Cypress Mulch, and Misc. Misc. Misc.

Jinxx · #1 (**permalink**) 01-04-2005, 08:17 PM

I had recently been using cypress mulch as a substrate for my bp, but with this last cage cleaning decided to switch to astroturf to see how she likes it. I was using cypress mulch, and am considering going back to it in the future but was wondering about how thick do you put it in there. I think I had it about 1 - 2 inches deep the whole way through the tank. Should this be deeper if I use it again?

Also a few other questions that have been lingering:

What kind of digital thermometer do you reccomend for taking cage temps. As of now i have two thermometers that stick to the cage itself inside. one on the hot side and the other on the cool, but I am thinking to move to digital to make sure all is okay. ( I currently traveled with her, about a 2 hour car-ride and now she is not eating so i am worried about temps a little more)

Also, I feel that the enclosure I have on the cool side may be to big. She has been using it for about 2 - 3 months ...but even fully coiled inside she only takes about 1/3 of the space in it. Should I maybe get a smaller hide spot for her on that side of the cage? Her other side has a fake log that she can wrap under nicely and is quite fitting to her size.

She still is very shy and timid, and although she is out and about at night, sometimes she just sits with her head sitting out of her hiding place but seems to get scared quite easily. Sometimes I think that her vision may not be the best, but maybe she is just jumpy in nature. She never has any problems when I handle her and she likes to explore and relax with me, but as soon as I put her back she takes off right for her hide spot. does this all sound normal for a bp? This is my first snake and I just want to make sure everyhtings going well for her

Just a few things that I have been thinkin about while progressing with my new pet. Any comments or tips welcome! Thank you.

schmelkdog · #2 (**permalink**) 01-04-2005, 08:50 PM

I use cyrpess in my BP cage. It's usually about 1 1/2 inches deep. When he was a baby he liked to burrow in it and I figured if it made him feel safe than go for it. So then it was a bit deeper. He doesn't burrow now so the only spot it's a little higher is over the undertank heater. I just got a rheostat for it though to turn it down a bit. I find they like things that they can get snug in. His warm side hide is a large piece of corkbark that he can snuggle under. You can also use the bottom of a planting pot or something similar that is wide enough but low to the ground that they can crawl into and still feel safely wedged under. The humid hide is a old large butter tub with moss in it. I had used some of those half logs,etc before but while they allow us to see into em they don't leave the snake feeling very secure I don't think. My BP is just like our boa,,,they relax and seem fine with handling but still we're big scary people and until and they'd all probably prefer to be left in their hides feeling secure. Yours sounds pretty normal to me.
oh one more word about the crypress,,,I've never had any problems with it but thanks to some tips I got here I make sure to kill any possible mites that could be in before I put it in the enclosure.

lethargiic · #3 (**permalink**) 01-04-2005, 09:19 PM

i use cypress and the levels variate between 1-2 inches...of course in some places it higher then the rest because my bp's love to make a mess of it...lol but what you used is good and the stuff is alot better for maintaining decent humidity levels during shed. Schmel is pretty much right about the mite issue.. pre-treat the substrate accordingly before use.

as far as digital therms.. go grab an accu-rite digital from walmart..they're like $14, i recommend the one that reads both indoor/outdoor temps and humidity. it has a temp probe too. snakes need the require heating for proper digestion and warmth...they are a cold blooded animal..

My ball pythons don't care about their hides or the size...as long as they can get in and out fine then leave it. if you want to go smaller go for it.. but its gotta be big enough for her to squirm around..its not fun to squirm in a cramped place..lol
ball pythons are normally flighty, and are easily scared. every now and then you get one that's really really brave and try to strike, but as everyone knows it takes a lot to get a ball python to strike, no matter how hungry or annoyed it is...but the more you play with your bp, the more it will get used to be held.. i got a almost breeding size female that doesn't mind getting kisses on the head, face chin...she doesnt care and always likes to crawl in my hair and face.. my 10 others are getting there but its going to be a while before they realize i'm not going to hurt them.. =)

Jinxx · #4 (**permalink**) 01-04-2005, 09:22 PM

Cool Thank you for the comments you two.
Nice pictures on your site lethargiic, very cool bryce work and photoshopping.
Im kinda jealous.
yes...very jealous.

schmelkdog · #5 (**permalink**) 01-04-2005, 09:25 PM

oh yeah, my bad I forgot you asked about the temps. I got one of those mini temp guns at one of the reptile shows in White Plains, NY and I love it. I see it on alot of sites like proexotics for 25$. It's amazing how much my other temp strips were off or couldn't measure,,,like the temps right in the cage. The gun is the best way for us because we have a number of cages and so it's nice to just move around and check it out as we go.

schmelkdog · #6 (**permalink**) 01-04-2005, 09:26 PM

right in the hide I meant (not the cage)

lethargiic · #7 (**permalink**) 01-04-2005, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jinxx

Cool Thank you for the comments you two.
Nice pictures on your site lethargiic, very cool bryce work and photoshopping.
Im kinda jealous.
yes...very jealous.

oh on deviantart.com lol i was gonna say i don't own the website, just have a gallery account there. you can tell ive been at work for wayyyyyyy too long today.. hehe

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