...so that you have a thermal gradient with the warm end of the cage (preferably under belly heat) at about 95F. This is a must, if not you are setting your snake up for pneumonia later this winter.



ANY substrate can cause impaction, so I recommend paper as a substrate. It is HANDS DOWN the most sanitary of ANY substrate. PERIOD. I use unprinted newsprint or kraft paper. Cedar mulch seems to work well but is more labor intensive.



Defication is a sporadic event with BP's, some specimens cutting loose only after several meals, others after only a few meals. Specimens tend to be fairly consistent. It is important that water always be available.



Frequency of meals is of less importance compared with total calories over time. BP's tend to be seasonal feeders so it's important to feed well when the specimen will feed. As a rule if the specimen will feed then feed. You never know when the snake decides to fast for 9 months.



Scott J. Michaels DVM

Serpent City

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