Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello!

I am interested in everyone's take on the best method to clean corn snake feces when the snake decides to not make it easy on its caretaker. For example, the picture below is the barn-themed enclosure I constructed for my Okeetee corn snake; "Shane," however, has a habit of sitting atop the loft and voiding himself down the ladder or barn walls, making cleanup a real chore.

I have some reptile-safe cleaner that I purchased from Big Apple Herp and generally use this, along with a toothbrush, to scrub the soiled areas clean. However, I will confess that I often worry about the potential for bacteria to take root within the enclosure despite my best efforts.

In a nutshell, I guess what I am looking for is:

1. The best product(s) to use
2. How long the soiled areas need to soak / be scrubbed
3. How long I need to wait before putting Shane back in his enclosure

Any help would be greatly appreciated--thanks!

Jason
arnold_elvis

In case the image doesn't appear: http://www.greatsleague.com/images/other/barn.JPG

That's a hilarious set-up.
I cant think of anything better than what you're already doing.
I use rubbing alcohol, and it does a great job of sterilizing plastic, but I don't know what it would do to wood.
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Jack Jeansonne

hot water and the tooth brush

want more...dish soap...

really want more, bleach for 20 minutes dilluted , not sure....I overdo it with the dishes....

I use hot water usually, soap when needed...

....sunlight dries and kills germs too....

....you gonna have a real old fashioned HoDown this Halloween in that barn???......
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JY
Scales-N-Tails
reptiles ltd.

Thanks to everyone that has replied so far with suggestions. It seems like I've become a target for some good-natured ribbing about my corn's enclosure as well. If you must know, there won't be a ho-down this Halloween, but once I get a proven female, my Okeetee will definitely be "making hay" in the barn.

I constructed the enclosure with my tongue firmly in cheek in terms of the design. However, I do believe that the more stimulation one offers his captive reptiles, the better, and there are lots of things my corn can interact with in his barnyard home.

Actually if everyone was so caring 4 there snakes we wouldn't have all these people wanting to pass all these laws on reptiles.

In all honesty it is very nice to see that you cared so much about your snakes that you went through all the truble to make an intersting cage set up 4 them......

Keep us posted on your cornsnakes....

Thanks for your kind words. Although I do have plans to acquire three more snakes by year's end, at present I only have two, which is, of course, far less than most enthusiasts these days. I just returned to keeping snakes in captivity after a break of about 15 years; the reason I returned was to teach my son to love and respect living things.

I began to realize when I got back into the game that the only way I could impart the message I wanted to instill in my son was to provide my captive reptiles with enclosures that provided them with habitats that were as close as possible to what they might encounter in the wild (and that the enclosures featured plenty of stimulation and interactive elements for the snakes).

The other snake I have at the present time is a female Bogertophis subocularis; I've included a picture of her enclosure below if anyone is interested. (The rock formation on the right is actually covering a tunnel that leads to behind the simulated rock wall.) I never see my suboc because she only comes out at night and is very secretive...but that's probably a good thing, as she's been able to retain the instincts she would have relied upon in the wild.

Anyway, thanks for reading and responding. This site has been a fantastic resource, and I admire everyone who has the passion and patience to keep reptiles and amphibians in captivity. As you implied, we're the only ones capable of reversing public opinion and proving to the world that snakes can be kept in captivity in a responsible and ethical way without any danger to neighbors, pets, and so on.

Jason
arnold_elvis

http://www.greatsleague.com/images/other/tprsetup.JPG

>>Thanks to everyone that has replied so far with suggestions. It seems like I've become a target for some good-natured ribbing about my corn's enclosure as well. If you must know, there won't be a ho-down this Halloween, but once I get a proven female, my Okeetee will definitely be "making hay" in the barn.
>>
>>I constructed the enclosure with my tongue firmly in cheek in terms of the design. However, I do believe that the more stimulation one offers his captive reptiles, the better, and there are lots of things my corn can interact with in his barnyard home.

the laughter isn't critical
It is because we thoroughly enjoy the design and thought process behind your enclosure.
everything from the grain sacks to bails of hay, to hay loft.
simply put...COOL
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Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"Resistance is futile"
Jimmy Johnson
(Draybar)
Draybars Snakes

_____

.....Yes...we are laughing WITH YOU...not at you

.....ghost corns, cemetary theme
.....blood red corn, slaughter house theme
.....amber corn, beer brewers' theme
.....candycane corn.....yes...candy store....
.....rootbeer...of course it has a "float" glass to hide in...

etc tc etc.....

...I have racks......I do try and give them all a piece of cork or wood to shed on......aspen better tham paper if possible....and I need to get more of the flat rocks.....

good luck, have fun......!
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JY
Scales-N-Tails
reptiles ltd.

That is the most hilarious thing I have seen in the snake world! After a long day at work a good, hardy laugh that literally squeezed tears from my eyes was just what I needed. KUDOS to imagination and creativity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love it!

I have no idea of a good way to clean up that cage, but that is one well-cared for corn!
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Cheers,
Jessica Gibbs
Ball Pythons; Corn Snakes; Green Tree Python; Jungle Carpet Pythons; Bci; Bcl
3.0 Crazy Dogs and 2.0 cats
Some Tropical Fish
...........and growing!