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queserasera posted:One of my relatives rescued a ball python and is upgrading the previous owner's starter tank to something better for the snake. Stupid question: do snakes get bored in the same tank with the same layout? I can understand upgrading quality of tank, heat sources, hiding spots, bedding (or whatever that is at the bottom of a tank), food and water, etc. Do snakes need toys? Not really, they don't need much. They just need a warm side, a cool side, a lot bigger of a water dish than you would think, vaguely the right humidity, good substrate, and a hide. It's also nice to give the snake the option of hiding or being social on both sides if it's being kept in an area where it may get attention, but totally not necessary. Ball pythons especially tend to be really social though, they really benefit from being handled regularly. My python lets me know how pissed off she is if she doesn't get out of the tank at least once a day. Also it's a really good idea to pick up a tupperware to feed the snake in, it's a lot easier to clean, keeps your tank smell down, no substrate injuries, and it trains the snake to associate feeding with the container which helps it not mistake hands in the tank with food. Tashan Dorrsett fucked around with this message at 01:26 on May 3, 2015 |
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May 3, 2015 01:24
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Tashan Dorrsett posted:
This is completely wrong. There is no correlation between feeding in the cage and aggression/getting bit. It is less stressful for the snake to feed it in its cage. This is a really common myth, but it's still wrong. If you're worried about substrate consumption, which is really not an issue with snakes you can always put down a paper plate or something for it to eat off of.
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May 3, 2015 22:22
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I used to care about my snakes possibly eating a piece of substrate, but then they digests skin, flesh and bones like nothing. I'm pretty sure the can handle a little bit of wood or dirt.
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May 3, 2015 22:30
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Silver Nitrate posted:This is completely wrong. There is no correlation between feeding in the cage and aggression/getting bit. It is less stressful for the snake to feed it in its cage. This is a really common myth, but it's still wrong. If you're worried about substrate consumption, which is really not an issue with snakes you can always put down a paper plate or something for it to eat off of. It's okay to feed out of the cage though, right? I've been doing this with my ball python because the breeder did the same, and she hasn't missed a meal yet. She seems really chill about being handled even after eating (to put her back in her viv I mean, not handling for funsies) and she seems to understand that going into the small tub means dinnertime and just destroys the mouse within seconds of me offering it.
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May 4, 2015 02:31
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dog days are over posted:It's okay to feed out of the cage though, right? I've been doing this with my ball python because the breeder did the same, and she hasn't missed a meal yet. She seems really chill about being handled even after eating (to put her back in her viv I mean, not handling for funsies) and she seems to understand that going into the small tub means dinnertime and just destroys the mouse within seconds of me offering it. With a small snake it's not the end of the world, but there's really no reason to do it. With big snakes it's downright dangerous to move them in feeding mode. So long as your snake is eating well and not biting you at feeding time (both of these would be signs that the snake is stressed by being moved to feed) you don't have to stop, but you don't have to keep doing it either. 
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May 4, 2015 03:42
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queserasera posted:One of my relatives rescued a ball python and is upgrading the previous owner's starter tank to something better for the snake. Stupid question: do snakes get bored in the same tank with the same layout? I can understand upgrading quality of tank, heat sources, hiding spots, bedding (or whatever that is at the bottom of a tank), food and water, etc. Do snakes need toys? This is an interesting article: http://jkrballstreetjournal.com/2014/02/12/the-psychology-of-problem-feeders-get-your-ball-python-eating-again/ The article is about dealing with bp's when they won't eat for a while but has other good info. Whenever I clean (roughly once per month) I'll vary the decor to give the snake a bit of novelty. But as Tashan Dorrsett says, the most important thing is to have a warm hide, cool hide, good sized bowl with fresh water every day, and correct husbandry (temp and humidity). Snakes don't need toys or 'amusement' but it's good to take it out and handle it, let it stretch out and move around on the floor every few days. Just don't take your eyes off it, they can move pretty quick when they think you're not watching
Binary Logic fucked around with this message at 12:19 on May 4, 2015 |
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May 4, 2015 11:55
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I try to keep an interesting stick for climbing and rubbing on in every enclosure. Only about half of them ever climb on them and I'll move things around/add stuff for them. My Dumerils couldn't care less about sticks but my grey rat spends a lot of her awake time resting on top of them. I finally got a Blue Tongue Skink! His (?) name is Spot. He is from Indonesia and is not tame. However he did eat off of a spoon I was holding today, so he'll probably tame down quick. This is him, covered in food. 
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May 4, 2015 21:02
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He ate off of a spoon for me. This is a good sign, hopefully he will be a good candidate for training.
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May 5, 2015 21:28
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Silver Nitrate posted:I try to keep an interesting stick for climbing and rubbing on in every enclosure. Only about half of them ever climb on them and I'll move things around/add stuff for them. My Dumerils couldn't care less about sticks but my grey rat spends a lot of her awake time resting on top of them. That is the coolest looking guy.
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May 6, 2015 03:20
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I'm going to test the waters here before I start a thread war: What's the thread's general consensus on keeping wild-caught? (Domestic do-it-yourself kind, not the bulk-imported horrible pet trade kind)
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May 6, 2015 06:45
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I think the only reasonable answer is "it depends." -If the animal is an endangered or threatened species, or if it's illegal, than absolutely not -otherwise, if the animal's quality of life will be significantly degraded in captivity, then it should be kept only if re-release is likely to kill it -otherwise, if the keeper can be responsible, there is good information available on how to provide a healthy habitat (healthy both for physical wellbeing and for mental comfort), and the animal's keeping can be safe for the humans around it, then it's probably OK. It's easy to type out a list like that, but beyond the first point, it's a whole bunch of judgement calls and guestimates in most cases.
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May 6, 2015 06:52
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If it's not a species you can get easily captive bred, there's probably good reason for it. Depending on what that good reason is depends on what my opinion is.
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May 6, 2015 07:02
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As long as it isn't endangered or illegal and it is well taken care of,, I see nothing wrong with it at all.
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May 6, 2015 07:02
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If it's not rare and illegal, and you're capable of caring for it, then I see no problem with it.
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May 6, 2015 07:59
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Agreeing with Big Centipede. I've kept WC poo poo before, though nothing illegal. The problem is that most people who go outside and catch a thing have no idea how to take care of it, and it ends up slowly dying in their care when it would have been better left alone.
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May 6, 2015 16:30
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Adding my two cents. So long as it's legal, you can take care of it, it's fairly common or you intend on breeding it, and it is generally a species that does well in captivity then it's cool. Some animals though, like flying paradise snakes just don't do well in captivity and I don't think they should be kept. I keep some wc animals and anyone considering it has to be ready to deal with health problems and feeding issues that may arise. I don't recommend it generally because of health issues ($$$) that sometimes happen, but it doesn't bother me and I do it.
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May 6, 2015 17:38
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WC is fine, thought I despise selling WC for profit. A few animals removed from an area doesn't really hurt much, taking twenty or a hundred does. Depends on what you're talking about, though. If it's a slow breeding animal on the decline (lots of turtles and others) or they're not doing well but might not technically be protected, then it's still immoral. CB is best, though - fewer disease related issues, nothing is being removed from the wild, no one is being paid to take an animal out of captivity, and you're giving money to people that are going to the effort to provide captive bred animals.
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May 6, 2015 19:53
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Things are heating up over here, I have seen breeding behavior from my Texas Bulls and my Taiwan Beauties. YAY
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May 8, 2015 01:06
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Silver Nitrate posted:Things are heating up over here, I have seen breeding behavior from my Texas Bulls and my Taiwan Beauties. I'm a total rookie. I realise this might be beginner level stuff, but would you mind sharing what you plan to do with the eggs? I'd be very interested to learn about how (if?) you incubate. What kind of setup is required for something like that?
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May 8, 2015 21:35
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B33rChiller posted:I'm a total rookie. I realise this might be beginner level stuff, but would you mind sharing what you plan to do with the eggs? I'd be very interested to learn about how (if?) you incubate. What kind of setup is required for something like that? The Taiwan Beauties are cool temperature snakes, so their eggs I'm just going to put in a tupperware with some HatchRite and set it on top of the fridge, the bulls I will make a little incubator out of a styro cooler, a heat mat, and a thermostat.
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May 9, 2015 16:43
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Alright, well sounds like I'm not going to get chewed out or set anyone off on a rant, so here's my new wild-caught collared lizard. I've kept collared lizards for years but for some reason they've become a lot less common in the trade in the last few years, and the only ones I have seen for sale tend to not be very colorful. I'd like to start breeding them, but I wanted to get some nice-looking stock first. I agree with what most of you said about avoiding wild-caught if captive-bred is available, but for this one I broke my own rule. My biggest concern with bringing this guy into my house is parasites. Right now I've got him in his own 10-gallon tank, and I've done hopefully a good job of killing any mites through an oil rubdown (which I read online after the fact isn't a preferred method anymore- oops) and a diluted Betadine bath I read about here. I plan to repeat the process in a two weeks or so in case there were any eggs on him either of the previous treatments missed, and I put a line of double-sided tape around the top of the tank to hopefully catch any in the meantime. Then in a few weeks once he's settled in a bit I'll take him to a vet to get something for the internal parasites I assume he has, but any external ones are my immediate concern since I want to make sure they don't move over to my other reptiles. Do any of you who have dealt with introducing wild-caught animals into your collections have any further advice?
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May 10, 2015 06:04
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What a lovely animal! Seriously beautiful!!!! I use provent-a-mite in the cages of all new arrivals. It's pretty gnarly stuff so you have to follow the directions 100% but I haven't had any issues. TBH, it sounds like you have the mite/tick thing under control. Then I would get a fecal done ASAP, my vet just lets me bring in the poo without the animal to keep stress to a minimum. About half of the time the WC ones do need to be de-wormed, but I keep mostly snakes.
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May 10, 2015 17:12
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Just recieved my first snake bite and I've no idea why. I just opened his tub because he was about to push some kitchen roll into his water bowl so I was trying to stop it from happening when he chomped my hand. He was fed on Monday and he was quite happy being handled a couple of hours ago.
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May 13, 2015 18:01
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I'm getting my first reptile either this week or next - a lil crestie boy.  I got the setup yesterday, so making sure everything is hunky-dory then possibly picking him up on Saturday or Sunday.
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May 14, 2015 08:36
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Congrats, Fraction. Cresties are fun. My daughter's is adorable, but doesn't like me much. I mist her and feed her anyway. I love when they jump, it is hilarious. I thought my carpet female wasn't gravid, but she surprised me with ten fertile eggs and one slug last night. I put them in the incubator and am hoping for some babies in July!  Corinna on Eggs by HungryMedusa, on FlickrThis is Dad, he wants to eat me:  Ivan does NOT Approve 3 by HungryMedusa, on FlickrAnd my GTP keeps looking prettier.  Tikka May 2015 2 by Hungrymedusa, on Flickr
HungryMedusa fucked around with this message at 19:44 on May 14, 2015 |
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May 14, 2015 19:42
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I made a friend. Sorta. Holy poo poo corns are active noodles. This fella calmed down after slithering through my shirt and hair, apparently this is comfortable. And another. This ballie decided to wrap up like this and seemed to be happy.  Not pictured: smaller corn who just would not stop trying to escape holy hell snake space between wall and bookshelf is not a good place for you. Noodles are Edit: 
beyonder fucked around with this message at 20:40 on May 18, 2015 |
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May 18, 2015 16:13
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HungryMedusa posted:Congrats, Fraction. Cresties are fun. My daughter's is adorable, but doesn't like me much. I mist her and feed her anyway. I love when they jump, it is hilarious. That snake is amazing.  She (apparently) arrived yesterday, and is goddamn adorable. I've named her Electra.  Electra by straygiraffe, on Flickr
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May 18, 2015 16:21
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Good photos on this page. Mhmm.
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May 18, 2015 19:49
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I've been thinking of getting a frog of sometime, I've been reading up on them all but what is some hot goon tips and tricks for them? Specifically something like a pacman frog.
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May 18, 2015 23:25
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Notapipe posted:I've been thinking of getting a frog of sometime, I've been reading up on them all but what is some hot goon tips and tricks for them? Specifically something like a pacman frog.    You just know that such a frog is the right frog for you.  (It was covered in so much dust that it floated ON TOP of the water when I tried to wash it off.) (I put it back outside, now's not a good time for me to be keeping another gray tree frog.) (Third time this has happened, I have no idea how they're getting in.)
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May 19, 2015 11:42
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Woot I can ship greenies and retics in a few days. (Not that I really need to) THANK YOU USARK I volunteered to shuttle peoples snakes across the state lines to get them to the vet if anyone needs it though, since I'm close to a state border and a reptile specialist.
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May 20, 2015 23:20
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I'm all kinds of in love with this pretty gecko  Electra by straygiraffe, on Flickr
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May 21, 2015 09:34
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So this thread is the first I've seen that compact UVB lamps are dangerous. I've been using them for my green water dragon (say hi to the avatar) for several years with no apparent issues. The OP says it's because of UVC light. The spectrum on the packaging shows nothing on the UVC band, the lowest wavelength it claims to emit is well above 290 nm, comfortably in the middle of the UVB band. Should I still be worried?
Elukka fucked around with this message at 14:10 on May 24, 2015 |
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May 24, 2015 14:06
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I-I'm just gonna leave this here. (Not mine) http://imgur.com/gallery/FabNckr and http://imgur.com/a/uLSog
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May 25, 2015 11:29
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whoever suggested the Pet Smart flightless fruit fly colonies to me earlier couldn't have been more right. i bought my first colony right after i caught the frog i was feeding them to, and it's still producing flies. pretty sure that was before i reg'd this account. had no idea they could even last this long. the frog's all grown up now and graduated to crickets, but they still make for a nice snack i'm sure. a++ would recommend
Tashan Dorrsett fucked around with this message at 04:32 on May 26, 2015 |
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May 26, 2015 04:29
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My friend talked me into getting leopard geckos and holy gently caress are these things cute. I'm thinking about setting up a small dubia colony, can someone point me to a how-to? Edit: Also I'm getting a 15'x40' snake room in three months and I'm gonna die of happiness Silver Nitrate fucked around with this message at 04:32 on May 27, 2015 |
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May 27, 2015 04:29
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Silver Nitrate posted:My friend talked me into getting leopard geckos and holy gently caress are these things cute. I'm thinking about setting up a small dubia colony, can someone point me to a how-to? Dubias are super easy. A large bin, heat tape (not 100% necessary), egg crates, and food. That's it. Keep them warm and feed them. I don't use water crystals or anything. Just give them dry dog food, fruits, and vegetables.
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May 27, 2015 04:40
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How many do I need to start a colony? Like 30?
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May 27, 2015 04:51
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Silver Nitrate posted:How many do I need to start a colony? Like 30? 30 adults would be a good start. It'll take some time for the colony to explode though. The more adults you start with the faster you can start feeding off.
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May 27, 2015 05:01
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Anyone keep worm snakes in captivity, or something like that? I work at a place that does outreach programs with animals and we definitely need a snake, but I want something that will never bite the kids and would need mice (just due to freezer issues and so on, though I might pitch a hognose if need be.) Any recommendations or anything to add that we might try?
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May 27, 2015 19:52
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