Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I read the replies, which I am really thankful to all…but they brought up final questions for me.

1. Should I or should I not keep Kaa in a smaller tank (its in a 40 gal breeder right now and seems to be more active in the larger tank than in smaller tank…and not active like trying to escape but active as in basking then moving and sleeping)

2. Should I or should I not feed Kaa in a different place?

3. Do I put the under tank heater in the same spot as the basking area? I was thinking that would make it too hot, so I was going to put it in the middle of the tank so there is a hot side, warm side (middle), and a cooler side so Kaa could travel where it felt the need to.

4. I have two log hides for Kaa on opposite sides of the tank, I have a grape branch for climbing, a water dish, aspen bedding about an inch think all around the tank, a basking heat lamp, and a UV lamp (repti-sun 5.0)…is there anything I’m missing?

5. I’m going to take back eth frozen pinkies I got and exchange them for hoppers or fuzzies and gauge how easily Kaa is able to feed on them and then decided to step up to the small adults if needed.

Is there anything I’m missing?

Thank you again!
-slappy

The mat can go in the middle ,Provide a hide over the mat. Remove the uv bulkb it is not needed. I would also feed in the tank it sleeps in. No need to use a seperate tank.Also if using a screen lid I would cover 80 % to keep humidty in. Everything else sounds good. I love the name also..best of luck Im sure the kids enjoy seeing KAA come out..
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1.0 Het for pied
0.1 Het for Pied
1.5 normal balls
1.1 bearded dragons
0.1.0 Sulcata tort
1.3 kids
1.0 husband
To many little critters list

sounds like a plan!

except for the humidity part... i live in an area where the humidity is 60% or higher all the time...do i still need to worry about humidity in the tank?
i know the heating lamp will dry out the heat will also evaporate the water in the dish which will raise the humidity too. im thinking that it will be a wash and stay at reg humidity

thoughts?

thanks for the comment on the name, my GF named Kaa, shes a huge disney buff and she put up with somethigns she fears the most in her house for a whole weekend...so the least i could do was let her name it

Hello Slappy,

First off thank you for exposing our young people to the world of reptiles. Now to your questions. First these are just my opinions and everyone has one so follow them or not its up to you. The size of the enclosure is ultimately up to you and the snake. Meaning that if the critter is happy, not showing any signs of stress and eating fine then I dont think the size is a problem. Now if he/she does not eat, does not seem to be thriving/stressed then switching to the smaller tank may be something to consider, but don't just start switching him/her around. Take a little wait and see, but you be the judge. As for the UTH I would use that as your hot side and lose the heat lamp. They tend to dry the air out lowering the humidity. To keep the air temps in the enclosure more stable I would cover 95% of the open area with plastic or cardboard. This will prevent dafts and help hold in humidity. If the room temp is above the mid/upper 70's that should work fine. As for where to feed him/her is again up to you and the snake, but I would at least start out by trying in the same tank. Some animals may respond very well to being picked up and move to a seperate container for feeding and some may not. Start out try to feed him/her with as little disruption as possible. If things are going well and feeding is not a problem and you are worried about something; like the ingestion of substrate or the association of your hand in the tank and food; then try moving to different a container. But again you be the judge. As for the substrate, I use aspen and have had no problems. During the sheding cycle I spray it down pretty good with water and it really seems to help with the sheds. There is nothing wrong with newspaper but it just does not hold humidity and it doesn't provide any traction for the snakes to move around. Some carpets are OK, but they don't allow you to spot clean and you have to remove everything from the tank(same thing for newspaper). Plus wash/wait to dry. OK I think I covered them all but I forget. Try to relax and have fun. Let the snakes actions tell you if things are working or not. If you follow the basic guidelines (temp, humidity, feeding, housing/hides) then things will work out. Make changes based on whats working or not working. To many times I read peoples replies telling you that you must do it this way or you must do it that way. The reason you get so many opinions is because there really is more then one way to skin a cat. And if it works for you and more importantly for the animal then go with it. If not change it. Sorry for the long drawn out explanation.

Jeff

I totally agree . I myself use to use lights and it did cause alot of problems with humidty. the UTh works great, Definalty cover the screen. I was usuing cardboard but I had a few smart ones that would get inbetween the cardboard and the lid. I had a old dresser and I used the bottoms so the the buggers can not move that at all. I leave a 4 inch hole So they have air. And it works great. Im sure your gf will come around once she gets used to it..
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1.0 Het for pied
0.1 Het for Pied
1.5 normal balls
1.1 bearded dragons
0.1.0 Sulcata tort
1.3 kids
1.0 husband
To many little critters list

i can cut a thin piece of plexi to cover the screen and leave a bit open to raise the humidity...no prob there.

ill watch for the signs mentions about stress and not eating. i havent been able to feed it yet...tomorrow is the day...petstore said every thursday was Kaa's scheduled feeding and it hadnt missed one yet...i hope teh move wasnt too rough on it.

i havea UTH that is for a 20 gal tank...its 8inchesx6 inches...is that enough to create a hot area? i put a temp gauge unde rteh heat lamp in teh hide log and it was reading 86 /- a deg. ...is taht ok or hsoudl i just go all under heat?

i teach 1st grade here in CA.

so the kids are the ages of 6-7 years

we are starting off right

and the snake was their choice of animals allowed in our classroom...no fur or feathers was the rule.

Good age to start them on a love for reptiles. And to help them over any fears they may already have..
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1.0 Het for pied
0.1 Het for Pied
1.5 normal balls
1.1 bearded dragons
0.1.0 Sulcata tort
1.3 kids
1.0 husband
To many little critters list

that should be Fine..
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1.0 Het for pied
0.1 Het for Pied
1.5 normal balls
1.1 bearded dragons
0.1.0 Sulcata tort
1.3 kids
1.0 husband
To many little critters list

Slappy, The UTH should not exceed 25% of the floor space. I know of no hard and fast rule about minimum size. I personally think your matt is a little small for the tank, but not to worry. I would just go and buy one for a 10gl tank. Place it close to the other matt. If for some reason you need to move him/her to the smaller tank you will be prepared with the smaller pad. Two birds one stone. As far as the heat lamp I would loose it, but plenty of people use them. Just watch for a shed cycle and make sure the humidity is extra high. Now I have a question for you. You wrote that you are feeding tomorrow. Have you decided how you are going to thaw out the mouse? How are you going to Warm it up? (this is where you insert the surgeon generals warning "Caution, Overheating May Cause Stomach To Rupture" Do you have a pair of tongs or hemostats to feed with. Just asking. If you got it covered great. If not just ask. Never any shortage of opinions here.

Jeff

Jeff, you hit it right on!!

The best thing to do is try what you've got. If it doesn't work, then look into changing. You've pretty much been flooded with advice, Slappy, so you shouldn't have any shortage of suggestions to try if something doesn't work.

Good luck with Kaa!!

~Rebecca
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0.1 Dumeril's Boa '04 (Courtney)
1.2 Ball Pythons
[1.0 '05 Orange Hypo (Specter)]
[0.1 '05 Het Orange Hypo (Sylvia)]
[0.1 '03 Normal (Sue)]
0.2 American Pit Bull Terriers (40lb darling lap dogs:Brandy&Mara)

You should do what is best for the snake and if the snake is doing ok and feeding well then let that be the ancer , lern to read your snake and under stand its movements. good luck !! David of DS Reptile Rescue