Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hey man......wow thanks so much for ur help, you really have nice terrariums for your snakes, but how come u use those rubber maid tubs? why not use a tank for it? oh yeah by the way.....i see that u got some really nice branches, did u find those or did u buy them? do ur corn snakes actually climb on them? is dat asphen shavings that ur using? what would be a good height of substrate to lay down on the ground? like......2 inches? or just cover the bottom is good enough?

mark

>>hey man......wow thanks so much for ur help, you really have nice terrariums for your snakes, but how come u use those rubber maid tubs? why not use a tank for it? oh yeah by the way.....i see that u got some really nice branches, did u find those or did u buy them? do ur corn snakes actually climb on them? is dat asphen shavings that ur using? what would be a good height of substrate to lay down on the ground? like......2 inches? or just cover the bottom is good enough?
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>>mark

Hey Mark,
I use the RubberMade boxes because I don't have room for natural tanks for all of my snakes.
Although I only have 11 snakes at this time I still don't have room for 11 aquariums. YET! One day I may, but of course by then I will have more then 11 snakes so the circle begins again.
You see I also have aquatic turtle tanks and a bearded dragon tank. Just not enough room or money.
Yes, I use aspen shavings. I like to use a layer of about 1 1/2 to 2 inches.
Yes, my snakes do use the branches on occaision.
The branches I cut myself.
Here is my female Creamsicle about to climb up her branch.

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Remember, my posts are MY opinion only.
Jimmy (draybar)
My Snakes

thanks man! wow that is such a cool pic....wow u keep so many snakes...ONLY 11? lol....isnt it lots of work, why dont u sell ur turtles and everything else and just keep snakes? isnt that easier? =) oh yeah u know how u said u cut ur branches urself? u also soak it in bleach and bake it too right? just wondering thouhg, how do u make the "stand" for ur branch? can u tell me how please? =)

mark

>>thanks man! wow that is such a cool pic....wow u keep so many snakes...ONLY 11? lol....isnt it lots of work, why dont u sell ur turtles and everything else and just keep snakes? isnt that easier? =) oh yeah u know how u said u cut ur branches urself? u also soak it in bleach and bake it too right? just wondering thouhg, how do u make the "stand" for ur branch? can u tell me how please? =)
>>
>>mark

Hey Mark,
I was doing turtle rehab and rescue and kept a lot of what I got. Most from people in my area that would catch a turtle or buy one out of state and then not be able or willing to care for them properly.
I have actually scaled down my collection and I am not doing rehab any longer. There are a few turtles that I have that will stay with me until they die. They are some I just won't get rid of.
No I did not soak or bleach my branches. I cut live branches and
inspected them for any mites of other bugs. I have never had a problem with any branches I have used in my tanks. These last couple of years that I have gotten back into snakes and also in the 80's when I kept them before.
I will not use a branch that is just laying on the ground. I always cut live.
The snakes are much easier to care for then the turtles.
There are a lot of filters to clean and a lot of water to be changed with the turtles. It takes at least 4 hours or more to do the turtle tanks. This is usually done on the first Saturday of the month. I use a LOT of filtration to help me prolong cleanings. I try to go with at least 10 times filter volume to water volume.
With the snakes I check their habitats daily for waste and clean any areas that need it. When I check their habitats each evening I handle them for a few mintues to keep them calm and used to me. I spend about an hour or so each Saturday to feed them which isn't too bad.
sorry to ramble on
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Remember, my posts are MY opinion only.
Jimmy (draybar)
My Snakes

>>>>thanks man! wow that is such a cool pic....wow u keep so many snakes...ONLY 11? lol....isnt it lots of work, why dont u sell ur turtles and everything else and just keep snakes? isnt that easier? =) oh yeah u know how u said u cut ur branches urself? u also soak it in bleach and bake it too right? just wondering thouhg, how do u make the "stand" for ur branch? can u tell me how please? =)
>>>>
>>>>mark
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As far as the base for the branch. I have used rocks but a square piece of board is easier to work with.
The first thing I do is find THE right branch for the enclosure.
Then I check for fit and angle. I sometimes have to do some trimming to get the branch a just the right angle.
When I have this figured out I cut the base of the branch to the angle needed for it to stand the right way. I then take the square piece of board and screw it to the branch ( from the bottom.
You just need to use a piece of board big enough to hold the branch up.
The thicker the board the smaller it can be.
I guess you saw the base on the branch in my 30 gallon tank.
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Remember, my posts are MY opinion only.
Jimmy (draybar)
My Snakes