Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Alright, about 2 weeks ago i went to petco and got a live baby mouse, somewhat baby anyways, and i got new bedding, my snake has been in aspen bedding but i dont like the fact of feeding him outside his cage everytime...so i talked to a worker and i know sand isnt good but she said they use Eco Earth its Loose Coconut Fiber Substrate, so i bought a bag of it, and used it..he ate the mouse, ive been watching him, but tonight i was feeding him again, gave him 2 hopper mice (dead) and i pulled him out of his house thing..and i held him up so his head was by the food, and he started eating...

now this was what i havent seen him do, he lifted the mouse up so he was holding it straight up liek 6 inches high and he sate the mouse in his water dish...he did get some of the bedding in him which im worried about, but after he ate it he was wired up and kept going in the water dish and rubbing his head on the glass...then i saw him once stand up again like a cobra would and gasped for air as it looked to me...

Should i be worried? maybe hes just happy im not sure, usually the humidity is 60 average now its been 40...

Thanks guys.

You sound like a nervous wreck! But obviously you care, so that makes all the difference in the world. I'm not hearing anything that should be of major concern.

How large is this snake and what size enclosure are you using? There seems to be no obvious reason to feed this snake OUTSIDE of it's enclosure -- any particular you have this feeding ritual going on?

Although there is no guaranteed avoidance of ingesting substrate particles (unless paper towels or newspaper is used...) you can try using the lid of a plastic container with the food item in the center. It may have some prevention benefit but not completely. Coconut husk is not a bad substrate. The concern of ingestion is a very valid one, and again, the BEST way to avoid it altogether is the aforementioned. Otherwise, the larger the particles the less likelihood of ingestion (i.e. cypress mulch).

As for the rearing up behavior and deep breath....lol.....that's just kingsnake spice.
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Jerry Kruse

"One often meets his destiny on the path he takes to avoid it". - Master Oogway

I've had my brooksi..err floridian..y..ish pair on eco earth all their lives.. I believe they're 06's..I can't remember where I last saw the feeding records that I started when I got them and then never filled out.

That aside..I love this stuff!!.. I haven't had a problem..I throw the mice on their hides and they drag em all over, I've fed live mice to them in it too I'm sure they've ingested it. Thats not to say that, in a few years down the line there won't be a problem, but hey, we all start falling apart after a few..or so I'm told..LOL
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Richard Evans

no not THAT one

I use coconut fibers too (bed a beast) and I've been told that they are easily digestible, so that impaction is not a significant danger. That's nice, but do I care to find out for myself? No, I don't. So I feed in a separate container because it eliminates the possibility of accidental ingestion.

I'm a little undecided on the stuff... it's rather dusty and sticks to things... but it holds humidity well, it's attractive, and it's easy to spot clean.

I used to feed in a seperate container too...till I got more than three snakes..don't know why, but, three put me over the edge..now when I see a beautiful MBK I think to myself.."nice boots"...LMAO
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Richard Evans

no not THAT one

Well that's a relief, I'm glad you guys reply, wheres humidity supposed to be? its 40-50 right? Hes back to his normal self now..and I did go a little whack last night I don't feel like having an unhealthy snake.

The enclosure is plenty big, its about 30"x12" and 16" deep, I got him when he was a baby and now he is 28", he grows quick about an inch to an inch and a half every month.

Thanks,
Kyle

I spray once daily to keep it at about 30% normally, but I don't worry much when it's not shedding time. When he's in shed I spray thoroughly twice a day. During the next shed cycle I am planning to use a humid hide, I think that will make for a more consistent option.

I feel your overly concerned for no reason.

Heres why, using me as an example, I have kept snakes for almost fifty years, continiously. In all that time and with lots of different species, and lots of numbers. I have only had one problem with a snake consuming its substrate. And that event became sort of famous.

Never with kings, and I have always had kings.

As with so many of these types of subjects, I often refer to nature. Aren't all the snakes in the natural world on some manner of substrate???? and no one is worried about them, are you????

With that snake, accidents can happen, and it most cases, the actual case is not really the problem. If an individual snake consumes a small amount of substrate, it normally passes it without a problem. Its their design to do that.

But, there are some UNNATURAL CONCERNS. As I mentiomed, consuming a small amount of substrate is normal. Unfortunately Some of the substrates we use are non natural. Hmmmmmmmm well they are a natural material, but are not made in a natural way.

Most of your substrates are manifactured, the plant material types are manifacturered by turning large pieces into small pieces, this is done by shredding and this leaves SPLINTERS, this is a concern.

Sands, in nature, sands are a worn round and smooth. Commerical products are mostly made by crushing with causes each grain to have sharp edges(remember, sand is glass). This along with an unhealthy individual can cause binding or irratation of the gut.

So yes, I offered you data that means their is little to worry about, then I offered you some very real concerns.

The truth is, you are far better off concentrating on allowing your captive/s to healthy. Then all these worries can go away. Of course, accidents happen, like they get out(by far the most common) or hang themselves, or get their head stuck in some odd place, or the cat gets them, the dog, the bird, etc etc. Oh and those earthquakes. These are far far more common events then substrate problems. I wish you luck and yes, poop happens(specially when you feed them)

Pretty fair post Frank. My favorite bedding is a 50/50 mix of natural sand and shredded coconut husk. For a more natural substrate its the most managable I've found. Tried partially composted hardwood leave too with some success but it tended to support mold more easily.
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That is a a completely narcistocanibolizistic thing to say!