Reptile & Amphibian Forums

OK well do bloods need hides? i was going tio use astro turf as bedding and have a water bowl and a few branches with no hides....My heat pad will bring 1/2 caGE to 90 and the other half r9ound 80 constant no night drop... I will start getting a 12" blood and feed him a mouse every 4 days until hes switched over to rat pups at 18" and small rats at 2ft.....PleaSE COmment on all of this sorry if im a little annoying I just want to know everything before i get one so I can provide a propper care for it. thanks,
Jake

Yes, your blood will need a nice tight place to hide. In addition to hides I also throw crumpled up newspaper on the bottom of the cage. I would also feed it once a week for the first year, and then cut back to every two weeks but you should go on an individual basis.

Bloods DEFINITELY needs hides. Like, it is super-incredibly important to them, moreso than to many other snakes, it seems. They need tight, form-fitting hidespots that will make them feel secure.

Also, I think newspaper would probably work better than astroturf . . . I've never used astroturf myself, and have read mixed reviews of it, but a newspaper substrate is easy to keep clean and super-cheap. Or, possibly free.

Good luck with your blood, if you decide to get one. They're definitely rokken snakes.
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Kitt

I would do without the branches.Bloods usually just hide out in their hides most of the time.He might like the branch but more than likely he'll stay on the ground in his hide, on the cool side during the day and the hot side during the night.They aren't that active of a snake, but at night they ocassionally come out to play depending on your snakes personality.Oh yeah, have you started measuring your humidity yet.That will be a big plus if you already have it down and keeping it up in 80's.Did you mention what you are keeping him in, don't remember.

Your blood could probably care less about the branches, and will probably refuse to eat if you don't have anything for him to hide in.

A note on the astroturf. I thought it was the coolest, most functional substrate possible for my iguanas... until I actually bought some. In reality, it was a pain to clean, feces and urine got stuck in the fibers, and even bleaching it didn't help with the smell after a while. Honestly, I would go with something you use and throw away. I think the newpaper and shredded newspaper is a great idea. My snake likes to burrow between hides so she NEVER has to be seen unless she wants to be, which hasn't happened yet.

What are you planning to do for humidity? How big is the cage you're planning on getting?

Since everyone has told you about the hide i gonna say something different.

In regards to your feeding. It doesnt work like that. It doesn't matter how long ur snake is to determine what it eats. Feed it something the right size, dont just guess before you get it. Also switch it over to rats after the first 3 sucessfull FT feedings.
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0.1 "Tremper" looking Albino Leopard gecko (Lex)
0.0.1 tiger crested gecko (peachs)
0.1 Red blood python (Rhianon)
0.0.1 ball pythons (FELIX!!!!!)
2.1 Feral cats that we adopted (Fuzzy, Bear, and Tony)

You don't need branches they won't use it.Use newspaper because astro turf is harder to clean and sanitize,besides it will start getting stinky.You can throw newspaper away.BLOODS NEED HIDES.They are very shy snakes evan as adults.They are by far one of the shyest.They need humidity especsially BABY'S.Good luckand MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU,ALWAY'S