Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I altered on of my 4x2x2 python cages for my new young BTS pair I am getting tomorrow. How does it look? Acceptable? The hide box is on a swivel so it can be raised to clean under it or get to the skinks if needed. There are three lights. to the left is a red bulb that goes on at night when all others are off. The middle length of the cage is a flourecent tube and on the far right is a 65W spot. Temp is 75 in the hide area and goes to 92-95 under the spot. I haven't added a water bowl or basking log yet. Let me know what ya think.

TT

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http://www.reptile-pit.com

2.1 Irian Jaya Carpet Python
1.1 Jungle Carpet Python
1.1 Coastal Carpet Python
0.1 Olive Python
0.1 Baja Rosy Boa
0.1 Sorong Green Tree Python

Newspaper is a bad choice, definitely .
These feet are not created to walk on a hard, smooth surface. I saw the results very often: deformed feet, the toes turned to one side. Abscesses destroying the hole limp.
I know that there are some people favouring newspaper. But from more than 20 years of experiences with Tiliqua and Trachydosaurus, I would not recommend it.

On a positive note...I reckon the cage looks good.
Susan

I planned on using the newspaper for the first few weeks to monitor stool and whatnot. What type of substrate would you guys suggest once I ditch the newspaper?

As to what I am getting, if you look in the post below from me I asked what type they were. Everyone so far posted Merauke faded BTS. I go to get the skinks tonight.

Thanks for the heads up on the substrate, as I said in my other post, I am a python guy and this type of skink is new to me. I have kept and bred PTS before and loved them.

TT
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http://www.reptile-pit.com

2.1 Irian Jaya Carpet Python
1.1 Jungle Carpet Python
1.1 Coastal Carpet Python
0.1 Olive Python
0.1 Baja Rosy Boa
0.1 Sorong Green Tree Python

Nice set up. However, Pipa has a valid point about the newspaper. I often use it myself, but when I do, it is usually in a temporary situation, which is one reason why I have never experienced the negative results that he/she has mentioned. Still it is a valid concern, and I have seen skinks that were kept exclusivly on newspaper for long periods of time (years), and it can cause problems with the toes laying over on their sides (especially if their toe nails are allowed to get too long). If you are using newspaper for the long hall, this problem can be greatly reduced or completly avoided if the skink's nails are trimmed on a regular basis. Again, It is a very nice enclosure. Great job.

Ohmigosh! I'm new to the forum and I've already learned the answer to my problem...I have a Northern Blue Tongue that I got about a year ago and have been keeping strictly on newspaper because everything I'd read indicated that was the easiest to keep clean and sanitary and was easiest on the lizard...Since then the poor guy has had a series of toe infections and I've been going insane trying to figure out how this happened---I've had him to the vet several times and even called the original breeder...nothing has worked...I'll go home and get him off the newpaper tonight...What substrate do you guys recommend?

Thanks so much...Shelley

Newspaper does not cause toe infections in itself. You need to look at all of the factors that could be causing this problem. Newspaper creates a situation in which the skinks toes may lay on their sides as their toe nails grow. Can you tell us the more about the enclosure, and more about his symptoms. However, if you are going to change substrate, I personally recommend artificial turf, cypress mulch, or Carefresh bedding.

I know the newpaper itself won't cause the problems, but what I'm thinking is MAYBE by forcing the toes into an unnatural position it makes it hard for the shed to come off and the retained shed actually caused the problem (although I never actually SAW any retained shed on his toes)...I had him on injectible antibiotics, a broad spectrum anti-fungal antibiotic topical cream, betadine soaks, etc. etc. and it's just been incredibly stubborn...His setup is pretty Spartan because I've been trying to keep it really clean to avoid bacterial infection...He's got the newspaper substrate, a cardboard hide box, a water dish and a food dish...Overhead heat lamp and an undertank heater on half the tank.. That's about it..If anyone have ANY suggestions they'd be appreciated...Thanks for the substrate recommendations too--I'm going to the pet store tomorrow...

SR

it seems that newspaper could be part of the problem. However, You still should take into account humidity, and temperature. Keep his nails trimmed, and assist him with his sheds. Once he goes through a few complete sheds with your GENTLE assistance, he should be able to shed on his own with little or no assistance (provided the original cause of the problem is rectified).

Thanks so much for your time and advice..

SR

n/p
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Edward
Carpe diem