opinion on next snake/question...

[pilot511]

1) Just curious how often people usually change substrate (using reptibark) and clean out/disinfect cage with bleach and what not, or what is recommended.

2) Beginning of next year I'm probably going to get a better job, pay off the credit card and what not and probably look into getting another snake..I know its far in advance but just in between doing school work and on a day off just curious of what everyone's feedback is...what I'm thinking about so far are:
-Male Redtail (probably a suriname)
-Black Milksnake (like the size, fact that they are docile and coloring)
-Black Pinesnake (coloring/heard they were very good and becoming endangered)
-Male Carpet Python (like the colors, size and fact they are semi arboreal)

I'm just curious of what you all would pick and why...Thanks and have a good day everyone.

[morti]

1) We change the substrate every time it is soiled. Granted, we use newspaper, so that makes it easier. We clean with chlorhexidine... everytime it needs it. We are not on a set schedule with that.

2) I would go with the carpet, but that may just be personal preference. Their behavior is very different from boas, and I really enjoy the differences. I am not a huge colubrid fan, so that is why I lean away from the milk or the pine.

[Bangswitch]

Originally Posted by morti

1) We change the substrate every time it is soiled. Granted, we use newspaper, so that makes it easier. We clean with chlorhexidine... everytime it needs it. We are not on a set schedule with that.

2) I would go with the carpet, but that may just be personal preference. Their behavior is very different from boas, and I really enjoy the differences. I am not a huge colubrid fan, so that is why I lean away from the milk or the pine.

I agree with all of that.... But i would go for the male boa.

[Bubba117]

I also use newspaper as a subtract.......and I clean everytime it's soiled

[pilot511]

any reason why the carpet over the boa? Do Carpet pythons have the notorious personalities of some of the bigger pythons or more docile....I like their coloring and the fact they are arboreal a lot...Ive read in numerous articles they are good in a 40 breeder for life?

	Arboreal Arboreal is a word meaning "related to or resembling trees". Its meaning comes from the Latin arbor, meaning tree.<br> In biology, an arboreal animal is one which inhabits or spends large amounts of time in trees or bushes.

[morti]

Originally Posted by pilot511

any reason why the carpet over the boa?

Because I have a house full of boas. I also feel the the animals in Genus Morelia are more intelligent and, therefore, more interesting.

Do Carpet pythons have the notorious personalities of some of the bigger pythons or more docile....

Yes. You can't make sweeping generalizations about an entire genera of snakes... some individuals are grouchier than others. With any snake, if you get a young, captive bred individual and handle it frequently, you will probably end up with a calm, handleable snake.

I like their coloring and the fact they are arboreal a lot...Ive read in numerous articles they are good in a 40 breeder for life?

That's a catch 22... we really don't keep ANYTHING in glass aquaria in my home, so I would say it would be good in a 40 breeder, for Never. However, I really like the Boaphile Plastics 343A arboreal cage for adult carpets. Boaphile Plastics! Arboreal Cages!

	Arboreal Arboreal is a word meaning "related to or resembling trees". Its meaning comes from the Latin arbor, meaning tree.<br> In biology, an arboreal animal is one which inhabits or spends large amounts of time in trees or bushes.

[mhartmann]

1. I use pine and bark substrate. I remove soiled substrate immediately along with about an inch of the substrate around the soil. I totally clean the cage once a month. It's a bit of a hassle because a month isn't very long, but I notice it starting to get a little musty around then. I use simple green disinfectant, dilute bleach for the water bowls ad rock hides and I soak those for 20 mins. The simple green for the cage and I rinse the cage very liberally and let it dry before putting the snake back in. My boa can spend this time being handled or in the tupperware container of appropriate size. I clean the climbing branch with simple green but usually throw away the branch for a new one after several months.

1. I would go with the male boa, but that's just because I think carpet pythons are a little harder to take care of

[zebo and nola]

i use news paper as bedding and also change when soiled
i would choose the boa because imo boas are the coolest snakes and are usualy well tempered snakes and its a suri well need i say more

	Suriname Redtail Boa Red Tail Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor constrictor) from the locale of Suriname. Considered to be a "True" Red Tail.

	In My Opinon IMO = In My Opinion and IMHO = In My Honest Opinion

[pilot511]

do a lot of the colombians for the most part lose their red tails?