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A few questions...

S

spindelberrygirl

New member
Alright, well I've got a few questions. First off, one of my little guys just recently escaped, and was gone for a week before I found him. I realize that, compared to snakes who are missing for months, this isn't a large amount of time. However, I wa wondering if there were any special precautions I should take. I've already filled his water dish up with fresh water, and am going to feed him tomorrow. But is there any other precautions I should take?

I was also wondering approx. how big a viv should be in comparison to the snake. I know that if it is too big it may cause stress for the snake, but how do I figure out what size I should use? I'm just curious because while my one snake is inside of a 10 gal tank, I've got another snake in with him, but so that they are unable to make any contact whatsoever. I've got her in a small rubbermaid container since she is much smaller then him, due to refusal to eat as a hatchling. However, I think that she is ready to move up to a slightly smaller enclosure, but don't want to move her into a tank which is too big.

I'm looking forward to getting answers, and would like to thank you in advance for any answer you may give.

Oh, and would it be harmful to my snakes if I were to use baby wipes to clean up their tank? Not for the monthly cleaning, but just for after they defecate?
 
Can the snakes see each other? I'm wondering if being so close to each other is causing any stress...
 
Yes, for the most part they can see each other, but the breeder I got them from had about 15 different rubbermaids with snakes of different breeds and sizes all stacked together, so it's not something they're unused to.
 
Haven't had an escape (yet) and I haven't heard about any precautions other than making sure you re-check the tank for escape points and seal them off. Maybe at most they would need some "down time" after all that excitement? Check them over for injuries... Probably not much you'd really have to do, but some more experienced folk might have something to say ;)

I've heard that, as a general rule, the length of the tank should be at least half the length of the snake. I think hatchlings and juvenile snakes in particular are stressed by too much space. I agree about the snakes being able to see each other-- if they can, I would think that would be enough to cause some stress.

My first instinct on the baby wipes-- I wouldn't use them. Most products like that have fragrances/perfumes that could be harmful or cause irritation to a small animal.
 
Hi um yeah baby wipes should not be use can be very harmfulto your snake and I agree if the snakes can see each other can and will cause stress. So maybe getting one of them into a cage put it in another room that way they can see one another. ;)
 
Them seeing each other isn't a big deal. I have tubs right next to each other and tanks right next to each other with all different species in them and the snakes don't seem to care at all. But I would move them up to a different size as soon as their body stretches across the length and width of the cage. Adult corns only need a 20 gallon tank though, and you can put them each in a different 20 gallon tank right away. I know that many people have problems with snakes becoming stressed in large tanks, but I kept hatchlings in a 20 gallon before without issue. Right now I have all my hatchlings in 6 quart tubs, and they move up to a 12 quart depending on their size. Once they hit a year and a half I put them in their adult size enclosures of 41 quart tubs or 2 foot by 2 foot cages.
 
One of my hatchlings is in a 20L, and he is doing fine. The bigger tanks when they are younger are scary if you don't put enough stuff in them for them to hide in. I have lots of hides, and some fake vines from the store littering the tank, so they feel more secure.
 
spindelberrygirl said:
Alright, well I've got a few questions. First off, one of my little guys just recently escaped, and was gone for a week before I found him. I realize that, compared to snakes who are missing for months, this isn't a large amount of time. However, I wa wondering if there were any special precautions I should take. I've already filled his water dish up with fresh water, and am going to feed him tomorrow. But is there any other precautions I should take?

I was also wondering approx. how big a viv should be in comparison to the snake. I know that if it is too big it may cause stress for the snake, but how do I figure out what size I should use? I'm just curious because while my one snake is inside of a 10 gal tank, I've got another snake in with him, but so that they are unable to make any contact whatsoever. I've got her in a small rubbermaid container since she is much smaller then him, due to refusal to eat as a hatchling. However, I think that she is ready to move up to a slightly smaller enclosure, but don't want to move her into a tank which is too big.

I'm looking forward to getting answers, and would like to thank you in advance for any answer you may give.

Oh, and would it be harmful to my snakes if I were to use baby wipes to clean up their tank? Not for the monthly cleaning, but just for after they defecate?
Click to expand...

Personally, I would get the smaller snake it's own enclosure ASAP. That'd be number 1 on my list of priorities.

I'd say that it's probably best to avoid the baby wipes. For after they defecate, you can just do minor "spot cleaning" by grabbing the clump of aspen (or whatever bedding you're using) containing the poo and removing that from the tank. There are also several other reptile safe sanitation products on the market. You just have to do a bit of searching for them. (Healthy Habitat is the manufacturer for most of the cleaning products that I use.)
 
Each of my hatchlings are in their own 20 gallon tank, and they seem to do fine - eating/pooping/shedding/etc. I think the key thing is to make sure they have lots of places to hide so they feel secure. When I got my first snake, I had her in a 20 gallon with the recommended two hides and a piece of driftwood and she'd never come out of her hides, except a bit at night. After a while I added lots of fake foliage from the dollar store and now I can see her during the day because she'll climb on it and under it.
 
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