| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Steph |
Posted - 08/02/2013 : 19:01:53
Chakra came home on Weds afternoon. I was told to pretty much leave him alone and not handle him until he feeds on Sunday. But also told to change his water and the paper under him each day. But that means I have to pick him up, put him in a holding container, change paper/water, then put him back in his home. The whole thing takes 2 mins tops. And that's all. But is that still more handling than I should be doing? I'm confused. Should I just reach in, change the water and then never pick him up? does his paper really need changing each day -- it seems dry and clean to me.
Thanks for any advice... below is a pic of his set up:
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| 6 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Steph |
Posted - 09/02/2013 : 11:29:01
quote:
Originally posted by smart bunny
I hope you don't maind me commenting, but ....
Hi -- and thanks! I never mind getting advice. It's always appreciated.
I have two of those little termometers that came with my set-up (being a complete nervous newby, I had the whole set up done by the breeder himself) -- one is inside the plastic shoe box and the other outside in the main vivarium. He did say that they would be less than accurate, but that he'd worked out a system with the set-up that got things right. He marked off exactly how much of the box to leave on the mat itself and set the thermostat..... but all that said, I still got nervous about just what the temp should be so I bought a temperature reading gun (not much more than a digital you suggest) so that I can point it exactly at specific spots in the viv/box and see exactly what the surface temp is over the entire gradient of Chakra's home:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003CIA6Y2/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00
Geeky to the extreme, I know. But I love gadgets about as much as I love my snake ;)
As for a 2nd hide on the cool end, yes, advice taken -- I've fit a 2nd one in there this morning. Thanks again. |
| smart bunny |
Posted - 09/02/2013 : 09:25:15
I hope you don't maind me commenting, but I think I can see a dial thermometer at the back of the pic - these are horrendously inaccurate and will often result in the temps being too hot. Please can I suggest you get yourself a digital one. I like the exo-terra ones like this http://www.petsathome.com/shop/digital-thermometer-by-exo-terra-28245 as they give a max/min temp as well as current, but they are a bit more pricey. You can also get basic digital ones with probes from eBay for a couple of quid :)
Also, assuming the hide you have in there is over a heat mat, can I suggest you put another one at the other end - it doesn't have to be expensive, a toilet roll tube will do, it just means Chakra can still hide and feel safe if he gets too hot hiding at the warm end :) |
| Steph |
Posted - 08/02/2013 : 20:10:44
You guys are a great help -- thanks very much! |
| herriotfan |
Posted - 08/02/2013 : 19:26:07
Personally I wouldn't bother changing the paper unless it's wet or dirty. However I would just brush my hand over it daily to help introduce your smell to him.
I'd also leave him until next Wednesday before feeding him. A few days over on a feed isn't a big deal for a snake but the stress of being handled too much until he's settled in a bit more could cause a regurge.
He looks very cute in his new home, bless him. 
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| Sta~ple |
Posted - 08/02/2013 : 19:10:58
You don't have to change the paper unless he poops on it :) and I never do daily water changes as some of my guys like the taste of water when its been left alone for a few days. A quick lift up if he does do a major poop or spill his water somehow isn't bad, its when you cuddle and spend ages with your hand in wondering how to pick them up incase they bite as they go into the S shape which is stressful for new snakes. |
| ScalySituation |
Posted - 08/02/2013 : 19:06:48
I see no reason to change his paper if is clean and dry |
