Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I picked up an 04 cb last year. Its a really neat little snake and I've wanted one ever since I can remember.

Problem is, the thing wont stay hydrated. It wont touch its water. Anyone else have this problem? I am constantly having to soak it and manually shed it. It eats ok, but its not really a pig like a king or other ratsnakes. I make sure the pinks are soaking wet just so it gets more fluids.

If anyone has tips I'd appreciate it.

I keep it at basically room temp with an under the tank heater way off on one side. Substrate is carefresh. Its in a tank with a screen lid as opposed to a shoe or sweater box.

Sounds like your little guy would do well with a moist hide box. Use a small container with a lid (gladware, margarine tub, etc.) and put some moistened sphagnum moss or paper towels into the tub. You want them to be wet enough that when you queeze them, drops of water will fall out, but when you just hold them in your hand the water stays in them. Then cut a hole in the side or top of the tub that is just large enough for your snake to enter. He should find the cool, damp area fairly quickly and will probably spend the vast majority of his time in there. Also, unless the room he is kept in is pretty cool (under 68F), I would probably recommend not running the under tank heater. I keep mine at ambient temp of 72-77F during the summer and 50-55F during brumation in the winter. If you choose not to brumate, you may need to add a little heat to keep the 72F temp in the winter. This will keep him eating and digesting just fine. If you decide to leave the heater on him for now, I'd definitely keep the moist hide box on the cool side of the cage. The heat from the bottom will dry out any moist substrate that you put over it fairly quickly. Hope this helps!

Bryan

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Last night I was laying in bed looking up at the stars in the sky and I thought to myself, "Where the hell is my ceiling?"

Thanks Bryan. Thats sounds like a good plan. I'll give it a shot.

I've never kept mandarins, but my experience with Carefresh is that it is VERY dessicating. Try switching to a different substrate, like aspen. That should help somewhat.
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Chris Harrison

Thanks for the tip Chris, I'll do that. It is a much drier subs. than most others, works good for alot of other snakes.

I may not be of much help here since mine are wc animals. I have had them for a few years though and they are doing well.
I think you are just keeping the snake on too dry of a substrate.
For mine I use cypress mulch and I still have a hide box that has moist sphagnum moss in it. They use both to hide completely.
I also have a bit larger water bowl in their rubbermaids than I would normally use for similar sized snakes.
Unlike many others, I do not keep them at low temps. They are doing well in my snake room as all my others. Ambient temps are often in the higher 80's during the day. Humidity is always high here in FL. I do occasionally run a.c. for those dog days.
With your c.b. you might ask the guy you got it from what he does specifically.
Good luck and post some pictures.
:Mark

Thanks Mark, I appreciate the pointer. I will be changing the substrate and providing a more humid hide container. I definately will not argue with anyone who can keep a wild caught one of these alive LOL!

I'll take a pic and post it soon.