Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Im ordering a pair of northern pines and I was wondering what kind of substrate is prefered. Will aspen do? Also, do they require a hot spot? Its pretty warm here, up to 85 in the day, so I dont provide my other snakes with heat lamps because it is plenty warm. Is this a safe practice? Can the male and female be housed together to save space? Any other care tips are warmly welcomed.

Im ordering a pair of northern pines and I was wondering what kind of substrate is prefered. Will aspen do? Also, do they require a hot spot? Its pretty warm here, up to 85 in the day, so I dont provide my other snakes with heat lamps because it is plenty warm. Is this a safe practice? Can the male and female be housed together to save space? Any other care tips are warmly welcomed.

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I use newspaper, but aspen will be great to use.

No...northerns and all pits, in my opinion, do not need a hot spot, especially a heat lamp. I would be careful on how hot it gets....78-82 works great with pines. I know many people that use heat tape though with great results. Pits, from what I have experienced do not do good with really high or extreme temps.

I wouldn't keep the snakes together personally cause I would like to be able to keep track of each individual's health separately. If one gets sick....big chance the other one will being in the same cage.

Post some pics of them when you get them if you can!

Take care!
Billy
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Genesis 1:1

He may be selling them to someone else now. I never said for sure that I was getting them, because they seemed a little high priced, but they were a year old. Ill be looking for more though, hopefully with some red in them. His were just cream and black. Id like a breeding pair of both.

What is heat tape? Ive never heard of it. It stays pretty warm in my house so Im sure theyll be fine. It gets down to 68 or 70 at night, is that too cold or will they manage?

Heat tape is something that a lot of people line the underside of their racks with that acts as somewhat of a hot spot, but is not as hot as other methods of heating. I actually have never used it, but do have friends that do. I guess you can buy it from reptile supply stores.

Temperature drops at night are ok, although 68 may be too much. I have had mine drop down to 74, but I usually keep it at 76-78 to 82 at the very most.

There are a lot of breeders that frequent this forum that may be breeding northerns this year. Russell ( nodaksnakelover ) from a few posts back, maybe last week, looks like he will have some.

Take care!
Billy
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Genesis 1:1

Aspen is great for colubrids.I had a big bullsnake years ago who was a mean nasty thing..lol... I had him for about 5 years before selling him to a friend. I just couldn't get this guy to tame at all and he was close to 5 1/2 feet easy.

I use to see pine snakes all the time in the NJ Pine Barrens but I haven't seen ONE in about 2 years! I have seen milk snakes,ring snakes,racers,black rats,garters and an occasional easter king but haven't seen any pine snakes...And King Snakes are becoming less and less common. Nickle and Dime breeders/pet trade ruined the Pine Barrens but there are still some nice areas.These guys took everything and anything which is why the corn snake in NJ is endangered...seems like the pine snake is getting there also.

Only problem is they are usually smashed in the road!

I thought pines were endangered in NJ, and that you cant keep them, even if they are captive born, but I could be wrong.

I have some extra bed a beast left over, so I used it temporarily until I can get aspen. Is bed a beast ok for them? I dont want to cause any problems.

I have never heard of that substrate, so I wouldn't have a clue. Sorry!

Take care!
Billy
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Genesis 1:1