New addition to the growing collection.

[GarterGirl]

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

All snakes should have multiple hides. As mentioned, no snake should have to choose between security and temperatures.

So far you've already experienced this with his paper tube hide. As you can tell, the smaller the better for them!

I would like to know what stories you've heard about with them being notorious for bad sheds.

I usually give my snakes a hide in the cool end and then a not as enclosed area in the warmer side, just heard that bps need two actual enclosed hides and wanted to confirm.

Well, as far as the shedding issue, I've heard that their shedding is more drastically effected by humidity, temperature, and stress levels than most other snakes. Everything has to be just so. He did a rehab on a pair that had really awful retained shed (as well as mites and malnutrition and cypress bedding, which I took care of), and in order to get them back to health, it took a lot of babying on humidity and temps. I know he knows what he's doing, but he has a hard time explaining it to me, so I would like to catch up so that I can be of assistance.

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by GarterGirl

I usually give my snakes a hide in the cool end and then a not as enclosed area in the warmer side, just heard that bps need two actual enclosed hides and wanted to confirm.

Well, as far as the shedding issue, I've heard that their shedding is more drastically effected by humidity, temperature, and stress levels than most other snakes. Everything has to be just so. He did a rehab on a pair that had really awful retained shed (as well as mites and malnutrition and cypress bedding, which I took care of), and in order to get them back to health, it took a lot of babying on humidity and temps. I know he knows what he's doing, but he has a hard time explaining it to me, so I would like to catch up so that I can be of assistance.

Their shed cycles aren't like that. I've never heard of them being more finicky than other species. Considering the fact that they are usually suggested for beginners. As well as a really hardy species that can still live through keeper mistakes. Disregard the information you heard about bad sheds. Just keep the humidity up and increase it when it goes into a cycle. I don't know what you use now for substrate but a cypress mulch bedding would be sufficient.

[GarterGirl]

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

Their shed cycles aren't like that. I've never heard of them being more finicky than other species. Considering the fact that they are usually suggested for beginners. As well as a really hardy species that can still live through keeper mistakes. Disregard the information you heard about bad sheds. Just keep the humidity up and increase it when it goes into a cycle. I don't know what you use now for substrate but a cypress mulch bedding would be sufficient.

Hm. Maybe I hear it because I'm in Arizona, where it's nearly impossible to keep their humidity up? Don't know. It's not just what I've heard though, I've seen a lot of them that shed in flakes and have obvious spots that are retaining sheds.

The bedding wasn't an issue- the issue was the mites in the bedding.
We use a few different things for bedding, but generally a blend of mulch/bark, coconut fiber and moss. We like natural looking vivs, though I think we'll avoid the live plants for Maphi.

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by GarterGirl

Hm. Maybe I hear it because I'm in Arizona, where it's nearly impossible to keep their humidity up? Don't know. It's not just what I've heard though, I've seen a lot of them that shed in flakes and have obvious spots that are retaining sheds.

Don't have a fail set up and you'll be fine. I don't remember what you have it in but if it has a screen top you'll be in trouble, regardless of where you live.

The bedding wasn't an issue- the issue was the mites in the bedding.
We use a few different things for bedding, but generally a blend of mulch/bark, coconut fiber and moss. We like natural looking vivs, though I think we'll avoid the live plants for Maphi.

Bedding doesn't have harmful mites contained in it. They may contain wood mites but not snake mites.

[GarterGirl]

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

Don't have a fail set up and you'll be fine. I don't remember what you have it in but if it has a screen top you'll be in trouble, regardless of where you live.

Bedding doesn't have harmful mites contained in it. They may contain wood mites but not snake mites.

His current set does have a screen lid, though we've covered about 3/4 of it to help keep it in. It's temporary while we work on a larger enclosure. Taking some advice from here and a few other sites, we've managed to keep the humidity at around 50%.

[Lankyrob]

Originally Posted by GarterGirl

His current set does have a screen lid, though we've covered about 3/4 of it to help keep it in. It's temporary while we work on a larger enclosure. Taking some advice from here and a few other sites, we've managed to keep the humidity at around 50%.

50% is too low, especially at shed times, you need to up it to nearer 60%

[GarterGirl]

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

50% is too low, especially at shed times, you need to up it to nearer 60%

He does have a shed box for shedding now. I'll work on getting the humidity a bit higher in the full tank.