Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey,

I just moved to Missouri (from California, I weep) where there are freakin' tornados. I have a little cage to put my geckos in when there's a tornado warning, and a bag for my hedgehog, but I wanted to know if I can use a pillowcase for the snakes. In case I have to be down there a while, I don't want to just keep them draped around my neck (esp. cause my roomie is scared silly of them). Can they breathe through a pillowcase the same as they could through the "official" snakebags?

BTW, I just have 2 baby balls that I need to tote with me to the basement.

Sure, pillowcases work great, just make sure they are porous enough for them to breathe through the fabric. Just tie off the top with an overhand knot and problem solved.
-----
Current Collection:
0.1 Antherystic Elaphe Guttata Guttata - Corn Snake
1.0 Elaphe Vulpina Gloydi - Eastern Fox Snake
0.1 Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta - Black Rat Snake
0.1 Leucistic Elaphe Obsoleta Linheimeri - Texas Ratsnake
1.1 Morelia Spilota Cheyni - Jungle Carpet Python

>>Sure, pillowcases work great, just make sure they are porous enough for them to breathe through the fabric. Just tie off the top with an overhand knot and problem solved.
>>-----
>>Current Collection:
>>0.1 Antherystic Elaphe Guttata Guttata - Corn Snake
>>1.0 Elaphe Vulpina Gloydi - Eastern Fox Snake
>>0.1 Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta - Black Rat Snake
>>0.1 Leucistic Elaphe Obsoleta Linheimeri - Texas Ratsnake
>>1.1 Morelia Spilota Cheyni - Jungle Carpet Python

Yep, and even easier than tying and untying the pillowcase, just twist the top (so it resembles a fat cloth rope), fold it over double and wrap tape or a rubber band tightly around it.
-----
We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children. Ralph Waldo Emerson

I've also heard to turn it inside out so that their scales don't get caught on the threads at the bottom seam.
-----
Check Out My Albums

1.0 Ball Python "Aragorn"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"
1.0 Saharan Sand Boa "Frodo"
0.1 Rough-Scale Sand Boa "Arwen"
1.0 San Felipe Rosy Boa "Legalos"
0.1 California Kingsnake "Gentoo"
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake "Indigo"
1.0 Snow Corn snake "Chile"

0.0.1 Crested Gecko
0.0.1 Irian Jaya BlueTongued Skink

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"

Did ya get kicked out of California?... I heard thats pretty hard to do.

I would just like to add my comment: I use older pillow cases ones that have been been through the washer quite a few times. They are airy and softer.

>>I have a little cage to put my geckos in when there's a tornado >>warning, and a bag for my hedgehog, but I wanted to know if I can >>use a pillowcase for the snakes. In case I have to be down there >>a while, I don't want to just keep them draped around my neck >>esp. cause my roomie is scared silly of them). Can they breathe >>through a pillowcase the same as they could through the >>"official" snakebags?

Pillowcases work fine, just check two things. Make sure there are absolutely no holes in the seams and that you turn them inside out to avoid snakes getting snagged in threads.
In regard to breathing, give them your own breath test. Put them up against your mouth and try and breath through them. If you can breath easily, you are fine. If it is difficult, find another pillowcase.

BTW - I used to get all my pillowcases (snake bags) at Garage sales for around 25 cents a piece. Generally it is a good place to find "well broken in" pillowcases.

I am just curious....when you lived in CA did you have a similar "action plan" for earthquakes and wildfires? I think your tornado fear is a little exaggerated. I have lived in tornado areas (TX, OK) for much of my life, including areas that see a lot more tornadoes than MO. I have been lucky enough to see a few tornados in person but have only once (1974) had a tornado threaten an area where we lived.
BTW - I believe they have earthquakes in MO as well. Any contingencies for that possibility? LOL

-----
Chris Harrison

In Cali I was never close to wildfires, and having lived there my whole life, only experienced 2 minor earthquakes.

Here, there are sirens that indicate you need to go to the basement. I'm just saying that if I go to the basement, why on earth wouldn't I bring my babies? Esp. when it will take me about 1 minute to get everyone. So, I'm not panicking, I'm just prepared. If we had earthquake drills where we had to run & hide somewhere, I'd bring them also.