, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theapexgerman

Id say BRB are meant to be handle long as the snake eating and stuff than hold them as much as you want my dum out of his tub for hours and hours he likes my couch more than his tub I think lol

Couch potatosnake!

theapexgerman · 03-20-12, 09:43 PM

Yea lol if I'm laying on the couch he's on my chest and just hangs out he's by far my fav snake besides my nelson but dums are just so cool every one needs a dum

Trollbie · 03-20-12, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theapexgerman

Yea lol if I'm laying on the couch he's on my chest and just hangs out he's by far my fav snake besides my nelson but dums are just so cool every one needs a dum

I hope I raise my snakezillas well! Especially the baby since I'll have him from baby

krystle · 03-20-12, 09:53 PM

i keep mine in a 40 long with acrylic on the top to keep the humidity up and the heat in. mine is not a baby anymore so i think a tub or a 10 gallon would be ok as long as you cover the top with acrylic and get a thermostat on either heat tape or a bulb buts that just me tho. for hides i would use some plastic tupperware ( its cheap and holds humidity well) good luck your little one is really cute!

**millertime89** · 03-21-12, 01:11 AM

here's how I had my tank set up when Nero was in there.

his tub is the bottom one. I bought some small hides from reptile basics that Nero uses and then made the PVC climbing things myself for cheap. You can see the hides on either corner. I've got the t-state probe between the heat mat and the tub, same as I had it with the tank. I had a screen top for the tank that I just covered in aluminum foil and removed some material in some areas to allow airflow. That white plug is there to fill that hole, he escaped through it once. I drilled it too big.

Trollbie · 03-21-12, 01:55 AM

I was looking into those vines, did he use them? I wanna get it for sure. Those pipe thingys look awesome! I might get crafty over spring break

Thank you for the pics!!!

**millertime89** · 03-21-12, 09:23 AM

yup, he used the vines, not all that often though as they're a fairly terrestrial species. But I did catch him up there several times. In that first pic you can see him curled up on the tree actually.

Trollbie · 03-21-12, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millertime89

yup, he used the vines, not all that often though as they're a fairly terrestrial species. But I did catch him up there several times. In that first pic you can see him curled up on the tree actually.

Oh wow... totally didn't notice him.

I can't decide if I'm gonna want to try a tub...

Snakesitter · 03-21-12, 03:39 PM

Trollbie, first let me say “congrats” on the new member of the family!!!

A tub is fine to start, but you will eventually need to move to a full viv, something at least three feet by two feet. Babies can and will climb, so a little height is useful. Adults are primarily terrestrial, so it’s not as big a concern. Whatever you pick, make sure it can retain both heat and humidity. Note that it’s far better to have too few vents and holes to start than too many -- it's easy to add, hard to cover up!

If you are going to re-use your milksnake’s cage, be sure to thoroughly clean it beforehand. No sense taking chances, ever.

Fish tanks, by the way, do not make the best vivs for Brazilians. They tend to hold humidity well (provided you fix the top), but retain heat poorly and provide little “I’m hiding” feeling for these secretive snakes.

It is a common myth that baby snakes require small vivs (this is true even for ball pythons). What they need is a place in larger vivs to curl up and hide, something they can wedge up against on multiple sides. Think about it: if babies could not survive in large spaces…why are there wild snakes? ;-) (In other words, GarterPython is right on the mark!!!)

Wal-mart tubs are fine. :-)

For furnishings, you need two crucial items: a water bowl large enough for the baby to fully submerge in, and a hide that can be packed with moss to create a damp “humid” hide. Everything else -- decor, climbing sticks, etc. -- is secondary.

For substrate, there are many good options. As you have only two snakes, something like orchid bark or cypress mulch -- which hold humidity well and are not too expensive -- would work well. Avoid eco earth, which I’ve heard gets everywhere. It’s best to get your substrate from a garden supply store rather than a reptile store.

For heating, do not use heat lamps with Brazilians. One, these snakes do not like light. Two, they dry the air. As baby Brazilians need 90% plus humidity, bulbs create a problem. I prefer undercage heating, which can actually help with humidity: when you spray the substrate over the heat, it promotes evaporation. Regardless, use a good thermostat.

For hygros, I’d recommend a digital unit. The small plastic wheel ones, well, blow chunks. ;-)

For handling, Brazilians are fine with being held, provided you do it right. That means letting him settle in and get feeding before holding him too much; and when you do start holding him, listen to what he tells you. His behavior will clue you into his comfort level.

I hope this helps! Again, congrats!