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2 Questions

D

daddylurve

New member
1: where do you put your snake when you're cleaning the tank?

2: How do you defrost your food?

Never done either of these things, so any advice greatfully appreciated.
 
2 answers

Well when I clean the tank I generally let my snake roam my bedspread (the tank is next to my bed) and i keep an eye on him... others probably place their snake into a smaller tub or container...

And as for defrosting food... I put the frozen pinkie into a ziplock bag and then place it into a container of really hot tap water and let it sit for about 15 mins... then i check it to make sure its defrosted, if its not then i will put it back into the container with fresh hot water... then its feeding time!

Hope that helps! :)
 
daddylurve said:
1: where do you put your snake when you're cleaning the tank?

2: How do you defrost your food?

Never done either of these things, so any advice greatfully appreciated.
Click to expand...

#1
Well, I have my daughter hold the snake while I clean, but I do need to get a Tupperware container with a vented lid to do the job.

#2
I place my f/t food in a zip-lock baggie then fill a cup with hot water and place it in that until the pinky or whatever is warm and soft. But many here don't use a baggie. Also some owners just leave it out in the room to defrost. But I would suggest not to microwave it.

Good Luck :cheers:
 
Thanks!

Thanks both, I was actually going to use a microwave, but I know better now. I think a ziplock and a dedicated pan (to keep the wife happy) are the way for me.

If I was to put him on the bedspread, would he not run off? Just how safe are they to let roam? I was going to go for a tub, but wasn't sure.
 
I throw the mouse into a plastic cup, and fill it with the hottest water out of the tap. I change the water out twice, after five minute intervals.

I clean their enclosures while they are eating in their feeding tubs. I'm usually feeding five or six at a time, so the bedspread method would be tough to pull off. :grin01:
 
daddylurve said:
.If I was to put him on the bedspread, would he not run off? Just how safe are they to let roam? I was going to go for a tub, but wasn't sure.
Click to expand...
Get the tub. Too easy to get distracted and lose him. With some of my snakes, I just hold them in one hand while I'm cleaning. :wavey:
 
It is best to feed out of the vivarium in a tub as an impaction could occur if any of the substrate is accidently swallowed as well as the food.
 
i ALWAYS PUT THEM IN A DIFFERENT TUB WHEN CLEANING. AS FOR FEEDING, i TAKE THE MICE OUT IN THE MORNING PUT THEM IN A ZIPLOC IN THE FRIDGE AND AT NIGHT WHEN ITS FEEDING TIME i THROW THE ZIPLOC IN THE SINK AND TURN ON THE HOT WATER FOR ABOUT 5 MINS.
 
I use a Tupperware tub with a piece of paper towel to store my snake while I do a complete clean out of his tank.

My tank is 36" x 18". I've been looking for the best way to remove the old Repti-Bark. My back isn't what it used to be so I don't like carrying it outside and dumping it into a trash can lined with a garbage bag. I've been thinking about using my wife's vacuum cleaner or buying a shop vac. However, I'm concerned about inhaling the dust. Perhaps I'll just get my wife to help me carry the tank outside.

As far as defrosting feeders, two hours at room temperature seems to be enough for large mice. If I'm in a rush, I've found that using the microwave's defrost mode for twenty seconds or so, then letting it sit for half an hour works well. Just make sure you wrap it in lot's of paper towels and don't let the ol' lady know. Be sure their insides are not still frozen by feeling it's belly.

My Okeetee is not a picky eater so if it's at room temp or warm, dead or alive, it doesn't matter to him.

Some say don't ever feed live ones, but if it's feeding time when I come home from the pet store with half a dozen, I'll give him a live one before putting the rest into the freezer.

Eric
 
Howdy!
Critter keepers are cheap and secure for feeding. I put a corn in, on a papertowel, then put in a mouse pinkie thawed out by hot tap water and close the lid. While he's eating I change the cage and water. It works great! BTW, don't give him a really hot mouse, it may burn his mouth. I do that on pizza sometimes. :cheers:
 
eric,

something i used to do when i had multiple mouse enclosures... use a dustpan to scoop the substrate out and into a garbage bag. that way you don't have to pick up and carry the enclosure. ;)

aleesha
 
recycling goddess said:
use a dustpan to scoop the substrate out and into a garbage bag.
Click to expand...

I did that last time and got 90% out. The fine stuff left behind was the problem. It's that fine stuff that I'm concerned about if I use a vacuum to finish off the job.

I just finished cleaning out the bird cage. I have a Blue-front Amazon Parrot too. (kept in another room)


Again, breathing in the dust may present a health risk. The snakes tank though is more problematic if I use a vacuum without a fine (HEPA?) filter.

BTW, I added my web site to my personal info. I'm not much of a Web Guru but check it out anyway. http://home.bellsouth.net/p/PWP-daytona

Regards,

Eric
 
I use a ten gallon aquarium for feeding, and while their in there, it's a perfect time to clean their viv's. You gan get a ten gallon tank, with lid for less than 20 bucks, and it's very handy. Plus, with all those feedings going on in there, the snakes always know that the food is near when they're in there.
 
You guys must be wealthy. :grin01:

How about a 15qt. Sterilite tub for feeding, and you can use it until they're small adults? Costs three or four bucks. Easier to lug around than a fish tank too.
 
2 questions

1: I tend to either put mine in a tuperware with air holes (that'll change when he gets too big I imagine...unless I can find a 'really' big tuperware...) or my fiance will hold him.

2: I leave the food on a piece of kitchen roll in a container for a few hours until it's defrosted. I've heard mixed views about warming them up in hot water - there may still be ice crystals in the centre that you don't know about. I'm sure it's ok, but I tend to stay on the side of caution!
 
Quidam said:
1: I tend to either put mine in a tuperware with air holes (that'll change when he gets too big I imagine...unless I can find a 'really' big tuperware...) or my fiance will hold him.

2: I leave the food on a piece of kitchen roll in a container for a few hours until it's defrosted. I've heard mixed views about warming them up in hot water - there may still be ice crystals in the centre that you don't know about. I'm sure it's ok, but I tend to stay on the side of caution!
Click to expand...

Where's the questions???

Along as their safe to feed your snake, OK! :wavey:
 
1) i use sterilite tubs to feed them in or to keep them while i clean the tank. drilled the vent holes myself and they have tightly fitting lids. i dont have to worry about Blaze pushing the lid off and escaping. a kritter keeper wont hold Blaze. i learned that one quick. i have a kritter keeper i use to put the turtles in when they get their viv cleaned. one day i put Blaze in there, and i caught him right as he had his head poked out of one of the keeper's corners. he had pushed the lid up and was trying to get out. thats when i went to the store and picked up sterilite tubs.

2) i put the pinkies in a ziploc and run warm water on them. if i'm in a hurry, i nuke a cup of water to nearly boiling, and then take the cup out of the microwave and put the bag in the cup. that usually thaws them out real quick.
 
Roy Munson said:
You guys must be wealthy. :grin01:

How about a 15qt. Sterilite tub for feeding, and you can use it until they're small adults? Costs three or four bucks. Easier to lug around than a fish tank too.
Click to expand...

i've got a spare 10 gal laying around...i've used it occasionally to put one in while i clean their viv. but even i've got sterilite tubs now. as you said, much easier to lug around and it'll be big enough for them when they get older. they also make good carriers for short trips to the vet. imagine lugging a 10 gal tank to the vet...no way!
 
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