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I just got a new Russian Rat CB03 and I wanted to make sure I'm getting the husbandry stuff right. I can't seem to find a lot of specific info on the net.

The ambient air temps are mid 70s in the enclosure (I really can't go lower than room temp) with a hot spot around 85 provided by a UTH. I'm providing a large water bowl suitable for soaking with some rocks and branches for climbing. I'm using paper towel for substrate currently but will be switching to cypress mulch pre-treated with provent-a-mite eventually. He's currently in a 10 gallon but will be moving into a 55 when he grows up a bit.

I'm a little worried about the humidity. In the summer, I can easily maintain 50-60%. But, in the winter, it can go down to 20% or so. Daily misting only raises the humidity for a short time, then right back to 20. Will the water bowl be enough or will I need to add a humid hide?

Also, do these guys tend to go off feed in the winter? Should they be brumated even if I don't plan to breed?

And, what is a good feeding schedule for a hatchling? The little guy is 6 weeks old and looks like he could easily handle a fuzzy. Thanks...

Why would you use cypress mulch pretreated with provent a mite? Does he have mites?

TC

>>I just got a new Russian Rat CB03 and I wanted to make sure I'm getting the husbandry stuff right. I can't seem to find a lot of specific info on the net.
>>
>>The ambient air temps are mid 70s in the enclosure (I really can't go lower than room temp) with a hot spot around 85 provided by a UTH. I'm providing a large water bowl suitable for soaking with some rocks and branches for climbing. I'm using paper towel for substrate currently but will be switching to cypress mulch pre-treated with provent-a-mite eventually. He's currently in a 10 gallon but will be moving into a 55 when he grows up a bit.
>>
>>I'm a little worried about the humidity. In the summer, I can easily maintain 50-60%. But, in the winter, it can go down to 20% or so. Daily misting only raises the humidity for a short time, then right back to 20. Will the water bowl be enough or will I need to add a humid hide?
>>
>>Also, do these guys tend to go off feed in the winter? Should they be brumated even if I don't plan to breed?
>>
>>And, what is a good feeding schedule for a hatchling? The little guy is 6 weeks old and looks like he could easily handle a fuzzy. Thanks...

No, he doesn't have mites. I buy cypress mulch from the Home Depot in bags that have been sitting outside. I just treat it before use as a precaution. Is that a bad idea?

I don't know. I hardly ever use cypress mulch. But if I had to treat it to be safe I wouldn't use it. There's other products that don't require a dose of something like that. You always should be very careful anytime there's some type of chemical added to your setup. Baby snakes are somewhat fragile. Make sure he has a cool spot too, don't keep him at 85* all the time, not that you do. Russians don't require as high of temps as others, like corns. Good luck.

TC

>>No, he doesn't have mites. I buy cypress mulch from the Home Depot in bags that have been sitting outside. I just treat it before use as a precaution. Is that a bad idea?

Thanks for the advice. I usually keep 'em on paper until they are about a year. Or I could bake the substrate rather than use chemicals.

So, I guess their cared for pretty much like corns except for:

(A) bigger enclosure
(B) cooler temps

Thanks...

I feed mine a lot in the summertime, which is their main active time of the year. Sometimes they don't want to eat in the fall. Try live mice to entice them. I brumate mine at least four months. In the wild they probably go six months. Keep a large jug of fresh water in cage in case they want to soak. You could keep a moist hide in the winter too, but brumating means they won't eat or shed, so humidiy doesn't matter too much in winter. Mine is usually around 30% all winter, but temps are around 50*F, too. Luck.

I'm off to Daytona now. See ya's in about a week.

TC