| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Ruthy |
Posted - 17/08/2013 : 09:53:22
Hi all,
I've got a 4ftx2ft viv, I understand that if a viv is too big then the snake can stress, so am going to have multiple hides in it to stop this. I've also got a thermostat and have ordered a 1ftx1ft heat mat.
I'm wondering what the best substrate is that doesn't have a fire risk as live in a shared flat. Also, is a general reptile bowl enough to provide water for the snake?
I was going to use a mixture of cereal boxes/kitchen roll tubes and purchased hides.
Will probably have more questions soon, or feel free to suggest anything that would improve my viv so the snake can be happy and healthy.
Thank you :) |
| 20 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Ruthy |
Posted - 21/08/2013 : 17:14:25
Oh, and have decided he will be called Rumplesnakeskin (Rummy for short) :) |
| Ruthy |
Posted - 21/08/2013 : 16:52:48
Yeah, I can keep him in his little tub within the viv and have half of that on the heat mat. Then upgrade him to a slightly bigger tub and then when I he's just over a foot long let him have the whole viv. |
| Lee |
Posted - 21/08/2013 : 16:39:05
You can put him inside the viv in his tub if you don't want to let him roam at first. |
| Ruthy |
Posted - 21/08/2013 : 16:03:46
Turns out I did order a 23x11" heat mat. Fabulous :) |
| Ruthy |
Posted - 20/08/2013 : 22:31:52
Thanks for your reply, I'll look into all of that :) |
| Sta~ple |
Posted - 20/08/2013 : 19:14:12
Sorry in advance if I have misread or not read anything :p You need a heat mat bigger than that if your planning on keeping the viv, it should cover half to a 3rd in floor space really so at the very least your going to want something like a 23x11" sized one. Also, even with the sheer number of hides you could possibly put in the viv to make a hatchie feel secure, please consider using a RUB or faun first. They can escape from the tinyest holes. If not that, You will be struggling to find him in such a big viv and giving yourself mini heart attacks. Most adults are lucky if they have a 4ft x 1ft kinda sized viv so to put a hatchie in one bigger just seems like your asking for trouble and I would really advise against it. The reason they don't get stressed in the wild is because it's their natural environment, their are hundreds of hiding places and there aren't humans peeking at them all the time. |
| Ruthy |
Posted - 20/08/2013 : 09:40:54
Thank you :) .
I didn't realise that popping could cause damage, but I guess it is fairly obvious. I'll ask them if they can when I pick it up and check that they'll be liable first. Feel it'd be better if I'm actually present.
I'm not sure if I should keep the hatchling in its little tub for a while and then allow it the viv (it's going to be more hides than viv) or just let it out straight away. The problem with keeping it in its tub would be where to put the tub so it'd be comfortable sat there.
Ah, question. What temperature should I set my heat mat at? |
| Welshlamb |
Posted - 20/08/2013 : 08:45:08
quote:
Originally posted by Ruthy
I'll ask them to pop snakey closer to the time as it really is just tiny at the moment! Found Rumplesnakeskin online and think that is a wonderfully amusing name!
Hi Ruthy,
Congrats on selecting your hatch-ling. If your not considering breeding, then it's probably not worth getting the little fella popped. As this could cause internal damage, which would be unfortunate just to determine the sex.
They may have already determined the sex at an earlier period, would be best to ask the breeder/shop.
If you really want to get him popped, make sure its someone who knows what they are doing. Also I always make sure they are willing to take responsibility for any damage they cause before they pop / probe this way I know they really know what they are doing, as many wont commit.
Best of luck setting the vivarium, you'll find plenty of advice here that will save you and your little amel some money  |
| Ruthy |
Posted - 20/08/2013 : 00:24:34
I'll ask them to pop snakey closer to the time as it really is just tiny at the moment! Found Rumplesnakeskin online and think that is a wonderfully amusing name! |
| hayleylsl |
Posted - 19/08/2013 : 21:52:22
Names, my favourite topic :-) I've always had slightly unusual names for my pets- I've had Basil and Eric the fish, then Dolly and Archie the Budgies, Fred and Barney the rats (Fred has 11 babies...) then Zeus the cat (rip) then Grizabella and Jennyanydots the cats and of course, now Boris the Amel cornsnake. As soon as I saw Boris I knew he was a Boris (someone said to me was it after the Mayor of London as he was very slimy and slippery but I like BoJo and of course snakes aren't slimy!)
Has snakey been popped or probed yet?
:-) |
| Ruthy |
Posted - 19/08/2013 : 18:29:40
Hey, I've put a deposit down on an Amel hatchling. So super cute. Chose one with really pretty markings and it is the most active one of the bunch in there.
Picking up in September so I've got time to get the viv all sorted and full of hides for it.
Now the biggest thing is thinking up a name for it! But we'll wait until we've spent more time with it :) |
| Coal |
Posted - 19/08/2013 : 08:49:12
Hiya! You've probably heard all you need to know about setup now, so I'm just saying hello and welcome :)
Also, while it's true that hatchlings are generally a better starting point, don't be put-off getting a yearling or adult if you find one you really like and get on well with - I got my corn as a yearling about two months ago from Pets at Home and he is such a gentle, calm and inquisitive boy; I've never had any feeding, behaviour or health issues with him :) |
| Ruthy |
Posted - 17/08/2013 : 22:37:30
Thank you Hayley :) , that was nice to hear. |
| hayleylsl |
Posted - 17/08/2013 : 22:27:48
Hi Ruthy :-)
I'm quite new to keeping snakes too- I've had mine for just over 6 months now and I got him when he was just under 6 months old too making him nearly 1- I've just upgraded him from a faunarium to a 4ft viv which is quite a large step but he has been fine in it as he has lots of hides and lots of cover for him. He was fed on thursday and ate as usual- striking his mouse and then constricting it. I handle Boris quite often (not for at least a day after he has been fed- some people say leave them for 48 hours after being fed but I think it depends on your snake and you get to know their usual routines so to speak!) and he is the same placid snake he always has been.
Boris is on a thermostatted heat mat which takes up 1/3 of the tank and I use beech chips and aspen as a substrate (Boris loves burrowing into the aspen- first time he did it I thought he has escaped but then I saw his head poking up!) I left the new viv setup for a day to reach the right temps.
Best of luck with your new addition when you get him or her! People here are so helpful and knowledgeable :-) |
| Ruthy |
Posted - 17/08/2013 : 21:03:09
Hi!
I did have an eye set on a snake at the SSPCA, but unfortunately she's been reserved :( . I haven't seen any others on there that would really suit me and most are fully grown, but will still keep an eye on their website. So if nothing's there by September then I'll go to the reptile shop.
Always choose to get information from forums first as feel it's unbiased as you guys won't be selling me anything :) |
| mjpeters |
Posted - 17/08/2013 : 20:46:44
WELCOME Ruthy !!
There is a lot to be said for having a Hatchling;
1/as already said-getting to know your own snake
2/Enjoying all the stages they go through
3/Now there are Loads about to choose from 
Older Snakes may have their own foibles or even behavioral issues-worse still health issues.That being said there are so many experienced folks on here that will happily share their knowledge,that you need only ask,ask,and ask again 
Good luck in your snake search-had you thought of a rehomer/rescue snakey? Many of mine came that way ,it is rewarding giving a good home to an otherwise lost little snakey 
once again a very Heart felt Welcome along |
| Ruthy |
Posted - 17/08/2013 : 20:27:50
Thank you for your help :) . I'll no doubt think of more questions soon. |
| Welshlamb |
Posted - 17/08/2013 : 20:07:36
quote:
Originally posted by Ruthy
Ahh I thought they were a bit bigger than needing a milk bottle top! Cool :) . Won't be difficult to get one of those (and clean it).
Good luck and keep us updated. Feel free to ask any more questions and ill do the best to give you an answer |
| Ruthy |
Posted - 17/08/2013 : 19:55:40
Ahh I thought they were a bit bigger than needing a milk bottle top! Cool :) . Won't be difficult to get one of those (and clean it). |
| Welshlamb |
Posted - 17/08/2013 : 19:51:53
For a young hatchling many people use a milk bottle top turned upside down or a emptied tea light candle case. It's dependant on the age of the snake. As you got to be very careful they don't drown. But I've never heard of this happening. It may also increase humidity if it evaporates (which may cause respitory infections), so only use the amount of water required. Hatchlings only take small gulps of water. |
